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  Lex seemed to consider my words and spoke to the room in general. “We need to find out what’s happening inside the ranks, what’s being planned.”

  “How are you going to do that?” I asked.

  Finn seemed to rouse himself from his brooding and looked up at Conner. “We need to infiltrate.”

  I frowned, unsure of what he meant. “What?”

  Conner seemed to be considering Finn’s words and answered absently. “We need someone to join the Faction and report back.”

  “Like a spy?” I asked.

  Finn, Conner, Lex, and Gabriel all nodded. Chloe and Calder were in the room but seemed content to just listen as this was discussed.

  “So, who’s going to do it?”

  Lex shook his head. “I’m not sure, but I have someone in mind.”

  He and Conner looked at each other and something passed between them. I could understand the need for secrecy. One of their Council members had betrayed them and they couldn’t risk revealing important information, even among those they believed they could trust.

  A wave of fatigue hit me so hard I swayed. For a moment I wondered if Finn had spiked my tea with herbs again, but, when I looked up at him, he shook his head as though he could read my mind.

  “Kerry needs rest,” Finn stated. “We can continue this tomorrow.”

  No one argued, so he pulled me to my feet and lead me from the study. When we reached the base of the staircase, he lifted me into his arms and carried me up.

  “I can walk,” I murmured, resting my forehead against his neck.

  “I know.”

  I left it at that because I was tired and he wouldn’t put me down no matter what I said. Though I would probably never admit aloud, I enjoyed feeling small and pampered.

  When we reached the guest room, I reached out and opened the door and Finn carried me inside.

  “Shower?” he asked.

  “No. Bed.” My words were short and weary.

  Finn set me on the bench at the end of the bed and disappeared into the closet. While he was gone, I kicked off my shoes and socks and peeled my sweatshirt over my head. I was working on the button and zipper of my jeans when he came back out of the closet with a t-shirt and pajama pants for me.

  Finn knelt before me and helped remove my pants. My phone fell out of my pocket and hit the floor with a clunk.

  He picked it up, examining it. “I’m so glad you had your phone with you.” He looked up at me. “Do you know why they didn’t take it?”

  I shrugged out of my bra and slid the t-shirt over my head before I answered. “Honestly, I don’t think they even considered it. It seems Cornelius’ weakness is technology.”

  Finn helped me into the pants. “Whatever reason that prevented them from turning it off, I’m glad.” He helped me into the bed and removed his shirt and pants to join me.

  This was one of the things that I loved about being with Finn. He held me close, even in sleep, and didn’t shy away from showing me affection, no matter where we were or who we were with. Going to bed with him, even just to sleep, was my favorite time of day. It never failed to help me forget my troubles.

  I laid my cheek against his chest. “There is some good news in all this mess. They couldn’t locate me when we were at your house, it’s still safe. We can go back home tomorrow.”

  His arms tightened around me. “Home?”

  I smiled. “Yes. Home.”

  “Are you sure you want to live there?” he asked.

  “I love my mother’s house and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to sell it. At the moment, it’s no longer safe until the war with the Faction is done. Until then, I would be happy to live in your home. It’s beautiful.”

  “And after?”

  “We might have to compromise.”

  Finn chuckled softly and I enjoyed the vibration against my cheek. “Well, I do love your house, so I’m sure we can work something out.”

  I couldn’t resist the pull of sleep any longer. “Thank you for coming for me,” I mumbled.

  He kissed my forehead. “I will always come for you,” he whispered. “I love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  The war may continue but, for tonight, I was safe and I was loved.

  Epilogue

  Ricki

  I was freezing and burning up simultaneously. Sweat rolled off my skin as though I were standing inside a sauna, yet I’d never felt so cold.

  Shudders wracked my body violently and my teeth chattered so loudly they echoed in my head. When firm hands turned me, I tried to bat them away, but I couldn’t escape. The mere touch on my skin was agony.

  “Noooo,” I moaned.

  “Shhh. It’s okay. I know it hurts.” I was lifted into a semi-reclined position. “Drink this, it’ll help.”

  A bowl was pressed to my lips and I drank the bitter brew, choking a little as it poured down my throat and trickled out of the corners of my mouth.

  A gentle hand patted the liquid from my face and chest. My body seized in another bone-rattling shiver.

  “You’re doing great, darlin’. I know it seems like it will never end, but you’re almost done.”

  My eyes felt swollen and achy but I managed to lift my eyelids and stare up into a pair of gorgeous green eyes. “Is it too late to ask Conner to bite me?” I whimpered.

  A rueful smile appeared on Calder’s face. “I’m afraid so.” He set the bowl on the table beside the bed. “Thank you for choosing me instead.”

  I hummed in the back of my throat when his fingers stroked over my hair. It was the one place on my body that didn’t feel as though it were on fire or submerged in ice. “I’m sure I’ll make you pay for it later.”

  Suddenly, a white hot pain ripped through my body, tearing a scream from my throat. My bones felt as though they were being broken and reset one after another, in rapid succession.

  “Don’t fight it, Ricki. Just let it take you. I promise it only hurts the first few times, then your body adjusts.”

  I screamed again, my voice cracking. My wail ended on a high-pitched, pained howl.

  With one huge wrenching jolt, the agony ceased. For several long moments, I lay in Calder’s arms, panting. Still feeling shaky, I rolled away, putting my hands and feet beneath me, but the bed felt odd. When I looked down, two brown paws rested below me. Turning my head, I looked back, down a lean chestnut colored body, and saw a bushy tail curving over my back.

  Well, the next time someone called me a bitch, I guess I couldn’t be offended.

  The End

  Acknowledgements

  My deepest thanks to my hubby and father. Without you two, I would have a great deal less time to write stories. And I would be lost without my Lil Bit. She makes me smile every day.

  Also, I love you bunches, Donna and Tania. You two do an admirable job of putting up with my crazy, neurotic ass and my avalanche of messages on an almost daily basis. Thank you for keeping me on track, encouraging me, and pushing me to do more and be better.

  My Facebook group, C.C.’s Sinners, is a badass group of women. Love you all and thank you for reading and pimping my books. Now, go post a review of this book, dammit!

  To my author friends; Tiffany King, Katie Ashley, Tara Sivec, R.K. Lilley, Raine Miller, Leighton Riley, Yara Greathouse, Gina Sorelle, B.L. Marsh, and, last but not least, my future baby mama, Penelope Reid. You all are the best! Thank you for reading my books and sending me books to read when I beg for them.

  I also must say that I adore my amazing beta readers; Nikki, Christine, Nerd Herd Nikki, and Amber. Thanks for telling me what I need to hear, good or bad.

  Last but not least, I eternally grateful to the readers and bloggers who review and share my books. There are too many of you to name (that would fill up another 200 pages!) but I appreciate each and every one of you.

  About C.C.

  A native Texan, C.C. grew up either reading or playing the piano. Years later, she’s still not grown up and doing the same thin
gs. Since the voices in her head never shut up, C.C. decided to share their crazy stories and started writing books.

  Now that she has a baby girl at home, C.C.’s non-writing time is usually spent cleaning up poopy diapers or feeding the poop machine. Sometimes she teaches piano, cooks, or spends time bugging her hubby and two beagles.

  Contact C.C.

  C.C. loves to hear from her readers!

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorccwood

  Twitter: @cc_wood

  Website: www.ccwood.net

  Titles by C.C. Wood

  Novellas:

  Girl Next Door Series:

  Friends with Benefits

  Frenemies

  Drive Me Crazy

  Girl Next Door-The Complete Series

  Kiss Series:

  A Kiss for Christmas

  Kiss Me

  Novels:

  Seasons of Sorrow

  NSFW Series:

  In Love With Lucy

  Earning Yancy

  Paranormal Romance:

  Bitten Series

  Bite Me (Bitten, #1)

  Once Bitten, Twice Shy (Bitten, #2)

  One Little Bite (Bitten, #2.5)

  Bewitched, Bothered, and Bitten (Bitten, #3)