Is that a challenge?
My Tight-Ass Succubus
Yes
What are you putting?
Little Demon
My Eternity
Okay, I’ll accept that
Sydni told me to put Rhyse-poo but I refuse
I’ll put My Monster
I approve
See you in a few hours
My Eternity
Okay
I’ll buy pancake mix
A chuckle escapesmy throat just as the sliding glass door opens behind me. The sound of heavy footsteps follows, and I can’t help but feel a flicker of relief. I’m so close to fighting that damn Fallen, it’s not even a joke anymore. Even though Xera told me not to initiate confrontation, it feels inevitable. I understand her reasoning—it’s not about his safety, it’s about mine.
“This place is beautiful, Kairhyse,” Brice says as he comes to stand beside me. “It reminds me of home, which is saying something.”
I tuck my hands into my pockets. “Where are you from?”
“Lualani, it’s where my pack originates from.”
Turning, my eyebrows pinch as I scrutinize him. “How long ago did you leave your pack?” He had to have left them. Lualani is a cluster of islands off the west coast of Everhaven, and I know enough ofthatpack to understand he didn’t ask or notify them of his departure.
I understand his size now—the Lual Pack is notorious for their… stature. Thankfully Sydni is a Vampire, especially with how infatuated they both seem with each other.
“Twenty years ago, give or take.”
Werewolves can live for centuries, sometimes even longer, due to their unique biology. I’m curious how old he is, but I won’t ask—it’s not something I need to know.
“Is that why you didn’t correct Sydni about you being a Shifter?”
“She just assumed, and most ask Werewolves what pack they belong to…” He grumbles. “I didn’t want to lie to her more than I had been, so I didn’t disagree or agree, if that makes sense.”
“I see.” It doesn’t really matter now, and I can see Sydni not questioning him on his species.
He takes a deep breath as a gentle breeze wafts through the forest, bringing scents of pine.
“Why do you serve Alaric?” I have my own issues with this Werewolf, but I don’t think they all stem from his actions alone.Something tells me that the Fallen was the real reason he tricked Sydni. Or maybe he never intended to get close to my little butterfly at all. I can’t blame him—she’s hard not to fall in love with. While my care for her comes strictly from friendship, I can see it’s much more than that for him.
When he glances over his shoulder, I doubt he’ll respond, but after a moment of pause, he finally speaks. “He’s a friend. I don’t serve him. He helped me escape my pack, and I owed him for that. He never asked for anything until this, with Xeraphine.”
Circling around him, I move to where the patio ends, and I’m glad he follows as we step between the trees. “And you were just okay tricking a poor girl?—”
“You seeing it that way tells me you haven’t been paying attention.” The rumble in his tone hints at me striking a nerve. “My intention was to just get close, but then it turned to protecting her. Sydni was fragile, friends with a Succubus that was outmurderingdangerous people, you have to see my position.”
