STORY EXCERPT

Why had Lucio agreed to that damn drinking challenge last night? His head felt like it was being hammered relentlessly, each throb echoing like a war drum. He groaned and leaned forward at the table, a cup of untouched coffee sitting in front of him.

The pounding became even louder, until he realized it was actually coming from his front door and not just inside his head.

“Joder,” he muttered, dragging himself from his seat. Lucio shuffled to the door, cursing softly in his native language. He swung it open to find Chopper’s grinning face. Behind him stood Raphael, keys jingling between his fingers.

“Buenos días, princess,” Chopper said, pushing past him into the house. “Rough night?” The smell of motor oil and leather trailed behind him.

“Thanks for the update.” Lucio squinted past them at the bright sky. “What time is it?”

Raphael checked his watch. “Almost noon.”

Lucio closed his eyes, willing his stomach to settle. The stale heat of the house clung to his skin, sticking his shirt to his back in places. Outside, the faint hum of cicadas filled the silence, undercut only by the low rumble of someone’s lawn mower.

Raphael walked past him, boots heavy against the wooden floor. “Matias sent us. Cameras at the warehouse went dark last night. He wants us to check it out.”

The warehouse was only twenty-five minutes across town, but even that short ride sounded like torture. “Can’t you guys do it?”

“Jefe wants you there,” Raphael said. He paused at the kitchen table, eyeing the cold coffee. “You’re our tech genius.”

Lucio ran a hand through his messy hair. “Now? Can’t it wait until my brain stops trying to escape my skull?”

“Poor baby wolf can’t handle his tequila?” Chopper opened Lucio’s fridge, helping himself to a bottle of water. “Never thought I’d see the day Percy would drink you under the table.”

“That little human has the alcohol tolerance of a grizzly,” Lucio muttered. “Give me fifteen minutes to shower. Need to wash off the shame.”

Raphael tossed an apple from the counter fruit bowl. “Take your time, lightweight. We’ll raid your kitchen while we wait.”

“How does a human out-drink a wolf anyway?” Chopper called after him as Lucio headed for the bathroom. “Percy must have a liver made of steel.”

Under the hot spray of the shower, Lucio cursed Percy’s inexplicable alcohol tolerance. For a human half his size, the man could put away tequila like it was water. Lightweight jealousy bubbled in his chest as he scrubbed away the stink of last night’s poor decisions.

Hot water did little to improve Lucio’s hangover, but at least he smelled better.

Twenty minutes later, tools packed and hangover slightly dulled by four aspirin, Lucio grabbed his leather jacket from the hook by the door and slipped his gun into his waistband. The weight of it against his lower back provided a familiar comfort.

Lucio joined the others outside where their bikes waited, chrome glinting in the bright sun. He climbed onto his motorcycle. The rumble of the engine sent vibrations through his skull that made him wince. Chopper and Raphael revved their bikes beside him, and they took off.

Heat radiated from the asphalt, making Lucio’s stomach roll. Sweat trickled down his back as they rode, and the wind offered no relief. It was just pushing more hot air against his face like a blow dryer on high. His stomach lurched with each bump in the road.

The ride through town was mercifully short. As they passed Sin & Steel, pack members nodded, a few raising their beer bottles in greeting.

“You good back there?” Chopper yelled over his shoulder.

“Fantastic,” Lucio shouted back, tasting bile at the back of his throat. Vomiting would mean endless mockery from these two pendejos. He swallowed hard, focusing on the road ahead.

After fifteen more minutes of torture, the warehouse appeared in the distance. Ugly concrete against the blue sky, isolated and forgotten except for the bad memories it held. Lucio had never understood why they hadn’t burned this place to the ground after everything that had happened here. Diablo’s kidnapping. Those hyena bastards Matias had killed. The half-shifted corpses of Rico’s victims. Diablo’s mate held hostage like a bargaining chip.

Gravel crunched under their tires as they pulled up to the building. Killing the engines, they dismounted and stood for a moment, scanning the area. Nothing moved except trash in the breeze and a few tumbleweeds caught against the fence. Silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by distant bird calls.

“Place still gives me the creeps,” Raphael muttered, rolling his shoulders.

“Let’s get this over with,” Lucio said, grabbing his tool bag.

Inside, the warehouse smelled of rust and abandonment. Dust motes danced in the beams of sunlight streaming through broken windows. Their boots echoed on the concrete floor as they made their way to the security cameras set up in hidden spots in the warehouse.

“Mierda,” Lucio muttered, examining the first camera.

Clean cuts marked the severed wires, not the work of rats or weather damage. Moving to the second and third cameras revealed the same precise cutting.

“This wasn’t an accident.” He examined the clean cut of copper wire between his fingers.

“Someone doesn’t want to be seen,” Chopper said, voice low.

Understatement of the century.

Behind them, metal scraped against concrete. All three men whipped around, hands moving to concealed weapons. The three of them moved silently through the warehouse, looking for the source of the noise.

A row of crates stacked against the far wall caught Lucio’s attention. His gaze fixed on a pair of bare feet jutting out from behind them, motionless against the gritty concrete. Blood splattered the floor nearby, dark red dots trailing toward the hidden body.

“Over there,” Lucio whispered, pointing with his chin. His hangover instantly forgotten, adrenaline flooded his system as he drew his gun. Nothing sobers you up faster than discovering a corpse.

Chopper and Raphael followed his gaze, weapons appearing in their hands. With practiced coordination, they fanned out across the warehouse floor, moving like shadows despite their size. Years of working together made verbal communication unnecessary as they approached the crates.

Lucio crept forward, senses heightened for any sound or movement that might signal an ambush. His nostrils flared, catching the scent of blood mixed with something else. Not wolf, not hyena, but definitely shifter. He signaled to the others with a quick gesture, three fingers raised then two, indicating an unknown shifter presence.

Raphael took position on the left flank, while Chopper covered the right. With measured steps, Lucio rounded the crates, gun raised and ready.

What he found wasn’t an ambush but a young man sprawled unconscious on the floor. Blood matted his light brown hair, and bruises covered his face and arms. His clothes were torn, revealing more injuries across his chest. From the honey-musk scent emanating from him, Lucio immediately identified him as bear clan.

“Clear,” Lucio called softly, holstering his weapon. He knelt beside the injured shifter, pressing two fingers against his neck. A pulse fluttered beneath his touch, weak and irregular, but present. “Dios mío,” he muttered, scanning the man’s injuries. “Got a bear shifter.”

“I’ll let Matias know.” Raphael cursed under his breath.

ADULT EXCERPT

Ethan turned over, his eyes slowly opening. The room was dark and unfamiliar. Then his gaze landed on Lucio, asleep next to him. Ethan studied his handsome features, unable to resist touching his beard.

Lucio did say he could explore any part of his mate’s body. The thick hair was surprisingly soft beneath his fingertips, not coarse like he’d expected.

His mate stirred, dark eyes opening to meet Ethan’s. “Buenos días, osito.”

Heat pooled in Ethan’s belly at the sleepy roughness in Lucio’s voice. His bear rumbled with satisfaction, urging him closer.

“Hi,” Ethan whispered, suddenly aware of how close they were, legs tangled together beneath the sheets. His borrowed T-shirt had ridden up during the night, exposing a strip of skin where Lucio’s hand now rested.

Lucio’s thumb traced lazy circles against Ethan’s hip. “Sleep well?”

“Better than I have in days.” The truth was Ethan couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept so deeply, so completely at peace despite everything.

Lucio leaned forward, pressing his lips to Ethan’s forehead in a gesture so tender it made something inside him ache. “Hungry?”

“Not for food.” The words slipped out before Ethan could stop them. His cheeks burned instantly, but he didn’t look away. Holy crap. Had he really said that? Stewart would be so proud of him.

Focus.

Lucio went still, his eyes darkening as they searched Ethan’s face. “What are you hungry for, hermoso?”

Too shy to answer, Ethan closed the distance between them, pressing his lips to Lucio’s. The kiss started gentle, a question, before Lucio responded with a low sound in his throat. His hand slid up Ethan’s back, pulling him closer.

Yes!

The kiss deepened, Lucio’s tongue sliding against his, tasting of warmth and promise. Ethan’s bandaged hands clutched at Lucio’s shirt, frustrated by the barrier between them.

As soon as he could, Ethan was getting rid of his bandages. His fingers felt fine, and he was sick of his hands being useless.

“Can you take your shirt off, please?” he murmured against Lucio’s mouth. “I-I want to feel you.”

Lucio pulled back just enough to tug his shirt over his head, revealing smooth copper skin stretched over defined muscle. Ethan’s breath caught at the sight of him, all lean strength and masculine beauty.

Sweet mercy.

“Yours too,” Lucio whispered, fingers finding the hem of Ethan’s borrowed shirt.

Ethan lifted his arms, wincing slightly as the movement pulled at his healing ribs. Lucio immediately slowed his movements, easing the fabric up with careful hands.

“You okay?” his mate asked, tossing the shirt aside.

Even if he wasn’t, Ethan wasn’t stopping. He wanted to be claimed so badly his body ached for Lucio.

“I’m fine.” His voice came out steadier than he felt. “Just a little sore.”

Lucio’s gaze traveled over him, taking in the fading bruises across his torso. Rather than pity, his eyes held heat, appreciation. “Hermoso,” he murmured, leaning down to press his lips to a bruise on Ethan’s collarbone.

The gentle touch sent electricity through him. Ethan arched, seeking more contact, more pressure, more of everything Lucio was offering.

He wanted it all.

“Wait,” Lucio said, pulling back. “Your hands. Your ribs. We should—”

“Don’t you dare stop.” Ethan reached for him with bandaged hands. “Please.”

If his mate stopped, Ethan just might become homicidal. He’d never wanted anything as much as he wanted to have sex with this gorgeous creature.

Lucio studied him for a long moment then nodded. “Lie back.”

Oh god. This was it! Ethan was about to finally lose his V card.

He complied, sinking into the pillows as Lucio moved over him, careful to keep his weight off Ethan’s injured body. He lowered his head, trailing kisses along Ethan’s jaw, down his throat, and across his chest. Each touch sent sparks racing across Ethan’s skin.

“So beautiful,” Lucio murmured against his stomach, fingers hooking into the waistband of Ethan’s borrowed pants. “Can I?”

Ethan nodded, lifting his hips to help as Lucio slid the pants down his legs. Cool air kissed his heated skin, making him shiver. He should have felt exposed, vulnerable, but under Lucio’s appreciative gaze, he only felt wanted.

His mate stood to remove his own pants, and Ethan’s mouth went dry at the sight of him fully naked. His body was a work of art, all lean muscle and smooth skin, his arousal evident and impressive.

“Like what you see?” Lucio asked, a hint of teasing in his voice.

“Very much.” Ethan couldn’t tear his eyes away.

Lucio rejoined him on the bed. His hands were gentle as they explored, mapping every inch of Ethan’s body with reverent touches. When his fingers trailed down Ethan’s stomach, lingering just above where he needed them most, Ethan bit his lip to hold back a sound of frustration.

“Patience, cariño,” Lucio whispered, his breath warm against Ethan’s ear.

“Can’t help it,” Ethan replied, voice strained. “I want you too badly.”

Something flashed in Lucio’s eyes, primal and possessive. He captured Ethan’s mouth in a searing kiss that left no doubt about his intentions. His hand finally wrapped around Ethan’s cock, stroking with firm, steady pressure.

Pleasure coursed through Ethan, making him gasp against Lucio’s mouth. He tried to reach for him, to return the touch, but his bandaged hands made it difficult.

“Let me take care of you,” Lucio said, guiding Ethan’s hands back to the pillows. “Just feel.”

Ethan surrendered to the sensations as Lucio worked his way down his body, leaving a trail of heat wherever his lips touched. When Lucio’s mouth replaced his hand, taking him deep in one smooth motion, Ethan’s back arched off the bed.

“Lucio,” he gasped, the pleasure almost too intense to bear. How had he missed out on this for so long? Ethan was going to embarrass himself by coming too soon, but he wouldn’t be able to help it. He’d never in his life felt anything this… fantastic. Amazing. Incredible.

Lucio hummed around Ethan’s cock, the vibration sending another jolt of pleasure up Ethan’s spine. His tongue worked magic, teasing and tasting, bringing Ethan to the edge before backing off just enough to keep him from falling over.

No!

Just when Ethan thought he couldn’t take anymore, Lucio pulled away. His lips were slick, eyes dark with desire as he moved back up Ethan’s body.

“Why did you stop?” Ethan sounded seconds away from a meltdown. He’d never experienced a blowjob before, and he hadn’t wanted his mate to pull away.

“Got something even better for you, cariño. Turn over for me,” he whispered, helping Ethan roll onto his stomach. “This way will be easier on your ribs.”