Cheval, stood in the doorway. One hand supported his weight against the door frame, the other grasped the heavy brass handle. His shoulder-length dark hair was tousled, half out of its queue as if he’d just crawled out of bed, though Sebastian knew he’d arrived home mere minutes ago. His long-sleeved white shirt was unbuttoned over a lean but muscular chest. His shirt sleeves were rolled back along his forearms exposing narrow, graceful wrists with a dusting of dark hair, and his shirt tail hung loose from his dark gray slacks. Sebastian had the horrible sense he’d interrupted something intimate, something between man and wife.
But all that was noted in a heartbeat, and it was nothing compared to the man’s aura. Red and maroon flames shimmered all around him, cascading arcs of pure power at least as strong as, if not stronger than Lily’s.
Sebastian sucked in a breath. He should have expected this, but he forced himself to look at the man’s face. He was immediately caught in the brilliant gleam of the most amazing amber eyes he’d ever seen. There was so much power here, power beyond his own, beyond his father’s. No wonder Lily’s magic was so strong.
Her father was flat out terrifying.
He buried his fear and stuck out his hand. “Mr. Cheval? My name is Sebastian Xenakis. I hope I’m not interrupting anything. I’ve come to see Lily.”
Her father grasped his hand, holding it a fraction longer than a handshake should require. Sebastian wondered if his entire life had just been read like an open book.
As Cheval released Sebastian’s hand, one corner of his lips lifted in a feral grin. “It’s good to meet you, Mr. Xenakis. Lily has spoken of you. We all owe you our thanks for watching over her at the reception last night.”
Hadn’t she told him what happened after? He maintained eye contact, even though an unfamiliar instinct had him wanting to press his belly to the floor and bare his throat. “It was definitely a unique way to meet a beautiful woman. Is Lily home?”
Cheval shook his head. “She’s running with friends tonight. I expect her back in a few hours.” He held the door wide. “Would you care to come in?”
“I don’t want to disturb you.” Sebastian shrugged and gazed toward the mountains, and wondered if he’d be able to find her, if he should shift and go after her.
If she’d even want to see him.
“I believe she wants very much to see you.”
Mind reading? Sebastian turned slowly and stared at Cheval. He wondered what he was thinking.
The man smiled, looking every bit the wolf. He stepped back and held the door open wider. “You probably don’t want to know that. I really think you should step inside, Mr. Xenakis.”
Like he had a choice? “Sebastian, please. Mr. Xenakis is my father.”
Cheval nodded. “As you wish, Sebastian.”
Holding his head high and struggling not to take the submissive pose his body cried out for, Sebastian stepped through the doorway and entered Anton Cheval’s home.
An absolutely beautiful dark-skinned woman stood in the foyer. She wore a bright blue, silky gown wrapped around her full-figured body, color that created a stunning contrast against her bittersweet chocolate skin. With her black hair flowing in long, smooth waves past her waist, her full breasts, and her rounded hips, she looked like an artist’s rendition of a fertility goddess ready for a pagan ritual. So beautiful, so sensual, she took his breath.
He recognized Lily in her mother’s beauty, though Lily’s lean height and tensile strength was a direct gift from her father. Her mother’s aura pulsed in soft shades of green and blue, and he read her as healer, caretaker, and empathetic lover.
And it was more than obvious she was adored by her husband. Cheval stood before her and took her hands in both of his. Focusing entirely on his woman, he said, “Sebastian, this is my wife. Keisha is the better part of me, the iron strength and the heart of our pack. My love, this is Sebastian Xenakis, the young man who assisted Lily at the reception last night.”
She tugged her hands free of her husband’s and moved forward with a welcoming smile and her arms held wide. “Sebastian ! I’m so glad you’ve come. It’s a pleasure to meet you, to thank you in person. Please, come in. You are welcome in our home.” She hugged him, enveloping him in strong arms and a sense of such peace, such overwhelming acceptance, that his eyes welled