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She gasps as I push my half-hard dick into her ass.

Sera spins and pushes at my chest with a smile. “Not now.”

I snatch her hand before she can pull it away and push my fingers through hers.

“Later then.” I wink as I kiss her hand.

She chuckles, and it makes everything better. Being around Sera makes me feel alive. And free. Life as a demon is free from rules and repercussions. From expectations and obligations that often weigh down a mortal life. Resentment and anger made me forget the collar that was latched upon my soul. For decades, I let myself be satisfied with what I had because it was foolish to fight against it. Acceptance was a bitter pill to swallow, but I choked it down anyway I could. Sera is like a door opening up to a new way, one that feels too familiar to my life before death. It’s stupid to expect I can keep this, the way she makes me feel. Nothing good happens to a demon, but I’m going to fight to hold on to it for as long as I can, and I’ll make sure she stays safe until the day I have to leave her.

“Hello,” Sera calls when we step inside a small store. A sweet, earthy scent fills the space. Every wall is lined with racks of clothing and there’s a long, glass display cabinet in the center filled with jewelry.

“Hi Sera.” A woman smiles as she approaches us. “Good to see you again.”

“Thanks for giving us a call. This is Nix. Nix, this is Kleo, the owner.” Kleo looks down at our joined hands with a quick frown before it’s smothered with a smile as she extends her hand to me.

“Nice to meet you, Nix.”

“You too.” I shake her hand, and she lets go quickly.

“Let me grab the book.” Kleo rushes out of the room.

I lean down, whispering in Sera’s ear. “You know she’s a wolf, right?”

“Yes. How did you know?”

“She doesn’t like me.” I chuckle. “When wolves are defensive, they send out this subtle, sour smell. Like a skunk.”

Sera frowns. “I didn’t smell anything.”

“I think only demons can smell it.”

“Is it the same for witches?” Sera’s eyes widen in horror. “Did I smell when we first met?”

I reach up and smooth my thumb over the loose strands of blonde. “Like lilies and honey. So sweet. So edible.” I lean down and press a kiss to the corner of her mouth.

She slaps my chest playfully as she rolls her lips together.

“Here you go.” Kleo comes back, handing a book to Sera while she eyes me up and down. “You can go to my office if you need to concentrate.”

“Thanks.” Sera takes the book with a smile. “Was there anything else she touched while she was in here?”

Kleo shakes her head. “It kinda looked like she knew exactly what she was after.”

“Did you recognize her from the footage? Perhaps she’d been in earlier, scouting the place?”

“Nope. I’m usually the one who’s here, and I’ve never seen her.”

“It’s kept in a locked case at all times?” Sera asks.

“Yes. It’s been part of my family’s personal collection for the past fifty years.”

“How did it end up in your family’s possession?” I ask. “This kinda lore isn’t of common interest to wolves, is it?”

Kleo looks hesitant to answer me. When she speaks, she only looks at Sera. “My grandmother’s brother had an affair with a witch. At that time, cross-species mating was unheard of, and he was banished from our pack when it was found out. The witch had no other family when she died, so she left all her possessions to him. Many items were sacred to both witches and lycan. Upon his death, he donated them to our pack, and my grandmother swore we’d protect them after she abandoned him in life. That’s why we’re very accepting of cross-species mating now. If the Goddess blesses you with love, you dare not challenge her gift.”

My hand tightens around Sera’s.

“I’ll be very careful with it,” Sera says, hugging the book to her chest.