“Why?”

“There are new women in town to flirt with.” Volti grinned. “Why else? He didn’t want to be stuck doing perimeter duty. Garson was dumb enough to take that bet.”

“Horny bastard.”

“It’s totally natural. Our heat cycle is coming on soon. It’s better to find someone to spend it with now than have to travel around, hoping to catch the eye of some babe who isn’t hooked up with someone already. Spending it alone is hellish. This is the first year that other clans might welcome us with open arms instead of suspicion that we’ve come to spy on them, or worse.”

Anger stirred. “I’d almost forgotten that Decker sent one of our women to kill Velder’s son.”

“It wasn’t as if we knew about it until after the fact. Can you imagine? What a messed-up way to get an enforcer’s guard down. She got him into bed and then tried to cut out his heart. I’m glad she failed.”

“Decker had no honor.”

“Is Lorn going to get rid of that law that prevents us from sexual contact with humans? There are a lot of hot babes a few towns over that I’d like to get to know better.”

“It’s never safe when we interact with them.”

“I’m not looking to mate with one. I’d just like to be able to say yes when a cute human wants to jump my bones. It happens sometimes when it’s my turn to go pick up store supplies. It just feels so damn wrong to say no. I want to make them happy and I’m perfectly willing to use condoms.”

Lavos laughed. “Only doing your civic duty to be polite to humans, right?”

“Hell yes! They think we’re gay.”

“That impression keeps them from coming into our town to seek out our males.”

“Hey, I won’t tell them where I live and I’ll make it clear it’s a one-time deal.”

“I’ll bring it up to Lorn next time we’re discussing laws.”

“Thanks.”

Lavos turned away. “I better get back to the lodge.”

“See you later. I’ll be at the feast.”

Lavos avoided the main entrance of the lodge and went in through the kitchen. It had become a hive of activity. He talked to everyone working to make sure there were no problems. Davis, Kira’s father, had everything running smoothly. He had to finally return to Lorn’s side.

Mya ended her conversation with a tall male and came straight to him, gripping his arm. “You’re back.”

“I made my rounds. Everything is going well.”

“Can you leave? I want to see your house.” She licked her lips. “Everyone I’ve spoken to has said nice things about you. My father would approve. He wants me to find a strong mate.”

He had to give her points for persistence. “I’m on duty until this evening.”

She pouted. “Your brother is the clan leader here. I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to get someone to cover for you.”

“He’s depending on me for his support. I wouldn’t ask him to do that.” He hoped she’d take the hint.

“I want to test a mating. I’m attracted to you, and you’re strong enough to be worthy of me.”

He’d have to be blunter. He didn’t want to offend her but he wasn’t going to fuck her either. He felt no attraction. “I’m flattered but right now isn’t a good time.”

Anger glinted in her eyes. “I see.” She released his arm.

Shit. Lorn would kick his ass if the woman called her father to complain that someone had been rude to her. “Later tonight I’ll be free.” He winked, hoping he gave the impression he wasn’t flat-out refusing her offer.

She rewarded him with a smile. “Business first. I respect that. I’ll see you later.” She blew him a kiss and returned to the tall man she’d been speaking to before.

He withdrew his phone, calling Volti.

His friend answered right away. “What’s up, Lavos? Didn’t I just see you?”

“Dress to impress for that feast.”

“Are you seeing a lot of hot babes?”

“One. Her name is Mya. Remember it. She’s beautiful and really wants to test a mating with an enforcer.”

“Was she running a fever? There’s nothing better than sex with a woman in heat.”

“She’s hot all right.”

“Thanks.”

He hung up and sighed. Lorn caught his attention and he had a feeling it was going to be a long afternoon. One of the men standing next to his brother was Velder, another clan leader. Velder knew they owed him. He’d supported Lorn taking over the clan from Decker.

It was time to kiss some ass. He could do it.

* * * * *

Jadee’s shoulders hurt and her eyes burned. It was from exhaustion. She’d spent almost four entire days driving with only a few hours of sleep for breaks. She reached over to take a sip of coffee. It wasn’t hot anymore but it helped her stay awake. She glanced at the top monitor on the dash. The GPS said she had nearly reached the town.

“I want to be there already!”

I thought leaving Alaska and driving home had been rough. She’d at least stopped for entire nights to sleep six to eight hours that first time. She’d also pulled over to stretch her legs at rest stops. But the return trip had just been brutal.

It hadn’t helped that she’d started her journey already tired. It wasn’t as if she’d gotten much sleep while she’d waited for dawn to come the night the Vamps had followed her home. She’d dozed off for a few minutes, only to be woken by noises. They had tried to get inside the RV all night but had given up right before the sun rose. She’d showered to wake up some, then hooked up the trailer to haul her car.

Jadee glanced at the dash to the second monitor, the one under the GPS. The sight of her little red car being pulled behind the RV was reassuring. She also checked out traffic. She’d been paranoid that someone would follow her but she felt secure it hadn’t happened. They would have tried to attack her at night already.

She tapped the volume control embedded in the steering wheel for the CD player, heavy metal music blaring from the speakers. It helped her stay awake too. Bone tiredness had hit about the time she’d left Canada and driven into Alaska. She was used to spending eight hours a day on her feet tending bar, not sixteen hours a day with her butt planted on a seat as she drove. Her entire body felt stiff.