Malachi never thought he’d return. Torn between duty and desire, he left his childhood love behind, believing he was too dark and too dangerous for her. But after eight long years of fighting for freedom, an accident forces him to return, bringing him back to the one place he swore he’d never go.
Lyrik has lived her life under the shadow of a secret. Not only the love she feels for the only man she can never have but something far darker as well. She fully believes she has moved on with her life until the past returns to reopen old wounds. The pull between her and Malachai remains undeniable, and as their feelings reignite, she realizes that the truth of who she is could change everything.
There are complications that neither of them anticipated, keeping them from finding their happily ever after. Malachai’s ruthless father aims to corrupt his son and force him to claim the power of the Black family. Malachai must decide: Will he follow his father’s dark legacy, or will he rise up and lead in his own way?
Together, can they leave their troubled past behind and forge a future filled with love and fire? Or will the ghosts of their childhoods be too great a force to overcome?
“Fucking males,” Hailey growls. “I swear there aren’t any good betas left out there.
This is why I called them to join me. For the next two hours, we drink while berating Simon, the dickhead idiot, and all the other men we have collectively dated and dumped. We laugh until we cry, and even though some of them weren’t sure about being here at Dixie’s, we all end up having fun. All my friends are betas and assume I am too. But nothing could be further from the truth. I’m an omega, I’ve just been wearing a suppression patch for years.
“So,” Hailey slurs with a hiccup, already sloppy drunk. “What you need is some dirty, no strings attached sex. I mean real big dick energy.”
I laugh loudly. “Nope. I am done with men for the foreseeable future. I have the worst taste. Besides, you know I don’t sleep around.”
“This isn’t about taste or even sleeping around,” Samantha interrupts. “This is about getting railed by a big, strong man and then walking away in the morning. It’s even better if you walk with a limp afterward or can’t walk at all. You know, get laid and get out.”
“It’s time to get rid of that virginity you cling to,” Hailey adds.
I’m not a virgin; I just don’t see the point. Why would I allow someone into my body so they can use it against me? I’ve seen how the Elite Alphas treat omegas and I prefer to have a life I choose, not to be locked up in a gilded cage to breed the next generation of asshole dragon shifters.
“Oh my God,” Bethany breathes.
“Don’t be such a prude,” Samantha bites out. “It’s just a one-night stand.”
“Not that. Over there.” She grabs Samantha’s jaw and directs her vision to the desired area.
“Sweet baby Jesus. If I weren’t married, I would ride that pony all night long,” Samantha moans, drawing laughter from all of us.
I can’t help but laugh with them. They are some of the best, most outspoken people I have ever met. Turning around in my seat, I try to see which of these poor males they are objectifying. It only takes me a moment to spot him. My mouth dries up, and my heart rate spikes. My palms grow sweaty, and I feel like a teenager again, worried about what my clothes and hair look like to other people. To him. I hate that he can take me back to that time without even looking at me.
“Oh, shit,” Pauline whisper-shouts. “We know that pony.”
The entire table devolves into a fit of giggles, but I don’t join. Our gazes connect, and I can’t seem to rip myself away from the dark hazel gaze that traps me. His gaze sears my soul, making my heart beat triple time.
Fucking Malichai Black.
