My face falls, but he reaches out, cupping my cheek with one warm hand. "I''m furious that you put yourself in danger. That''s all."


    Well, that''s fair.


    But I''d do it again. In a heartbeat. No matter what he thinks.@@@@


    His eyes narrow. "You''re thinking that you''d do it again, aren''t you?" Suspicion laces his voice.


    Maybe avoiding the question is better than answering it. "Where do we go from here?"


    "With what?" His thumb rubs over my cheek, his golden eyes dark as he watches me.


    "Everything. Lisa. The vampires. My powers."


    He sighs. "I don''t know. It''s a lot to think about."


    When his hand drops from my face, I''m disappointed by the absence of his warmth. Still, I try to focus on what''s important. "Have you ever heard of the Mad Prince before?"


    "No." Lucas frowns. "Unfortunately, we don''t know a lot about vampires and the Unregistered cities. A few basic things, but we''ve become complacent in the overall peace of the world. I''m going to have to fix that mistake."


    "How?"


    His head shakes slightly, and his eyes look a little unfocused. He''s probably talking to Kellan through the pack link again, so I wait patiently for him to finish.


    "It''s dangerous to send scouts to the Unregistered city," he murmurs. "Few make it back alive."


    His words are a shock, and my hands grow cold. I understand that I''m a little sheltered, but I''ve watched enough human news to know a few things. I had no idea the relationship with vampires was that fraught. "That bad? Then how is Lisa going to survive there?"


    "There are humans who live in the Unregistered cities. Plenty of people come and go through them—they are a modern city like any other. Internet, stores, cars. But they don''t welcome most shifters."


    I hesitate, thinking back on my conversation with Sister Miriam. "It sounds like they do some business with rogue wolves."


    "Yes." He frowns. "That doesn''t help us, though."


    No, but if I work with Sister Miriam...


    But by the look on Lucas'' face, I don''t think that''s going to be an option in his mind.


    Of course not.


    Isn''t Selene supposed to be watching TV?


    I can still hear you two, you know.


    "Ava." His voice grabs my attention, as he grips my hands tightly. "I need you to promise me that you aren''t going to see Sister Miriam without talking to me first."


    "Lucas..."


    "Rescuing Lisa isn''t going to happen in a few hours. It might not even be in a few days."


    My heart drops. Although a logical part of me already recognizes that, I can''t reconcile the thought of Lisa being in danger for that long without help. "I can''t just leave her there."


    "We''re not giving up, Ava. But we need to do this safely. You understand, don''t you?"


    Tender. Sweet. Peaceful.


    A moment for lovers.


    I''ve kept him at a distance for so long, walls up to protect my heart. But in doing so, I''ve hurt him too. Damaged the fragile roots of what we''ve been growing together.


    I need to make this right, as much as he has.


    My efforts need to match his.


    Can I do that?


    His other arm wraps around my waist as he stands, the angle of our kiss deepening as he yanks me flush against his body.


    The sweet moment slides into something else, his mouth slanting against mine, his tongue invading my warmth, his hand tugging my head back by my hair, gentle yet insistent.


    There''s desperation in his desire, as though I''ve opened the floodgates with my affection.


    My hands slide into his hair, fingers tangling in the dark strands. I pour everything I feel into the kiss. All the words I''m not ready to say.


    I''m sorry. I''m here. I''m yours.


    Lucas'' grip tightens, his strong arms banding around me like steel. Unbreakable. Inescapable.


    But I don''t want to escape. I want to burrow deeper into his embrace and never leave.


    He walks me backwards, and I trust him to guide me, focused on the frenzied kiss and his hands sliding over my body. After a small eternity, my calves bump against my bedframe and we tumble onto the mattress together.


    His weight settles over me, grounding and thrilling all at once.


    I break the kiss, panting for air. His eyes meet mine, molten gold full of hunger and need. But beneath that, a vulnerability. A silent question.


    Do you really want this? Want me?


    "Lucas," I breathe, one hand cupping his face. "I—"


    But he swoops down again, rough against my lips.


    Restless and urgent, I yank his shirt up and slide my hands down the hard planes of his abdomen, trying to unbutton his jeans by feel.


    "Wait," he mutters against my lips, and I shake my head.


    "I don''t want to. We only have an hour."


    He groans. "Fuck. Ava, I didn''t mean to start this."


    "Shut up and take your clothes off, alpha." I shove him off me, struggling onto my knees, yanking my shirt over my head and unhooking my bra in a swift motion. My confidence is fake, but my desire is real.


    He watches me with dark eyes and parted lips, and it isn''t until I reach for his jeans again that he finally moves, tearing off his clothes in wild movements.


    "I don''t think I can hold back," he warns me, as I shimmy my panties down my legs.


    I laugh a little, my nerves kicking in. "I''m not asking you to."