Chapter One

The tiger’s muscular body pushed through the lake’s churning waves, the weight of the manbeast on his back scarcely hindering him. He tried to ignore the taste of blood in his mouth and the lust for battle pulsing through him. At the moment his most important concern was reaching safety before those demonic women regrouped and tried to complete the job they’d started.

Nearing the riverbank, the tiger took the man-beast gently by the scruff of the neck and dragged him out of the water. He glanced toward the dirt road, noting the car still parked to the side of it.

Closing his eyes, he drew a deep breath. His powerful chest expanded. With the utmost control, he released the breath, his body changing. Bones reshaped, muscles compacted, his spine shifted, and his face molded into its man form. Wet black hair retracted, leaving rivulets of water trailing over smooth flesh and drenched tendrils of thick human hair hanging past his shoulders.

Sanjay glanced at his son sprawled on the muddy ground, still halfway between human and tiger.

Blood ran from several wounds on his back and legs, but they had already started to heal. He hoisted the youth onto his shoulder and carried him to the car where he propped him against the hood and lightly slapped his catlike face.

“Rahul, come on. Wake up. You need to change back so we can get out of here.”

The man-beast stirred, then growled. Sanjay pulled his hand away before savage fangs sank into it. The man-beast’s eyes focused on him, recognition flashing through them, before they slipped shut. With several measured breaths, Rahul changed to his human form. He staggered so badly that if Sanjay hadn’t caught him he most likely would have hit the ground.

“Get in,” Sanjay shoved him into the car and reached for a first aid kit. He started cleaning the rapidly healing injuries but Rahul shoved his hands away.

“Father, why did you follow me?”

“Good thing I did or else you’d be dead.”

“I could have handled a bunch of women.”

“Highly unlikely.” Sanjay continued tending Rahul’s injuries. “And before you lose your temper again, it’s those particular women who would give you difficulty. Did you happen to notice their ear cuffs?”

“I was more interested in avoiding their weapons than admiring their jewelry.”

“The engraved silver ear cuffs they wear are a symbol of their sisterhood, a way of identifying themselves to each other. They kill men, Rahul. In particular men of a magical nature.”

“They wouldn’t have killed me.”

Still excitable from repressing the urge to kill during battle, the tiger in Sanjay was in no mood for Rahul’s obstinacy. Grasping the youth roughly by the jaw, he snarled, “Killing is all they do, Rahul, but they never kill without reason.”

“What is that supposed to mean.”

“It means keep your silence, boy, until I’m finished aiding you.”

Rahul’s chest rose and fell with each furious breath and he glared at Sanjay yet kept his silence.

He must have sensed his father had been pushed to his limit and any further provocation would end quite badly.

Sanjay worked quickly, knowing it was only a matter of time before those she-devils recovered enough to follow them. Crossing the river would have thrown them off their scent temporarily, but the women were vampires and when it came to tracking, few creatures surpassed blood drinkers. They needed to get out of the area and to the hotel room Sanjay booked two states over.

It would mean driving all day, but they had little choice.

Moments later the men, now dressed in jeans and T-shirts, were driving down the dark country road.

“May I ask a question, father,” Rahul asked, his voice haughty. At Sanjay’s nod, he continued, “If you were certain those women wanted to kill me, why did you leave them alive?”

“You know it is not our way to harm women. No self-respecting weretiger would do such a thing. Not only that, those particular women never kill without reason. I want to know which one of them you angered enough to summon a death sentence.”

“How is it you are so familiar with them?”

“I’ve had all I will take of your insolence. I want an answer to my question. Now!”

“And if I don’t want to give it?”

A growl trapped in Sanjay’s throat. He would have been within his rights to reprimand Rahul for his insolence, but no matter what the situation his son was usually respectful and collected. This uncharacteristic rebelliousness combined with tonight’s attack told Sanjay something was drastically wrong. He needed to uncover the problem before he lost Rahul, and not simply to death.

“Why don’t you want to talk to me?” Sanjay asked, trying to keep the demand from his voice. As leader of their clan, he was accustomed to his men responding immediately when asked a question.

“Because this is not something you can understand and I don’t want you to interfere. What happened tonight is between Saloni and me.”

“Saloni? She’s a vampire.” Sanjay recalled one of the women from tonight’s attack.

“Yes.”

“Who is she exactly?”

“No one you would know about.”

“I realize that. I only know about, Nidhi, the girl you’re to marry.”

Rahul’s jaw tightened visibly and he held up a defensive hand. “Father, don’t do this.”

“One of us must do something, Rahul. If this Saloni woman has called the Wakened Veils, they will not stop hunting until you are dead.”

“The Wakened Veils?”

“They are a group of women – all of magical origins – who formed two thousand years ago to seek revenge against any man who dared harm one of their own.”

“And no one has stopped them? Surely it wouldn’t take much—“ “No one has stopped them because not only is their secret kept safe from everyone outside their group, but they are intelligent and well trained. Assassins comparable to thugges and ninja, except these females have various powers far beyond the realm of mortals.”

Rahul snorted. “It sounds as if you’re afraid of them.”

“Your attempt to goad me is weak – as weak as whatever actions led you to be marked for death by this powerful group of women.”

Rahul growled and shifted position to glare at Sanjay. “You know nothing about what happened between me and Saloni.”

“Not if you don’t tell me.”

The younger man sighed deeply, his anger fading to an expression of sadness that affected Sanjay more than he wanted to admit. From the moment Rahul was born, Sanjay had loved him in a way he never imagined possible. He had felt little for the boy’s mother, and she even less for him, but both parents had adored Rahul, even if Sanjay had stupidly wasted many years playing the part of clan leader instead of father. He had been harsh with Rahul for the boy’s own good.

Theirs was a savage world and to keep the respect of his men Sanjay needed to maintain firm control over everything and everyone, including himself. Sometimes he worried that he had learned too late that power tempered with understanding made a better leader – and a far better father – than he had often been.

“Do you remember a little over a century ago when you went to South America?” Rahul asked.

“Of course.”

“During the months you were away, I met a woman in a village not far from our clan’s meeting place. Saloni. We were very much in love.”

Sanjay glanced at Rahul, noting a gleam in his eyes that wasn’t there when he spoke of his fiancée, Nidhi. Not a good sign.

“Why did you never mention this woman to me? Tell me she was not engaged to someone else.”

Or worse, married.

“Not at the time. I wanted to marry her, but her family would not accept me.”

“Why not?” Sanjay snapped, irritated. Not only was Rahul a successful businessman more than able to comfortably support a family, but he was quite handsome and kind. “You didn’t tell them about your shape shifting, did you? Because you know that cannot be discussed until after the engagement—“ “Only Saloni knew.”

“I will refrain from telling you how stupid it was to tell anyone outside of the clan, except your wife.”

“Do you only want to hear this story so you can lecture me on my mistakes?”

Sanjay drew a deep breath and released it slowly. “Go on.”

“Her parents had already arranged her marriage and she refused to go against their wishes, so I left. I had to get as far from her and India as possible or else I thought I might lose my mind.”

“That’s why you were gone when I returned from South America.”

“Yes.”

“I see. But I still don’t understand what you did to provoke the Wakened Veils. It seems to me that the woman was the one in error, not you.”

“When do women ever make sense?”

Sanjay shrugged, unable to argue with that bit of reasoning.

“She probably wants revenge because she and I slept together.”

“Ah.” Sanjay smirked. “Now the proverbial plot thickens.”

“It was only one time. . .maybe two.”

“Maybe?”

“Father, I would rather not go into detail.”

“How about going into detail about how she became a vampire?”

“When I returned from abroad, I went to her village, just to make sure she was happy with her new family—“ “Or to see if she wasn’t so you could pick up where you left off?”

“Since you already know the story, you obviously don’t need me to continue,” Rahul said sarcastically.

“Just go on.”

“Saloni had died in childbirth, or so I thought.”

“So now she’s a vampire and seeking revenge on you. Why?”

“I have no idea.” Rahul gestured helplessly with his hands, then added softly, “Except that tonight she mentioned something about Nidhi.”

“She’s jealous.”

“But she refused me.”

“It doesn’t matter. She refused to disrespect her parents’ wishes but at the same time wanted you to remain faithful to her. Love can be a double edged sword, one that females wield with untouchable skill.”

“You speak like an expert.”

“I’m much older and more experienced than you.” Sanjay fell silent for a moment, concentrating on merging with the speeding highway traffic. It had been quite some time since he’d traveled outside of rural areas. Most of his life had been spent in jungles and open country. His very nature demanded the freedom only available outside the city.

“I don’t think they intended to kill me, Father,” Rahul said quietly. “At least I won’t believe Saloni meant to.”

“Do not underestimate any member of the Wakened Veils. When we get to the hotel, I want you to stay there. If you don’t hear from me within twenty-four hours, I want you to return home.

The clan has already been alerted to this problem and is ready to defend you. I pray it will not come to that. If it does, many will die on both sides of this battle.”

Rahul paled a bit, though Sanjay didn’t think for a moment it was out of fear for his own life. In spite of his recent rebelliousness, the clan meant everything to Rahul and he would not wish to put them in danger.

“Where are you going father?”

“To see if I can put a stop to this situation before it gets out of control. If these women would simply see reason, there need not be any more bloodshed on either side.”

* * * *

Raine awoke at dusk after a restless day plagued by worries about Kesi’s report. Standing in the shower, her face tilted toward the faucet, she allowed the water to soothe her. One of the greatest pleasures of the modern world had to be the shower. Raine loved the sensation of fresh hot water running over every inch of her while she rubbed scented soap or gel over her skin. Nothing got a woman in the mood for seduction like this marvelous invention. The only thing missing was a man to share it with her, but tonight she’d rectify that problem. She’d been so busy with work that she’d neglected her hunger for the past few nights. Tonight, she would seek out a strong young male and gorge herself on his every essence.

Like her mother and grandmother, Raine was a Succubus. Not all offspring of a Succubus and her chosen mate were lucky enough to inherit the power. Since her father wasn’t mortal, but a vampire, Raine had a stronger inclination toward magical tendencies than most. Thankfully his disgusting blood drinking habit hadn’t passed on to her.

Reluctantly, she stepped out of the shower and dried off with a thick, oversized towel. After smoothing on perfumed lotion, she slipped into her lacy black bra, matching panties, and robe that she left unbelted. She strolled to the kitchen and set a tea kettle on the stove before walking to the fridge to find something to cook for breakfast. In spite of how her stomach rumbled, her thoughts focused more on her other hunger, the one that made her heart beat faster and her nipples tighten with anticipation. Tonight some unsuspecting man would get more pleasure then he ever bargained for.

First she needed to wait for Kesi and Saloni. She expected them to arrive at any moment.

“Miss Santangelo, forgive my intrusion but—” Raine let loose a scream loud enough to waken any zombie within ten miles. Grasping the butcher’s knife that hung from a nail on the wall, she spun and found herself facing a tall, dark-skinned man with raven black hair that hung to his elbows.

“Please, don’t be alarmed. I mean no harm and only want to talk.”

“How the hell did you get in here?”

A smile played around his full, rather sensual lips. If she’d met him under other circumstances, Raine would have been thrown by the man’s stunning good looks. His face was angular but without the half-starved look common to many models and actors considered handsome in this modern age. Five o’clock shadow dusted his sturdy jaw, further accentuating his raw masculinity. Most fascinating of all were his eyes. They were large, wide set and such gleaming black that Raine was certain that if she stepped closer she could see her reflection in them.

“A funny question from a Succubus who spends her nights slipping unnoticed into men’s beds.”

His voice was deep yet smooth as warm caramel. It poured over her, soothing yet at the same time arousing. For a man such a voice was more than an asset, it was a weapon that drained a woman’s strength, much like Raine used her Succubus physique to drain energy.

“How do you know me?” Raine demanded, not liking this man’s calm collectedness that bordered on arrogance. She stepped closer, the knife poised to attack.

He stood his ground, his sleek body relaxed yet at the same time she felt the power radiating from him. If she struck, no doubt he would be ready. The question was, why hadn’t he attacked yet?

“I have come to discuss last night’s attempt by your Wakened Veils to execute Rahul.”

A cold feeling swept through Raine. How did he know about the Veils?

“You have many questions,” he continued. “Please allow me time to explain.”

“I’m listening.”

“Perhaps you would like to clothe yourself first.” His dark eyes left hers for a moment to sweep her from the neck down in a manner that reminded her of how hungry she was. Actually, if he wasn’t a damn intruder she would mind seeing exactly was under that black tank top and those jeans that hugged every inch of his long, well-muscled legs. . .

She shook her head slightly. This was crazy. He was an intruder in her house and she was thinking about screwing him until his eyes crossed. That’s what she got for allowing the hunger to last for days. Her mother always warned her to feed at least every other night or there was no telling when or with whom her control would snap.

“If you know I’m a Succubus then you also know a state of undress doesn’t bother me,” she sneered, not taking the knife from its defensive position. There was no way she was going to relax her guard until she heard more. “Move to the table slowly and sit. Now!”

He did as she requested, his obsidian eyes never leaving her. Good lord, his every movement was like a smooth, masculine dance, so graceful yet powerful. He settled into the chair and placed his hands on the table, palms down.

She sat across from him. “Who are you and what do you know about Rahul?”

“I am Sanjay. I am Rahul’s father and have come to ask your sisterhood to spare his life.”

“How do you know about the Wakened Veils?”

“I knew your grandmother, Miss Santangelo.”

“Apparently you were on her good side, or else you wouldn’t be alive, but I can’t believe she would disclose such a secret to you.”

“I discovered the Wakened Veils by accident.”

“And she allowed you to live with this knowledge?”

“She trusted my discretion.”

Raine curled her lip, her hand tightening on the knife. “If you really knew my grandmother then you would know she trusts no man.”

“Why don’t you ask her? That is what I want. A meeting with her.”

“Why not go to her directly?”

His eyes widened in an innocent gesture that roused her suspicion even more. One thing was for certain, no man who looked and talked like him was innocent. This was a master of seduction if she’d ever met one, surpassing any incubus or vampire she’d ever met.

“Is this not the proper channel within your society? I must go through you before reaching her.

And are you not the one in charge of my son’s execution? You may stop it.”

“No, I may not,” Raine said. “I don’t have the power to overstep a decision made by the First Wraths.”

“But you can postpone it and arrange a meeting with them for me.” He leaned closer, his expression even more intense. She thought she heard something resembling a growl rumbling deep in his chest.

“You’re the one who stole him last night, aren’t you?” she asked.

He nodded. “I am.”

“The black weretiger,” she murmured.

“You realize I could have destroyed your warriors, but I refrained.”

His attitude irked her, but he did have a point. “Why did you?”

“Because it is against our way to harm women. We serve our goddess and respect those made in her image. That is why I prefer to negotiate for my son’s life—“ “Your son does not share your respect! A woman suffered and died because of him. She will have her revenge.”

His brow furrowed. “I’m sure they both suffered over their separation, however that was her doing, not Rahul’s. As for her unfortunate death, I do not see how my son is at fault. And she did not die. As you know she is now a vampire.”

“Her doing? Not his fault? He promised her eternal love then abandoned her, pregnant, so she was forced to marry somebody else. If it had not been for a vampire, she would have died in childbirth along with her son. Your grandson.”

Sanjay’s hands curled into fists and he sat back in the chair his broad chest expanding with a deep breath. He released it so slowly that Raine marveled at his control.

Finally he said, “That cannot be true.”

“Why?”

“Rahul told me he proposed to her and she refused, saying her parents had already arranged her marriage. The child she lost was her husband’s, not my son’s.”

Raine raised her eyes to heaven and shook her head. “Typical. One man lies, another man swears to it.”

A muscle twitched in his chiseled cheek. “My son is many things, but he is not a liar.”

“Says you.”

“What makes you so certain this woman is not lying?”

“We have known her for over a century. She is one of us.”

“Then why did it take so long for you to seek him out for vengeance? Why did you wait until he is engaged to be married before you struck? Could this be done for jealousy instead of revenge?”

“I’ve heard all I care to. You have ten seconds to get out of my house before you regret coming here in the first place.”

They stood simultaneously and she thought he might actually listen to her.

One moment he stood across the table and the next he pinned her to the wall, one massive furred paw pressing to her throat, the other trapping her wrist until the knife dropped to the floor. His handsome face elongated, covered in gleaming black hair, something between tiger and man.

“I will not harm you, but you must listen to me,” he said, his voice deeper, more animalistic but no less beautiful. “Please.”

Raine’s teeth clenched and her heart pounded, yet beyond her rage and fear, something else stirred. She had the feeling this man had never begged for anything, yet he was pleading with her for his son’s life. His eyes, still fixed on hers, seemed to reach into her soul.

No matter what emotions he roused within her, she couldn’t let him think he could use force to sway her. Her eyes closed halfway as she summoned the power that lay coiled and waiting within her. She wrapped her legs around him, squeezing tightly, and leaned her head closer in an attempt to kiss him.

He turned away and released her so abruptly she might have fallen if the wall hadn’t been directly behind her. Before her eyes he returned completely to his human form.

“I know too well the results of a Succubus’ kiss,” he said, his voice rougher than it had been.

“Then keep your paws to yourself.” She belted her robe and bent to pick up the knife, but his booted foot covered it.

“Leave it. We could kill each other without weapons if we want to. I need you to help me stop the violence that will ensue if your sisterhood continues stalking my son.”

“Since when does a weretiger give a damn about stopping violence?”

He took a step closer, so that broad chest was inches from her face. Raine swallowed hard. Damn he was sexy as hell but incredibly frustrating. “We are not what you think, Miss Santan”

“Will you quit with the Miss Santangelo stuff already?” She ran a hand through her hair and sighed. “Just call me Raine.”

“Raine, I know the Veils will keep tracking Rahul until they are given the order to stop. Neither me nor my clan will allow him to die for a crime he didn’t commit. For all our sakes, arrange for a meeting with your First Wraths.”

“It won’t matter what you say. They have made up their minds.”

He placed his hands on her shoulders, his gaze fixed on hers with such intensity that she longed to look away but couldn’t. It was as if he had her under some sort of spell. No man had ever made her feel like this. The sensation was heady.

“Do you have any children, Raine?”

“You mean there’s something about me you don’t already know?” she quipped.

“Do you have any?” he replied, an edge to his voice that hadn’t been there before.

“No, thank goodness.” The last thing she wanted was a kid tying her down.

“Then you don’t know what it is to hold a child in your arms, see your future in his eyes. Take him into your heart. If my son dies, part of me dies, too. You have the power to help me. That probably means nothing to you, but at the very least finding the truth should. By executing a man before determining his doubtless guilt, you are becoming like those the Veils seek to punish.”

Raine stared at him for a long moment. After so many centuries of living, few things reached her heart. Looking in his eyes she was certain of one thing, he believed every word he spoke. He believed in his son’s innocence and something told her he even had some respect for her sisterhood.

Sighing deeply, she closed her eyes and shook her head. “Fuck. All right. I’ll talk to my grandmother and see what I can do. It will probably take a couple of days. How can I reach you?”

“I will give you the phone number of the hotel where I’m staying.”

She walked to a drawer and removed a pad and pen. Their fingers brushed when she handed them to him. His were long and slim. She couldn’t help imagining how they would feel on her body, stroking and teasing her warm, wet flesh. Desire flooded her, making her ache in places she didn’t want to think about in his presence. Too late. His dark eyes flickered in her direction and she knew his sharp, weretiger senses detected the aroma of her lust.

Using the tip of his tongue, he moistened his sexy lips before placing the pad and pen on the countertop.

“Thank you for your cooperation, Raine.”

“Don’t thank me yet. Instead of a meeting the First Wraths might command your execution, too.”

“It is a risk worth taking.”

“Your son is lucky to have such a loyal father.”

He didn’t reply, merely held her gaze with those penetrating eyes.

“By the way,” Raine continued, “how did you get in here?”

“You left your bedroom window open.”

She curled her lip. “It’s on the second floor.”

Smiling slightly, he shrugged. “Just a little stretch of the legs.”

“Well this time use the front door.”

He nodded, allowing her to guide him down the stairs to the foyer. Once he’d gone, she hurried to her room and closed the window, muttering under her breath, “Damn weres.”

Though she had planned to hunt, it was far more important that she contact her grandmother and think of a way to pacify Kesi and Saloni who were bound to be furious if they couldn’t track Rahul immediately. She expected the women to arrive at any time and was glad they hadn’t showed up when Sanjay was here. That would have been utter disaster. Before introducing him she needed to make preparations or Kesi would probably try to skin him alive, in either human or tiger form.

* * * *

Once outside Raine’s house, Sanjay drew a deep breath of crisp New England air, hoping it would do something to soothe the scarcely controllable lust racing through him. When he’d come to bargain for his son’s life he had no idea he’d feel such attraction to Raine. Still, he should have learned his lesson about Succubae, especially one related to Vidonia. Raine, with her brown hair and eyes the color of dark chocolate, had not only inherited her grandmother’s beauty, but her spirit. Something about passionate, independent women aroused Sanjay more than anything. For a man of his background and position, such women were a guilty pleasure.

Even worse than his physical attraction to the woman was that she had presented information that labeled his son a liar and a cad. He walked through the city streets, struggling to tune out the obnoxious noise and neon lights that in his agitated state seemed even more annoying than usual.

If only he could go off to the country for a few hours and stretch his tiger’s limbs in open field or through winding forest. Glancing around at the skyscrapers and crowded streets he wondered why anyone chose to live in such a place. Of course he was looking at it from a tiger’s perspective. To a Succubus like Raine the city was perfect for stalking the mortal men she preyed on.

Even as he hurried through the streets, miserable in the urban surroundings, she was probably dancing through a club, her breathtaking curves exposed, a string of pathetic mortals drooling after her. Perhaps she had already found one to sate her demonic lust. The image of her straddling her prey, her sleek thighs clasping his hips and her delicate hands stroking her creamy flesh had him pulsing someplace he didn’t want to think about. Sex was the last thing that should be on his mind, but he couldn’t help himself.

The woman’s power had infected him and would overtake him if he let it. When she’d stepped into the kitchen wearing nothing but her underclothes and a silk robe, it had taken him a moment to regain control of his body enough to announce his presence. Though not especially tall, her gorgeous body could set a man’s blood on fire. She didn’t have that emaciated look so many women in the modern world strove for, but healthy curves he longed to touch. Even the sound of her scream had sent an erotic thrill through him, reminding him of how a female weretiger might sound, if one existed. Her large dark eyes had fixed on him with strength and pride befitting her high rank in her sisterhood. At first he expected her to fully rebel against hearing him out, but she’d proved surprisingly diplomatic for a member of the Veils. Perhaps her attraction to him had influenced her. Women often found weretigers compelling and Sanjay was considered a master of seduction among his kind. Females, even magical ones, usually couldn’t resist him and he had a rare talent for handling Succubae.

In spite of her collected manner, the seductive, musky scent of Raine’s lust had betrayed her feelings for him. That was something he could use to his advantage, providing he kept his passion for her under control. He had no choice. His son’s life was far more important than lust.

He paused at a payphone where he dialed the number to Rahul’s hotel in the next state and quickly briefed him on the situation.

“Once I hear from the woman I will contact you again,” Sanjay said.

“Did you find out exactly why Saloni is mad at me?”

“We’ll discuss it later.”

“Father—“ “I said later.” Sanjay slammed down the receiver. A telephone conversation was not the right way to ask his son if he was a liar. Knowing the mood Rahul had been in lately, he’d most likely get angry and complicate issues by running off.

Sanjay continued down the sidewalk. When he reached his hotel room, he undressed and changed into his tiger form. If he couldn’t enjoy the outdoors then he could at least relax in the shape he found most comfortable. Feeling the great cat’s powerful muscles ripple, he yawned wide then stretched his long body, his front legs extended in front of him. He arched his back and growled before stepping onto the bed where he sprawled on his side, listening to the sound of traffic outside. Hopefully he would hear from Raine soon. He hadn’t slept in days and though tired, he couldn’t rest soundly until Rahul was safe.

Raine’s accusations also plagued him. Not that he didn’t trust Rahul, but he realized there were two sides to every story. When it came to Saloni, his son hadn’t exactly been forthcoming in providing information. It was as if he wanted to keep the situation from Sanjay. Was this out of rebelliousness or did he truly have something to hide?

He growled, angry at himself for doubting Rahul. The younger man was stubborn and had certainly inherited a good portion of Sanjay’s arrogance, yet he had never been a liar and he had always respected women. He couldn’t imagine Rahul treating a lover so callously.

Sanjay stood, pounced onto the floor, and paced, feeling caged both physically and emotionally.

If the Wakened Veils were men it would have been so much easier to deal with them. He and his clan would have fought to the death without a moment’s compunction. When dealing with females he was bound by the laws of his clan to negotiate. Destroying them was a last resort, and even then he risked punishment from the goddess they served.

Aside from his basic beliefs, he didn’t like the idea of killing first and questioning later. His youth had been spent wallowing in power, bathing in blood. The tiger’s strength intoxicated many young men and being among the first of his kind, Sanjay was no exception. He had taken many lives, often without thoroughly investigating whether his victims deserved death. Many centuries and thousands of regrets later, he had tempered his power with mercy. He had fought hard to make his clan see the error of their ways and eventually they had listened. Only Rahul seemed to have been born with the desire for true justice, something rare for a mortal let alone a weretiger. That was why he couldn’t accept Raine’s story of him impregnating then abandoning Saloni, no matter what the Wakened Veils wanted him to believe.

He wasn’t sure how long he paced the room before he became aware of Raine’s scent—natural musk combined with sandalwood perfume. Passion rippled down his spine. Closing his eyes, he filled his lungs with air and synchronized his shape shifting with the release of breath. By the time she knocked on the door he was back in his human form and pulling on his jeans. He zipped them, not an especially easy task since her delectable aroma had him partially erect. If the situation hadn’t been so grave he most likely would have been pole hard and ready to seduce the gorgeous Succubus.