STORY EXCERPT

Rain hammered the streets, turning the cobblestones slick and treacherous. Malik’s boots splashed through puddles as he shot down another alley, his lungs burning from the sustained sprint. His cheetah prowled inside him, demanding release, but the image of appearing nude in the middle of this small town kept him locked in human form.

He rounded another corner and found himself on Main Street. Quaint shops lined both sides, their windows glowing warm against the storm’s gloom.

A glance over his shoulder showed nothing, but Malik knew better. The demons wouldn’t stop. They never did.

He needed shelter, somewhere to catch his breath and figure out his next move. The rain soaked through his jacket, plastering his dark hair to his forehead. Water dripped into his eyes as he scanned the storefronts.

A flower shop sat nestled between a pet store and what appeared to be an antique shop. Petals and Thorns, the painted sign declared in curling script. Through the window, he could see blooms in every color imaginable, their petals catching the light.

Malik pushed through the door, the rain trying to follow him inside. The scent hit him immediately—roses and lilies and something sweeter, earthier. Soil and green growing things. The warmth wrapped around him like a physical embrace after the cold rain outside.

“Welcome to—oh wow, you look like you went swimming with your clothes on.”

Malik’s head snapped toward the voice.

A young man stood behind the counter, pruning shears in one hand, a bundle of lavender in the other. He was small, maybe five-foot-three, with delicate features and auburn hair that fell across his forehead. His eyes were an unusual shade of violet-blue, currently widened in surprise. He wore an oversized sweater that slipped off one shoulder and jeans that hugged slender legs.

Something inside Malik went completely still.

Then his cat surged forward, pressing against his skin, demanding he claim the fox. The scent of the flowers faded, overwhelmed by something infinitely more compelling. Honey and vanilla and rain-soaked earth.

Mine.

The word echoed through every cell in his body. This slip of a human with his quick smile and gentle hands was his. The universe had dropped his mate directly in front of him while he was running for his life from demon assassins.

The shittiest timing imaginable.

This could not be happening. Not now. Not like this.

This small fox was his mate. His to protect. His to keep safe from demons and everything else that might hurt him.

And Malik had just brought danger directly to his door.

“So, um, do you need help with something? Or are you just using my shop as a rain shelter? Because, honestly, either is fine, but you’re dripping all over my floor.” The guy set down the lavender and tilted his head. “I’m Indy, by the way. Owner, operator, and apparently towel service.”

He grabbed a cloth from beneath the counter and walked around it toward Malik. As he grew closer, his steps faltered. His pupils dilated, and his lips parted on a soft inhale. The cloth slipped from his fingers.

“Oh,” Indy whispered.

Malik growled, low and soft, the sound barely human. His cheetah wanted out. Wanted to rub against this beautiful creature until he smelled like Malik.

Indy took a step back, then another. His hand found the counter edge, gripping it. “You’re—I don’t—what—”

Movement outside the window caught Malik’s attention. Two figures stood on the sidewalk across the street, rain sliding off them like they existed in a different reality than everyone else. They looked human enough—one tall with dark hair, one shorter with blond—but Malik knew better. He could see the wrongness in the way they moved, the predatory stillness as they scanned the street.

“Hide me,” Malik said, voice rough. “Now.”

Indy followed his gaze, and he must’ve felt the danger in the demons stances. “Behind the cooler. There’s a room back there.”

His mate moved quickly despite his obvious confusion, leading Malik through a doorway behind the refrigerated display case. The room was small, cramped with supplies and buckets of flowers in various stages of arrangement. It smelled like Indy, that honey-vanilla scent mixed with the green freshness of stems and leaves.

“Stay quiet,” Indy murmured, then slipped back out to the main shop.

Malik pressed himself against the wall, muscles coiled tight. His cat paced inside him, furious at being separated from their mate. Through the gap in the doorway, he could hear them enter.

“Afternoon,” one of the demons said, their voice pleasant and utterly false. “We’re looking for someone. Tall, dark hair, probably soaking wet. Have you seen anyone like that?”

“Tall, dark, and soggy?” Indy’s voice was light, almost teasing. “Sorry, haven’t seen anyone except Mrs. Chen picking up her weekly roses.”

Silence stretched. Malik’s fingers ached from clenching them so hard. If they touched Indy, if they so much as breathed wrong near him—

“You’re sure?” the second demon said.

“Unless he’s hiding in my peace lilies, yeah, I’m sure. Would you like to check? They’re on sale this week.”

Another pause. Then footsteps retreating. The door opened then closed, a moment of outside traffic sounds before it died.

Malik waited, counting his heartbeats, before Indy appeared in the doorway. His face was pale, but he’d kept himself composed. His hands twisted together, then stopped, like he’d caught himself fidgeting.

“They’re gone,” Indy said quietly. “For now, I think. Who were…what were…” He stopped and took a breath. “Okay, so this is weird. Really weird. But I need help with something, and you’re here, and those guys looking for you seem worse than—”

He stopped again when Malik stepped forward. Their eyes met, and that pull between them strengthened, became almost visible in the air. Malik’s cheetah purred, a rumbling satisfied sound.

“You’re my…” Indy’s voice cracked. “That’s not possible. That’s not… People don’t just—”

“Why not?” Malik asked.

Indy stared at him, those violet-blue eyes searching his face like he could find answers written there. His breathing had quickened, and Malik could see his pulse fluttering at his throat. Fear and attraction and confusion all tangled together.

ADULT EXCERPT

Malik watched as Indy stirred in his sleep. They’d come back to his house that night, and his mate had agreed to stay. A soft exhale against the pillow pulled Malik from his half-doze. Moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting silver across Indy’s bare shoulder where the sheet had slipped down. His mate’s breathing changed, the even rhythm of sleep breaking into something lighter.

Indy’s eyes opened slowly, hazel in the dim light. For a moment he seemed disoriented, then his gaze found Malik and something warm settled into his expression.

“Have you been watching me sleep?” Indy’s voice came out rough with sleep, teasing but soft around the edges.

“Maybe.” Malik shifted closer, the mattress dipping under his weight. The movement brought their bodies into contact, skin against skin where they hadn’t been touching before.

Indy’s breath caught. Just slightly, but Malik heard it. Felt the way his mate’s body responded to the contact, muscles tensing then relaxing. The air between them changed, thickened with something that had been building since meeting.

Reaching out, Malik traced his fingers along Indy’s jaw, feeling the slight roughness of beard. His mate leaned into the touch, eyes fluttering closed for a heartbeat before opening again. The trust in that small gesture made something in Malik’s chest tighten.

“Hi,” Indy whispered.

“Hi.” Malik’s thumb brushed across his mate’s lower lip.

Indy’s mouth parted slightly, and Malik felt the warm exhale against his skin. The simple sensation sent heat through him, his body responding to his mate’s proximity. Every instinct demanded he claim what was his.

Lowering his head, Malik pressed his mouth to Indy’s. The kiss started gentle, just the press of lips, tasting the warmth of his mate’s mouth. Indy made a soft sound and opened for him, tongue sliding against Malik’s, heat shooting straight to his cock.

Rolling them, Malik settled his weight over Indy, careful not to crush him. His mate was smaller, lean muscle and smooth skin that felt impossibly soft under Malik’s hands. The contrast made his blood run hotter, made him want to map every inch with his mouth and fingers.

Breaking the kiss, Malik moved to Indy’s jaw, then lower, finding the spot where shoulder met throat. His mate’s pulse fluttered against his lips, quick and alive. The scent of him was stronger here, honey and vanilla mixed with arousal, and Malik breathed it in, letting it fill his lungs.

“Malik.” Indy’s voice had gone breathless, his hands finding Malik’s shoulders, fingers digging in.

Moving lower still, Malik traced his tongue along Indy’s collarbone, tasted salt and skin. His mate arched under him, hips lifting, and Malik felt the hard length of Indy’s erection press against his thigh. The contact made them both groan, the sound filling the quiet room.

Hands moved down Malik’s back, exploring the planes of muscle, learning the shape of him. Each touch left trails of heat, made Malik’s cock throb where it pressed against the mattress. His mate was responsive and vocal, little gasps and moans escaping as Malik found sensitive spots with his mouth.

Sliding down further, he pressed kisses to Indy’s ribs, his stomach, the sharp jut of his hipbone. His mate’s breathing had gone ragged, hands tangling in Malik’s hair. The slight pull made him growl low in his throat, the sound vibrating against Indy’s skin.

“Please,” his mate breathed, hips lifting again, seeking friction.

Looking up, Malik met blue-violet eyes. Indy’s pupils were blown wide, his lips parted and swollen from kissing. The sight made his control slip another notch. This beautiful creature was his. Indy wanted him, trusted him enough to be vulnerable like this.

Wrapping his hand around Indy’s cock, Malik stroked once, slowly. His mate’s back arched off the bed, a broken moan escaping. The sound went straight to Malik’s dick and made him leak against the sheets. Lowering his head, he took Indy’s shaft into his mouth.

The taste exploded across his tongue, salt and musk and something uniquely Indy. His mate’s fingers tightened in his hair, not pulling, just holding on as Malik worked him with lips and tongue. Learning what made Indy gasp, what made his thighs tremble.

“Malik, god, your mouth—” His mate’s words dissolved into another moan as Malik took him deeper, hollowing his cheeks.

Working his mate with a steady rhythm, Malik reached for the nightstand drawer. His fingers found the bottle of lube without looking. The sound of the cap clicking open was loud in the room.

Pulling off Indy’s cock with a wet pop, Malik glanced up at his mate. Indy was watching him with heavy-lidded eyes, chest rising and falling rapidly. Slicking his fingers, Malik traced them along the crease of Indy’s ass, finding his entrance.

The first finger slid in easily, Indy’s body opening for him. His mate moaned, spreading his legs wider, giving Malik better access. Adding a second finger, Malik worked him open slowly, watching Indy’s face for every reaction.

“More,” Indy gasped, pushing back against Malik’s hand. “I need more.”

Adding a third finger, Malik crooked them, searching. When he found Indy’s prostate, his mate’s whole body jerked, his cock leaking onto his stomach.

“There,” Indy breathed. “Right there.”

Working that spot, Malik watched his mate come apart. Indy’s hands fisted in the sheets, back arching, soft cries escaping with each press of Malik’s fingers. The sight was intoxicating, making Malik’s cock throb with need.

When Indy was loose and pliant, Malik withdrew his fingers. His mate whined at the loss, reaching for him. Slicking his cock with more lube, Malik positioned himself, the head of his dick pressing against Indy’s entrance.