Scarlet's Slash

    

Pale rays emitted by a full moon shone down through the darkness of the night, illuminating the city, casting ethereal light upon windows and cars. The pale moonlight seemed to sing a ballad, a hypnotizing melody only a chosen few could hear. It was a gift, a blessing sought and yearned for by many. The magic of the night soothed restless souls and cradled lovers in its embrace. Yet it still managed to bear witness to fury and betrayal. Flickering on the city’s outskirts, the pale moonlight illuminated a lone figure, surrounded by anger and hatred so deep it poisoned the soul.

The night of a full moon was meant to be a celebration, a night of revelry and freedom, the wolf within waking to bond with its brothers and sisters. It was more than a custom; it was a rule, almost a compulsion. However, just as with many other rules, this one didn’t apply to Viktor Petrovic. He knew this, he accepted this. But when his father had chosen to announce his mating to Emilie, the daughter of a neighboring pack leader, without so much as consulting him, Viktor had stopped being so accepting. Sasha had crossed the line and Viktor had had enough of his father’s meddlesome ways. He was tired of being manipulated, used and forced to change.

Obviously, the Alpha had not taken Viktor’s disobedience well. Sasha Petrovic was known for his ruthlessness and his relationship with his son was strained to say the least. But, unlike everybody else, Viktor wasn’t intimidated.  In the forested grove where the pack always met, he faced his father dead on, heedless of the hostility radiating off of the other pack members. Sizzling fury burned in two identical sets of ice blue eyes as Sasha attempted to force Viktor to submit. “I’m sick of your insolence, pup.” The Alpha growled, his voice arrogant and commanding. “You will obey me in this!”

 “Your orders mean nothing to me, Sasha.”  Viktor laughed derisively, eyes glinted threateningly in clear contradiction to the indifference in his tone. “Do you really think a fossil like you can force me into anything?”

Insulted, the Alpha snarled, his anger flowing off him in waves. Viktor knew that, under normal circumstances, such an offense would have been considered a challenge to the Alpha’s leadership position, resulting in a fight for power. However, since these were not normal circumstances, Viktor suddenly found himself surrounded by a circle of his father’s minions, ready to strike at the Alpha’s order. Ignoring the danger, Viktor laughed again. “Look at you, old man! You can’t even face me on your own! You’re pathetic.”

Viktor felt the tension thickening in the air with his every word, until it became almost palpable in its intensity. His nerves tingled with the knowledge of the imminent fight and his wolf paced impatiently inside of him, yearning to break free and attack.

Fortunately – or unfortunately – the crowd parted to reveal a silhouette Viktor knew too well. He frowned at the sight of his old friend, Flame, heading towards him. Flame’s handsome black face was marked by the worry and sorrow of the past few weeks. Quite honestly, Viktor couldn’t bring himself to care, since after all those years of being considered as close as brothers, Flame had betrayed him. In the end, Flame was just like everybody else.

Viktor directed a glare at his former friend, silently warning him away. Ignoring his obvious anger, Flame grabbed his arm and pulled him aside, away from the Alpha. “Pull yourself together, Vik!” He begged in a whisper. “You don’t want to do this!”

Viktor broke out of Flame’s hold, giving his former friend a disgusted look. “You’ve no right to tell me what to do, Flame!”

“I’m your friend.” The other werewolf countered. “I care about you!”

Viktor just snorted. “Yeah, right. I suppose that’s why you’ve been so supportive of my new mating. Because you’re my friend and you want what’s best for me.” Ignoring Flame’s wince, Viktor continued to speak in a disdainful tone. “You know, I really thought you were different that these ass-kissing, back-stabbing bastards. Shows how much I know about people. You can just…”

“Oh, stop being so stubborn, Viktor.”  A familiar feminine voice suddenly interrupted his angry rant.  “Flame is right.”

Viktor turned to face Flame’s mate, Jessica, and barely managed to suppress a growl as the sickeningly sweet voice of his enemy continued to taunt him. “Besides, you need a mate and what better choice than Emilie?”

Viktor prayed for composure, hoping he’d manage to keep himself from irreparably harming Jessica. She’d been the bane of his existence for the past 15 years and he needed all the control he could muster to deal with her.

Giving the female werewolf a scathing look, Viktor growled. “And who, pray tell, gave you the right to judge whether I need a mate or not?”

Jessica attached herself to Flame’s arm and gifted him with one of her famous fabricated smiles. “It’s for the best. Besides, the agreement is already in place. We can’t back out now.”

“I don’t give a fuck!” Viktor bellowed. “There is no “we” in this issue! You did not bother to ask me when you agreed to my supposed mating. It’s your mess, you fix it.”

Flame looked like he wanted to say something, but Viktor’s anger silenced him, just like it silenced all of the other members of the pack. It was extremely rare that Viktor’s inner Alpha got the better of him, since he always tried to keep his dominant side hidden. He knew that now wasn’t the best time to challenge his father for leadership of the pack, since many wolves didn’t trust his volatile personality and considered him unfit to rule. Unfortunately, he had yet to prove them wrong and his continuous refusal to mate didn’t help much.  Inwardly cursing, Viktor turned on his heel and began to push through the crowd, daring them to attack him. He was ready to take them on, to rip some throats out, but he knew none of the wolves present would attempt any act of violence upon his person.

As expected, he was allowed to pass and was able to reach his bike without any opposition whatsoever. The pack’s sudden unnatural stillness irritated Viktor, but perhaps it was better this way. He needed to get out of there immediately. He needed to leave behind every word spoken today, every glare that had caught his eye, each and every moment he’d spent in the company of his pack.

Climbing on his motorcycle, Viktor took another look back at the gathering of werewolves he’d just abandoned. Jessica seemed smug, his father was still seething, but it was Flame’s sad expression that somehow reached him. Shaking his head, he looked away from his former friend and started the bike, abandoning the forest and the rough terrain in favor of the concrete marking human civilization.

Entering the urban area, he welcomed the lights and deafening sounds, all bustling with human life. He needed to get his mind off Flame, his father and the pack and thankfully he knew exactly where to go to achieve this purpose. Impatient, he revved the engine and turned up the speed, reveling in the feel of the wind blowing through his white hair as he effectively dodged vehicles in motion and ignoring the angry horns that sounded when the motorcycle ran through traffic lights.  Due to his outrageous speed, his destination was soon in sight and Viktor grinned in satisfaction. His favorite club was private, inconspicuous, and best of all, gay. From the outside, it looked like a perfectly common building, but Viktor knew better. Here he could indulge himself in male flesh all night long, without risking being detected by fellow members of the pack. Here he could find the forgetfulness he so badly needed.

Dutifully ignoring the mocking face of the full moon, Viktor made his way to the entrance and sauntered past the guards, who didn't even attempt to check his ID. As he walked in, the excitement of seeing the swirling bodies on the dance floor and the scent of male arousal, that permeated the air, did wonders for Viktor’s mood. He felt the dancers’ appraising look slide over him like an invisible caress, but paid it no heed. It was always like this, every time he came to the club. He didn't even have to bother to look for someone to sate his lust. They all flocked to him, willing, no, begging to do whatever he pleased.

Heading towards the bar, Viktor ordered a drink and sat down in a more secluded corner, surveying the crowd. Even under normal circumstances, the club was busy, but tonight seemed to be a particularly good night. The dance floor was flooded with scantily clad males, most of them engaged in dancing that bore a significant resemblance to hard core sex.

Naturally, the sight did not leave Viktor unaffected. A creature of instinct, his inner beast wanted to feast on the prey spread out before him. However, Viktor knew that showing interest would be pointless. Humans felt an unnatural attraction to the danger Viktor represented, requiring little effort from him when it came to getting what he wanted. This made his conquests empty, but what was he to do? Willing prey wasn’t worth hunting.

Viktor reined his wolf in and, abandoning his drink, proceeded to fish out a cigarette pack from his jacket. Lighting a cigarette Viktor reveled in the soft feel of the smoke inside his lungs. Considering the fact that any hallucinogen or alcoholic substances had little effect on werewolves, this was more a habit than an actual vice. It was something that, like the club, made him forget, made him feel more human.

Viktor knew that he would probably be approached before he managed to properly finish his first smoke and his suspicion was proven correct. While extinguishing his cigarette stump, his keen hearing managed to pick up the sound of approaching footsteps, even over the noise in the club. The beast within stirred again, but Viktor ignored both it and the blond man sitting down beside him. Staring impassively at the crowd, he disregarded his new companion entirely, waiting. His patience was soon rewarded. The human spoke. "Ummm… I was over there and I couldn't help but notice you. I don't suppose you're here alone?"

Lifting the glass before him, Viktor pretended to focus on his drink, hiding his smile behind the glass. He didn't know whether to feel amused or bored by the human's tone. It was a lousy attempt at coyness, trying to combine shyness with seduction. Viktor inwardly shrugged; this human was as good as any, he supposed.

Placing the glass back down on the counter, Viktor turned towards the blond human with a smile. He was cute, in a twinkish kind of way and his entire body radiated desire. Viktor licked his lips. Yes, most definitely, this human would do. "Actually, I am. Care to join me?" He patted his lap, grinning suggestively at the human.

The human grinned back, slipping seductively into Viktor's lap. He intentionally squirmed a little, rubbing his ass against the werewolf's crotch. Viktor growled and pulled the youth towards him, mashing their lips together. He ravaged the human's mouth, swallowing moans and whimpers with savage satisfaction. When their mouths separated, Viktor looked at the human, noting the lust-filled expression. His body responded to that lust, but for some reason Viktor felt reluctant to follow up on the attraction. He knew exactly why.

Recently, Viktor had become increasingly aware of the solitude that surrounded him. All around him he saw people that were mated: humans, shifters, even vampires. The night hid the secrets of a thousand lovers, in his pack, in the city, everywhere he turned. And he had no one, no family, no friends, not a single person to give him a smile or a friendly welcome, to worry about him when he went on a dangerous expedition or to care if he lived or died. Flame’s mating with Jessica had been the last straw, the ultimate betrayal that had deprived him of the only person he cared for.                                       

He’d futilely tried to forget about these treacherous feelings by losing himself in insignificant flings. Every night he went to the club and ended up in bed with a complete stranger whom he promptly cast out afterwards. He used and he was used in return. For a little while, it meant he could forget and pretend, but was this what he really needed?                      

Suddenly feeling disgusted with himself, Viktor pushed the youth aside. He needed to get away, he needed to breathe. Ignoring the human clinging to his arm, he got up to leave only to pause when a tantalizing scent tickled at his senses. Viktor's heart started to beat faster, his cock hardening again. Turning, he scanned the crowd, seeking to detect the source of the scent. It wasn’t easy seeing as the club was filled with the scent of drugs, sweat, arousal and blood. Not to be outdone, he continued to look around, finally finding what he was searching for when he was met with the most amazing eyes he'd ever seen in his life. Mate… His mate… No, it wasn't possible.                               

He thought the human said something but was too caught up in those beautiful eyes to care. He'd never seen such color in his entire life, swirling orbs of gold and onyx. In the dim light of the club, they seemed to glow with an inhuman light, a dangerous glint that drew him like a moth to a flame. Heart pounding with excitement, Viktor took in the sinful form of his mate’s slender, but toned body, hugged by leather that clung to him like a second skin. The stranger’s long flowing hair was of a peculiar rusty shade, his full lips twisted in a suggestive smile and the patrician nose giving a flawless face an aristocratic look. Viktor drank in the vision and knew without a doubt that the stranger was his destiny.                                                                                                                                            

The beautiful man was leaning against a wall on the other side of the club, seemingly waiting for something. Viktor promptly discarded the disgruntled human and made his way through the crowd, his eyes locked on the vision waiting just a little further ahead. He feared that if he lost eye contact, his mate would disappear. Alas, Viktor's fear proved to be justified, and his heart fell when the stranger turned and vanished, his form melting into shadow.

When he finally managed to free himself of the crowd, Viktor anxiously sought out his mate, desperate to know where he had gone. He couldn’t believe it. His mate had been right there, under his very nose, and he’d lost him. How was that possible? Feeling more than a little desperate, the werewolf carefully scanned the entirety of the club, hoping to catch a glimpse of his mate’s rusty hair. His gaze moved past the throng of writhing bodies on the dance floor, over the lounging area leather couches and to the bar. Much to Viktor’s surprise, his mate was there, seated close to where he himself had been moments earlier. When had he managed getting there?

Inwardly shrugging, Viktor decided that it didn’t really matter how his mate had ended up sitting at the bar.  After all, it had taken Viktor a while to navigate through the crowd and there was the possibility that there were other ways to get across the club. Routes he, perhaps, was unaware of. Eye on the proverbial prize, Viktor made his way back to the bar and towards his mate’s seated form.

His mate had ordered a drink and seemed lost in thought, ignoring the looks he was receiving from more than one of the clubbers. His mate was, in actual fact, completely oblivious to a certain more daring human, who was already making his way towards Kai, lustful intent clear in his gait. Viktor directed a glare at the approaching human and the man froze in midstride and backed away slowly, reconsidering his actions. Smart man.  Viktor did not share well.

Competition safely eliminated, Viktor carefully approached his mate, suddenly feeling nervous. “Hi.” He began, wincing at how lame the simple greeting seemed.

The mysterious man didn’t acknowledge him at first, and Viktor thought that he had probably missed the greeting due to the volume of the music in the club. Steeling his resolve, he sat down at the bar, next to his mate and repeated his greeting, raising his voice as he did so. “Hi.”

This time, the stranger lifted his eyes, meeting Viktor’s gaze curiously. “Hello.” He answered simply. His voice was silk over steel, strong, yet soft. It seemed to embrace him, wrapping him in a cocoon as mist would, numbing him to everything else. Now that they were finally sitting beside one another, Viktor could smell his mate’s scent once more, the unique mixture intoxicating as it invaded his senses, driving him subtly insane.  His mate, however, seemed reluctant to deal with him and the wolf inside of him whined in distress, confused as to what his next course of action should be.

Viktor felt the overwhelming urge to curl into his mate’s side, in an attempt to drive whatever thoughts were plaguing his mate away. He longed to kiss him and possess him until the only thing remaining his mate’s mind was Viktor himself. “Can I buy you a drink?” He modestly offered instead, struggling to keep the feral lust he felt inside. This was not the pack, and his mate was not a werewolf. He needed to remember that.

“I already have a drink.” The man said, pointing to the glass in front of him.

Viktor swallowed, feeling more inadequate than ever. The whirlpool of feelings and sensations swirling around inside him effectively erased all possibility of coherence. The wolf inside started to pace, acutely feeling the intrinsic rejection in his mate’s words. But Viktor wasn’t one to give up so easily. Giving up was not even an option, not when his mate was concerned. “Can I join you then?” He asked again.

The beautiful stranger just shrugged. “It’s a free world. Suit yourself.”

A long silence stretched between them, the music coming from the dance floor loud enough so as not to make it awkward. Viktor’s mind raced as he struggled to find something, anything to help his mate overcome whatever was bothering him, thus drawing the man closer to him. It was so much easier for the wolf. Animals innately knew what they needed. They had no use for pretense, nor were they constricted by the rules that governed a society they didn’t actually belong to.

Normally, if he were in the pack, Viktor would be nuzzling his mate’s neck by now, maybe even sucking a mating mark on it. The wolf growled in satisfaction at the thought and Viktor scooted a bit closer to his mate, his hand travelling across the bar to gently trace small patterns across his mate’s leather clad arm. He wasn’t in the pack, but if he played his cards right, he’d be able to do all these things to his mate, regardless. “So… I haven’t seen you around here too much.”

Viktor’s mate absently played with his drink, fiddling with the rim of the glass and for a second, the werewolf thought he would be ignored. “I don’t come here a lot. What about you?” The beautiful stranger smiled mysteriously. “Weren’t you with someone already?” He asked, arching a perfect brow.

Viktor suppressed the urge to blush at the reference to his earlier escapade. “Not really.” He managed to respond. “That was just…”

“That’s all right. I understand.” The stranger’s smile brightened, pulling Victor’s thoughts right back into the gutter as he contemplated how those lips would look wrapped around his cock. He snapped back to reality only to realize his mate was introducing himself. “Hi. I’m Kai and before you buy me that drink, maybe you will tell me your own name?”

Viktor took hold of his mate’s hand and squeezed it, thankful even for that brief moment of contact. He held on to his mate’s palm a bit longer than necessary, reveling in the feel of Kai’s body and idly noted that his mate’s skin was peculiarly cool. In truth, he didn’t pay much attention to that particular fact. He felt more than a little flustered by his mate’s remark. It was true; he’d started off their conversation entirely on the wrong foot – or paw as fate would have it. He didn’t normally introduce himself to the men he picked up. They had no interest in each other’s identities, only in getting off. But this was his mate, and Viktor needed to concentrate and think with his head, not his dick. “I’m Viktor. Viktor Petrovic.”

Kai smiled again and proceeded to free his palm from Viktor’s grip, much to the werewolf’s regret. His mate was unlike anyone he’d ever met. There was just something about him that spoke of an aloofness, a perceived superiority between him and the rest of the world, and yet, hidden beneath that aloof, cold exterior, Viktor felt there was so much restrained passion.  “Can I ask you a question, Viktor Petrovic?” Kai inquired, that same inscrutable smile on his face.

Viktor leaned against the bar, studying his mate’s elegant profile and schooled his features into cool nonchalance, despite the fact that he felt anything but calm. His insides were burning with need, the desire to claim his mate giving unprecedented power to Viktor’s wolf. “Ask away.” Viktor managed to answer, hoping his inner battle wasn’t too visible upon his face.

Kai nodded, those eerie black-gold eyes looking almost magical as they focused on the werewolf’s face. “Why did you refuse blondie’s offer?”

Viktor was both startled and aroused by the straightforward manner of the inquiry. He half contemplated using a smooth reply to complement his cool image, but in the end, decided against it. He didn’t think he was doing a very convincing job of being suave, anyway. It was to be expected, Kai was, after all, his mate.  Despite this, Viktor couldn’t just come out and say it. It didn’t automatically grant him rights on Kai’s person and he had to respect that. The wolf inside of him wanted to take possession of his mate, mark Kai as his, but Viktor was not just a wolf, he was also a person and he refused to allow the animal inside to think in his stead.

Viktor dug his emerging claws into the flesh of his palms, fighting to push back the beast instead forcing himself to calmly answer Kai’s question. “I didn’t want what he was offering.” He finally managed to croak out.

Kai arched a brow, disbelief clear in his expression. “Oh? What is it that you want then?”

Viktor was tempted to give Kai the pure honest truth and say “You. I want you.”  He felt the deep primal need to merge their bodies into one, in order to cement the bond that already existed between them. It was that bond that had urged him to approach Kai, as the wolf could tell his mate felt the same attraction Viktor did. However, the same dictated that he tread carefully. It told him Kai was a special, but fragile person. Something inside, that golden thread that connected them together, held him back and Viktor opted for a half truth that wouldn’t scare Kai away. “Someone special.”

Kai’s peculiar eyes twinkled with an indescribable emotion and he nodded, looking away from Viktor’s scrutiny. The wolf immediately sensed that his mate was distressed for some reason and whined, the need to comfort and the need to couple merging into a single, all-encompassing emotion.   Viktor reached for Kai’s hand, caressing it gently. “Is everything all right?” He asked, both his human and his animal sides concerned.

“Yes. Everything is fine.” Kai answered snappishly, glaring at the liquid in his glass.

Much to Viktor’s surprise, Kai’s attitude changed in mere seconds, shifting before his very eyes. “I’m sorry. Thank you for your concern. You’re sweet.” Kai passed a cool hand over Viktor’s cheek, a gentle caress that made Viktor’s wolf want to wag his tail and Viktor the human harden as a rock.

“What do you say we take this someplace else?” Kai whispered in his ear. The seductive whisper froze the protest Viktor was about to make, in his throat. He nodded, the heat inside of him too strong for him to counter now.

“Good. I’ll go out first. Wait a few minutes and then meet me in the back.” With those final instructions still echoing between them, Kai placed a bill on the counter in payment for his drink. Viktor remained dead still when his mate pressed the smallest of kisses to his lips and then turned around, melting into the crowd.

Viktor tried to follow Kai’s instructions, he really did. He even managed to wait one minute on the clock. But in the end, there was only so much that the animal within was willing to bear, and right now, the wolf wasn’t feeling very pleased with the prospect of remaining in an establishment filled with disgusting, worthless humans, when he had a horny, perfect mate waiting for him.

With that in mind, the werewolf placed a second bill onto the counter, not even giving much attention to the more than generous amount tip he was leaving behind. The hunt for his mate was on.

The club was even busier now suddenly overwhelming Viktor’s sensitive senses, a variety of scents and sounds, all clamoring for his attention. Unfazed, he consciously blocked out all the offensive odors, focusing on the traces left by his elusive mate, his body already welcoming the excitement of the hunt. Following the scent, he delved further into the club, his wolf’s hackles rising in silent warning.  Something about the direction the scent was leading him in, worried him. Kai had told him that he would wait for him out, in the back of the club, but what was the necessity for that? Why had Kai taken off so suddenly and interrupted their conversation?

Alarm bells started to ring in his mind giving him the distinct impression that danger lay ahead. Even so, Viktor knew he would not back down. There was nothing that could stop him from going after his mate. Every part of him screamed for Kai's presence, yearning for his touch, drowning out the warning.

Determined, Viktor walked out of the club and into the moonlit night. Caution thrown to the wind, his hungry gaze fell on the form of his mate lying in wait, his leather clad body leaning against the wall. Viktor took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to jump the other man and ravage him.                           

"Hey…" Kai whispered softly, licking his lips.                                 

"Hey…" Viktor swallowed, praying for composure. He was so hard it hurt, their future relationship was more important that dealing with his enflamed libido. What did one say when one finds his mate? Hey, you know what? You're my mate and we're fated to be together for all our lives. So, wanna fuck? No, that would never do.            

Luckily, Kai saved him from his dilemma. "It's beautiful night, tonight."                

Viktor agreed with a nod. "Yes, it is." He took a step forward and caressed the flawless skin of Kai's cheek. Like Kai’s palm, it was almost unnaturally cool and pale like the moon. "But not as beautiful as you."                                                                  

He mentally winced at the terrible cliché, especially when seeing the mirth that twinkled in his mate’s surreal gaze.                                                                                       

"I've always had a soft spot for full moons." Viktor froze at Kai's softly spoken words. Could he possibly know about…? Viktor mentally shook his head. There was no way such a thing was possible. There was no way he could know that Viktor was a werewolf. It had to be just a coincidence.                                                    

"Is something the matter?" Kai smiled, his expression unreadable. In the light of the moon, it made his skin look marble white, almost surreally pale, his eyes shifting unnaturally. It was hypnotic, mesmerizing, and it made Viktor's blood boil, and his thoughts scatter to the point of madness. A growl emerged from Viktor's chest a second before he pushed the other man against the wall, pinning his hands above his head and meshing their lips together.                                               

His mate's peculiarly flexible tongue wrapped around Viktor's in a dance of seduction as they kissed and rubbed against each other, insane with arousal. Oddly, the coolness he'd registered before was entirely gone now and Viktor made short work of the other man's leather top, slashing it with his claws and discarding it in one swift movement. He then proceeded to feast on his mate’s pink nipples, which instantly perked up and pebbled at his touch. Moaning, the other man arched his back, exposing the pale column of his neck.                              

"Mmm… Nice…" The werewolf rumbled, reveling in the taste of his mate on his tongue. The animal inside of him was almost feral with lust now and Viktor lost the battle with his other side completely, no longer caring about anything but taking his mate. The wolf needed to mate, needed to possess what was his. There was no more time for conversation, no more time for courtship. His claws deftly removed the rest of the leather outfit hiding that perfect body from sight and granted him access to his mate’s hardness. The other man hissed at the touch, and barely managed to answer the question.                                

"Oh, yessssss, there! Oh, please!"                                                      

Viktor smiled as Kai struggled and writhed in pleasure that bordered on agony. The beast inside him reveled in Kai's loss of control, in the implicit submission and total surrender. Still holding Kai's hands pinned over his head, he sunk his teeth in Kai's neck, the feeling of marking his mate flooding his senses.                                                                       

Kai’s blood was sizzling hot, so hot it almost burned in his veins. It was the most exhilarating sensation he'd ever experienced in his life. As he reveled in the Kai’s taste, he felt a shift in the air, like something was about to happen. The next thing he knew,  Kai was sinking his own teeth into his neck.

In different circumstances, Viktor would have felt ecstatic about the fact that Kai was marking him, just as he was marking Kai. But he felt the bite wound burn, weakness seeping into his body, and he knew that he'd been right to fear danger. Viktor's heart broke as he realized that Kai had betrayed him.                        

As if purposely trying to further the feeling of hurt and betrayal present in Viktor's heart, Kai freed himself from the werewolf's grip, easily pushing him aside. As his vision dimmed and his muscles went lax, Viktor found himself unable to fight the separation. Dizzy, he wobbled on his feet, trying to fight off the effects of the poison. It was futile and Viktor fell on his knees as it seemed to take over his every limb, leaving him numb and unable to move.                                     

Distantly, Viktor wondered what exactly Kai had done do him, but it didn't really matter.  He couldn't find it in himself to care that he was dying when it was his mate that was killing him. Every instinct for survival fell into the background, overcome by heartbreak. If Kai wanted him dead, then he'd die. It was as simple as that. Kai’s indifferent look, just as cold and distant as the moon, was already too much for him to stand, more poisonous than whatever venom was in his blood. It was a pain worse than death and Viktor wished that maybe, just maybe he would stop feeling already.               

His wish, however, was not meant to be fulfilled. His senses cleared for but a moment and Viktor realized that he could once again smell Kai’s tantalizing scent and savor the taste of Kai's blood in his mouth. Somewhere in the distance, he thought he heard the rumbling of thunder. The moment passed him by in a flash and he barely had time to register that the numbness was starting to disappear, when his immune system began to fight the poison, two enemies vying for supremacy over his blood and his life. This battle between life and death unleashed a new flood of agony within him.              

Jolts over jolts of pain tortured Viktor's body, until he felt like he was locked within an iron maiden, unable to escape, every second twisting his insides, stealing his air and piercing his flesh with invisible daggers. Viktor gritted his teeth, attempting to suppress the screams born inside his chest. He was unwilling to display further weakness and he hated the fact that he was unable to hide the unbearable agony.                          

Just as suddenly as the pain had started, it abruptly faded away. His body finally stopped writhing, and weak as a pup, Viktor collapsed again boneless onto the pavement. As usual, when he was extremely weak, his human shape blurred and disappeared, leaving only a white wolf behind.                                                   

The humiliating feeling of helplessness irked Viktor to no end and he uselessly tried to get on his feet, only to fall back down on the ground mere seconds later, panting. However, all feeling of dismay vanished as if by magic when Kai’s gentle hand passed through his fur in a ghostly caress.  The sensation made Viktor want to wag his tail, in spite of the weakness.                                                        

A soft whisper escaped Kai’s lips, echoing a deep and hidden sorrow Viktor could feel as if it were his own. "I'm sorry…" Viktor wanted to reassure his mate, he wanted to take the pain in Kai’s voice away, to protect him forever, but he didn't get the chance. Kai hastily got up and looked up at the clouds, frowning. Viktor could smell the coming rain in the air and he vaguely wondered why a little storm would bother Kai. The thought disappeared from his mind when Viktor caught the scent of another individual.    

Viktor’s eyes darted to the end of the alley and the sight of the new arrival pulled a growl from his chest. The stranger was wearing attire similar to Kai's, black leather hugging his large, muscular body. Where Kai exuded elegance and confidence, this man oozed darkness, threat and cruel power. The darkness seemed to echo in his outward appearance, because both the man’s skin and hair were a flawless black. The stranger blended so perfectly into the night, a deadly predator waiting to strike, looming in the shadows in silent anticipation. He was cruelly handsome and his virility only contributed to the aura of danger that surrounded him.                                                      

"Well, well… If it isn't little Kaileigh." The man gave a little chuckle, but it sounded nothing like genuine amusement. "How is the job going?"                                     

"It's going just fine, thank you." Kai said coldly.                                           "Really?" The man arched a brow towards him. "Hmm… I'd like to check that for myself, if you don't mind."                                                                                               

With that, the stranger stepped further into the alley, obviously intending to make good on his words by checking on Viktor. Startlingly, it was Kai who halted the other man's approach. "Stay out of this, Jamari! It’s none of your business!"                              

“I don’t think so, Kai.” The new arrival – Jamari – chuckled. “It’s my duty to help my little brother when he needs it, you know?”

“This is my job, not yours!” Kai said coolly, his voice low and threatening.

Heedless of Kai’s silent threat, Jamari just shrugged and pushed him out of the way. As Jamari approached again, Viktor, instinctively sensing danger, snarled viciously, causing him to arch a dark brow. "Your job, huh? Well, apparently you're not doing it very well. He doesn't look like he's dying to me. Care to explain that?"                              

Kai didn't even flinch at the accusing tone, but Viktor could easily tell that it was a mask. He was as tense as a bow string, but when he spoke his voice revealed nothing of the turmoil within him. "It's just the last stand his body is making. He'll be finished soon enough."                                                                                           

The expression on Jamari’s face darkened, anger and hatred twisting his features. "You know as well assss I do that thisss isn't sssupposed to happen. Sssstupid boy, can't you do anything right?"

Kai clenched his jaw, the insult obviously getting to him. "He issss a werewolf. It's natural that things are sssomewhat different."                                                          

Instinctively, Viktor knew Kai was lying. The effect of the poison was disappearing. He wasn’t sure why that was, but it was obvious that Jamari needed to be kept in the dark.  Therefore, he decided to cease attempting to get onto his feet. Even on a normal day, Jamari would be a worthy opponent. It was better to try for a more indirect approach, take him down by surprise. This way, Kai wouldn't have to explain why the venom was wearing off.                                      

Viktor forced his body into stillness, faking unconsciousness and ignoring the sensation of Jamari’s presence burning into him like a firebrand. Seconds turned into hours, passing by in silence until Jamari spoke. "Well, he's obviously out cold, even if he is alive. I suppose the client did specify that we kill him slowly…"                                     

"You see? What did I tell you?" Kai scoffed.  "Just get out of here already and let me do my job!"                                                                                                                      

Even if Kai’s tone was rough, Viktor somehow knew that Kai was deceiving Jamari. However, Jamari was obviously not one to be so easily convinced. Giving Viktor’s still form another look, he grinned darkly. "Still, I'd rather kill him now, just to make sure. The client doesn't have to know, right?"                  

At the proclamation, Viktor opened his eyes, only to observe as Jamari produced a large katana that had obviously been strapped to his back. The blade shone in the moonlight, drawing his gaze like a magnet. He was staring at his death, he knew it. His body was much too weak for him to win this fight. The knowledge cut him to the core. He wanted so many things… He wanted to touch Kai again, to hold him, to whisper sweet nothings in his ear as they made love. He wanted to live, to fight and to protect that which was his, but such was apparently not meant to be. Maybe he was meant to die alone, just like he’d lived.

Suddenly, a hoarse scream pieced the air. "No!" Terror coursed through him as Kai jumped the bigger man, only to be intercepted and thrown aside with ease. He hit the wall of the building hard, sliding down to the ground like a broken doll.                              

"Sssstupid, idiotic, worthlesss creature!” Jamari hissed, taking hold of Kai’s neck and lifting him off the ground with one powerful arm. “How dare you ssstand in my way? I'll eat you alive and digest you while you're still breathing and I'll make him watch! And after I'm done, I'll cut him to little pieces, and throw his remains to the dogs!"  Unimpressed by this display of power, Kai glared at Jamari with obvious hatred. A smirk appeared on his lips and to Viktor's surprise, he head butted Jamari, causing him to lose focus for a second. Kai's body disappeared, the form of a rust-skinned snake appearing in its place.              

As he watched the scene unfold, disbelief gripped Viktor’s human mind. Kai was a snake! Of course! It all fit, the blood temperature, the peculiarly hypnotizing eyes, the poison, the speech pattern. Strangely, somewhere deep inside, this didn't surprise him, not really. Had he known all along? Had he hidden the knowledge in a sheltered corner of his mind, to avoid the sorrow of being faced with reality? It was very likely. It wasn't easy to realize that your mate was an assassin sent to kill you, but the truth remained that three quarters of all snakes were assassins of sort, selling their services to anyone who could pay to have a rival efficiently and quickly disposed of.  Even so, something told Viktor that Kai wasn’t like the rest of them. He couldn’t be.                                                       

Kai's snake form slithered away from Jamari, disappearing into the darkness.  However, Jamari wasn't about to give up so easily. "Sssstupid sssslut! You think you can essscape me ssso easily?"                                                                                  

A forked tongue crept out of Jamari's mouth, making him look every bit the snake that he obviously was. The black tongue started darting around left and right, obviously searching for Kai's hiding place.                                                                  

When an evil smile appeared on Jamari's face, Viktor knew Kai had been found. The knowledge gave him strength and Viktor leapt his feet, his anger morphing into blood lust as he leaped towards his enemy. Jamari hissed when the wolf’s weight landed on his back, Viktor's sharp teeth snapping at his neck, his front paws ripping into his shoulders and hind legs digging into his back. Taking advantage of the element of surprise, Viktor greedily tore into sensitive tissue, reveling in the sounds of anger and pain his prey was making.                               

Unfortunately for him, the anger of said prey was not something to be underestimated. Jamari's human form melted into a huge, black King Cobra and the confusing transformation caused Viktor to fall forward, hitting the ground hard. The huge snake raised itself behind him, unblinking eyes staring at him with cruel decisiveness.                  

The fall barely affected Viktor. He quickly recovered and jumped to his feet, facing Jamari head on. Viktor's human mind guessed that the cobra was at least 26 feet long and weighed about 100 pounds. It was seriously abnormal for a cobra, but Viktor supposed that were snakes were different to normal snakes, just like with werewolves and their animal equivalents. It didn’t matter. This snake would die this day and Viktor would kill it, for his beloved mate.                         

With that in mind, Viktor easily disregarded the Jamari's threatening hiss and proceeded to pace in wide circles around the snake, waiting for a moment of carelessness, just one moment was enough. He could still taste Jamari's bitter blood in his mouth and he could imagine himself ripping Jamari’s head from its body. It would be sweet vengeance for daring to attack Kai.                                                    

Suddenly, lightning tore through the clouds above, followed a mere breath later by the dark rumble of thunder.  Cold rain started to pour, icy hail mixed with drops of rain water. The hail crashed against rooftops and windshields, a force of nature impossible to be denied, denting mental and breaking glass. All around them, the world turned to ice and water, as nature unleashed its fury upon the helpless city.                         

Despite the rain’s intensity, Viktor knew he could have easily ignored the storm. He'd faced many such natural displays and they'd stopped fazing him long ago. Furthermore, even if his white coat was drenched, it was still a very good protection from the downpour. However, much to Viktor's dismay, his ears detected a hissing sound somewhere behind him and he instinctively knew that Kai was its source. Viktor looked in the direction of the sound for a second, startled by the sound of his mate's pain. Kai seemed to be trying to find a shelter, but the only thing that qualified was the dumpster at the end of the alley and it was too far. Kai tried to slither away and make for the dumpster, but the rain was obviously affecting him, hail crashing into his lithe body.                                   

Distracted by the sight of his mate's plight, Viktor didn't sense the danger until it was too late. Jamari lunged for him and before Viktor could dodge, he wrapped his long body around the wolf. Viktor was considerably heavier, but his weight meant nothing when faced with such an attack. He dropped to the ground littered with ice pellets, rolling his body around, hoping to dislodge it. He awkwardly tried to scratch at the snake, to crash it into the walls, but nothing he did seemed to affect Jamari. The powerful body of the reptile was slowly squeezing the life out of him, effectively cutting off his breath, causing Viktor's vision to dim again, the sound of the rain and the hail crashing against the concrete seeming to come to him through static. All that hail, all that rain and Kai, Kai was facing it alone…                                                                                             Viktor continued to fight, the thought of Kai still helpless in the hail renewing his strength. Inevitably, though, the fight drained out of him and he felt his life slip away with the last breath of oxygen he had in his lungs. Distantly, he thought he could feel Jamari’s fangs trying to get to his skin, but he was too tired to feel triumph over the fact that Jamari could not bite him because of his coat. The only thought in Viktor’s head was his beautiful mate, the exquisite creature who had risked his life for him and was now paying the price. Forgive me, Kai! Please forgive me…                                                    

Just as this last thought drifted into his mind, Viktor felt the pressure across his windpipe weaken until it disappeared altogether. Immediately, blessed air flooded Viktor's lungs; he was alive! He could save Kai now and everything would be all right. He struggled to discard the weight of the snake, but when he looked up to search for his mate, he witnessed the most unlikely sight ever. Kai was standing just inches away, naked in the rain, the bloody katana in his hand, a snake head at his feet. Shock and disbelief morphed into terror as Kai fell to the ground and instantly turned back into his rust colored reptilian form.                                                                                                     

Viktor forced himself to shift back into his human form. The cold rain chilled his blood and the hail bruised his naked body, but he didn't care. He lovingly picked Kai's snake form up from the concrete covered in ice and coiled him around his hands and neck, trying to shelter him from the freezing temperature. Kai's skin was cold and clammy and Viktor's heart started to beat a thousand miles an hour at the thought that his mate might not survive the ordeal. The rain intensity increased and Viktor knew Kai needed to be in a dry warm place. The only option would be the club, but how would the staff receive a snake Kai's size inside? It didn't help that he himself was as naked as the day he was born. The club personnel would probably assume he was crazy, call the cops and toss Kai back into the rain or worse. No, he needed something else.                 

A car! There were bound to be several cars in front of the club. Hasting in that direction, Viktor looked towards the club entrance and gaped when he realized that, with the exception of his battered bike, there were no vehicles there. The owners had probably decided to move them when the rain had started. Where could he hide Kai now?              

Viktor could feel despair threatening to overwhelm him, when his gaze fell on the dumpster next to him. It wasn't the Ritz but it was probably dry, so it was much better than standing in the rain. He didn't have another choice, anyway. He only hoped the rain would give way soon, so that he could take Kai to a safer, warmer place.                                   

Without another moment’s hesitation, Viktor hastened to the dumpster. As he opened the metallic lid, the sound of an approaching vehicle drew his attention. Holding Kai protectively under the metal, he squinted to get a better view of the car and its driver. It was a Chrysler, a silver Chrysler. Viktor knew that car well. Instantly, he realized who the person behind the wheel was, the knowledge waking mixed feelings within him. Suspicion, hope, relief, fear and bitterness. Flame…                                                                

As the car drew closer, Viktor took a deep breath, praying for patience and composure. He was acutely aware of every second that passed, ticking away mercilessly, stealing Kai from him. Viktor knew that his mate's life was hanging by a thread now. Flame could mean Kai's survival, but if he turned against them… Viktor could try fighting Flame but even in the doubtful situation that he would win, the time lost with the fight would probably claim Kai's life. Besides, he wasn’t ready to accept that his friend had changed quite so much.                             

So, Viktor waited. Ruefully ignoring the hostile elements of nature, he focused on the approaching car. He didn't know how much time had passed when Flame finally pulled over next to the dumpster and hastily opened the door to the passenger seat, gesturing Viktor inside. "Get in!"                                                           

Viktor didn't wait for a second invitation. He circled the car and got into the passenger seat, still clutching Kai to his chest.                                                                     

"Drive! My place, now! And hurry!"                                                                         

A frown appeared on Flame's handsome face when he took in Viktor's appearance. Still, the other werewolf didn't question him. The tires of the car shrieked as Flame revved the engine and drove out, spraying water and crushing the pellets of ice covering the ground.                                                                                            

Even though the car was warm, Viktor barely managed to suppress his shivers. As the Chrysler sped down the streets of the city, his wet hair clung to his skin, but he was too worried about his mate to even think about his own discomfort. "Do you have anything warm, a coat, a blanket, something like that?"                 

Flame nodded. "In the back." He said, pointing towards a jacket in the back seat. Viktor took the indicated coat and wrapped it around Kai.  The material wasn’t very thick and it wasn't much protection, but it was better than nothing. Flame arched a brow and gave him a curious look, but didn't ask. Viktor was thankful for the little miracle, since he didn't think he’d be able to face an interrogation right now.                                                          

An uncomfortable silence stretched between the two werewolves, broken only by the sound of the windshield wipers that were bravely fighting the elements. It was Flame who spoke up, all of the sudden declaring: "I overheard something in the pack. Jessica and the Alpha were on the phone with someone and I immediately understood they would try to kill you. I came right over."               

Viktor absently nodded, unsure of how to respond. His mind wasn't functioning properly, clouded by the terror of losing his mate to the elements of nature. As he looked out the passenger window, he could see very little through the curtain of rain. It seemed to him that they were standing in one place. "Go faster!" He growled.                                           

Flame frowned at him again, but didn't question the order. Viktor felt the Chrysler accelerate. Distantly, he was aware of the fact that the speed was most likely dangerous, since the rain hadn't stopped and the hail still battered the metal of the silver car. However, it was a necessary risk. The warmth in the car and the jacket were not enough to save Kai. Viktor could only hope that his friend was as skilled a driver as he remembered him to be.                                                   

The Chrysler skidded on the wet tarmac of the highway, but Flame expertly maneuvered it, controlling the skid to get the vehicle back on track, without even batting an eyelash. Even so, when the silver car stopped in front of his house, Viktor almost sighed in relief. Taking a moment to better wrap Kai in Flame's jacket, he exited the car and headed to his apartment. He cursed when he realized that he'd lost his keys when he'd been attacked at the club. Well, fuck it! It was only a minor obstacle, easily removed.  Growling, he kicked the door open with a crash. It was made of solid wood, but it couldn't take the pressure of an angry, fully grown werewolf. He ignored the alarm that started screeching with his violent entrance and hasted to the bathroom, Kai’s snake form still coiled in his arms. He immediately ran the hot water in the shower and entered the cubicle, cradling the unmoving reptile to chest.                                           

The scorching hot water did wonders for Viktor's frozen arms and legs. Yet, despite the high temperature, Viktor's blood still felt like ice in his veins. Kai had not transformed back into his human form and Viktor knew that this was most definitely a bad thing. Even so, Viktor was not prepared to give up. As the minutes ticked by, he gently bathed Kai in the hot water, hoping against all hope that it would help revive his beautiful mate.                                                                           

Fortunately, his efforts weren't in vain. Little by little, life seemed to return to the cold body in his arms. Finally, the reptilian form blurred entirely, shifting to reveal a very naked Kai. When his mate dazedly opened his eyes and gave Viktor a sleepy smile, the fist clenching Viktor's heart finally loosened and he beamed back, drinking in the sight of Kai's smile.                                                                  

Viktor pressed his lips to Kai's, feeling the need to reassure himself that Kai was indeed there, alive and with him.  Moaning, Kai wrapped his arms around Viktor's neck, his mouth clinging to Viktor’s almost desperately. It was heaven. Kai tasted incredible, intoxicating, like the finest French Merlot, as addictive as cocaine. Viktor wanted this moment to last forever. Alas, it was not possible, since they did need to breathe. Reluctantly, Viktor separated their mouths, suppressing the desire to rub his erection against his mate. If he was so hot because of one kiss, he couldn't even imagine the incredible ecstasy they'd feel when they finally made love. For it would be making love, not sex, so it had to be in the best conditions. Yes, when they finally made love, Viktor would worship every inch of that sweet body before finally taking Kai in their bed. Their bed… That sounded so beautiful.                                                                                         

Viktor was startled from his dreamy contemplations when Kai finally took in his environment and tensed. Pulling away from Viktor’s embrace, he slowly asked, "What…? Where am I? Why did you bring me here?"                               Viktor's heart fell at the coldness and suspicion in Kai's voice, his dreams suddenly distant illusions. "We're at my house." He answered cautiously. "Don't you remember what happened?"                                                                                                     

Kai's eyes met his and those onyx and golden orbs seemed to try to delve deep into his soul. It was just one moment, one moment in which their souls seemed to connect, and then Kai looked away. Breaking away from Viktor’s arms, he whispered brokenly, "I remember. Oh, I remember far too well. The way I seduced, betrayed and poisoned you. I remember everything."                                             

Gently, Viktor took his mate in his arms again and tilted Kai's chin upward. Kai's tears mixed with the shower water and his sorrowful expression made Viktor want to protect this beautiful creature forever. "Hush now." He whispered softly. "You saved my life, pretty. Twice. Stop berating yourself needlessly."                                                         

Kai pushed Viktor away and shook his head violently. "No, no. You're wrong. You're wrong."                                                                                                                

"I can't be wrong about you, pretty. You're my mate." The words slipped out before Viktor could stop them and he cursed himself for just blurting out something as important as that.

Kai's eyes widened and he shook his head again in denial. "I can't. I can't be your mate. I'm a murderer."

"You're not." Viktor said decisively. "If you'd been a cold blooded assassin, you would have killed me in the alley." 

Kai let out a bitter laugh, looking down again in obvious shame. "In case you didn't notice, I am a cold blooded assssassssin. First of all, because I'm a ssssnake, ssssecond of all, because I killed Jamari. I killed my own brother. And I don’t regret it in the leassst."             

Viktor’s heart hurt for his mate, the shock apparent in Kai’s tone. Kai had sacrificed so much for him. He'd risked his life, gone against his brother and almost died in the process. How could Kai not see everything he'd done to save Viktor?                                   

"Look at me. Look at me! Anyone else would have killed me. I would be dead if it wasn't for you. You can't deny this. Nor can you deny that there is a connection between us. You can feel it, can't you?" Viktor punctuated the last phrase with kisses, wanting, needing Kai to feel the bond, to accept the fact that he was indeed Viktor’s mate.

Kai licked his lips as if savoring Viktor's taste in his mouth. "Yessss, I can. Like a thread woven from gold. It's warm and sssso very real…" He murmured almost dreamily.                 

Viktor smiled at his mate, finding the peculiar hiss of Kai's speech endearing. "You see? Why deny something so obvious and beautiful?"                                   

"But I…." Kai's protest was silenced by Viktor's finger on his lips.                         

"Stop, just stop! You think too much." The werewolf scooped Kai up, causing him to yelp in surprise. "You need to get some rest now!"                                      

"Hey!" Kai squirmed in Viktor's arms, trying to escape his hold. "Let go! Sssstop! It's embarrassssing! I can walk by mysssself!"                                                               

"I never said you couldn't, pretty." Viktor pointed out as he crossed the house towards the bedroom. "But since you're my mate, I want to carry you. You wouldn't deny me this pleasure, would you?"                                                                               

A smile flitted across Kai's lips, a second before his body tensed again. "There's sssomeone in the houssse." He hissed, an anxious expression on his face.                       

Viktor just smiled reassuringly at his mate. He'd felt Flame's presence as well. "Don't worry, it's a friend of mine."                                                                         

"But…"                                                                                                                      

Viktor entered the bedroom and gently put his mate in his bed, covering him with the blankets. "Later, pretty. Sleep now! You've been through a lot today! Don't worry, I'll take care everything."                                                                                             

Kai actually pouted, but was obviously tired, so he obeyed and relaxed under the covers. Seconds later, Kai's eyelids fluttered closed, and he fell into a deep sleep. Stealing another brief kiss from his mate's lips, Viktor rummaged through his closet and took out a pair of worn jeans. He needed to talk to Flame. His friend had probably saved Kai's life; the least Viktor could do was give him an explanation.                                                                 

With a final longing look towards the slumbering form in his bed, Viktor exited the bedroom, closing the door with a soft click. Flame was waiting in the living room, and if the way he was scrutinizing the decorations at random was anything to go by, he felt as terribly uncomfortable with the whole situation as Viktor did. He was confused as to why Flame was helping him. True, they’d been close friends, but that had changed after Flame’s mating.                                               

In the end, it was Flame who broke the strained silence. “Is everything all right?” Flame inquired, his gaze fleeting towards the bedroom.                                               

“He’s my mate.” Viktor blurted out, fully expecting Flame to be repulsed, After all, not only was Kai a snake, but he was also male. But Viktor could never, would never deny the bond between them, no matter what.

Surprisingly, Flame showed no trace of shock or revulsion. “I figured as much. I was wondering, though, what exactly happened…”

Torn between excitement, relief and suspicion, Viktor decided to tell Flame the whole story. In as few words as possible, Viktor summed up the events of the night, everything that had happened at the club after his fight with the pack. As he spoke, Viktor watched Flame’s expression change in a display of unrestrained emotion. When Viktor finally finished his narration, he was met with a heartfelt sigh. “I was afraid this might happen…It’s the way they always deal with things.”

The tone of Flame’s voice hinted at a secret sorrow, a pain beyond that of compassion towards a friend and Viktor felt that there was something hidden there. “Flame, what do you mean?”

A heartfelt sigh escaped Flame’s chest before he answered Viktor’s question. “I couldn’t tell you this before, Vik, but the whole thing, my supposed mating with Jessica, it was all arranged. I fought them all the way, but in the end, they forced me into it by threatening my younger siblings.” Flame paused, looking away again, as if in shame. Taking a deep breath, he continued, in a more matter-of-fact tone. “Anyway, the point is that they’ll do anything to get what they want. Look, Viktor, you’re lucky; you found the person you’re meant to be with, the other half of your soul, but, you need to get out of here, man. Once the pack finds out about all this…” He left the rest unsaid, the meaning clear.

As his friend spoke, Viktor’s hands tightened into fists, anger and shame swirling inside of him. It was all Jessica’s fault, he was sure of it. Not only had she arranged his assassination, but she’d practically forced Flame into mating with her. As the Alpha female, the manipulative bitch had always held too much sway in the pack. With his father supporting her, there was no telling what other damage she could do to the pack. She’d already broken Flame. His friend looked lost, having seemingly abandoned all hope of finding his true mate.

Viktor wanted to say something, anything that could comfort Flame, but he couldn’t find the right words. In the end, he settled for asking Flame for another favor. “Can you get rid of that snake’s corpse and take care of my bike, please?”

Flame solemnly nodded and got up from the living room couch, obviously taking the request as a hint that he’d worn out his welcome. Heading towards the door, he emphasized his earlier warning, “Remember what I said. You don’t have much time.”

Viktor gave his friend one last look. “They won’t get away with this. I swear it.”

Flame didn’t acknowledge his promise. Viktor sighed as he heard the door open and close. He was in Flame’s debt, not only because Flame saved Kai but also because of his own unjust accusation. Soon, he’d release his friend from the bonds of the unwanted mating. His father and Jessica had gotten away with too much. It was time for a new leader in the pack. The rest of the wolves would just have to deal.                                      

With that in mind, Viktor quietly entered the bedroom, hoping to allow Kai a bit of sleep before they had to face their enemies. To his surprise, the covers had been thrown off the bed and his mate was no longer sleeping. Instead, Kai was packing bags in earnest, buck naked, nude… completely undressed.                               

Knowing that he couldn't afford to lose his head right now, the werewolf struggled to achieve some degree of composure. It wasn't easy. The sight of Kai's naked body made his blood boil in his veins and the sultry sound of his voice didn't help Viktor’s intentions at all.                                                                                              

"Hey! I couldn't help but overhear the conversation." Kai said, no trace of repentance in his voice.                                                                                               

Clearing his throat, Viktor managed a breathless answer. "You eavesdropped, you mean."                                                                                                            

Kai's reply was accompanied by an elegant shrug. "Whatever. As your friend said, we should leave at once, right?" A small knowing smile twisted Kai's perfect lips and he stopped shoving things in the bag to give Viktor a seductive look.                                               

 Kai’s impish expression was enough to push Viktor over the edge and dissolve his practical intentions. His glum thoughts slipped from his mind, gone as if they'd never existed. Growling, Viktor pounced, effectively forcing Kai's body to the floor trapping it with his own before Kai could even try to wiggle away.                                                                       

Kai wrapped his arms around Viktor's neck, moaning happily as Viktor plundered his mouth. The wolf reveled in Kai's surrender and his arousal skyrocketed as he took in the scent and the taste of his mate's need. Kai's skin exuded male desire through every pore, a desire that clouded Viktor's mind to the point where nothing else mattered, just the two of them. The fire of mutual need turned into an all encompassing flame that threatened to devour both of them.                                                                                     

Viktor’s mind simply stopped functioning, overwhelmed by the surge of feelings and sensations Kai awoke in his heart and body. When his mate surrendered to him, wrapping his legs around his waist, he knew he'd found heaven. Without separating their lips, he got up, Kai's pale limbs still wrapped around him. The carpeting was soft, but he didn't want to chance hurting his mate by taking him on the floor. Holding Kai tightly, he somehow made his way to the bed and collapsed on top of the sheets, careful not to crush Kai's body in the process.                                                                                                 

When the kiss finally broke, Viktor pulled away from Kai's embrace, suddenly needing to see his mate's body in its entire magnificence. The view was almost too much for him to bear. Kai's rust hair was spread creating random patterns upon the pillows. His eyes were clouded with the mist of desire, the gold and onyx seeming to swirl magically. Kai's pretty mouth was swollen from Viktor's kisses and his face was flushed, a telling sign of his desire. He looked like a wanton and debauched angel.                                            

It was only when Viktor's gaze washed over Kai's lower body that he noticed a certain peculiarity on his mate's skin that he hadn't observed before. Around his collarbone and ribs, Kai boasted beautiful golden scales, a reminder of his reptilian nature. They shone in the artificial light of the lamp and Viktor suddenly had the overwhelming urge to touch them.                                                                

"You don't like them?" Kai whispered shyly.  The whisper drew Viktor's attention to Kai's face again and he felt shocked and angry when he could see a touch of fear and shame shading the arousal from before. Could his mate really not know how beautiful he was? Viktor would not allow that.                                     

"They're beautiful. Like you." He said softly.                                                           

To prove his point, Viktor lowered his head, licking across Kai's collarbone until he reached his target. The golden scales were smooth like silk and tasted exquisitely like the essence of Kai. His mate let out a surprised sound, arching his back. Oh, would you look at that, a sensitive spot.                                 

Viktor tortured the smooth scales over and over, licking and nipping until Kai started to beg and plead. "Viktor, ssstop! I'm going to come!"                         

"Mmm… And what's so bad about that?"                                                                 

"I want to… Oh…oh, Viktor… when you're inssside me…"                                   

Viktor's blood turned into molten lava, as he lost what little composure he had left. His mind became a frenzy of desire, and all he could think about was taking his mate, permanently marking Kai as his own with his seed. He fumbled at the nightstand, sighing in relief when he found the familiar tube of lube.   

Viktor coated his fingers with a generous amount of the slick liquid and urged Kai to spread his legs further. Licking his lips at the sight of Kai's pretty pink hole, he vowed that one of these days he'd worship it with his tongue. Right now, he needed to be inside his mate so badly it hurt.           

Viktor slipped his fingers, one by one, inside his mate, thrusting them in and out of Kai's body. Mewling, Kai moved with him, fucking himself on the invading fingers. Finally, Viktor could no longer resist the sight of Kai’s passion and he replaced his fingers with his shaft.                                                     Slowing pushing inside, Viktor cursed at the sensations that overwhelmed him. Kai's passage was so tight, gripping him like a fist. Taking a deep breath, he struggled to remain still so that Kai's body would have time to adjust to his length. Kai didn't have such restraint, though. He impaled himself on Viktor's manhood, giving him a pleading look.                                                                "Please, now…"                                                                                                                     

The dam keeping Viktor's desire in check broke, setting his lust free. He growled as his forceful thrusts hit Kai's prostate, his mate's body writhing beneath him, Kai's head thrashing on the pillows. The bed creaked when Viktor increased the pace, pulling incoherent pleas from the Kai’s mouth.                          

Viktor continued to thrust into Kai’s hungry entrance faster and faster, harder and harder, until pleasure bordered on pain. His mate's nails were digging into his skin, leaving small half moons upon his skin, as if intending to mark him. Kai's desperate pleas intensified with each second that passed. Viktor could feel Kai’s emotions, passing through his mind’s eye, Kai’s fears, remorse, regret and ecstasy entwining with his own, weaving a protective web around them. He saw flashes of a long forgotten past, images telling of a sorrow buried deep inside, memories of pain, hatred and guilt. A slideshow of memories passed through his mind’s eye as his mind connected to that of his mate. Blood and pain, death and hatred, hurt and longing, so much emotion that it was overwhelming. For one incredible moment flashes of their pasts, feelings of the present and hopes for their future became one integrated thought as they came together in the most perfect orgasm of Viktor’s life.

Breathing hard, Viktor collapsed at his mate's side, pulling Kai close. He’d seen Kai’s mind and Kai had seen his. There was nothing that could possibly separate them now. The same thing seemed to be on Kai’s mind, because he turned into Viktor’s embrace and gave him a serious look. “Well, then? Now you know who I am. Do you still…?”

The werewolf brushed a lock of hair out of his mate’s face and smiled. “Shh… You don’t have to take responsibility for what your family forced you to do.”

“But I…”                                                                                                                               

 “You had no choice but to live the way you did and I’m thankful for it.” Viktor interrupted, softly caressing the nape of Kai’s neck in an attempt to calm his mate down.

“How can you say that? I killed people. I…” Kai shook his head violently. “Yes, Jamari and the others pushed me into it, but in the end it was all me.”

Viktor silenced Kai’s words with another kiss. “It doesn’t matter, pretty. Not anymore. It’s all in the past.” He murmured against Kai’s lips, as his mate melted into his arms.               

Now more than ever, Viktor wanted to make Kai understand how special he was, but they didn’t have time. Sighing, he hugged Kai tightly, wishing they didn’t have to face Sasha and the pack, wishing they could just be together freely.

“We still have to deal with the present, don’t we?” Kai softly inquired, echoing Viktor’s own thoughts.                                                                                                 

“Yes, pretty, we do.” Viktor answered briefly. Stealing another peck, he got up from the bed and went to the bathroom. Returning to the bedroom with a wet cloth in hand he cleaned himself and his mate before retrieving two outfits from his closet. His clothes would probably look ridiculous on Kai’s slender frame, but for now, they would have to do.                                                                 

“Right now, facing my people is impossible.” Kai remarked with a frown as he swiftly dressed.                                                                                                   

Already hating the clothes covering Kai’s body, Viktor agreed with a nod. “That’s true, pretty. But, my father’s been a thorn in my side for too long. Once we take over the pack and get rid of the rotten apples, we’ll be fine. ”

Kai seemed to consider this for a second. The second passed and Kai beamed, wrapping his slender arms around Viktor’s waist and hugging him tight. Viktor could feel what Kai was silently saying. Yes, everything would be all right as long as they were together and no one would ever be able to part them. No matter what.

They moved quickly and efficiently. Five minutes later, Viktor had managed to secure the most important items in his house: the papers from his safe and a pistol he rarely used. Heading towards the broken alarm, he attempted to fix it, but after several failed attempts, Kai pushed Viktor away, absently muttering under his breath something about incapable werewolves. It was endearing and it made Viktor feel a little more optimistic about what he had to do.

The garage door opened with a smooth sound as they climbed into Viktor’s blue car. In spite of the fact that, as a mode of transport, he preferred his bike, the werewolf did own a Chevrolet Silverado. He knew it wasn’t the beautiful sports car preferred by most, but it suited his needs. On this particular occasion, the Silverado proved to be particularly useful, especially seeing as his bike was currently out for the count.

Reversing into the cool evening air, they realized the violent torrential rain from earlier was gone, having faded to a drizzle. As they drove, Viktor noted that the buildings and vehicles around them still bore the signs of the storm. Dented metal and broken glass was a clear reminder of the cruelty of nature while ice pellets still upon the ground, crunched beneath the wheels of their car as they drove over them.  It was unnerving to see how the world had practically disappeared under the onslaught of nature, but Viktor had too much on his mind to really care about that.

His mate seemed to have lost himself deep in thought again, his eyes distant and vacant. “You were supposed to be my last kill.” Kai said, almost inaudibly. The comment was so out of the blue that Viktor almost jumped in reaction to it.

“Jamari promised me that if I killed you, he’d let me leave the Guild. I wanted to leave the Guild for long it seemed like a dream come true and I was so close to achieving it. But I couldn’t do it.”

Kai seemed so frustrated it made Viktor’s blood chill in his veins. His inner wolf knew that Kai had been a killer and didn’t care, but it didn’t change the fact that there were still things between them, things that needed to be talked about, sorted out.

“Are you sorry for that?” He whispered, unable to keep the hurt from his voice.

“Of course not. How can you ssssay that? ” Kai’s gold-onyx eyes glared at him filled with heated fury, and Viktor’s inner wolf stirred, yearning to stoke a fire of an entirely different nature within them. Before he could act on the impulse surging within him, the snake shifter’s shoulders slumped and his voice was broken and dejected when he continued to speak. “I jusssst… I just wish things were different.”  It broke Viktor’s heart, to see Kai look so sad and dejected.

“I’m not sorry I killed him, Viktor. He murdered my mother, ate her alive when I was only ten, did you know that? But now, now that Jamari is dead by my hand, the whole Assassin’s Guild will go against us.”

Viktor suppressed a shudder, fighting the images brought on by Kai’s little speech. What the hell had his poor mate been through? He glanced away from the road and stole a small kiss from Kai’s sweet lips. “It’ll be all right, pretty.” He whispered. “You’ll see. Let’s just tackle one problem at a time, all right?”

Kai turned his surreal black and gold eyes on him, and smiled gently. “Yes. One problem at a time.”

The rest of the journey was silent, the city fading as they reached the edge of it, heading towards the grove. At some point along the way, Kai leaned his head against Viktor’s shoulder, his pale hands tracing invisible patterns on Viktor’s thighs. Viktor took advantage of Kai’s closeness to sneak light soft kisses onto his skin, still marveling at how cool it was beneath his touch.  It was a reminder of the difference between them, a reminder of the many things they still had to fight, but it didn’t matter, nothing mattered but the fact that they were together. Besides, he was looking forward to making Kai warm.

It wasn’t long until they finally arrived at the edge of the forest that shielded the pack land. Viktor didn’t know if his father was still there, but taking into account the sudden rain, he suspected his pack had probably opted to shift and find shelter somewhere in the neighboring caves. Such places were abundant in the forest, and Viktor hoped he wouldn’t have too great a difficulty in getting the pack together. He needed to have everyone present if he was to confront his father.

Kai’s voice interrupted his train of thought. “It’s really beautiful here.” The snake shifter noted as they climbed out of the vehicle.

Viktor nodded, a smile spreading on his face. “It is. I love to spend time around here, alone, when the rest of the pack isn’t around.”

Kai grinned cheekily at him. “Alone until now.”

Viktor leaned over to steal a kiss. “Yes. Until now.” Reluctantly separating their bodies, the werewolf made a conscious effort to focus on the issue at hand, resisting the urge to strip his mate naked and take him. “It’s this way.” He said, gesturing for his mate to follow. Kai did, moving soundlessly behind him. It was a reminder of the power Kai had, and Viktor was grateful to know that his mate could defend himself if need be.

They remained cautiously silent after that, knowing that the area was possibly teeming with enemies. Viktor stopped when he heard sudden movement coming from the direction of the grove.

A black wolf emerged from the bushes, fur stained with blood, bearing the signs of violence. Kai tensed, readying himself for attack, but Viktor shook his head in denial. Viktor would know this black wolf anywhere – and this was not an enemy.

As expected, the black wolf shifted, the magnificent animal gradually turning a tall African American. Viktor frowned at the sight of the wounds covering Flame’s body. He had a sinking suspicion that he knew what had caused them.

Before he could ask, Flame started to speak. “Viktor, they know. They know you escaped. Somehow they found out I helped you.”

Viktor felt anger rise in his chest at the confirmation of his suspicion. “Not to worry.” He answered, voice a low growl. “They won’t be a concern for much longer.” His progress was halted by the touch of a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Viktor, they’ll be expecting you to come.” Kai pointed out in protest. It’s too dangerous!”

“I don’t care.” Viktor snapped. “This ends now.”The werewolf winced at the shadow of hurt that passed through his mate’s eyes. He took Kai’s hand, squeezing it gently. “I have to do this. For me, for us, for Flame and for the pack. Please, pretty…”

Kai nodded miserably. “Ok, then. But I’m going with you.”

They walked in silence back the way Flame had come. The black werewolf joined them on their path, thankfully keeping any comments he might have had regarding Viktor’s decision to himself. Viktor only hoped he was making the right choice and not leading them all to certain death.

All too soon, Viktor heard the familiar sound of furred paws against the forest floor. The sound stopped as the two groups met. The pack of werewolves, his pack, shifted one by one, into human form, giving the trio looks that varied from outright disdain, to fright and pity.

“So, the prodigal son returns.” Sasha noted, a smug smile on his lips. “I see you’ve taken to hanging out with rogue assassins.”

“And I would wonder, Sasha Petrovic, how you would know that I am assssassssin in the firsssst place.” Kai snapped at the Alpha before Viktor even had a chance to answer.

Kai looked completely cool and composed, but Viktor could tell, by the way his mate spoke, that he was very angry. He suppressed a grin, pride swelling in his chest at the evidence of his mate’s loyalty and strength. However, he knew that this was his fight and he couldn’t allow Kai to interfere.

“Let it be known this day that my father, together with Jessica, arranged my assassination in the most dishonorable of manners.” He boomed, his voice so loud in the silence of the forest it seemed almost deafening. “This stops here, now!”

No one even attempted to challenge his claim. Viktor had no reason to invent such a terrible fact and they all knew it. Sasha himself didn’t even try to deny it. Instead, he spat at Viktor’s feet and proceeded to point out the obvious connection between him and Kai. “Viktor has shamed the pack! You can see it yourself, he is mated with this man – with this thing! We cannot bear this abomination!”

Sasha’s assessment of their relationship obviously bothered Kai, because the snake shifter immediately took hold of Viktor’s hand. “What is it that bothers you?” He slyly asked. “The fact that I am male – or the fact that I am a snake? Or perhaps you are simply jealous at your son’s fortune?” He grinned as he plastered his body to Viktor’s side. The werewolf shuddered as he felt a hint of forked tongue playing on his skin. It was just a game, he knew it, something Kai was doing on purpose to bother Sasha. But that didn’t mean he himself was not affected by it. He fought to keep a straight face, to maintain control over the beast that urged him to take possession of his mate.

For what it was worth, Kai’s little show was working. Sasha took a deep breath, obviously unprepared for Kai’s defiance of him. “You little… I’ll take great pleasure in skinning you alive.” Kai just laughed at the Alpha’s anger. “Perhaps you think you are a better fighter than me then…” Kai licked his lips, a hint of fang shining in the moonlight. “I will take great pleasure in showing you how mistaken you are.”

Viktor shook his head in his mate’s direction. This was getting out of hand and, in spite of the fact that he was certain of Kai’s abilities as a fighter, that was not the point of his meeting with his father. “No! This is my fight, Kai!” Turning his attention to Sasha, he smiled crookedly and asked, “Isn’t that right, father? Isn’t it high time that we settled this?”

Sasha scowled, for a moment losing control of his reactions. Upon realizing this, however, his expression immediately shifted to carefully engineered disdain. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You are not worthy of such a thing, Viktor. This outrageous mating,” He spat the word as if it were poison on his lips, “the union you have chosen with this cursed creature is only evidence of a fact I have known to be true for quite a while now. I am ashamed to say this, since you are my son, but you have no place in this pack, Viktor.”

“I am ashamed of having a father who is such a coward that he will refuse an outright challenge.” Viktor said, not missing a beat. His father’s insults had stopped affecting him a long time ago. “All of you, is this who you want for a leader? This is your pack, not his.”

When silence met his words, Viktor simply shrugged. He did not really expect the pack to go against its Alpha. It was not in werewolf nature to do so, even if the Alpha’s orders were abusive or wrong. The members of the pack didn’t see it as permission to question their leader.

Rightly interpreting the pack’s silence, Sasha barked out a laugh. “Do you really think they will believe your lies? This pack is mine, pup, not yours, never yours.”

The reminder of his inadequacy in the eyes of the pack did nothing to calm Viktor’s temper. Sasha spoke true this time: the pack was his, not Viktor’s. But that was about to change, not only for Viktor, but for all those pups that would be born to the pack, each deserving a real Alpha as a role model, not someone rotten to the core, a liar and a coward like Sasha. They needed a real werewolf.

“I should have never allowed you to lead this pack for so long. You don’t deserve it.” Viktor noted coldly. “But you know, the pack aside, this is not only about them, not anymore. You crossed a line when you sent assassins against me, Sasha, and you know it.”

At these words, a murmur started to pass through the crowd, as if the knowledge was just now penetrating the common consciousness of the pack. It was considered shameful for a werewolf to resort to using outsiders in order to settle domestic disputes. Actually, it was more than shameful, it simply wasn’t done. Werewolves were not the kind to resort to treachery and backstabbing and the idea that the Alpha could have done something like this shook the very foundations of the pack, and Viktor knew it.

However, it wasn’t Sasha who responded to Viktor’s accusations. “Do you have any evidence to support these claims?” Jessica inquired. “It is a very serious accusation, and you can’t just come here, to our pack and accuse our leader of such vile things, without even having a solid base to prove what you are saying.”

Viktor arched a brow at Jessica’s speech. She was giving the pack what they wanted to hear, finding them an enemy that was not their leader, a problem that would not have to break them apart to be solved. Jessica had long ago taken on the role of the Alpha female, and her word was as precious as gold to their pack. But Viktor wouldn’t stand for it. Jessica had done enough damage already. He was fairly certain she’d been sleeping with his father, even if she was only recently mated to Flame. “Oh?” He asked, struggling to keep himself in check. “And tell me, where were you all going when we met just now?”

Jessica hesitated, glancing swiftly at her ‘mate’, who was standing proudly at Viktor’s side, only to look away once more, the movement, pretty much a silent admission of guilt. “Flame was injured in an altercation with an unknown creature.” She answered smoothly. “We were concerned for him.”

A bitter laugh escaped Flame’s lips. “Unknown creature? Concerned? Don’t make me laugh. Is it because you were concerned that you were hunting me like I was some kind of rabid animal?”

“The creature was feral, Flame.” Sasha pointed out, voice tinged with fake concern. “You could be affected by its bite.”

“Oh, this is too much…” Kai noted sarcastically. “Now Flame is suffering from rabies? Please!”

Kai didn’t know Flame all that well. As a matter of fact, Viktor’s mate had only met his friend minutes ago. Despite the fact that Kai didn’t really know Flame, Viktor knew that even the snake shifter could see the lie in that excuse. The fact that Flame was perfectly sane was obvious, and should be more so, to people who actually knew him.

Viktor shook his head, for some reason aggrieved by the absurdity of the situation. “Father, this is ludicrous. For once, take responsibility for your actions! Stop this charade and admit to what you’ve done.”

“I have done nothing.” Sasha snapped. “Your accusations are just poisonous lies and you offend me and the pack through your presence, falseness and perversion.”

Flame smirked at the Alpha’s reply. “You would think that by now the Alpha would feel entitled to discipline the member of the pack that dared to offend him thusly.”

Sasha visibly tensed at Flame’s words. The black werewolf was right. An insult towards an Alpha was an insult towards the whole pack and according to pack law he was obliged to punish the wrong-doer. He was stuck.

“Fine! Enough of this foolishness! I will give you a lesson you will never forget.” Sasha barked.

In the blink of an eye, the Alpha shifted, Sasha Petrovic’s human form replaced by that of a white arctic wolf. The moment he was fully shifted, the wolf launched itself at Viktor, not even giving him a warning or a moment to prepare. Fortunately, Viktor had expected this sneaky attack and his father’s jaws clamped around air, their target having long since moved from his previous position.

Viktor shifted as well, his wolf form eerily similar to that of his father. He attacked his opponent, and they collided in a flurry of white fur, fangs and claws, snapping and angrily tearing at each other’s throats. Sasha was an experienced fighter, but Viktor was just as experienced as he, and had the advantage of the strength and agility of youth, something which Sasha lacked. Furthermore, Viktor fought knowing that he had no other option but to win.

He needed to protect his mate and yearned to exact revenge for his best friend’s pain.  His wolf knew that the pack was his by right, that he had to prove to his mate that he was worthy of their bond. Over and above all, he was driven forward by the need to punish the betrayal of his own flesh and blood.

All these reasons slipped from his mind and the wolf knew nothing more, but the excitement of fighting, the satisfaction of tearing into his opponent’s skin, the taste of blood in his mouth, and finally, victory, when Sasha’s wolf collapsed beneath him in the dust, bloody and motionless, still alive, yet obviously defeated.

Viktor shifted back to human form, an effort he made to further the image of power he was trying to convey. Sasha was unable to do so, the weakness of blood loss and defeat binding him to his wolf.

“I have beaten your Alpha. The pack is mine by right.”

The werewolves exchanged glances before turning back to Sasha, lying defeated and barely breathing upon the ground. Accepting Sasha’s defeat, they then turned to face Viktor. One by one, they knelt, submitting to their new Alpha. Even his father’s former inner circle yielded to Viktor’s obvious victory. The only people left standing were Viktor, Kai, Flame and Jessica, the latter of which giving Viktor a hateful glare. “You’re nothing but an abomination, Viktor.” She hissed. “You will lead this pack to ruin.”

Viktor analyzed the woman with cold eyes, wondering how such hatred and ugliness could hide beneath such beauty. “Jessica Kyle. I hereby charge you with treason. You have brought shame onto this pack as evidenced by the various misdeeds you have performed against it. Consequently I sentence you to exile and hereby also dissolve your mating with Flame Grayson, a mating which took place under false pretenses and into which the second party was coerced. Together with Sasha Petrovic, you will leave the lands of this pack. Should you ever returned, you will be subjected to a trial and will be sentenced and judged according to pack law.”

Having proclaimed his first decision as an Alpha, Viktor turned his attention to his kneeling pack. “Anyone else who doubts my leadership is free to go, either with Jessica Kyle or on their own.”

Each and every member of the pack remained in his or her kneeling position, silently submitting to Viktor’s leadership. Satisfied, the new Alpha nodded. “Get up now, my friends. Lift your heads and let us escort our former brother and sister from our midst.”

Flame took the initiative and grabbed Jessica’s hand, drawing her away from the middle of the grove. Someone else lifted Sasha’s still unmoving body and followed behind Flame, the two removing the traitors from pack land.

Having dealt with the most immediate problem, Viktor spoke again. “Tonight is the full moon, a night of celebration, but it is also a night of new beginnings, for all of us, and for me specifically.” He walked to Kai’s side, taking the snake shifter’s hand and drawing him close. “And on this note, this is my mate, Kaileigh. Please welcome him to the pack as only werewolves know how.”

Instantly, the pack shifted form and tens of wolves of all sizes and colors lifted their heads and howled at the moon, a welcome to their new, peculiar member.

At first, Kai looked uncomfortable, but to his credit, kept his discomfort to himself. Viktor smiled and then shifted as well, his howl joining that of his brothers in praise to their mistress, the moon. His wolf rejoiced when he felt a reptilian form snake around his body, effectively curling around his neck and torso.

It was finally over. He had his mate and he had his pack. There would be many challenges to meet in the future, but for now, his life was complete.