across the bare mattress behind him. He was naked and
The winged man was rocking, arms wrapped around his middle, staring at the opposite wall at nothing. Almond-shaped eyes fringed with dark lashes were drowning in despair and tears coursed down lean cheeks. Like the wolf, he wore a metal collar but there was no chain. Curiously, only his wrists were bound in irons, and his hands were encased in some sort of silvery mesh gloves.
He was stunning.
And absolutely despondent. He’d not been fed, had no clothes, and no bedding to keep him warm. Outrage left her breathless. Who was supposed to be caring for these poor creatures? Why were they even here, locked away like death-row inmates?
“Oh, God,” she breathed. Were they scheduled to die?
Across the way, the opposite cells held an array of different creatures, both lovely and, well, homely. Some were snarling and pissed at the world, some as sad as the winged man. One looked like a small gremlin covered in brown fur, wide mouth showing a double set of razorsharp teeth as it maniacally chewed on the chain around its ankle. It was easy to see why some prisoners like the feral wolf and the little gremlin would be detained, but what of the others?
Shaking in anger, she backed away. Hit the exit and spun—
And ran straight into a solid male chest.
“What the hell are you doing in a restricted area, sugar britches?” the man rumbled, grabbing her arm.
Tilting her head back, she found herself staring into Aric’s light green eyes. Annoyance was stamped on his handsome face, and she wondered if he was capable of expressing happiness. Dark auburn hair trailed over one shoulder and tickled her nose. So did his scent, potent and male. Almost as good as Jaxon’s.
She attempted to wrench her arm free. “I didn’t know it was off-limits, seeing as how there’s no sign.”
“There is a sign, down there.” He pointed to the end of the corridor. “You must’ve missed it.”
“Sorry. Now let go.”
“Not until you answer my question—what were you doing?”
“Looking for the dining room. Obviously I got lost.”
His gorgeous eyes narrowed and he jerked his head in the direction from which she’d come. “See anything interesting in there?”
“Plenty,” she hissed, seething. Damn, he was impossible to budge. “Why are those poor creatures locked away like criminals? What are you planning to do with them?”
His laugh was not a nice one. “Darlin’, any one of those
“What?” she cried, gaping at him. “That’s not fair! What kind of monsters are you all to play judge and jury over creatures that aren’t even human? They can’t possibly understand what’s happening to them! They’re probably confused and frightened! I’d try to rip off your face too if I was running around lost in a strange world and you came at me with a weapon—hell, I want to now!”
He stared at her for about two seconds before he burst out laughing. Infuriating man! Egotistical SOB.
“Ease up, wildcat. If you were in charge, what would you do differently, hmm?” His thumb brushed over her lower lip in an intimate caress.
Far too intimate for her liking. She jerked her head back, breaking contact and glaring up at him. “The opposite of whatever’s being done now, I can tell you that. I think they need someone to show them some compassion, to see that someone cares. If any of them can be sent home—wherever that might be—we should make it happen. If we can’t, they need a purpose. Jobs, anything to make them feel useful. Important.”
“Wow, a real Pollyanna.” From his lips, it didn’t sound like a compliment, the words tinged with bitterness. “Spread a little love and the whole universe will hold hands and be healed. How about you start practicing right here?”
Before she processed the challenge, he cupped her face, dipped his head, and took her mouth in a searing kiss. Caught by surprise—and insanely curious—she went with it. His lips were full and firm, his tongue talented. He tasted good, like mint. Yep, the man was a world-class kisser.
But the earth didn’t move. His touch didn’t carry a fraction of the spark she’d experienced with Jaxon, and he hadn’t even kissed her. Gently at first, she tried to disengage. Then with more insistence, pushing at his chest.
“Aric, let me go.”
“Sugar, I—”
“I am not your sugar, sweet cheeks, or darlin’, and as talented as your lips are? Sorry. They don’t make my universe hold hands and sing, or whatever. So for the last time. Let. Me. Go!”
The redhead opened his mouth to say something else, but never got the chance. Suddenly he was yanked from her and bodily thrown against the wall, a seriously pissed-off Jaxon in his face.
“How many times does a lady have to ask you to let go before you get it through your thick skull?” he shouted, gripping Aric’s shoulders and shoving hard for emphasis.
“Get the fuck off me, asshole.” He shoved back, bared his lengthening canines, and the fight was on.
Kira squeaked in alarm as the two combatants slammed off the walls, throwing punches, shaking the building. After about the fourth bounce they went down, Aric on top of Jax, and shifted right in their clothes. Pants and shoes were kicked aside as one red and one gray wolf rolled, snarling and tearing into each other. In short order, their T-shirts were bloody and hanging in tatters off their broad shoulders, deadly claws and fangs slicing.
Terrified they’d kill each other, she bolted. She had no idea which way to go, but she had to find help. Just before she reached the end of the corridor, Ryon, Zander, and a big bald man she’d never seen before rounded the corner.
“Whoa, dogfight!” Ryon called. He slapped the big man’s beefy shoulder with the back of his hand. “Dude, go get Nick.”
“Shit,” the guy spat. But he did as Ryon said, disappearing the way he’d come.
Ryon took her arm and gently moved her a few feet farther from the fray while Zander got as close as he dared, yelling at his friends.
“Hey, you idiots! Cut it out before Nick gets here!”
Anxious, she wrung her hands. “Can’t he do something?” she asked, referring to Zander.
“They’re too far gone to listen to anyone but the head Alpha,” Ryon said, wincing as the gray wolf sliced the red’s shoulder. “Anyone else who tries will be toast.”
It seemed like forever but was likely no more than a minute before a white wall of fur barreled into the fight, separating the two warring wolves and knocking each one on his ass. Fangs bared, he let out a low, menacing growl, gazing from one of his errant soldiers to the other.
Kira stared in awe. The white wolf was slightly bigger than the other two, which was saying a lot. He was beautiful, and it was tough not to be impressed with the way he made his subordinates back down. The red wolf caved first, flattening his ears back and lowering his head in submission. Then the gray. Though clearly neither wanted to give in, since they kept shooting side glares and rumbling at each other.
Without warning Nick shifted and pushed to his feet, standing gloriously naked in the middle of the hallway. “Clean up and come to my office. Right fucking now. You’ll be lucky if I don’t suspend you both.” With that, he turned and walked toward where Kira stood with Ryon.
She couldn’t help but notice the man, who must be in his early forties, was damned fine. He nodded, then strode past as though he couldn’t care less what she saw. As she turned her attention to Jax and Aric, she saw they’d shifted also. She’d have to be dead and buried not to goggle at the taut, tattooed male flesh on proud display. Any second, her brain would overload.
What a way to go.
As though reading her mind, Ryon spoke up with a chuckle. “You’ll get used to it. Mac and Doc Mallory did. We’re part wolf, and what need do wolves have for clothing? It’s in our nature not to worry overmuch about nakedness when we shift back to human form. Saves time if everyone just gets over it and gets on with
