Nik woke up and didn’t see Alara. “Alara?” He sat up, looking around. Fear for her made his heart start racing.

You’re freaking out over nothing, he assured himself as he got out of bed. She probably just went to find the snack machine.

But what if it wasn’t nothing? What if something had happened to her? Or worse, what if she’d decided she didn’t want to be with him after all and had called up her knight-in-shining-armor Gerard to come get her?

He growled, shaking his head. “Stop being so paranoid,” he told himself. “Just go find her, you pussy.”

A bag sat on the luggage table. Thank God. Someone had the foresight to bring them clothes. A cheap T-shirt and jeans that were a little snug were inside, along with some clean socks and some knock-off brand sneakers. He didn’t care if someone had found them in a Dumpster at this point so long as they were dry and clean.

Nik tugged off his tuxedo pants and dress shirt and dressed in the change of clothes. Not a perfect fit, but whatever. He started to walk out the door when he spied his pack of cigarettes lying on the table. He stared at them, blinking once, then picked them up and stuffed them in his pocket. Surprisingly, he hadn’t craved a cigarette since meeting Alara.

He grinned. Maybe she was bringing out the best in him already.

Lacing up and tying his shoes, he went off in search of his mate.

He smiled to himself. Look at that. You’re already thinking of her as your mate.

He was falling dangerously fast for this woman. He just hoped he didn’t crash and burn.

Voices drifted to him from the dining room. He peered around the corner, seeing his Alara sitting there with Danica. The two seemed to be deep in conversation. Not wanting to invade their privacy—because he couldn’t stand when people did it to him—he decided to leave them be and seek out Gage.

Where are you?

Gage responded right away. In my room. Everything all right?

Yeah. Mind if I stop by?

Sure.

Gage told him his room number, and a moment later, Nik found it and was standing inside his doorway.

Nik paced restlessly. “I’m screwed. It’s happening again.”

Gage watched him from the bed with interest, flipping the TV off. “What is? You being an ass again?”

Nik gave him a pointed look. “No. I think I’m falling for her.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

Nik growled a frustrated sigh. “It’s not like with you and Danica. You haven’t had your hearts broken before.”

Gage frowned. “We’ve both had people walk out on us. Don’t pretend for a second like you’re any more wounded than anyone else.”

“Sorry,” Nik muttered sheepishly. “It’s just, I don’t know what to do. My whole life as a werewolf, I’ve dreaded this day. Avoided it, even. After Verika… I was prepared to walk away from the Mark and spend my days alone. Never falling in love again sounded like a dream.”

“But…?”

Nik stopped, running a hand over his face as he thought. “I didn’t expect to find someone like her. I can’t possibly be that lucky.”

Gage sighed. “You know what I think? I think you’re just looking for excuses to screw things up. That way you don’t have to get close to her and you don’t risk getting hurt.”

Nik scowled at the floor. “Maybe.”

Gage was silent a moment. “I think this Mark is the best thing that could have happened to you.” When Nik laughed, he said, “No, listen. I’m serious. You look more alive when you’re around her. You’ve always had this shield of bravado up. I knew it was just a mask. You never talked about how Verika leaving you had hurt you, but I could see the pain in your eyes, see the weight of your sorrow in your posture. Now, it’s like the real you is shining through. I can see my brother again.”

Nik stared at Gage, unsure what to say.

Gage stood and grasped his brother’s shoulders, smiling wryly. “Falling in love doesn’t make you weak. If anything, when you find the right person for you, it makes you stronger. You support each other. That’s how it’s supposed to work.”

“She’ll get tired of my bullshit,” Nik said, fear creeping into his heart all over again. Briefly, an image—a nightmare—flickered through his mind. It involved him watching Alara walk away from him forever, saying it would never work. The thought of never seeing her again made him feel like the sun would never rise again.

Gage smirked. “Maybe. But something tells me she’s not the type of girl to back down from a fight. If she’s your Marked, she’s probably a little stubborn and hard-headed.”

“Thanks,” Nik said dryly.

“Nik, in all seriousness, you shouldn’t be scared to let her in. She probably needs you as much as you need her.”

Nik thought about what she’d shared with him. It made his blood boil how her family treated her. “Perhaps. I just hope I’m good enough for her.”

Gage smiled. “You’re one of the best men I know.”

Nik slowly smiled back as he let that sink in. “Thanks, man.” His brows furrowed. “Did you find out anything about the witch mafia before things went to hell?”

Now it was Gage’s turn to pace. “Yes, sort of. I’ve been talking to Shawna. And don’t give me that face. Turns out, she’s a mutual friend with our contact.”

Nik snorted. “How appropriate she runs with Nightshade scum.”

“Anyway,” Gage said pointedly, “it seems the more I know, the less I know, if that makes any sense.”

“Not at all.”

“Well, humor me. Shawna says our contact has connections with some of the Indigo Watchmen.”

Nik’s brows raised. The Watchmen were the elite task force of the DPI, kind of like private investigators. Only the really serious cases went to them. And if they were involved….

“Apparently, according to what the contact has told her, the Indigo Watchmen have been investigating some fifty-plus killings in the past three months, all in different areas of the country.”

“Fifty? Jesus, how come we haven’t heard about it? Something like that should be all over the Underworld news.”

“That’s just it—they’ve been keeping it covered up because they didn’t want to cause widespread panic, especially since they don’t know what’s going on yet. One thing’s linked all the crimes. The victims were all branded with that pentagram symbol.”

“The same one Onyx had on his neck?”

“One and the same.”

“Shit.”

“I know.”

Nik worried his lip ring. “Do you think the people who tried to kill the high family were involved with the mafia?”

“It’s possible. I just don’t know what their motive is. Just last month, they tried to kill my mate. Killing yours, however—a future High Queen—is quite a bit different from taking out a lesser-ranking queen.”

“Damn. I wish I knew what kind of game they were playing.”

“Don’t we all,” Gage murmured darkly. “At any rate, we should be extra cautious. Speaking of, where’s Alara?”

“Oh, don’t worry. She was out in the dining room a moment ago talking to Danica.”

Gage frowned. “I hate to say it, but we should probably keep them locked up. Until something’s done about the mafia, they could both still be in danger, deserted hotel or not.”

“Right.” Nik started for the door, then paused. “Where’s Jason?”

Gage looked amused. “You mean you can’t hear him and Shawna? And I thought I was deaf.”

“Ugh.” Nik shivered. “Don’t remind me of my sexcapades with that psychopath. I hope Jason is into masochism.”

“You were, too, if I recall correctly. Maybe you should have been a porn star.”

Nik snorted. “Very funny.” He shrugged. “I like to experiment. Keeps things interesting. You should try it sometime. I bet Danica would look marvelous in a little leather.”

Gage’s eyes glowed gold. “I hope you’re not imagining my mate naked.”

Nik grinned. “Danny? She’s like my little sister. Wouldn’t dream of it.” With that he walked off, but not before he heard Gage mutter, “Danny?”