Howl of the Wolf

was limited. The mirror allowed him to see outside his realm for the equivalent of one hour in the span of a day. If he used up his time he had to wait until the proper amount of time had passed, and he hated waiting.

He hadn’t been too discouraged, but it had taken long years before Roric, the white tiger, had been set free. But unlike the others, Roric had managed to remain alive for twenty-four hours, thus negating the curse. Neither Hades nor any of his minions could touch Roric or his woman now, or he’d face death. He’d made a bargain with The Lady and had agreed to her terms without thinking things through, or so he now realized.

Anger burned in his gut. He, who was the greatest wheeler and dealer in history, had come out on the short end of this bargain. The Lady had told him how to release her warriors in exchange for her freedom. Unfortunately, Hades couldn’t be the one to set them free. Oh no, only one particular woman could release one particular warrior. It was maddening.

But he’d had the last laugh.

A cruel smile curved his lips. He’d freed her from her prison, but not from his realm. She’d wandered Hell for decades, so close to the outside world, but yet so far. It had been lovely to watch.

His smile slowly faded as he thought about his latest glimpse of the Lady. It should have been impossible, yet somehow she’d managed to escape from Hell all on her own.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Marko and Leander, the bear and the lion, had slipped through his fingers, leaving only the wolf remaining. He needed the allegiance of the wolf if his plan for world domination was going to work without difficulty. Of course, his plan would go ahead no matter what happened, but it would be easier with the wolf’s assistance. And Hades liked anything easy, disliked having to unnecessarily exert himself.

The door to his chamber opened and Mordecai strode in like he owned the place. The insolent creature inclined his head, but barely. The warrior’s arrogance set Hades nerves on edge. Mordecai was the only creature in his realm who didn’t walk in fear of him. But he would, he surely would before Hades was done with him. He couldn’t wait until he no longer needed the immortal warrior. He planned to kill the serpent very slowly once his plan was successful.

“You sent for me.” Mordecai stood with his feet braced apart and his arms loosely crossed over his chest. As always, he was wearing khaki pants, an olive drab T-shirt and combat books. Really, after spending so many years seeing Hades as an example, you’d think the warrior would invest in some decent clothing.

Hades took his time and sat in his chair, making the warrior wait. It was a small power play and gave him some satisfaction, but not nearly enough. Mordecai didn’t appear the least bit concerned about being called into his presence, nor the least bit perturbed about being made to wait. Hades’ blood boiled, but outwardly he showed none of his anger.

“The Lady is a problem.”

Mordecai frowned. “But she’s beyond your reach now. She escaped from Hell, and according to the agreement you made with her, you can’t touch her without reprisal.”

The reminder of his failure didn’t sit well with Hades. “No, I can’t touch her. Neither can my demons.” He waited for the warrior to grasp his meaning. That was the one thing he did like about the warrior, he didn’t have to explain himself. The serpent was as devious as he was, maybe even more so. That thought gave him a moment’s pause, but he shook off his unease. He was, after all, Hades, Lord of the Underworld.

“You want me to kill her.” The coldness in his tone took even Hades aback. You’d never say that Mordecai had served the goddess from the beginning of time until his imprisonment. It was a good thing he planned to do away with the warrior when this was over. He wasn’t someone Hades wanted at his back for eternity.

“I don’t like to lose.” He really could care less about the Lady. She was free but basically powerless in a world that no longer remembered her. But he hated losing.

“Consider it done.” Mordecai unfolded his arms and motioned his head toward the mirror. “What about New Orleans?”

Hades rested his elbows on the arms of his chair and steepled his fingers against his chin. “Leave New Orleans and the woman to me. I plan on handling this one personally.” He pointed an accusing finger at Mordecai. “You fucked up last time.”

“The warriors and the women are unpredictable.”

Hades’ blood was practically bubbling in his veins he was so angry, but he controlled his rage, letting none of it show outwardly. “There will be no female demons sent to befriend the woman. Either the wolf accepts my offer or he and the woman die.” Hades had had enough of failure. This time he wanted results.

There would be no more offers of bargains, no more sending emissaries first. That hadn’t worked the last three times he’d tried it. It was time to go back to basics. If the wolf wouldn’t join him, Hades would kill him and the woman who freed him.

He glared at the warrior. “Why are you still here?”

Mordecai cocked his head to one side. “It would be quicker if you simply opened up a portal for me. Otherwise it will take me longer to get to the Lady.”

Yes, it would be quicker and easier, but he wasn’t in the mood to make the arrogant immortal warrior’s life easier. “Go.”

The corners of Mordecai’s mouth tilted upward in a semblance of a mocking smile. “As you command.” He gave a quick nod, turned and stalked out of the room, a beast already on the hunt.

A shiver of dread raced down Hades’ spine. He had to deal with Mordecai and soon.

In the meantime, he had some humans to visit. It was so easy to stir up discord among them. Humans did love to kill one another and make war. Their hatred and greed strengthened Hades, and he did so enjoy watching as the silly humans succumbed to temptation, arrogance and avarice.

A few words in the right ears and the world would be on the brink of another world war before any of them realized it, which was exactly what he wanted. His plan for world domination would be so much easier if they were already perched on the edge of destruction, just waiting for him to give them one final push.

He rose from the chair, checked his appearance in the mirror and smiled.

Sabrina Wolfe twisted and turned on the tangled sheets. The cool air from the open window drifted over her bare arms and legs but did little to cool the sweat from her body. A gust blew the curtains, making them flutter like a flag in the wind and sending the fresh scent of lavender from the flower box on the fire escape wafting into the room.

Wrinkles creased her brow and her lips parted on a sigh of pleasure.

Sabrina was lost in the arms of her dream lover. As always, his face was hidden in shadows, but she didn’t care. She knew him, in her heart and soul where it mattered the most. She gripped his broad shoulders before sliding her fingers down his massive biceps. He was strong, her lover.

He flipped her onto her back with ease, captured her hands in his and raised them over her head, exerting his dominance over her. She struggled, but he held her easily, subduing her attempt to evade him.

Shaggy hair fell around his shoulders, but she caught a brief glimpse of his partially covered his face. His jaw appeared to have been carved from granite, his lips were thin and slightly turned up at the corners in a smile of masculine pleasure.

Her breasts were plastered against his heavily muscled chest, the puckered nipples stabbing at him. Her pussy was wet and ached for him. She wanted his thick cock buried deep inside her.

She arched her hips and rubbed against him, using his hard shaft to stimulate her clit. A moan of pleasure escaped her and his smile grew. “Like that, do you?” His voice vibrated through every cell in her body, making her yearn to get even closer. She wanted to crawl inside her lover and stay there where it was safe.

That made her stop. Safe? Why would she even use such a word?

He gave a low growl that raised the short hairs on the back of her neck it was so lifelike. Then he kissed her. No, that wasn’t accurate. He consumed her. He ate at her lips and sucked on her tongue, leaving no part of her mouth unexplored.

Sabrina lost herself in her lover, giving herself over to him, trusting him to give her the pleasure he tempted her with.

“Come to me.” She slipped her hands free of his grip, dug her nails into his firm ass and urged him closer.

He laughed and the light-hearted sound made her heart flutter. “I will give you what you want.”

The broad head of his cock pressed against her opening and she spread her legs wider, desperately