took care of medicine, healing, and all things pertaining to nature. The lycans oversaw training of all species, keeping the town prepared should an attack from a government agency take place. After all, the Western Chapter wasn’t the only one with a task force in place to hunt rogues. The government had long ago set up a secret branch to rid the streets of all supernatural beings. Other responsibilities—from managing the stores and manning the front gate, to keeping a fresh supply of food and blood and taking away the garbage—were delegated amongst the species on a rotating basis.
Besides being a council member, Slyck also ran Vibes. Other council members had their own “hobbies” as well. Slyck dubbed it a hobby because inside the town of Serene, they exchanged money for show only. Thanks to smart investments, the vamps alone were worth billions.
Slyck turned his thoughts back to the present when Lily came with their menus and coffee.
“Mmm, thanks, Lily,” Slyck said and took a much-needed sip of caffeine. Lily’s warm yet guarded violet eyes glistened as she listed the daily specials. She then left to give the two men a minute to decide.
As Slyck’s glance strayed to the street, he spotted Jaclyn turning the corner and coming his way. Just the sight of her took his breath away. Slyck sucked in air and fought to retain his composure.
Dressed in a prim, knee-length skirt and a neutral blouse that matched her skin tone buttoned to her neck, she hustled across the street in a pair of low heels, and made her way to the café. Slyck glanced at his watch and guessed she was on her lunch break.
Despite her staid attire, everything in him perked up and he felt his cock tighten in his jeans. Aware of the way he began to tremble with want, he slipped his hands under the table and in desperate need of a distraction gripped his thighs, hard. He bit back a curse and shifted uncomfortably in his seat as his mind recalled the feel of her skin, the delicious taste of her sweet cream, and the way her body had opened for him, the way only a true mate’s would. His nostrils flared, his body urging him to chase across the street and pounce, to leave his final mark on his mate. Of course, he couldn’t leave his final mark and fully claim her as his until they completed the mating ritual in panther form.
Drake’s glance went from Slyck to Jaclyn, and back to Slyck again. He cleared his throat. “You okay, Slyck?”
Slyck tore his gaze from Jaclyn and glared at Drake. “Fine. Why?” he bit out with much more force than necessary.
“Your hackles are up.”
He nodded toward Jaclyn. “My hackles are always up when we have a newcomer in town.”
“Not like this they’re not.”
Drake was the closest friend Slyck had, and for a quick moment, he thought about confiding in him, but then shook it off. Even though they were friends, family actually, and he trusted Drake, he suspected that in a battle Vall still had the means to force Drake’s submission, should he want to. Best not to put anyone else in danger.
“Yeah, well, seems a few townsfolk are already complaining about her,” Slyck went on to explain. “She accidentally tried to feed chocolate to a lycan.”
Drake cringed. “Shit. That couldn’t have gone over well.”
“It’s not like she knew,” he said in her defense, and then realized what he was doing. Hoping that slip had gone unnoticed, he went back to studying his menu and added, “If she causes any more trouble, folks are going to demand we do something about her, and do it fast.”
“Maybe that’s what the barbecue tonight is all about.”
Slyck’s head snapped up with a start. “What barbecue?”
“She’s having a barbecue tonight.” He paused to reach for his coffee. “A meet-and-greet-the-neighbors sort of thing.”
That caught Slyck’s attention. “You’ve got to be kidding me?”
“No, she passed out flyers. Didn’t you get one?”
“Haven’t checked my box.” Not that he expected one.
Drake took a sip of his coffee and studied Jaclyn as she came rushing through the door. “You think she’s going to be trouble, Slyck?”
Oh yeah, she was all kinds of trouble.
Slyck thought more about this barbecue. “It’s not like anyone is going to show up. Everyone is under strict orders.”
“Yes, well, we’re not dealing with the most authoritative people here, now, are we? Especially with the promise of food, alcohol, and . . . fresh meat.”
“Dammit . . .