The fact that he looked nothing like the boy I once knew didn’t matter. It didn’t matter that it seemed like the weight of the world now rested on his shoulders.

Fear shivered through me as he approached.

Tension tightened the air between us, sending heat through me. I breathed shallowly, trying to get a hold of myself. The connection between us now felt more like an invisible wire, drawing us together by forces I didn’t understand. My entire body was lit up like I’d eaten fairy lights.

What was this feeling?

His gaze traveled over me. Did he feel it, too? Did he recognize me?

He frowned again as he looked me up and down, his gaze lingering on my magically enhanced pointed ears.

Look all you like, buddy. They’re not going anywhere.

Unless he took my necklace off.

He glanced over my head at the party going on behind me and nodded. The music abruptly cut off, and I didn’t need to turn around to know that people were quickly clearing out.

His word was law here.

“You’re Eve. No last name.”

“I don’t have one.”

“Hmm. You’re the potion maker from town.” He walked a circle around me, like a predator inspecting its prey. Every inch of me was wound so tightly, I could have snapped.

Did he really not recognize me? He hadn’t said anything yet.

His voice was a low rumble from behind me. “You killed Danny.”

“Are you fucking serious?” I spun to face him, knowing that one didn’t curse at the Alpha. I didn’t care, especially if he didn’t recognize me. “We were in the middle of Pandemonium, for fates’ sake, and you think I decided to murder him right there with a fast-acting potion?”

“You’re good with potions, aren’t you?”

My temper surged. “Good enough to know the difference between fast-acting and slow and not to mess it up. You have some of my things, by the way. I’d like them back.”

“Maybe.” He gave me a long look, clearly searching for something.

His gaze sent a rush of nervous heat over me, as if my body didn’t know how to react to him. I hated it.

He stepped up to me, his evergreen scent wrapping around me. I breathed shallowly through my mouth, determined to like nothing about him. He stopped two feet from me, and every hair on my body stood on end.

“Why are you hiding your signature?” he murmured. “Your scent is off.”

Shit.

It was possible for powerful supernaturals to repress some of their magical signature, and he was right—I was doing just that. My natural signature was so unusual that it risked giving me away.

I shrugged. “I’m just not that powerful. It’s why I focus on potions. Making up for my shortcomings.”

“I sincerely doubt that.” His voice purred over my skin, threatening yet sexy.

I fucking hated him.

I fucking hated myself for wanting him.

“Well, it’s true.” I crossed my arms.

“It’s all very suspicious, don’t you think?” he asked. “You’re hiding something about your magic, and you came here with a bracelet full of potions and an envelope full of cash. You used one of those potions to knock out my guards.”

I swallowed hard. “I always wear the bracelet. It’s not like I put it on so I could use it against your pack.”

He gave a low laugh. “And you’ve got nothing to say about the money?”

“Coincidence.”

“Was it for Danny?”

“No.”

“I’m not sure I believe you. Why shouldn’t I just toss you back in that dungeon right now?”

My heart raced. “That isn’t fair. I deserve a trial. Guild City has rules.”

“Not rules that touch us.”

Damn it, he was right.

The Council of Guilds served as the central government for Guild City, and though the shifters technically sat on the council, they were subject to different rules. The pack—and the Alpha—would never consent to being ruled by outsiders. They ran according to their own laws, and things were different here. You could feel it in the air as you stepped onto their turf.

We are not like the others.

It might as well have been their motto. Instead, it was Urram, Misneachd, Dìlseachd, Scots Gaelic for Honor, Courage, Loyalty.

Which meant that I was on my own.

My heart raced, fear propelling me. “I didn’t do it. Let me prove I’m innocent, because locking me up won’t help if the killer plans to do it again.”

“How are you qualified to solve a murder?”

My mind raced. “I’m an excellent potion maker. I can analyze the poison that killed him. And I’m friends with Carrow Burton, leader of the Shadow Guild and the city’s number one sleuth. She solves crimes for a living.”

“I know of her.”

“Then you know she’s good. And so am I. Best potion maker in town. Give me a chance, and I’ll prove my innocence.” It was my only hope.

He studied me for a long moment, and it felt like he could see straight into my soul.

My mind raced as I tried to come up with reasons for him to let me go. If I could prove my innocence, maybe I could even get my money back. “The potion that killed Danny is one of your best clues, and I can help identify it and maybe lead us to the killer. You need me.”

“Maybe.” He walked around me, back toward his throne, and I turned to watch him go. He picked up a circle of golden metal that I hadn’t noticed slung over the chair arm and returned to me.

His stride was relentless, and in seconds, he was right in front of me, so close that I could smell him. Earthy and dark, the sweat of the fight wasn’t a bad smell. No, I liked it.

“You can prove your innocence,” he said, “but you’ll wear this.” He moved so quickly that I didn’t see it coming. One moment, I was standing there, totally normal, and the next, I was wearing a golden collar around my neck.

“What the hell?” I reached up for it, trying to yank it off. The damned thing didn’t budge. Anger seethed through me.

A collar. That bastard had put a collar on me. Like a dog.

Old anger and hurt surged to the surface.

I’d never wanted to hex anyone so badly in my entire life, and I wasn’t even a witch. When this was over, I was going straight to the Witches’ Guild to learn how to hex his balls off.

“It’s just a tracking collar,” he said. “Nothing dangerous.”

Not dangerous until he decided to come find me and kill me if I didn’t solve this murder quickly enough. I grimaced and lowered my hand. “You’re a bastard.”

He nodded, his gaze flashing with the heat and ice that I’d seen in his aura. “As long as you understand that, we’re good. Don’t try to run, because I will find you. Don’t try to take it off, because you can’t. Until you prove your innocence, you’re mine.”

You’re mine.

4

Lachlan

 

I stared at the woman, unable to take my eyes off her.

She was so beautiful and…bright.

Looking at her was like looking at the moon, and the beast inside me liked it. Too much.