the opportunities she’d been given. She’d blossomed in freedom, and her magic had grown as a natural part of her development.
Magic that had nothing to do with being a shapeshifting Chanku. No, according to her mom, Lily’s magic was all her father’s fault, a gift from his Romanian ancestors, though in Lily, the innate power of her magic was nothing short of miraculous. Still, it meant that, like her father, Lily was of the pack and yet separate. She was special and she knew it—Chanku, and more.
So much more, even Lily realized she’d not tested her full potential. That alone set her apart. And maybe that was why she couldn’t get Sebastian out of her mind.
He was the first man she’d known with magic as strong, if not stronger than her own. He challenged her in every way, but the connection she’d felt with Sebastian reinforced the fact that there was no future for her with Alex Aragat, no matter what their parents wanted.
She grinned as she thought of Alex. Who wouldn’t? He was adorable, but no matter how cute and sexy and smart he might be, Alex lacked the strength to stand up to her, the will to challenge her. He was a strong alpha male in his own right, but not where Lily was concerned. He’d deferred to her his entire life. That wasn’t going to change. She’d run right over the poor guy, just as she’d done all their lives, and they both knew it.
Sebastian, on the other hand, would stand toe to toe with her, and she’d be lucky to come out unscathed.
Did she really want that?
The shiver along her spine and the sudden coil of heat centered in her womb confirmed that, yes, she really did.
“Hey, Lil. Your folks said you were home. I’ve missed you.”
She jerked to a stop and laughed. “Alex! Me too.”
He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and kissed her hard and fast. “You ready for ‘the talk’?”
“Hell, no.” She rolled her eyes. “Why? Did you just get nailed?”
He nodded. “You, Lily Cheval, are a paragon of all things Chanku, and I’m a bloody fool to let you slip away.”
Laughing, she flipped him off. “Sorry, big guy. I can’t help it if I’m a paragon. I am what I am.”
“Well, it would help if you’d screw up a little. Do you think you could work on that?”
Lily glanced at the house, knew her dad still wanted to talk to her, but she really needed Alex right now. “I think I already have, Al. You got a minute?”
“What’s the matter, sweetie?”
“C’mon.” She grabbed his hand and drew him across the yard to a small pond built of native stone, shaded by twisted aspen trees. She sat on a stone bench and patted the spot beside her.
“Okay,” he said, still holding her hand. “Spill.”
“I think the days of the talk are coming to an end.” She glanced down at his long fingers wrapped around hers and wondered how Sebastian would deal with another man in their bed. She’d never give Alex up altogether. She loved him. She just didn’t see herself mated to him.
“You’ve met someone, haven’t you?”
Why in the hell did she feel so guilty? Lily nodded. “I have, but I don’t know if there’s a future for us.”
“He’s not Chanku?”
“Actually, I think he is. He shifts, but by magical means. Even so, my wolf recognizes a kindred spirit.”
There was a long silence. “Please tell me it’s not Aldo Xenakis.”
She burst into laughter. “Oh goddess, no. That man’s an ass.” Then she sighed. “Not Aldo. His son. Sebastian Xenakis.”
Alex’s harsh intake of breath told her more than she wanted to hear. “Lil, he’s on our radar. The guy could be our killer. Are you . . . ?”
“I know.” She squeezed his hand. “Last night I ran with him and some really weird stuff happened. I’ll give you the details later, but we were attacked by two strange wolves. I’m sure they were Chanku, but they’re huge. Even bigger than Uncle Tink—and I recognized their scent. They were present at one, at least, of the murder sites.”
Alex grabbed her hand. “Goddess, Lily. Do you realize that’s the first lead we’ve gotten?”
She nodded. “I know. I hope to have more to give you later, when I’ve got more time, but right now I’m on my way to check in with Dad and then go and talk to Eve.”
Alex squeezed her hand as she continued. “Sebastian helped me fight them off. I told you