Savage Craving: A Shifting Destinies Lion Shifter Romance (Lion Hearts Book 4) Read online

  The protective gesture was as plain as day, the same as the loving stroke in the bar.

  The line between him and the others turned into a gulf. They had each other. Cubs followed matings, that was just the way of things. Full, complete lives were ahead of them.

  He had no one.

  Seth cleared his throat. He needed a drink. Privately. The group outing was nice, but he needed to lick his wounds where no one could see just how fucked and different he was.

  An exit plan. He needed an exit plan. Not just for the night, but for all the years he had remaining on the planet.

  Trouble stalked him. Trouble waited in the shadows. He didn’t want to track bullshit all over their perfect fucking lives.

  Seth met Trent’s eyes. “I have it handled. You have my word. None of yours will be bothered again.”

  He dropped his gaze to the alpha’s hand on his mate’s belly for a brief second, then lifted them again. Trent dipped his chin in acknowledgment.

  Hailey stiffened. “You knew?” She whirled around and passed a glare over the others. “You all knew?”

  Seth winced at the ducked looks and recoiled when furious eyes snapped back to him. Shit. He hadn’t meant to give up anyone’s secrets. He’d only wanted to keep the pride—current, or growing—safe.

  Another reason to get gone. He didn’t know how to do the family thing.

  “There was a slight change in your scent,” Sage said delicately.

  “And you didn’t say anything, so we didn’t want to make any trouble,” Kyla added.

  Colette shrugged. “Your cub, your announcement.”

  “What a complete and total invasion of privacy,” Hailey groused, picking up steam as she went. “I’m going to buy nose plugs, and I expect you all to wear them. This scenting thing has gotten out of hand.”

  "Watch out, everyone." A shit-stirring grin broke Trent's face in half. "Her hormones are already acting up."

  Hailey made a noise somewhere between a hiss and a growl. She spun back around, planted her hands on her hips, and glared at her mate. “You are sorely mistaken if you think I won’t shoot you full of sedatives and leave your ass on the side of the road to walk home.” Her focus switched to the rest of the pride. “And kiss your enchilada dinners goodbye.”

  And just like that, they were back to good-natured bickering.

  An odd sense of relief and confusion rattled in Seth’s head. Or maybe those were his dislodged brains trying to seep out of his ears. He pressed gentle fingers to his cheeks and over his nose. Nothing broken. Nothing to be set. Just days of healing ahead.

  Fucking Zeke and all the rest. He meant what he promised Trent, though. He wouldn’t let his problems fall on Crowley shoulders.

  Dash turned as the group started making their way back into the bar. “Hey, dumbass, you coming?”

  One more night. Just a few more hours pretending he could fit in. Seth flicked his brother off while ignoring the aches and pains screaming through his body.

  He’d leave in the morning.

  Chapter 2

  BZZZT.

  Lilah McKenna jumped as the barred door slammed shut behind her, then jumped again at the briefcase that brushed against her leg. Nothing. It was nothing. She’d been smacked harder and crowded closer in the elevators at the law firm. An accidental bump as she made her way through Shiftermax security wasn’t anything out of the ordinary.

  Except for the whole shifter prison thing, of course.

  Lilah tightened her hands into fists to hide their shaking. She'd come too far to disappoint her boss. Besides, she'd already made it through the front doors and past the first security station. Her name was printed in the visitor's log. She'd walked through a metal detector—twice—had a wand waved over her, and survived a pat-down. She could do this. She would do this.

  Dragging down a deep breath, she lifted her eyes. On the other side of the wired safety glass, a guard quickly averted his gaze.

  Well, shit. So much for keeping her anxiety to herself.

  “Step this way,” their escort ordered gruffly.

  A second buzz echoed in the tight, windowless hallway and the barred door in front of them slid open. Her heels clicked against the floor with every step, sounding loud over the harder thunks of the guard’s boots and the softer whispers of Cedric’s loafers.

  They passed the door leading into the security room, then a storage closet and other offices. A set of double doors at the end of the hall swung open before their escort led them into another claustrophobic hallway. Tables and chairs sat waiting for the brief reunions between prisoners and their loved ones, but the only people inside were of the same armed variety as the guard marching in front of her and Cedric.

  “Did something happen?” Lilah asked, tilting her head toward the empty visiting room. Unease slithered down her spine even after the doors swung shut again.

  “What?” The guard shot her a look, then glanced toward the doors. “There was an incident earlier. We canceled visitations for the rest of the day,” he added impatiently.

  Lilah opened her mouth to pepper the guard with more questions, but the whats and hows and whens died when he yanked open a door as unclearly marked as the others and ushered them inside.

  Windowless, like the hallways, the only furniture inside was a long table and uncomfortable chairs tucked underneath. The ring protruding from the center killed any pretense of a simple chat between friends in a glum little room. The client’s restraints would be secured there as a safety precaution.

  “He’s been notified of your arrival. Should be here soon,” the guard said, then shut them inside.

  Lilah hurried forward and set her tote bag next to a chair. Her hands still shook as she pulled out a pad of paper and pen to take notes and record any actions she’d need to take once she was back in the office.

  “First time?” Cedric asked.

  Lilah jumped, the sudden break in the silence shocking her nerves. She swallowed hard and aligned her pen over the pad of paper, then pressed her hands firmly over top. "It's a little more intense than the facilities I'm used to visiting," she admitted.

  “You have nothing to worry about. We’re perfectly safe.”

  She wasn’t so sure about that. She’d learned long before they went public that shifters were capable of terrible, horrible things. Against all the power of claws and fangs, what chance did a human stand? She didn’t have much faith in bars and silver collars and weapons pointed in their direction.

  Still, she offered Cedric a small smile. He was just trying to make her feel better, which would help her focus on the task at hand. That he did it with kind words and soft eyes was appreciated, too.

  Of all the partners at Grimly, Glib, and Boring—as she’d overheard the mailroom clerks call Greeley, Glynn, and Bering—she liked Cedric the most. He was new to the team and brought the expertise needed to expand the firm’s services.

  Which was how she found herself fighting the urge to fidget in a small room reserved for attorney visits. A perfect storm of illness, family emergency, and vacation days took her off her usual responsibilities as a paralegal for the juvenile division and reassigned her to the adult defense team. The move wasn’t one she’d particularly wanted or enjoyed. Helping kids get their lives back on track felt good. Assisting in the defense of shifters—

  Her breath caught in her throat as the door swung open once again to let Jasper Crowley saunter inside.

  Jasper swept impassive green eyes over the little room. Tall and lean, his baggy orange jumpsuit did little to hide a domineering presence. Scars running down the side of his face and jaw added an extra dose of menace he didn’t need.

  He was a striking man. He was also the mastermind behind the attempted attacks on Supernatural Enforcement Agency offices, and Greeley, Glynn, and Bering’s highest profile client.

  The guard at his back prodded him forward, then waited while he settled in across the table. Metal jangled as the shackles around his wrist were secured
to the ring, all while the shifter stared straight ahead. Only then did the guard retreat, taking up a position with his back to the door.

  “I’d like to speak with my client alone,” Cedric said in a cool tone.

  The guard exchanged a brief look with Jasper, then grimaced. “That won’t be possible.”

  “It’s fine,” Jasper said over Cedric’s next objection. “We shouldn’t expect anything else for animals, should we?” He turned cold eyes on Lilah. “My, my, your heart is beating as fast as a hummingbird’s. Do I make you nervous, little bird?”

  Lilah sat back. A slight gesture from Cedric kept her from fleeing entirely. Safe, he said. She couldn’t be maimed or injured when the shifter was under lock and key. She was there to do a job. Personal feelings had nothing to do with performing her duties.

  Fighting against the tidal wave of fear cresting inside her, she reached for her pen. Her knuckles turned white under the force of her grip, but she put tip to paper and stayed in her seat.

  Cedric dove right in. “As we near the date of your trial—”

  Jasper cut Cedric off with a jangle of chains and a raised hand. “I will be changing my plea. Not guilty doesn’t sit right with me.”

  “I’m sorry,” Cedric said after a beat. “I want to be clear. You want to plead guilty on all charges?”

  Jasper leaned back and folded his hands over his stomach. “I do not recognize your laws,” he drawled. “I will not be judged by my inferiors.”

  A shiver worked down Lilah’s spine. She’d heard similar words before. Taunts about her unworthiness and her weak human body. The message had been the same. Humans and shifters didn’t mix.

  And yet, there she was, seated across from one. All the years of therapy and being told she was crazy, that no such man-and-beast combination existed, all the hurts and feelings of betrayal, all of it had been for nothing. Shifters existed.

  They’d ruined her life.

  Cedric shook his head. “I have to tell you, Mr. Crowley, declaring yourself a sovereign citizen doesn’t end well. Regardless of your recognition, this trial is happening—”

  “Ah.” Jasper flashed a tight smile. “I fear you misunderstand me. When I say I will not be judged by my inferiors, I mean I will not even allow them in my presence. I won’t be attending any part of this circus.”

  “Then what—”

  Crack.

  Lilah jumped out of her chair as Cedric slumped against the table. Her shoulders hit the wall, and she slid down to the ground, her eyes locked on his lifeless face. The guard reached past the twisted, broken neck of the man she respected and slid a key into the shackles of the creature behind his death.

  Her chest tightened, and she struggled to breathe. A roar sounded in her ears, drowning out everything else. She could see mouths moving, but she couldn’t hear a damn word they said. Black fluttered at the edge of her vision. She wanted to embrace it and let herself tumble down the hole it offered.

  Too much. It was all too much.

  The scent of dirt filled her nose, transporting her to another time. Another place. Other faces flashed through her mind as panic dumped into her veins. She wanted to run, but they’d catch her. Hide, and they’d find her.

  She squeezed her eyes closed, but that only forced the past to play out in full color on the back of her lids.

  Shifters were dangerous. Vicious. Deadly. There was no escape when they set their sights on a person. She’d learned that lesson well when she faced furred attackers as a teenager.

  This time, no one was coming to save her.

  No. She balled her hands into fists and dug her nails into her palms. Falling apart wasn’t an option. Tears and fears waited in her bed. She needed to survive to get there.

  “What about this one?” the guard asked.

  Lilah grabbed hold of herself with a deep, shaky breath. She snapped her eyes open to see Jasper stalk across the room.

  He’d changed out of the jumpsuit and collar. Her skin crawled to see him wearing Cedric’s clothing.

  “Two entered the room. Two need to leave. I won’t have a stray camera give us away.” He snapped his fingers and pointed for her tote bag, then rummaged around inside for her wallet. A mocking smile spread over his face as he glanced at her license. “You won’t do anything stupid, will you, Lilah McKenna? I’d hate to need to pay 1612 Sycamore Circle, Unit 21 a visit.”

  Lilah fought through a fresh wave of panic. He knew where she lived. Holy hell, she could never go back there. All the therapy and security in the world couldn’t convince her those walls were safe. She’d already left one town because the fear of danger was too much. She needed another planet as her escape.

  If she survived.

  Smart. She had to be smart with a man who could break her like a toy. Desperate to live, to breathe, she shook her head.

  Lilah yelped as Jasper hauled her to her feet. She stumbled away from him, only to bump into the guard. She whirled again, and more flashes of her past tried to catch up with her.

  Back and forth, right and left. Just when they gave her an opening to run, another big, hairy body snapped her back into place.

  “What’s the matter, girlie? You never seen a bear before?”

  Lilah swallowed back the scream that threatened to claw its way out of her throat. Wordlessly, palms slick, she took the tote bag the guard shoved at her while Jasper armed himself with Cedric’s briefcase.

  “Let’s go,” Jasper snarled.

  Three others waited in the hall outside. Lilah wobbled away from Jasper and his murderous guard, a cry for help bursting on her tongue.

  Her relief at a rescue died as soon as she spotted the pool of blood spreading from under a door behind them.

  “Is it done?” Jasper asked.

  “Our people are in place and waiting for the signal.”

  “Good.” Jasper nodded. “I don’t want to spend a minute extra in this place.”

  Lilah’s ears buzzed. The red puddle rolled closer to the back of one guard’s boots, then parted around his heel.

  Movement on the edge of her vision couldn’t pull her attention from the slow spread. Her stomach twisted and turned. Bile soured her tongue. Cedric. Holy hell. Others, too.

  Guards taking orders from the inmates, murder in the halls. What in the damn hell had she fallen into?

  Booms rumbled in the distance and rocked through the facility. Lilah lifted wide eyes as her heart thundered in her chest.

  Silence bled into one heartbeat, then another.

  Roars billowed into the air from all sides, loud enough and from so many throats that she wanted to cover her ears with her hands and retreat into her fear. No one was coming to save her. There was no surviving an entire prison of shifters.

  The overhead lights died as emergency red flashed up and down the hall. Sirens blared, but even that didn’t cover the roars of the animals attempting to break free.

  “Ready?” someone asked.

  At her captor’s tight nod, they prodded Lilah forward. Two guards took up positions in the front while the other two fell in behind, leaving her sandwiched in the middle with Jasper.

  Left. Right. Left again. She quickly lost her way in the rabbit warren of halls and crossings. Wherever they were taking her, it was definitely not the way she’d entered the prison.

  Two enormous bodies darted in front of them, drawing her up short. One of Jasper’s guard lunged ahead and swung the butt of his rifle against the back of one fighter. The other received a sharp kick.

  “Keep moving,” Jasper ordered even before they were both subdued.

  Lilah hurried forward, not wanting to test his patience.

  A hint of smoke tickled her nose, then grew and grew. The howls and roars of other inmates, too, rose up louder than before. More bodies rushed through crossings, some clad in jumpsuits and others in the black riot gear of the guards.

  A hand caught her upper arm and kept her moving forward the first time a massive wolf streaked in front of their gr
oup. The beast paused and lifted a lip in a snarl, but the matching noise from Jasper sent him scurrying on his way.

  One final turn brought them into a large, smoke-filled cafeteria. Trash cans were engulfed with flames, with orange tongues flicking against the walls. Lilah covered her mouth and nose with her hand as the group strode straight through the kitchens, ignoring the appliances burning there, too.

  Then, blessedly, she was shoved through a door and out into fresh air.

  Lilah stumbled to a stop and blinked. No, the smoke hadn’t killed her brain. There was a giant hole where the perimeter wall had once stood.

  They were hardly the first arrivals, but Jasper was expected. Her eyes widened when she recognized some of the faces. Ira Jacobson, a top recruiter for the Crowley Consortium and Jasper’s second. Roland Levine, alpha of his own pride and one of Jasper’s right-hand men. It was like staring at a meeting of the SEA’s Most Wanted.

  On the other side of the rubble, an SUV waited with open doors.

  “A human?” Roland sneered once they were clear of the walls.

  “A necessity.” Jasper flicked his eyes over her. “She served her purpose. Get rid of her.”

  Shit. Shit, shit, shit.

  Lilah backed away from the deadly predators eyeing her like their next meal. Every cell in her body screamed to run as fast as she could. The primal part of her brain didn’t care which direction; they’d catch her no matter how fast her legs pumped. The small sliver that wanted to live forced her to look everywhere for a hint of escape.

  Gunfire cracked over her head. Someone inside the SUV cursed, then flung himself out the other door to return fire.

  The lions snarled and lunged for her, but she spun away. She kicked off her heels and ran along the perimeter wall in the opposite direction of the SUV. Behind her, snarls turned to shouts and a peeling of wheels, all while more shots pitted the wall and ground in her wake.

  Above, the guard who’d taken the shot, slumped over the edge of the tower.

  Lilah barreled around a corner and nearly sobbed when she spotted another SUV zooming in her direction with the SEA logo blazoned over the hood. The vehicle slammed to a stop and agents poured out the doors, weapons drawn.