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Chapter One
Skylar
The smell of bacon and coffee was enough to wake me from the dead sleep I was in. I looked around the little bedroom, taking in the sparse furniture and the dated decor.
I was on a sinking mattress. The springs jabbing into my side if I turned the wrong way. On either side of the bed was a mismatched bedside table. Both were covered in water damage, the wood badly warped.
Aside from that, there was a wooden chest in a corner and a small door that likely led to a closet. This was it. Everything I’d worked for was gone. I was in someone else’s safe house and I doubted I’d ever see my place again. My whole life was in that apartment and as far as I knew, it was the same for Lola. But she was gone and nothing would bring her back.
Last night, I found my best friend’s killer. I watched him die with my own eyes. It hadn’t eased the ache in my chest from her loss, but I was hoping with time, I would heal. Maybe by taking over her cause, I could make her proud.
I reached for the locket and opened it, feeling for the moonstone. It was still there. At least for now. I was going to finish Lola’s promise to her pack, but instead of hiding this thing, I was going to end its curse. No other shifters should have to die to protect this rock from the wrong hands.
Something heavy fell to the floor in the next room and I heard a male curse. I knew I wouldn’t be alive to fulfill Lola’s duty without the males who had accompanied me here. And I sure as hell couldn’t destroy the stone on my own. As much as I wanted to go it solo, this was beyond my expertise. I would need all the help I could get. Which meant the demon and shifter in the other room were my key to solving this.
At least neither of them had barged in here yet.
Though, I had to admit, brewing coffee and cooking bacon was cheating. Who wouldn’t wake up to that?
Maybe it was a peace offering.
I tossed back the threadbare blankets and sat up, feeling woozy from the lack of food. Frowning, I left the bed and walked toward the door. I had no idea what I was walking into.
My stomach growled, eager for some of the food I could smell beyond the closed door. I wasn’t sure I was ready to interact with Elias and Xander yet. Between the headache pulsing behind my eyes and the lingering embarrassment of being naked in front of both of them, I wasn’t sure how much I could handle.
Last night, both of these males claimed to be my mate. I didn’t even know what that meant. Not really, anyway. I mean, sure, I knew the theory. How it worked for supernaturals. There was a bond they formed when they found their soul mate. But it only worked on full supernaturals, not half. Though, the other half to my wolf isn’t human. Maybe it does work with me?
If that’s the case, though, why would both of them say that? And why was I entertaining the idea that maybe they were right?
I ran my hand through my hair and let out a long breath. There was a lot to unpack here. I thought trying to come to terms with the whole demon thing was bad. This added an element I didn’t have time for.
Not now, anyway. I mean, what girl doesn’t want two hot as hell males claiming her? Of course I’m interested in them, even if I don’t want to be. I don’t feel like I have much of a choice. I’m drawn to them.
I froze, my hand on the doorknob.
Holy fuck.
What if we did have a mating bond? It would explain the immediate and intense attraction.
Dammit.
Why can’t things just be simple for a little while?
I opened the door, bracing myself for something uncomfortable. Instead, I found Xander in the kitchen, standing over a skillet of sizzling bacon.
“Good morning,” I said.
He turned toward me, a smile on his face. “I wondered if you’d ever get out of that bed.”
I turned toward the window. Sunlight glowed through the beige curtains even though they were closed. I had no idea what time it was. “How long was I asleep?”
“A full day,” he said as he lifted the bacon off the pan with a fork. “I’ve never seen anyone sleep that long. Not even a human.”
A surprising flicker of jealousy rose in the pit of my stomach. “Do you watch a lot of women sleep?”
He laughed. “I’m not usually the sleepover type.”
“Yet, here you are.” I looked around and noticed Elias wasn’t in view. “Alone?”
