Prologue

Deacon roared in his shifted bear form before he and Nox stalked toward their brother.

A gun cocked off to the side.

Everyone stilled when a man in dark jeans, biker boots, and a leather vest over a dark tee walked out from the shadows. In the hand that had tattoos on it was a gun pointed at Deacon’s bear.

“Don’t fuckin’ move,” he ordered, gaze wild, breathing heavy.

“Who are you?” Soren called.

The guy ignored him and walked right up to Riker. Deacon took a step. The gun fired, and a chair behind Deacon’s bear fell to the floor in a clatter.

“Move again and the next bullet will be in your brain.” He wound an arm around Riker’s waist and, since the guy was a lot taller, he picked Riker up before moving step by step backward.

The bear growled.

Nox took a step toward them. “You’re not taking?—”

“Don’t ruin my kidnapping, Nox,” Riker said with a manic grin. He patted the kidnapper’s arm before he waved at us all. “Don’t worry about me.” He winked. “This must be fate.”

Well, heck. Riker had just met his fated mate, who was currently kidnapping him for some reason. Then again, he could be human and acting on instinct alone after witnessing a man change into a bear. A bear that looked like he was going to kill Riker.

Sighing, I scrubbed a hand over my face. He’d be okay. And he could take care of himself.