Prologue
June 6, 1981
20:15
US Legion Base - Fort Grove
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Dusk slowly fell as Hazard crossed the large, unfamiliar military base. He'd been offered an escort to his destination but declined it. All he had to do was head toward the one building where music and other sounds of revelry spilled out into the coming night. It was the largest rec hall on base, where he'd been told they were celebrating the retirement of First Sergeant Mildred Grayson.
He was there to speak with Major Ortiz about signing on to her special forces team, the 448, to replace their retiring member. Fitting that he'd arrived for the meeting during that member's retirement bash.
By the time Hazard started up the direct path to the rec hall, the sun had completely disappeared, taking most of the summer heat with it. The area around the hall was dark, lit only by the amber light above the glass doors of the entrance.
When Hazard reached those doors, he noticed a man lurking in the shadows near the entrance. He was tall. Big. Clearly an alpha. The man was in casual, civilian clothes, every stitch of it solid black. He even wore a black, three-hole balaclava. That wasn't terribly unusual, plenty of soldiers in the Legion chose to keep their faces covered. Although most of them only did so during missions, not while on base. There was just enough light reaching the alpha for Hazard to see that he had dark eyes, but whether they were brown or black he couldn't tell.
They'd made eye contact, so out of politeness, Hazard stopped to exchange a friendly word. Besides, he was nervous about this meeting. A few moments of small talk would help him steady his nerves. He smiled at the soldier before he spoke.
"Out here by yourself. Is the party not to your liking?" he asked.
The mystery soldier was silent for a long moment, his dark eyes direct on Hazard's, before he answered in a deep, rough voice.
"I don't do parties."
For some reason, the sound of that voice tugged at something in Hazard's chest. He brushed the odd feeling off to ask his next question. "Why not?"
This time the answer was immediate.
"Mind your business, soldier."
An officer then. The snap of authority in the stranger's voice was a dead giveaway. And clearly he didn't want to be bothered, so it was time for Hazard to leave.
"Enjoy your lurking. Sir." Hazard caught the narrowing of those dark eyes at his not so subtle impertinence, but slipped away before the man could dole out a reprimand.

* * *
 Ice watched the soldier disappear into the rec hall. Most soldiers showed him deference, either out of respect for his rank or fear of him personally. That one seemed to have neither.
He didn't recognize the soldier, and Mitchell, the name on his uniform, didn't ring any bells. Not that he knew all the personnel on base. But something about that one, with his hair as dark as the night around them and eyes that he could just barely make out were green, stood out in a way that he knew he would remember him if he'd seen him before. His bearing was too seasoned for him to be a fresh new guy arriving with the latest batch of recruits. However, soldiers were transferred to new bases and new units all the time. Or he could be a visitor. Maybe he was a friend of Grayson's stopping by to see her off. Whoever he was, it didn't matter to him.
Ice pushed off the wall and straightened. He'd put in an appearance at the party and said his goodbyes to Grayson. He didn't need to spend any more time socializing. Ready for peaceful solitude, he left the shadows and headed back to the quiet of his barracks.

CH 1
 
August 29, 1981
21:00
US Legion Base - Fort Grove
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
 
Ice walked into the strategy room and sat down at the table. As usual, he was the first of their team to arrive for the pre-mission briefing. His squadmate Jax came in next, giving him a nod before he took a seat. The door opened again and Major Ortiz, the leader of their squad arrived.
"Major," he said in greeting.
"Ice." She returned his greeting before sitting at the foot of the table.
The door opened one last time as Colonel Goodman, their team's direct commander entered, accompanied by his aide. With their arrival, Ice expected the briefing for the upcoming mission to begin. But the aide didn't begin his usual tasks of turning on the monitors and passing out mission briefs and both Ortiz and Goodman remained relaxed in their seats.
It was Jax who asked the obvious question.
"What are we waiting for?"
Ortiz leaned back in her chair before answering.
"We’re waiting for the new member of our team. Their transport is running a few minutes behind schedule."
At the major's answer, Ice looked at her in surprise. "Why are we getting a new member? We don’t need one."
"We do. Now that Grayson is retired, you need someone to watch your six," Ortiz explained. "And it’ll be more efficient for you to have a partner."
"Been efficient just fine on my own these past three months."
"But you can’t watch your own back."
Ice didn't have anything to counter that. There were many situations where having someone to watch his back could help him stay alive. But he preferred working alone. And he didn't want to deal with training a new guy to properly work alongside him. But knowing the major was right and respecting her decision, he bit back his annoyed growl and nodded instead.
The matter settled, Ortiz nodded back.
"His name is Corporal Dylan Mitchell."
That name pulled up a recent memory in Ice's mind. The soldier he'd spoken with the night of Grayson's retirement party had had the name Mitchell on his uniform. Mitchell was a fairly common name, however. It was unlikely to be the same person.
"Shifter or human?" Jax asked.
"Shifter."
"Another alpha?"
"No. An omega."
Jax raised an eyebrow. "That’s a prize you've managed to nab for us."
Omegas were often an amazing asset to have out in the field. They were fast and lethal. Their small size let them slip in where alphas and betas sometimes couldn't. And heavens forbid an enemy hurt someone an omega considered as part of their pack. An omega protecting one of their own was vicious - borderline feral.
"Yes. We’re lucky to have him."
"Let’s not be hasty on that assessment," Ice said. "We'll know if he's a prize after we see how he does in the field."
Ortiz smiled. "I'm sure he'll do just fine. I helped train him a few years back. He was stellar then and I'm sure he's only improved since." She looked at her watch, then drummed her fingertips on the table in a sign of impatience.
A minute later, the door opened once more and a young solider walked in. Ice took in the new arrival. Black hair. Green eyes. And a familiar smile. Ice clenched his jaw in annoyance. It was him. The impertinent soldier from that night. Fuck.
After closing the door behind him, Mitchell saluted and greeted Colonel Goodman. Ice was half surprised that he showed respect to an officer. After Goodman returned his greeting, Mitchell saluted Ortiz next before walking over and clasping her hand in what looked to be a firm grip.
"Major Ortiz. Good to see you again, ma'am," he greeted the major in a friendly voice.
"You as well. Let me introduce you to your new team. This is Captain Royce Anderson and Corporal Noah Jackson. Otherwise known as Ice and Jax. Boys, meet Corporal Dylan Mitchell."
The corporal smiled at them both and gave a salute to Ice. "Call me Hazard."
Behind his mask, Ice raised an eyebrow, mildly curious about the nickname. He didn’t voice his curiosity aloud however, not wanting to invite the man to share a story that he had no interest in hearing. "We've met," he said cooly.
A frown of confusion creased Mitchell's forehead as he tried to figure out how he knew him. When the memory hit, the frown cleared and his eyes went wide for a moment. He had the grace to look embarrassed, a hint of red on the tops of his ears when he acknowledged their prior history - brief as it was.
"I remember our meeting, Captain Anderson. It's nice to see you again, sir."
"Mmmm." Ice answered with a noncommittal hum.
"How was your ride in?" Ortiz asked.
"Uneventful. I could use some action after the long trip."
"You’ll have plenty of it here. We're briefing now for tonight's mission."
"Sounds good."
Ice noted the eagerness to Hazard’s expression. The young soldier didn’t complain about being put straight to work or ask for a night’s respite after being transferred from his previous post. He respected that. While Mitchell walked around the table to take a seat and the aide began passing out mission briefs, Ice assessed their new team member.
The corporal wasn't what he'd expected. Usually omegas were short, with petite, slender builds. Mitchell was smaller than the three alphas in the 448 - a whole head shorter than Ice - but he wasn't that short. And his build wasn't anywhere close to what you'd call slender.
This omega was solid, with thick thighs, wide shoulders, and a firm, broad chest that tapered down to a flat stomach and tight waist. Muscular arms made it clear that he put in good time in the gym. Mitchell wouldn't be slipping into any small, tight spaces with his sturdy frame.
His ink black hair was buzzed close to his scalp. And the barest hint of a five o'clock shadow darkened his jaw - another difference from the omegas Ice usually saw with their smooth, bare cheeks. Of course, Ice didn't care about any those non-typical traits. He only cared if Mitchell could do the job he'd been brought in to do.
An odd warmth started to tingle in Ice's chest. Ice rubbed his knuckles over his breastbone. It was probably mild heartburn from the jalapenos the mess hall cooks had sprinkled in that evening's dinner.
Still feeling annoyed, Ice opened the mission brief. He didn't want a partner at all and he certainly didn't want this one with his cheeky attitude. But Ortiz had brought Mitchell in, doing it in a way that left Ice little room for refusal. For tonight at least, he would have to work with him.
 
* * *
 
Hazard looked into the eyes of the man sitting across from him. He recognized those deep, dark eyes. They belonged to the officer he'd run into three months ago when he'd visited Fort Grove to speak with Major Ortiz. The big alpha hadn't been wearing his wolf skull mask that night and he'd been in casual clothes so he hadn't realized he'd been speaking with the infamous Captain Ice Anderson.
Going by the cold stare the captain was giving him now, he'd probably pissed him off with his flippant exit from their brief conversation. Fuck. Not the best way to start off with his new team. But, what was done was done. No point in dwelling on a minor misstep. He might not be off to a great start with the captain, but he already had a good rapport with Major Ortiz, the leader of the team.
He liked Ortiz. He'd first met her three years ago when she'd led an advanced training course. From what he remembered back in training, the tall brunette was smart, highly skilled, and laid-back when not in the field. Her light brown eyes were always calm and often friendly, a trait he admired in an alpha of her rank. It had been a surprise and an honor when the alpha had recruited him to join her squad.
His fellow corporal Jax was another alpha. He had smooth, mahogany brown skin and bright, copper brown eyes. He'd given off a good vibe during their introduction and seemed glad to have Hazard on the team. Hazard looked forward to getting to know him.
Jax was dressed in loose fitting Legion pullover shirt, drawstring pants, and slip-on footwear. It was standard uniform for soldiers who planned to shift during a mission. Ortiz was in the 448's specialty black uniform. There was a dark green band on the collar and cuffs and a 448 patch sewn onto the right arm. Hazard wondered when he would receive his 448 kit to wear instead of his standard US Legion uniform. Major Ortiz would probably have him go through a few missions to earn it first.
Then there was Ice. He’d heard tales of the man. Everyone in the Legion had. The tales all said that he was big, bad, and deadly. A lone wolf with an unmatched kill count. And that he was rarely seen in public without the hard-shell wolf mask covering his entire face.
Hazard could verify that the big part of Ice's reputation was accurate. The night they'd first met, the alpha had towered over him by more than a head, making him easily six foot four. Sitting across from him now, his muscular bulk was massive. He wondered how big Ice was when he shifted into his wolf form.
The alpha was wearing the infamous wolf skull mask. Another part of the legend that was true. The night they'd met he must have caught him during one of the rare occasions he didn't have it on. If Ice had been wearing it that night, he probably wouldn't have been so cheeky talking to him. Or maybe he would have.
As far as bad and deadly... Well, he’d find out if that was true soon enough. However, Hazard couldn't lie to himself. Even before seeing Ice in action, Hazard was slightly intimidated by him.
The way the captain kept his face covered by a replica of a wolf's skull gave off vibes that had the hairs on the back of Hazard's neck rising in a primal warning. Tread lightly, his Instinct whispered. This one is dangerous. But Hazard was a dangerous man too. And being intimidated wouldn't fly if they were going to work together.
Dark eyes that peered out from the eye sockets of his mask with cool detachment were the only parts of the alpha that Hazard could see. The rest of his body was covered with long sleeves, pants, boots, and gloves. All of it in black. Other than his size and eyes, Hazard couldn't determine any of Ice's physical characteristics. He couldn't even see Ice's lashes or eyebrows thanks to the shadows cast by the eyeholes of the mask, and the eye black on his face. And the balaclava he wore beneath the mask hid his hair, making it impossible to tell his hair color or skin tone. Was he tan like Hazard or lighter? Was he a redhead, blond, or a brunette? Hazard had no clue, but he wondered what made a man lock all of himself away like that.
When the corporal's assistant flicked off the overhead lights and turned on the two large monitors set into the wall at the front of the room, Hazard shrugged off his thoughts on the mysterious Ice and gave his attention to the meeting that was beginning.
Goodman rose from his seat at the head of the table. The colonel was an older Caucasian man, human, with red hair cut short, and silvered battle scars on his hard face. He was dressed in a sharply pressed green officers' uniform with the requisite gold bars displaying his rank.
"Corporal Mitchell. Welcome to the team," Colonel Goodman said in a crisp tone.
"Thank you, sir."
"You've joined the 448," the colonel continued. "An elite squad formed for one reason. To get shit done. Whenever we have a situation that needs a lightning fast, no holds barred response, the 448 is called in. I hope you're ready for that responsibility."
"I am, sir," Hazard said firmly.
Colonel Goodman moved on. "We have an important person from the shifter community who has been abducted by Vengeful Claw, a fanatical shifter cell," the colonel began. A picture flashed up on the screen of a young Black woman with short brown hair. "Jessica Whitman, Shifter Councilor Whitman's daughter. She was grabbed leaving her aerobics studio and is being held at an abandoned warehouse in Kansas City."
The assistant clicked a remote and the screen advanced to show a picture of a five-story brick building. Some of the windows were busted out, and the parking lot surrounding it was cracked and choked with weeds.
"Do we know why she was taken?" the major asked.
"No. The abductors left their calling card but so far no demands. But because of who she is, we're working on the assumption that there is a political motivation behind the abduction. Your job is to get in, rescue the hostage, and gather any intel you can on this group. If the leaders are on site capture them if possible. But everyone has authorization to kill. The hostage is your main priority. Any questions?"
Not a sound came from the team. "Major Ortiz will take over from here." The colonel closed his folder and sat down.
Ortiz rose and walked to the front of the room to stand next to one of the in-wall monitors.
"Intel has her on the fourth floor." The screen changed to show blue prints of the building they'd be entering. Ortiz used a laser to point out the area where the hostage was being held. "When we approach, Ice will take out the exterior guards. Once we're inside the premises, he and Hazard will secure the package. Her family uses a code word so they know it's safe to go with someone they don't know. Hers is tuxedo cat. Make sure you give it when you find her. Jax and I will sniff out the leaders and any intel that might be on site."
His mind already shifting into battle mode, Hazard listened intently while looking over the blue print on the screen.
"Everyone clear on their role?"
"As a bell, Major," Jax answered for them all.
"Okay then. Let's go rescue the princess."

CH 2
 
As they left headquarters, the setting sun cast an orange glow over the sprawling military base. Hazard looked around, taking everything in as they headed to the armory. Fort Grove was similar in design to many of the other bases he'd either been stationed at or visited. There were multiple blocks of barracks, various admin buildings, and training areas with PT centers.
After a short walk, they reached the armory. The space was neatly organized with rows of weapons secured in lockers, racks of armor, and shelves filled with ammunition. All of it was attended by the armorer, an older soldier with a sharp gaze and gun grease under his fingernails.
"This particular armory is for our use, along with two other special units stationed here," Ortiz explained as they gathered their weapons.
Hazard nodded in understanding. It made sense for special teams to have a space separate from the general weapons storage for the rest of the Legions on base.
In the ready room, the three alphas applied blockers to their scent glands to mask their scents. Stealth was required for this mission, and they didn't want Whitman's captors to sniff out their arrival before they were ready to reveal themselves. Hazard's blockers were already applied out of politeness during the close confines he'd been in on the transport truck.
He geared up with quick efficiency, pulling his armor-plated tactical vest over his head and buckling it around his waist. Hard shell knee and elbow pads went on as well, and he finished with a pair of leather gloves. His helmet he held on to. He'd put it on once they were en route.
Once everyone was geared up, they headed for the tarmac where a transport helicopter was waiting to fly them to the target. Hazard fell in step with Jax.
"What pack majora are you from?" Jax asked him in a lyrical New Orleans accent.
"I'm from the Wild Defiance in Texas."
"Get out!" Jax said excitedly. "My grandfather is Wild Defiance. When he was young he went on a pack exchange full moon run in Coeur Amer - my home pack. He saw my grandmother and that was it. He mated her before the next full moon and they've been together ever since."
"That makes us pack cousins. Nice," Hazard said with a grin.
Jax grinned back, and they bumped their fists together before jogging up the ramp to enter the rear door of the big military helicopter. Hazard took a seat and quickly strapped in, ready for the flight. It would be a short one - just under an hour from their base outside Broken Arrow, Oklahoma to Kansas City. The helicopter blades spun to life and moments later they were rising into the air.
 
* * *
 
The flight was uneventful, calm with no turbulence. Hazard spent the time talking to Jax, getting to know his new squad mate. Ortiz split her time between reviewing intel and joining in on their conversation. Ice sat on his own, not engaging with anyone.
"Five minutes to drop point," the pilot said over the comms.
At her announcement, Ice unclipped his safety belt and stood. He held on to the hand strap hanging overhead, feet planted wide to maintain his balance.
Hazard was in his battle-ready head space, mind focused on the mission. But as he looked up at the captain, he was hit with a completely out of the blue tingle of attraction. It was odd to feel that way about someone when he couldn't see anything but their eyes. And even those were shadowed. But Ice's powerful build and the aura of strength and command that emanated from him had grabbed Hazard's attention and wouldn't let go. The alpha's chest and shoulders were broad, easily carrying the weight of his fully equipped tac vest. And his long legs and thick thighs gave him the stance of a warrior.
Throughout the night, his gaze had been drawn to the captain again and again. It had been a struggle not to get caught staring at him. At least now Hazard had a reason to look at the big alpha since he was speaking to him directly.
"Hazard. You're with me from the second our boots hit the ground until we're back on this helo. Understood?"
Another tingle shivered down his spine at the captain's voice. It was deep and rough, no doubt from time spent shouting orders in the field. This time the tingle was followed by a flare of annoyance. What the fuck was going on with him? This wasn't the time, the place, or the person for him to be feeling attraction. Hazard cleared his throat and answered.
"Yes, sir."
Those dark eyes behind the wolf mask stared into his for a long moment before they moved on. From his talks with Ortiz, Hazard knew he'd been brought on to work as Ice's partner. But after meeting him, Hazard suspected that Ice didn't want him - or anyone for that matter - as a partner. This mission was probably a test - a way for Ice to scope him out and see if he was up to scratch. And if he didn't keep up, Ice would have him booted from the team.
Hazard wasn't worried however. He was confident in his skills. He didn't know Ice's standards or if he would meet them his first time out. But he knew he would get the job done.
Jax rose and slipped out of his clothes and shoes. As a shifter, Hazard wasn't bothered by the nudity, but since he was still basically a stranger to the other corporal, he politely averted his gaze. From the corner of his eye, he saw Jax stretch, then the flash of white light that accompanied a shifter's transformation. When he looked back, there was a large alpha wolf standing in place of the man. Jax's fur was a rich, dark brown with black on his muzzle and streaked down his back and tail.
"Nice coat," Hazard said.
"Thanks," Jax replied telepathically.
Jax's voice sounded in his head, faint but clear. Hazard was in human form and they weren't bonded as pack members yet so their connection was weak. If he were in wolf form too he would be able to hear Jax as clear as if he'd spoken out loud. Once they'd strengthened their bond as pack mates, their wolf to human telepathy would grow stronger as well. Ortiz took up the wolf body armor Jax had set aside before shifting, buckling it into place over his head and around his torso so that he would be protected during the mission.
The helo hit the drop spot exactly as timed. They landed to the east of the abandoned warehouse, far enough out that anyone inside the building wouldn't hear the chopper approaching. Ready for action, they went the rest of the way on foot.
They ran through a commercial district, past dark, industrial buildings. At this hour, most of the businesses were closed up for the night. The area was lit by streetlights, moths fluttering beneath the bulbs. There were few pedestrians out and only the occasional car drove past. The further they went, the more dilapidated the buildings became until they passed several that were abandoned. They stayed low, keeping to the shadows to remain hidden from any lookouts.
Halfway there, Ice found a good spot to set up his long-range sniper rifle. Hazard took up position next to him and got out his night vision binoculars to scan for the guards. They'd need to eliminate them first in order to approach the warehouse undetected.
"Guard number one on the roof," he said quietly.
There was a soft thwip as Ice fired his silenced rifle. Through his binoculars, Hazard saw the guard fall back and lay on the roof unmoving.
"Next one is left corner of the building."
Another thwip and that guard crumpled to the ground too.
Hazard scanned but didn't see anyone else. He was about to give the all clear when he saw a shadow move in a window on the third floor. "One more, Captain. Third floor window. Two over from the right side of the building." He'd barely finished speaking when Ice fired. The shadow jerked back and disappeared from sight.
"Didn't think you saw that one," Ice said as he started breaking down the big rifle. 
Hazard grinned. "Did I impress you with my thorough scan?"
"No."
"Ah. I'll keep trying then," he lightly teased.
Ortiz snorted. Hazard heard a quiet laugh from Jax in his head. Ice didn't respond.
They resumed progress to the target location, Jax in wolf form loping alongside them. Moving with quiet stealth, they reached the brick warehouse. Hazard peered inside one of the grimy ground level windows. Ice had eliminated the guards on the perimeter, but there were men stationed inside. He silently indicated their numbers and positions to his new teammates.
Ortiz nodded and readied her weapon to breach the door. It was old, but had been fitted with two brand new deadbolts and thick, heavy duty strike plates.
"Breach in three-two-one."
Everyone stood safely to the side while Ortiz blasted the reinforced locks with her shotgun. There was a flash of fire, followed by the acrid smell of gun smoke.
The locks destroyed, Ice shoved open the door and the team swept inside. They had the element of surprise, and they took advantage of it to drop the first few members of the cell. But it didn't take long for the rest of the crew to regroup. Bullets flew across the dim, cavernous space as the two sides engaged in a fire fight. Unfortunately for Vengeful Claw, they were no match for the 448.
Hazard stuck to Ice's heels as ordered, watching the captain's back. The position treated him to a front row seat of Ice's renowned prowess. Ice moved forward with deadly, single-minded intensity. He was careful, but there was zero hesitation in his progress cutting through the enemy. He fired twice, taking out two cult members with a single bullet each before the first had even managed to raise their weapon.
A door opened to their left and a target stepped out with a Glock in hand. In one smooth motion, Ice pulled a knife from the sheath on his thigh and sent it hurtling across the room to strike the target in the wrist. With a howl of pain, he dropped his gun. Ice took him down while he was mid scream.
If Hazard wasn't busy taking out his own targets, his mouth would be hanging open in awe.
Hearing footsteps approaching from behind, Hazard spun around. Three Vengeful Claw members were running toward him. One got off a shot. Hazard quickly side-stepped and ducked behind a support pillar to avoid the bullet. At the same time, he squeezed the trigger on his own weapon multiple times, eliminating two of the targets. But the third was still there, shooting wildly at the pillar Hazard was using for cover.
Hazard was preparing to peek around the column to try and get off a shot when a blade sliced through the air next to his right ear. A second later there was a grunt, followed by gurgling. Exposing himself as little as possible, Hazard looked to see that the knife had found a home in the third gunmen's throat. The man clutched at the weapon, but there was nothing he could do to save his life. He fell to the dirty warehouse floor, dead.
Hazard turned back, not surprised to see Ice standing there. The alpha spoke two words.
"You good?"
Hazard nodded. "I'm good."
"Keep moving then."
Once they'd cleared the first floor, the pairs split up. Ortiz and Jax took off in search of the leaders of the group.
"On me, Corporal," Ice ordered.
Hazard followed behind the captain, racing up the stairs to the right to ascend to the fourth floor. When they reached the room where the hostage was supposed to be held Hazard tried the doorknob first. It was locked. Ice pulled a sledgehammer from the holder on the back of his tactical vest.
"Jessica Whitman!" he called out loudly. "If you're on the other side of this door stand back!" He gave her a few seconds to clear before he swung the sledgehammer against the doorknob. The lock broke under the force, and the door went flying back to bounce against the wall.
The entrance breached, the two of them moved inside with their weapons at the ready. A young woman dressed in hot pink and yellow workout gear stood on the far side of the room, her back against the wall. Her face was dirty and streaked with dried tears, but it matched the picture they'd been shown during briefing.
"Jessica Whitman, we're here to take you home," Hazard said.
"What's the code?" she asked.
"Tuxedo cat," Ice answered in his gruff voice.
The tension bled from her shoulders. "Thank you, Mother Wolf," she whispered in relief. She took a step toward them but her knees started to buckle before she took the second.
Hazard leaped forward and caught her before she could fall. "Are you hurt?"
Jessica shook her head no. "A little light headed but I'm ready to go."
"Okay. I need you to stay on your feet until we have you out of here. Okay?"
She took a deep breath and straightened her posture. "Okay."
"Good." Hazard got on comms. "We have the package, Major."
Ortiz's voice crackled to life in his ear piece.
"Good work. There's no intel here and neither are the leaders so we'll meet you back at the entrance."
"Roger that," Hazard replied.
They moved out, Ice in front, Hazard in the rear and Jessica in the protected space between them. Jax and Ortiz joined them once they reached the ground level. While Ice collected his knives from his kills, the major gave Jessica a quick once-over. Seeing she was fine, Ortiz got on the comms to their pilot.
"Major Ortiz to transport. We are on our way to the extraction point."
"We're ready and waiting, Major," the pilot responded.
Jessica gasped when she got a look at all of the dead bodies littering the floor. But she didn't falter in her progress through the warehouse and outside to freedom. She was clearly weakened from her ordeal, moving slowly and sometimes stumbling as she ran. Hazard gave her encouragement to keep her going for the long run back to the helo.
"Almost there. You probably burn more calories and work harder in your aerobics classes than you are in this measly little run."
The young beta wolf gave a breathless laugh, but lengthened her stride.
A minute later, they were sprinting up to the helicopter. The hatch opened and the five of them hustled inside. They'd made it. Pleased at the success of the mission, Hazard knocked his fist against the captain's shoulder.
"Not too shabby for my first time working with you," he said with a proud grin.
Ice looked first at the spot he'd punched, then at Hazard. Hazard could see the irritation in those dark eyes, but the captain didn't deny that he'd done well. Hazard decided to take that as a win.
 

CH 3
 
The mission over, they flew back to base. Jessica had revealed that they'd injected her with something to prevent her from shifting. She'd stayed awake for most of the two days of her captivity out of fear that they'd give her something else while she was unaware. Now she slept, wrapped in a blanket and safely sandwiched between Mitchell and Ortiz, her head resting on the major's shoulder.
Ice believed she'd been afraid. She'd stank of fear when he'd smashed open the door to her prison. But now, the scent of calm wolf was breaking through that sour smell. It made it past his mask to his nose as she snored her way through the flight.
Twenty minutes later, they began their descent to land and Ortiz shook the exhausted young woman awake. The bird touched down on the tarmac, and the rear hatch opened. After thanking the pilot, the team and Jessica disembarked. Medical staff was waiting to attend to Jessica, the blue lights of their van joining with the lights of the airstrip to brighten the dark night. But before they could get to her, two older women rushed forward.
"Jessica!" they cried out in near unison.
Councilor Whitman and her wife. Jessica burst into tears and sprinted across the tarmac to meet them. When the two women reached the young beta wolf, they enveloped her in a tight hug, their sobs revealing that they were desperately relieved to see their daughter returned safe and whole.
When the 448 members drew abreast of the crying trio, the councilor broke away from her family to speak with them. Councilor Whitman was as well put together as she always appeared when Ice saw her on TV. She wore a dark purple suit with padded shoulders, with a white silk blouse beneath, and high heeled black pumps. Her long braids were coiled in a bun at the nape of her neck, secured with pearl tipped hair pins. But while her clothes were impeccable, the lines of exhaustion and worry on her light brown face showed how stressed she'd been. And the bitter smell of worry still tinged her scent. Tears brimmed in her eyes even as she gave them all a genuine smile.
"Thank you all so much for rescuing my daughter. The past two days were the most difficult I've ever had to face."
"You're welcome, Councilor Whitman," Major Ortiz said. "I'm happy we were able to return her safely to your side."
"She was brave throughout the trip out of the warehouse. You should be proud of her," Hazard added.
"Jessica is a tough cookie," Councilor Whitman replied with a tired laugh. "Thank you all again. If there's anything I can ever do for you, please let me know."
"You're welcome, ma'am," Jax said.
Ice nodded in acknowledgement of her thanks. 
She shook each of their hands before returning to her wife and daughter.
Their job done, the 448 headed across the base to gear down in the armory. In the ready room, Ice removed his combat gear - night vision goggles, helmet, tactical vest. All of it came off and went back in his equipment bag.
"Well, Ice, what do you think?"
Ice raised his head from unbuckling the straps on his drop leg holster to look at the major. What did he think about what?
At his silent question, Ortiz jerked her chin toward Hazard, making it clear what-who-she meant.
Ice turned his gaze to Hazard. He watched the young corporal talking with Jax, noting how well the two had already meshed together. He'd been grudgingly impressed with Mitchell's work tonight. Mitchell followed orders well. The omega was maybe a little too chatty but it hadn't detracted from the mission. And he'd done a good job keeping Ms. Whitman going until they had her securely on board the chopper. But that was one mission. It was too soon for him to give a complete assessment. Turning back to Ortiz, he gave her his answer.
"No complaints so far."
Ortiz snorted but let it drop. She knew him well enough to know that she wasn't going to get anything more out of him right now.
"I've got something to handle up at HQ. Can you show Hazard to our quarters?"
Ice flicked his gaze from the major to their new member. It was obvious that Ortiz was asking him since they'd be working together the closest. She was probably hoping they'd make some kind of connection. Ice knew that they wouldn't. Still, he nodded. Seeing that the omega was geared down, he called his name to get his attention.
"Mitchell!"
Mitchell immediately turned from his conversation with Jax to respond.
"Sir?"
"Get your stuff. I'm showing you to our barracks."
"Yes, sir," Mitchell answered with a nod.
Ice turned and walked out of the ready room, not waiting to see if Mitchell was following behind him. Outside of the armory, he crossed the base, heading toward the small building that exclusively housed the 448.
"No general barracks then?" Mitchell asked.
"No," Ice said as he opened the door and lead his new partner inside. "It’s not pretty but it’s home."
"Looks good to me."
"There’s two empty rooms." He nodded at the two rooms with open doors. "Take your pick."
Mitchell didn't move to choose. Instead, he looked up at Ice. In the bright indoor light, Ice saw that the corporal's eyes were a pale jade green with flecks of gold.
"Which one is better?"
"What?"
"Does one have a draft? Does one have an odd smell that no one can figure out where it’s coming from?"
Ice stared at him, not comprehending why the answers to his questions mattered. "They’re rooms," he said gruffly.
Another smile, this one with a hint of cheek as one side of Mitchell's mouth quirked up higher than the other.
"Alright then."
He watched as Mitchell poked his head in one room and then the other before choosing the first. He’d picked the one right next to Ice’s room. They would share a wall.
"Settle in," Ice ordered crisply.
His job done, Ice went in his room and closed the door.  Corporal Mitchell could explore the rest of the place by himself.
 
* * *
 
Hazard looked around the small room that was now his own. There was a bed just big enough to comfortably fit an alpha, with plain serviceable sheets, a blanket in non-descript gray, and a single pillow. Against one wall was an armoire on short, stout legs for his belongings. On the other wall there was a small desk and ladderback chair. The floors were gray tile, the walls white and unadorned.
He opened the door on the opposite side of the room from the bed to see a small bath with a tiny walk-in shower. The room was bare and boring. But no worse or nicer than others he'd lived in.
Ortiz had specified that on-base housing was a requirement for this special operations unit. He appreciated that the 448 was all housed together. Wolves needed that closeness to help build a pack, but far too often they weren't given that opportunity in the US Legion. As he started to unpack, Hazard hoped that he would bond with his new team the way that wolves needed to bond.
 Once he had everything stored away with standard military neatness, he checked out the rest of the 448 barracks. The gray tile floor and white walls were repeated in the common areas. The closed doors he left alone - understanding those were the private quarters for his new team members. There was a fully equipped kitchen with a scarred butcher block table and four ugly mismatched chairs. In the common area, a big, overstuffed couch, two armchairs, a coffee table made of an old door sawed in half and set on top of two packing crates, and a TV crowded the room. Like Ice had said, it wasn't pretty but it was his home for the foreseeable future.
Hazard sniffed the air. To his surprise, the scents of the 448 members weren't layered together in the common area. Ortiz's sharp and minty scent and Jax's scent of fresh grass were there but they were separate, as if they didn't often hang out in the space at the same time. And there was barely a trace of Ice's - a warm cedar scent that was at odds with what he'd observed of the man so far. He detected the faintest hint of an old scent - something chalky- it must belong to the member who'd retired.
He'd just finished his inspection when the front door opened and Ortiz and Jax walked in.
"Pick your room okay?" Ortiz asked.
"Yes, ma'am. And all unpacked."
"Good. We'll eat dinner, then you can get some sleep. You've earned it."
Hazard nodded. He was tired. A meal, followed by a hot shower, and then bed sounded like the perfect way to end a long day.
Before he went to sit down, he cast a glance at Ice's closed bedroom door. He wondered if he'd passed the captain's test. It'd be nice to know if he had the captain's approval. If he didn't have it yet, he'd have to continue doing what he'd been trained to do until he earned it.

What did you think of Ice and Hazard's first and second meetings? Hazard is determined to win his icy captain over. Also, did you notice I tweaked the cover? I think this version is a little cleaner than the first one. I hope you like both the preview and the updated cover! More news on Alpha Awakened - including the discreet cover - coming soon.
Love,
Christa

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Hello! Today I bring to you the first excerpt from my upcoming military wolf shifter romance, Alpha Awakened. I liked writing this scene where Ice is just starting to acknowledge that he feels something for his squad mate. And I think it captures Hazard's playful nature really well. Enjoy!

Ice left their barracks, setting out across the base without a particular destination in mind. It was a cool and sunny fall day. As he walked, he wasn't specifically looking for Hazard. But he stopped when he saw him.

The corporal sat on a fence rail. A trio of soldiers stood in front of him, raptly listening to whatever he was saying. All of them were shifters. Alphas. The hackles on the back of Ice's neck rose. Without stopping to question why he didn't like seeing the soldiers clustered around his teammate, he strode over to their little group, stopping behind Hazard.

Hazard leaned back on the fence rail, balancing precariously to look at him upside down. "Hey, Lieutenant Anderson," he greeted him.

Ice reached out and put a hand on the spot between Hazard's shoulder blades. "Don't fall," he quietly cautioned.

Hazard smiled. "I won't with you behind me."

Ice looked down into those smiling green eyes. The heat of Hazard's body warmed his palm through the layers of his glove and Hazard's thin T-shirt. He didn't return the smile, but he kept his hand where it was until Hazard was sitting upright again.

He looked directly at each of the three soldiers in turn. Two were of equal rank to Hazard. One was a sergeant. All were big, strong, and muscular. One by one, they dropped their gazes, heads slightly twisting to the side to submissively show their necks. They returned to their conversation with Hazard, but it wasn't long before they made their excuses and left.

Hazard turned around on the fence to face him. A small smile curled up one side of the omega's mouth and his eyes sparkled with humor. The sun made the light green irises brighter. But even in the direct sunlight, his hair was still inky black. It looked incredibly soft. Ice wondered how it would feel to run his bare hand over it. His palm tingled behind his glove.

Of course, he wouldn't touch his squad mate's hair. Or the hard line of his jaw. And he certainly wouldn't trace the curve of his plump lips. Or even touch a fingertip to the tip of his nose. Hazard was off limits. He knew that. But something within him was starting to stir, trying to convince him otherwise.

"What are you gonna do now that you have me all to yourself, Lieutenant?"

A flush crawled up the back of Ice's neck. Why had he chased off those soldiers? "Wasn't trying to get you to myself," he denied.

"Of course you weren't," Hazard said softly.

Alpha Awakened is available for pre-order. Release date April 4, 2024.

I’d like to share an excerpt from Hector and Miguel’s story. We’re in Hector’s point of view here, and we see him finally acknowledge his attraction to Miguel. I love this scene because it’s like the air before a storm. You know what’s coming, but it’s not here yet. All you have is tension and expectation and wondering what it will be like. And of course it leads to one of my favorite romance tropes: forced to share a bed. Yes! I hope you enjoy.

Hidden in the semi-darkness, Hector let his gaze trail down the line of Miguel's naked back to the enticing curve of his ass cupped by the tight underwear he wore. Hector swore under his breath. There was no confusion anymore. The box of everything he'd been reluctant to unpack was flung open, all his desires and wants spread out for him to see. He might not be ready to admit it to anyone else, but he couldn't deny it to himself any longer. Not when he was sitting there, imagining himself walking over to Miguel and picking him up in his arms again so he could carry him back to bed and touch everything he was secretly running his eyes over.

Finished with his water, Miguel made his way back to the bedroom doorway. But he didn't go inside. Instead, he stood there in the shadows. Hector waited to see if there was something he wanted to say.

"I feel bad about kicking you out of your bed."

"It's not a problem. Don't worry about it."

Miguel balanced on his crutches, staring at the floor. He was quiet for several long moments before he finally spoke. "It's a big bed, Hector."

Silence.

After that completely unexpected invitation, Miguel continued to stare at the floor. And Hector stared at him. He shouldn't share a bed with Miguel. Not after that night and the sexual attraction Hector had just acknowledged not thirty seconds ago. But the couch wasn't meant to be slept on by someone his size. He needed to be well-rested for work. And it was a big bed. With embarrassing speed, Hector finished rationalizing the decision he wanted to make and got up from the couch.

"Okay." He grabbed the pillow but left the blanket there. He'd take care of it in the morning.

"I'll put some shorts on," Miguel said as he swung around. But he moved too fast and one of the crutches tripped up in the carpet instead of swiveling with him. He overbalanced and started listing to the side. Miguel flailed. He wasn't wearing the boot so he ended up hopping on his good foot as he rushed to regain his balance.

Hector leaped forward to steady him with a hand on his waist. "I've got you." His hand lingered longer than it should have, feeling the smooth, warm skin under his palm. When he took his hand away, his fingers trailed over that skin. Miguel shivered.

"Thank you," Miguel said in the nervous, breathless tone that Hector remembered far too well.

"No problem."

He followed Miguel into the bedroom. They didn't look at each other as Miguel went to the side where he had pillows stacked at the end for his ankle. They didn't speak as Hector went to the other side and got under the covers. Miguel pulled on a pair of shorts before he joined him.

The king-size bed allowed for plenty of space between them. But Hector would only have to reach out to feel more of the warm skin that he'd briefly touched moments before. Except, Miguel hadn't invited him here for that. Had he? He'd put on a pair of shorts before getting in bed, a clear signal that nothing sexual was about to go down.

Unless he'd done so because he thought Hector wasn't interested. Too bad his cock growing stiff with arousal proved his interest without a doubt. Hector tried to will away the erection. Miguel wouldn’t know what was going on in his pajama bottoms. But Hector felt like a pervert lying in bed next to him with a hard-on. This was a mistake. He should have stayed on the couch.

Fuck.

Hector tossed an arm over his eyes again. He was here now, so there was nothing for it but to try to get some sleep. "Good night."

Miguel's voice was still nervous and breathless when he responded. "Good night."

Fuck.

A Sniper's Devotion is available on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited.

Hello, Reader Friends! Today I am super excited to share with you news of my upcoming release. Do you like omegaverse? If so, then hold on to your butts.

Alpha Awakened is a military wolf shifter romance. It's omegaverse but not m-preg. Today I'm sharing the cover and blurb with you. Check them out!

When the heat of battle cools, the fire of their passion burns hot.

Lieutenant Royce Anderson. Call sign: Ice. A terror on the battlefield and a lone alpha wolf who doesn’t believe in pack. He wears a mask to keep anyone from getting too close. His life is just fine, until a handsome, green-eyed omega joins his squad. Suddenly, Ice is tempted like he’s never been tempted before. All he wants is to kiss the sweet curve of Dylan’s lips and to breathe in his intoxicating scent. He tries to resist, but his alpha instincts awaken, driving him to claim the omega with the gorgeous smile as his mate.

Corporal Dylan Mitchell. Call sign: Hazard. A skilled special forces soldier and proud omega wolf. He’s instantly drawn to the mysterious masked lieutenant, despite his cold, standoffish demeanor. When Hazard looks into the dark eyes behind the mask, his body burns with desire for the tall, muscled alpha. And his Instinct urges him to give the lonely soldier all the love that has been missing from his life.

Royce and Dylan come together as lovers while pursuing a violent insurrectionist across the country. But when the dangers of the battlefield and the rules of the military try to tear them apart, they’ll ruthlessly fight to claim their destiny as bonded mates.

Alpha Awakened is a steamy military wolf shifter romance.

The release date for Alpha Awakened is April 4, 2024. The special eBook pre-order price $2.99. The regular eBook price is $5.99 Alpha Awakened will be available in eBook & paperback, as well as discreet paperback and large print paperback.

Alpha Awakened will be released in eBook on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited for 90 days. After 90 days (appx mid-June), Alpha Awakened will leave Kindle Unlimited in order to be released in libraries and on other retailers such as Kobo, Apple, and Google Play. You will still be able to purchase it on Amazon but it will not be in the KU subscription service after 90 days.pa Awakened will be released in 

Amazon Pre-Order Links

Not ready to pre-order or want to wait until release for Kindle Unlimited? No problem! You can add it to your Goodreads TBR while you wait.

That's it for now, but I'll be back soon with excerpts and more.
Love,
Christa

Hello! Today I'm sharing with you an early look at Blood Debt Chapter 1. Blood Debt is Book 2 in the Sanguis Syndicate - my M/M Vampire Mafia Romance series. I like to have my main characters meet as soon as possible, and here you get to see them meet for the first time in chapter one. Enjoy!

Raul relaxed back in his chair, watching a group of talented actors sing and dance their way through a darkly humorous murder mystery. It was a good show and he was enjoying it. But for some reason, an unusual sense of awareness hummed in his blood, keeping him from giving a hundred percent of his attention to the stage. He used his enhanced vampire senses to search for any hint of danger. But there was nothing.
What had him so... unsettled? He attempted to shake off the feeling and concentrate on the performance just at the lead actress delivered a cheeky line and sauntered from the stage. A moment later, the MC stepped out from behind the curtain.
"It's time for our intermission. We'll be back shortly with a decadent dessert that might be deadly."
Raul applauded along with the rest of the audience. The lights went up and Raul rose to stretch his legs. The two dates who'd attended the theater with him rose as well.
"This performance is great," Alan said.
Linda, his other date, laced her fingers through Alan's. "I see a friend of mine over there. We're going to go and say hello."
Raul nodded and the two humans went off to speak to their friends. As more of the crowd began to move around during the intermission, Raul recognized a few of his acquaintances. Upon noticing him, they came over to pay their respects.
A burly vampire, with muscles straining the fabric of his suit and his bald head sweating, greeted Raul first.
"Nice to see you, Mr. Raul. What do you think of the show?"
The vampire accompanying him smiled. She was dressed entirely in green - her gown, shoes, jewelry. Even her hair and lipstick were in the same emerald shade.
"Is it worth leaving that beautiful ranch of yours for a few hours?" she asked.
Raul laughed. He was a known homebody. He socialized as needed for work, but he was most comfortable at home, riding over his property or in the house watching movies.
"It's worth it. The actors are doing a fantastic job."
Another acquaintance, a human in a vintage beaded evening gown with long strawberry blonde hair offered their opinion. "I love the singing voice of the president character, but I think she's the killer."
Their small group began debating who they thought was the culprit behind the show's murder mystery. As they talked, the live musicians finished their song, a haunting rendition of Jewel's Foolish Games. After the audience's quiet applause, they set their instruments aside and rose to take their break. As they filed out of the theater, a DJ came out and started to play a set of old R&B hits from the nineties over the theater's sound system.
In the quiet lull before the first recorded song began to play, Raul heard a soft laugh. Happy, bright, and delicate. He turned, searching for the source of that delightful sound. He didn't see who it came from at first. Then, a woman in a black silk dress moved to the side, revealing the person standing behind her.
A petite, East Asian human, with short, stylishly cut flaxen blonde hair, and golden skin. The young man was dressed in a caramel brown suit with fuzzy white trim on the lapels and a cream button up shirt beneath the jacket. Looking at him smiling, his skin glowing under the theater lights, made Raul's heart pound.
"Excuse me," Raul said in the general direction of the person who'd been speaking to him.
Without another word, he left the group and moved across the room, headed directly for the lovely human who'd caught his attention.
"Hello," he said once he'd reached him.
After saying goodbye to the person he'd been speaking with, the young man turned and looked up at Raul.
"Hello."
His voice was as soft as an angel's kiss. Up close, Raul could see that pale brown freckles dotted the bridge of his nose and the tops of his cheeks. His lips were pink and lush and his dark eyes were still sparkling from his earlier laughter. The human was so gorgeous that it took Raul a moment to realize he was staring and mentally shake himself from his trance. "I'm Raul." He held a hand out.
"I'm Ji-Su."
Ji-Su accepted his handshake, his warm, fine boned hand all but disappearing inside Raul's large grasp. 
"It's nice to meet you." A quick glance at his neck showed recently healed marks from a vampire's fangs. This lovely human already belonged to someone. Disappointment burned in Raul's chest - startling in its intensity. He asked just to be sure that Ji-Su wasn't available. "Are you here alone?"
"No. I'm with my patron and his friends. They stepped outside to smoke."
His blood patron. Ji-Su was a blood pet. "Tell me, Ji-Su. What do you do when you're not looking so enchanting that you bewitch strangers at parties?" That precious laugh came again. Hearing it up close sent a tingle of pleasure down Raul's spine.
"I'm a gamer."
"Ah, forgive me if I'm not quite sure what you mean by that."
A deep dimple appeared in Ji-Su's cheek when he smiled.
"I play video games and stream myself them playing online."
"Interesting. I'm into a different type of gaming. I run a casino." He ran several actually but there was no need to bring that up in casual conversation.
"I've only been to a casino once. I got scared when I lost fifty dollars at the craps table, left, and never went back."
"That's too bad. If you come to my casino, I'll show you a much better time than that."
"Is this a sales pitch? Will part of the night be spent with you trying to sell me a time share?"
Raul grinned. "Not a sales pitch. Just an attempt to get you to spend time with me so I can hear your lovely laugh again. In fact, I might nudge the table a bit to make sure you win just to hear you celebrate."
Ji-Su bit his lip, clearly holding back the laugh Raul wanted to hear.
"Are you saying your casino is corrupt?"
"Not at all. But I'm willing to make an exception for a human as pretty as you."
Now Ji-Su laughed. Raul listened and watched, completely captivated. Far too soon, Ji-Su's laugh quieted, although the humor lingered in his expression. Raul was about to ask him about his blood patron and how long he had left on his contract - when Ji-Su looked off to the side.
"There's my patron."
Raul turned to look in the direction of Ji-Su's nod. An African American vampire with medium-brown skin, dressed in a black tux approached. His jacket hung open and the bowtie was undone. His dark hair was separated into twists that were dyed blond on the tips. Three similarly attired humans and one vampire walked behind him. Raul recognized Ji-Su's patron but didn't recall his name. He only knew he was a LaMonte, one of the aristocratic vampire families that resided in Dear Lake.
"Cedric, you're back," Ji-Su said.
"Obviously," the other vampire drawled as he stepped partially in between Raul and Ji-Su. His eyes moved to take in Raul. "Who is this you're talking to?"
"This is Raul. Raul, this is Cedric."
Raul nodded his head at the introduction. The other vampire didn't extend his hand for a greeting, so Raul didn't bother to either. Only two seconds in Cedric's presence and he already didn't like him. After a moment of cold silence between them, Cedric's eyes left his and slid back to Ji-Su.
"I left you at our table. Next time, stay where I put you."
A blush tinged Ji-Su's cheeks, no doubt from embarrassment at the rude way Cedric had spoken to him in front of everyone.
"I apologize for wandering off. I hope you weren't worried."
"I wasn't." Cedric clamped a hand around Ji-Su's upper arm. "Let's go."
Ji-Su gave Raul a polite smile. "It was nice to meet you."
"You as well."
Cedric practically dragged Ji-Su back to their table. Thanks to his heightened vampire senses, Raul heard their conversation over the music as they walked away.
"I don't want you talking to any vampires unless I introduce you to them first and give you permission."
"Okay."
Raul didn't like Cedric's demeanor or the way he treated Ji-Su. But there wasn't cause for him to do anything about it. Cedric hadn't been abusive, merely rude and abrasive. And Ji-Su looked healthy and well cared for as was expected for a blood pet. Still, he had the urge to go over and steal Ji-Su away from Cedric and take him back to his ranch to keep for himself. Odd, since he'd never been one to covet what belonged to someone else. But something about Ji-Su brought out instincts he'd never felt before. Take. Keep. Make him mine.
At the sound of footsteps behind him, Raul closed his mind to those thoughts and turned away from watching the group retake their seats. His own blood pets approached. Linda, a tall, willowy, raven-haired Latina and Alan a handsome, curly-haired Caucasian with a solid, stocky build. The two came to stand on either side of him and linked their arms through his.
"Who was that darling young man?" Linda asked.
"Ji-Su, a blood pet of Cedric's."
"Is he a friend of yours?"
"No, neither of them are."
A bell chimed, signaling that intermission was drawing to a close. "Come on. Let's return to our table." They went back to their seats, chatting quietly as the wait staff began circulating with trays of dessert and wine. A server arrived at their table, serving each of them a peach pastry drenched in a whiskey sauce and topped with whipped cream, along with glasses of a crisp Riesling wine.
Just before the lights went down, Raul caught a glimpse of Ji-Su a few tables over. He was smiling his thanks at the server who'd set a dessert plate in front of him. Once the actors retook the stage, Raul made an attempt to put Ji-Su from his mind and focus on the show. But he couldn't stop thinking about that soft, happy laugh and those sparkling dark eyes for the rest of the night.   
 
* * *
 
A few hours later, their trio returned to the ranch. The tall black entrance gates smoothly slid open to allow the limo to enter the property. After the driver let them out, Raul thanked him and said goodnight.
"Goodnight, Mr. Raul."
The limo pulled away, and Raul went up the wide front steps accompanied by Linda and Alan. The three of them walked into the house and were greeted by the doorman in the softly lit foyer. Linda handed the servant the white swing coat she'd worn over her pink dress.
"Raul, my love. I think our time here is over," she said as she slipped out of her heels.
That statement had Raul raising his eyebrows in surprise. "What?"
Linda and Alana weren't on an official blood pet contract with him. They were there because the three of them were in a casual relationship. He drank their blood and in exchange he showered them with money and gifts. It was a mutually beneficial relationship, but it wasn't facilitated by one of the agencies that set up humans and vampires. This was actually their third time staying with him over the past few years. He'd met them long ago at one of Everett's costume balls. They came at his invitation and left when they chose. But they hadn't mentioned anything about wanting to leave before now.
"That's news to me. Is something wrong?"
"Of course not, sweetie. We always have the best time when we're here. But..."
"But?" He prompted her when she didn't finish.
Linda folded her hands together in front of her, an almost mischievous smile on her fuchsia-tinted lips. "Your mind is about to be preoccupied with someone else."
"He is really cute," Alan added. "I don't mind leaving so you can focus on him."
Raul shook his head when he realized who they were referring to. "You're both being silly. I talked to Ji-Su for less than five minutes. And he already belongs to someone else. Our paths probably won't cross again anytime soon if ever."
Linda walked up to him. She put a hand on his cheek and looked into his eyes. Raul met her gaze without flinching, letting her find whatever she was looking for. After several moments she patted him lightly on the cheek before she dropped her hand.
"I know what I saw. And I never doubt what I see is coming."
"I won't deny my attraction to him. But that is no reason for either of you to leave. I listen to you two rave over the vampires you're attracted to all the time and it's never been a problem."
Linda pursed her lips, thinking. Finally, she nodded and stepped back.
"All right. We'll stay. For now."
"Good."
"Would you like to feed tonight?" she asked in an abrupt change of subject.
Raul dropped his gaze to her throat. She'd worn her hair up, exposing smooth, pale skin. Normally he'd be tempted by the sight. Tonight, his fangs didn't so much as tingle. He shook his head. "No, I don't need to."
Alan stepped behind Linda and slid his arms around her waist in a tight hug.
"How about sex with one or both of us?" he asked with a grin.
"Not tonight."
"No appetite for that either?" Linda asked with a dark brow raised. She looked over her shoulder at Alan. "What a surprise," she said in an exaggerated tone.
"A truly shocking surprise," Alan teased back.
Raul barked a laugh. "You two are ridiculous. It has nothing to do with that little human. I'm simply not hungry and not in the mood for sex."
"If you say so. Come on, Alan. Those heels made my feet ache and I could use a foot rub."
The two said goodnight, and hand in hand, they climbed the stairs, going up to the room they shared.
After checking in with the ranch's mayordoma to make sure nothing needed his attention, Raul went up to his room as well. He undressed and stretched out naked in bed. As he lay there, waiting for sleep to come, his mind wasn't on the two beautiful humans who were down the hall for his pleasure. Instead, he thought of Ji-Su. A soft, pretty name for a soft, pretty human.
If he'd come across him socially before he'd been contracted to Cedric or seen him on stage at one of his organization's blood pet auctions, he most certainly would have made a play for him. But he didn't poach from other vampires. He had a moment's regret that he hadn't had a chance to ask Ji-Su when his contract with Cedric was up. If he had, he might have been able to make arrangements to be Ji-Su's next blood patron. A missed opportunity.
With another sigh of regret, he turned over to go to sleep. As he closed his eyes, he accepted that Ji-Su was simply someone he'd felt an overwhelmingly strong attraction to but probably would never see again.
 
* * *
 
 
"That was a fun show." Ji-Su chatted with Cedric as they walked into the vampire's luxury town house. The butler, dressed entirely in white, waited to greet them and take their coats. The lights from the heavy crystal chandelier hanging above reflected on the white marble floor of the foyer near his feet. "It's good to get away from my screens and meet new people every once in a while."
"Like Raul," Cedric replied with a barely hidden sneer to his tone.
"I didn't mean him in particular but yes he seemed like a nice guy."
"Just remember what I said." Cedric tossed his coat at the butler. "Stay away from vampires that I haven't introduced you to."
Ji-Su managed to keep the annoyance out of his expression when he agreed. "I will remember."
They both went upstairs then separated on the second-floor landing to go to their individual bedrooms.
As Ji-Su undressed and prepared for bed, he couldn't help but think that Cedric's insistence he didn't speak to anyone without his prior introduction and permission was insecure at best and controlling at worst. But whatever. Cedric wasn't his lover. The vampire was simply his blood patron. He supplied Cedric with his blood a few times a month in exchange for room, board, and a hefty monthly cash deposit.
He'd already completed the first three months of his contract. There were nine months remaining and then he'd be free to talk to whoever he wanted, Raul included. Hopefully, by the time his contract with Cedric was over he would no longer need a blood patron. But he wouldn't mind getting to know Raul outside of an official human-vampire agreement.
The Hispanic vampire was ruggedly handsome. He had warm brown skin, black brows that arched over eyes the color of melted chocolate, and dark, neatly styled hair that curled just below his ears. The rough scruff of a well-groomed shadow beard enhanced a strong jaw and full lips. And he wore onyx stud earrings in each pierced ear.
Raul was a big man. Tall, with wide shoulders, and a broad chest. He'd been dressed in a tux, the burgundy color so deep, it was almost black. The jacket and pants were cut to perfectly fit his frame, giving him a smooth, elegant air. But the accents he'd chosen - an understated Western copper belt buckle and black leather cowboy boots with copper tips - set him apart from everyone else in the room.
Raul's style reminded Ji-Su of a wealthy rancher from old Western movies. That was probably a fitting description, since as a vampire, there was no telling how old Raul actually was. He appeared to be in his early thirties, but he'd probably looked that way for a very long time.
His favorite thing about the handsome vampire had been the way Raul smiled. Raul smiled with a slow, lazy curl to his lips and a hint of that vampire's glow lighting his dark eyes to an amber brown. His entire vibe was relaxed and friendly, which made his easy flirting charming and welcome. He'd been attracted to the vampire from the moment he'd seen him.
Ji-Su sighed and turned over. Of course a gorgeous vampire like Raul wasn't single. He'd snuck a few glances at him throughout the night and noticed there were two dates accompanying him. A man and a woman - both beautiful. Maybe one day he'd see Raul again when they were each in a position to take their interaction beyond a five-minute conversation. That would be nice. With a smile on his lips, Ji-Su fell asleep imagining it.

What do you think of the preview? I hope you liked it. I'll be sharing Chapter 2 with you next Friday so please look forward to it! To add Blood Debt to your Goodreads TBR and sign up to be notified when it's available, click the button below.

Thanks for reading!
Love,
Christa

Hello and Happy Thursday! Today I have an excerpt from Blood Debt, my upcoming M/M vampire mafia romance. Blood Debt is book 2 in the Sanguis Syndicate series and will be available April 13th!

"Mr. Raul, it's Ji-Su."
"Come in," came from the other side of the door.
He opened the door just enough to slip inside and shut it behind him. Raul was sitting up in the middle of a big bed. His dark hair was rumpled, and his chest was bare.
"I’m sorry to wake you but it’s the storm. I umm... I get nervous during big storms like this. Can I sleep in here with you? In that chair over there is fine." He pointed at a big leather wingback chair in the corner of the massive bedroom.
Raul shook his head.
Ji-Su was immediately disappointed and embarrassed for asking. Of course, Raul said no. He probably thought Ji-Su was too old to get freaked out by storms. "I understand," he said as he turned to go.
"No. Not the chair," Raul said in a voice husky from sleep.
Ji-Su stopped and turned back around. Raul was holding the corner of the covers up for him.
"Get in here."
Relieved, Ji-Su hurried across the room and climbed into bed with Raul. "I’m sorry," he apologized as he slid beneath the covers. "I know it’s silly to be afraid of storms."
"It’s not. We all have something we fear."
"What do you fear?"
"Big Foot."
"You’re joking."
A small smile curled one side of Raul's lips. "Maybe."
Ji-Su didn't believe for one second that Raul was afraid of Big Foot. But he appreciated the gentle humor to help put him at ease. Trying not to be obvious, he scooted over the mattress to get a little closer to Raul. He'd just stealthily moved another inch when a heavy arm draped across his waist, pulling him up against the heated, solid wall of Raul's chest.
"Is that better?"
Apparently, he hadn't been sneaky enough. He was too happy he was being comforted to be embarrassed at being caught. Ji-Su nodded. "Yes. Thank you.
“Do you think you can sleep now?"
"I should be able-." He started to answer but lightning cracked and thunder boomed so close together it was one big snarl of terrifying noise. Ji-Su jumped, hitting the top of his head against Raul's chin as he dove forward to bury his face against his chest. He stayed there, shaking, until the angry sounds outside the windows eased up. Once it was quiet except for the sound of the pounding rain, he pulled back and looked up at Raul.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Barely felt it."
"Are you sure?" He tried to joke as his racing heart slowly returned to normal speed. "I've been told I have a hard head."
"You can always kiss it better." Raul went quiet and pressed his lips together for a moment. "Sorry, that was bad joke."
"I don't mind." He leaned up and pressed a quick but soft kiss to the spot where his skull had collided with Raul's chin. "Did that help?"
"Yep, the pain is all gone now."
Ji-Su smiled. He appreciated that Raul was teasing him to take his mind off the storm that raged outside. When another crack of lightning came, he squeezed his eyes shut. He didn't jump, but he couldn't help the shivers of fear that ran through him. Raul rubbed his back, his big hand sliding up and down in a soothing caress.
"Sssh. You're okay."
His eyes still closed, Ji-Su nodded. The warm hand on his back was just what he needed to stay calm. The thunder gradually rolled into silence and Ji-Su opened his eyes. Raul was watching him. His face was mostly in shadow, but Ji-Su could still make out how handsome he was. Ji-Su shivered again, but this time it wasn't from fear. Raul was so big and he made him feel safe. But he also made him feel something else. A familiar feeling, one he hadn't experienced in a while, tugged behind his navel. The feeling grew when the hand stroking his back changed course and moved to cup his jaw, a broad thumb caressing his cheek.
"You're..."
Raul stopped, the unfinished sentence hanging in the small space between them.
"I'm what?" he asked when Raul didn't continue.
"You're sweet."
"Is that a good thing?"
"Mmm-hmm. I like sweet."
Ji-Su's heart started racing again. He knew Raul could hear it. And sure enough, his thumb moved down to lightly press over his pulse.
"Is this fear?" Raul asked quietly.
Ji-Su shook his head. "No," he whispered back.
At his answer, Raul slowly leaned down. Closer and closer until their lips were almost touching. Ji-Su let his eyes drift closed and waited.

I'm so excited to share Raul and Ji-Su's story with you! Blood Debt will be available April 13th on Amazon in Kindle Unlimited and on Barnes and Noble .com for paperback and hard cover. Visit the Blood Debt info page to add Blood Debt to your Goodreads TBR and sign up to be notified when it's available!

And if you haven't read Sanguis Syndicate Book 1 - Blood Kiss - be sure to check it out!

Everett – powerful vampire and ruthless crime lord. He doesn’t have time for relationships and has zero interest in taking care of a human in exchange for their blood. Then, one night, he attends an auction where humans are sold as blood pets to wealthy vampires. The moment a young redhead steps on to the stage, Everett is instantly attracted to his beauty. Money is no object and he’ll pay any amount to possess the gorgeous human. And once Everett has Solan alone in his mansion, he plans to woo him, charm him, and finally, seduce him into his bed.

Solan – spoiled and playful prince of the Kane mob family. He entered the blood pet auction as a lark. But things quickly turn serious when he meets the glowing blue gaze of the tall, stern vampire who purchased him. Solan fights his attraction to Everett, determined to complete his contract without any physical or emotional entanglements to his new patron. However, the sensual intimacy of sharing his blood with Everett, of feeling his fangs pierce his neck, makes it near impossible to resist the devastatingly handsome and seductive vampire.

Bound together by a contract, passion slowly begins to burn between the vampire and his pet. But with each sweet caress and every heated kiss, Everett realizes that he feels much more for his pretty human than simple desire. His heart enthralled, he becomes determined to do whatever it takes to make Solan his mate. Will Solan return Everett’s love or will he leave the vampire behind forever once their contract comes to an end?

It's almost time! The next vampire crime lord in the Sanguis Syndicate is about to meet his match. Today, I'm revealing the two lovers who are sharing their story with you, the title, blurb, and cover.

Raul – vampire crime lord respected for his strength and feared for his swift vengeance when crossed. When he hears a delicate laugh across the room, he searches through the crowd until he finds Ji-Su – a gorgeous human with a soft smile. After learning that Ji-Su belongs to someone else, Raul reluctantly lets him go. However, fate intervenes, bringing them together once more. Raul rescues Ji-Su from a dangerous situation and takes him to his secluded ranch to keep him safe. Determined to let Ji-Su heal, Raul resists his craving for the beautiful human’s blood and his perfect body. But he can only hold back his desire for so long. Raul finally gives in, taking everything Ji-Su has to give in a storm of passion.

Ji-Su – sweet, charming, up-and-coming gamer. When things go terribly wrong with his first blood patron, Ji-Su turns to Raul for help. The big, gentle vampire takes care of all his needs and makes him feel safe. He also makes Ji-Su feel something else – pure, deep desire. Ji-Su wants Raul to bite him, drink his blood, and take control of his body. However, when Ji-Su unexpectedly sees a darker side of Raul, he fears that he might once again be in mortal danger.

Raul only wants to protect Ji-Su. Even if that means he must protect the human from his own rough desires and violent life. Although his heart demands he claim Ji-Su as his blood-bonded mate, Raul vows to set him free for his own good. Can Ji-Su move past his fears of the violence of Raul’s mafia world to convince his vampire lover that they belong together forever?

Blood Debt is an M/M vampire romance. It has a big, rough, and gentle vampire, the sweet human male he wants to protect, steamy yet loving blood lust, and a guaranteed Happily Ever After.  

Tags: Paranormal Romance, Vampires, Organized Crime, Slow Burn
Heat Level: High/Explicit
Content: Violence, Blood Drinking

Blood Debt will be available on Thursday, April 13th 2023. The ebook will be on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited. Amazon will also have paperback and discreet/SFW editions. Barnes & Noble.com will have the discreet/SFW paperback and hardcover editions. There will not be a pre-order. However, you can add Blood Debt to your Goodreads To Be Read list and sign up for my newsletter to be notified when it's available by clicking the buttons below.

So, what do you all think? Raul is looking hot on the cover, yeah? Are you looking forward to meeting Ji-Su? Let me know what you think of this gentle giant and cutie pie gamer boy! And make sure you check my blog or social media for more reveals over the next few weeks. Details listed below.

And if you haven't read Sanguis Syndicate 1 - Blood Kiss, you can check it out here:

Although I wish every thing I write would be great, sometimes you write a book that isn't good and isn't fit for release. But what do you do in that situation when you've already got a pre-order for it up? I found out with my recent struggles with Blood Rivals. Watch to see what I decided to do and the other lessons I learned.

Hello again Vampy Readers! This week I have Chapter 3 of Blood Kiss for you. Enjoy!

Everett ate breakfast alone as he always did. When he finished, he went into his home office to work. Normally he would be on his way to Sanguis Tower. However, since he wanted to be here for Solan's arrival, he'd decided to work from home for a few hours. Opening his laptop, he began reviewing reports from the auction. They'd made an outstanding profit. And with the exception of Solan, all of the blood pets had already been successfully set up with their new patrons.
 
He looked up from his computer at a knock on his open office door. It was Hubert, the butler.
 
"Yes?"
 
"A car and an extra van will be going to pick up Mr. Solan at seven. Would you like me to cancel your blood service appointments?"
 
Everett thought about it for a moment before answering. "No. I expect to need time to ease Solan into fulfilling his duty to me. In the meantime, I'll continue to feed from Eric."
 
Hubert responded with the cheek that came from the comfort of a long relationship.
 
"It's a good thing you're known for your patience."
 
"I suppose." He was normally patient. But he suspected he might have trouble with that where Solan was concerned.
 
"And what room do you want him in so I can inform the staff?"
 
"Put him in the second primary suite."
 
"I'll have them freshen it up before his arrival. Anything else?"
 
"No, that's it for now."
 
Hubert nodded and left.
 
Everett looked at the clock. The driver would be leaving to retrieve Solan in about thirty minutes. Since the auction catalogue was already on his desk, he flipped it open to entrant number nine's page. Solan Kane. Everett looked at his picture. The headshot was a good one. Solan had the hint of a smile on his plush pink lips, while his indigo eyes sparkled. That gorgeous head of hair was bright against the black backdrop. And his neck. Smooth skin dusted with freckles drew his eye and made him think of sinking his fangs into the spot just above his shoulder.