She’d been dreaming of Kalen. Of their first time making love, in the Wall-Banger Motel, right after the Sluagh had attacked them outside the Cross-eyed Grizzly. That was when they’d made their child together, and no matter what happened, she could never regret it.

Tears pricked her eyes and she finally sat up, searching the inside of Kalen’s cell. He was lying on the bare mattress, asleep, his chest rising and falling slowly. He looked alone and forlorn. It was so far from the beautiful memory of their first lovemaking, and all the times they’d been together since then, that it made her ache inside.

A.J.’s low voice broke through her sorrow. “You’ve both been out for a while.”

“What time is it?”

“Two in the morning.”

“I’m sorry,” she said contritely. “I didn’t mean to keep you here this late. I know you’re ready to fall into your own bed.”

He shrugged. “Got nobody in my bed to make it worthwhile, so I’m just as good staying here, guarding you and Kalen.”

She was touched. “Thank you.”

“No problem.” They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes, watching Kalen. “Melina and Noah brought you the cot and pillow. Said to tell you that Nix is gonna be fine. He’s dehydrated and traumatized, but nowhere near as bad as the shape Micah was in when he was found. He was cracking lame jokes in the emergency room, trying to take the edge off the emotional situation.”

She smiled in spite of everything. “That sounds like Nix. He reminds me a lot of Aric.”

A.J. snorted. “God help us all, then.”

“Not with the snark, necessarily. He’s got a quick wit that’s cutting like Aric’s, but he’s funny at the same time. He’s got the most generous soul of anyone I’ve ever met, and that’s saying a lot considering everyone in the Pack. And he’s a notorious womanizer, too. As soon as he’s healed, I’m sure he’ll round up all the single guys and head to Vegas to party.”

“I’ll be sure not to miss that trip.” He winked at her, and she laughed.

“So, no special lady for you? A.J.’s not going to be the next bachelor to fall?”

“Not on your life,” he said with a cocky smile. “I’ve seen what true luuuv does to you guys, and you’re all insane. I’ll pass, thanks.”

“Hmm. He doth protest too much.”

“Say that with a mouthful of crackers.”

She giggled. She hadn’t really gotten to know A.J. before, and she found she liked him. He was good company, if a bit taciturn sometimes. Though he certainly wasn’t being that way right now, with her.

A low growl caught their attention, and she looked through the bars to see Kalen glaring at A.J. Pushing from the bed, he stalked forward, a bit awkwardly with his hands bound behind his back. Wincing, she hoped his shoulders weren’t too strained from sleeping like that.

He walked up to the bars, leaning his chest against them. His eyes never left the other male’s. “Mine.”

Mac’s breath caught. If he was aware enough to reassert his claim on her to the other man, then there was hope she could reach him. “Yes, mate,” she said softly. “I’m yours.”

His green gaze went to hers, and she saw that his eyes were no longer the slitted ones of his cat. They were no longer feral, but sad. “My mate.”

“Yours.”

“Need you.”

“I’m sorry, but you can’t let him out,” A.J. told her. “You can’t trust him yet.”

The knowledge scored her heart. “I need you too,” she said, her voice catching. “But you have to stay there for now.”

“Need you,” he repeated plaintively.

But the battle in his soul still raged. Though there were no outward signs of anger, she could tell by his difficulty forming his thoughts into words that he was struggling. He still wasn’t “all there” and she couldn’t risk herself, their child, or the others.

“You’ll have me soon. I’m here.”

“Stay?”

“I will, promise.”

“What’s happening to me?” he whispered. “Why am I here?”

She bit her lip to keep from bawling. The good side of him had battled to the surface and couldn’t understand. When he’d lost it at that research facility, the rush of darkness had been too much. It had damaged something inside him, and she prayed he could recover.

“You’re not well, love. We’re trying to help you, but you have to try hard, too. Do you understand?”

“No. I want out.”

“I’m sorry.”

Head hanging, he slid to the floor and rested his head against the bars. He didn’t move again for a long time.

Mac sat on her cot and cried, hot, silent tears of misery.

The cold bars of the cell pressed into Kalen’s forehead. He sat still and tried to understand what was going on. Struggled to remember.

Why was he locked away like an animal? What had he done?

Flashes of memory assaulted him, but they were from other times, long past. Bad nights when he sold his body for a few dollars or a crummy meal. That was awful, but nobody had been hurt. Well, nobody but himself.

That wasn’t why he was here. And where was this?

The compound. Right. Block R, where Nick put the creatures who were almost beyond hope. Almost.

He scoured his brain. Where had he been tonight? Or last night? Something about a mission. A research facility . . .

You did well, my boy. I am very proud of your progress.

“What?” he rasped. “What did I do?”

You defeated my Sluagh, and while that is inconvenient for me, it is important training for you, son. You killed dozens of them and allowed the true predator in you to take over. The bloodlust became one with your soul, and you turned your rage on the one called Hunter.

“Ryon?” Sweet Jesus, no. “I killed him?”

If not for the untimely intervention of those meddling dogs, you would have. The war is near, and when the hour comes, you’ll help me destroy them all.

“No. I won’t do it.”

You will, and you will revel in their blood. Remember the pleasure of bathing in it, boy? Of feasting on your kill? That can be yours, always. You and I will rule, father and son. No one will stand against us.

“The blood was sweet.” God, no. He was losing his mind. Falling again.

Yes, son. It sustains us, the juices of our prey. Every night we will feast, not on those mangy Sluagh, but on young and succulent meat. Would you like that?

No, no. “Yes, Father.”

“Kalen?” a sweet voice called from far away. “Don’t listen to him! He’s poisoning your mind!” But her pleas faded.

I’ll bring the most beautiful specimens for us both, each night. They’ll be trembling with desire, eager to sacrifice themselves to the world’s most powerful creatures. They will be helpless against our seduction, spread their legs for us so we can feast on their essence before we slide our cocks deep.

Kalen panted, his cock lengthening in his jeans. Fought against the image, but hunger won. His cock throbbed as Malik continued.

You’re sinking your cock deep into your willing prey now. The tight clasp of heat writhes against you, and you own this body. You are lord and master and this is your due. More?

“Yes, please. Tell me how it will be.” He ground his hard cock underneath himself. Beyond saving.

You own your prey then, for that is what this body is—not woman or man. Simply a sacrifice to satisfy a superior beast. Your rod joins you both as you stroke inside, fanning your flame. Seeking the ultimate high. Just before the peak, you sink your fangs into the delicate throat. Do you taste the sweet, warm blood?

“So good,” he moaned.

It fills your mouth as your prey screams out a release of joy at having experienced this joining. Of being your Chosen One for the evening, your body to enjoy. The prey dances on your cock as you fill it with your seed, until at last the life force begins to leave it. You take the soul into yourself, this precious gift.