“Dee, let’s go check in first then-"

  WHACK

  Pain erupted above her right ear, and the warmth of blood trickled down her neck. Next to Dee's feet the rock landed with solid thud.

  “What? What the fuck!” Wriggling free Khalia leapt from his grasp. They directed their attention to a group of four outside the lanterns light. A women positioned in front of the other, arm still in prime throwing form.

  “What the fuck you scallywag ass bitch!”

  “Shoul’ say the same thang ya zooer rat! Don't touch ma man again!” The woman’s accent sounded like grated cheese to Khalia but there was a few words she did catch.

  “Your man!” The interrupted pair screamed in unison. Khalia’s mouth fell open and Dee grimaced, tucking his dick back in his pants before relinquishing control. Seeing the familiar yellow gave mild relief.

  Stepping out the shadows Khalia frowned when the young woman looked her up and down. Doing the same she took note of her satin skin, doe eyes, and petite frame. A high ponytail did nothing to halt the flow of her hair as it passed her ass. By her bold stance, she deemed her a no-nonsense type woman. No shoes one her feet, only dirty denim Levi shorts and a pink cross neck halter top. Squinting, Khalia guessed she's had to be 20. She's had a few inches over her but that never mattered in a squabble. Jutting out her hip, the woman glared fire into her soul.

  “Yes, ma man! My Fated!”

  Khalia never realized how fast she could dry up, spinning her gaze on Diem she clocked the utter surprise.

  “She's your Fated?”

  ~*~*~

  “That crock of shit is lying! Us lay with a reptile? Insulting!”

  Diems eye twitched at the volume of Dee's voice. He was right though, she was lying. Diem looked back to Khalia, noticing the tension in her jaw, he frowned. Her skin was flush with lust and the confusion in her eyes all but angered him. Turning back towards the group, his bones began to crack and fur covered his ears, rapidly encroaching over his neck. He noted the audible gasp around him as he released power into the world.

  “What games are you playing gator?”

  She smiled deviously opening her mouth to speak but cut short by the blast of a shotgun. Everyone recoiled and turned towards the sound. Growling, his eyes fell on a short dark-skinned elderly woman. The shotgun she had looked heavy in her frail arms. A look of annoyance was plastered across her face. He took note of her large pointed ears and red eyes that reflected the dim moonlight.

  This bayou is full of demons.

  “I’ve warned you Eloise! Quit swindling my guest! I let it slid once but keep it up and I will turn yall in!”

  “Oh come on now Miss Judith. Ya know we would never take it that far.” Eloise rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet, a smug look decorated her face as she held Diem’s fiery gaze.

  “I don’t give a damn if you take it an inch. Don’t do it on my property! You hear me?” Judith cocked the shotgun as the rest of the group stepped in the lamp light.

  Goosebumps travelled Diems neck as one male in particular stepped forward in front of Eloise. His scent was Kirma, Lycan mix, and his shit-stained eyes seemed to have found Khalia. He gave them both a mocking bow.

  “Our apologies. It’s hard out here for our kind so we do the best we can to get by. The name is Brenton. We don’t normally see other outsider Kirmas here.”

  Brenton extended a hand, that Diem quickly smacked out if Khalias reach. Watching her relax sent a spike of pleasure through him.

  “So you ruin newlyweds with lies and hope to catch a sucker?”

  “You’d be amazed at how many don't know the feeling of a Fated. Theyre quick to empty their pockets to never see us again. you two are newlyweds?”

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  Brenton leaned to the side, peeking at her again. Diem narrowed his gaze, not quite sure why felt the need shield her from them. They matched in build and Brenton had a few inches over him. His skin matched that of Eloise's and he dressed down the same. Sporting some worn baggy jeans and a mud stained undershirt.

  Reaching behind him, Diem found Khalias hand and pulled her into his chest, ignoring her perplexed stare.

  “Yes and if you don't mind we're late checking in.”

  “Oh! Yall must be my last guests! Come on nao! Get your bags I’ll show you to ya room and you lot better get going! I mean it Brenton, Eloise.”

  She shook her shotgun in their direction before heading back up the lit path.

  “Yes Miss Judith.” Eloise spoke curtly, sizing Diem up one last time before turning away.

  “Let me know when you tire of the mutt.”

  Curling his lip he squeezed Khalias hand. Brenton gave them a smile.

  “Don’t mind her, she takes her role too seriously. Any Kirma and their…partner that shows up, are always welcome near Bathale. I’ll be seeing you Miss….?”

  Diem watched Khalia’s mouth open and a surge of panic rose at the thought of her giving this heathen her name.

  “Miss....I’ll beat your fucking ass if you or your bitch try me again. I promise you, especially that swamp whore. Have a good night you trogledyte.”

  Diem sighed relief when she grabbed his wrist and yanked him towards the grand house. His ears twitched with annoyance at the chortle from the other man.

  ~*~*~*~*

  “Newlyweds?” Scoffing, he dabbed softly at her cut with an alcohol pad. His hand cupped her chin gently as he played doctor. The steady sounds of wildlife filtered in through their open window.

  “Rather brother and sister? Surprise them with a bit of incest? Besides, someone wasn’t too vocal out there.”

  “That stings. I got attacked and you got gawked at. Why would I mince words with people like that? Also, brother, sister? Really?”

  He chuckled as she swatted his hand away. His gaze lingering a bit too long on the curves of her waist as she gave a full body yawn. Reaching the king bed, she plopped down face first into the pillows. The woman Judith was a kind one and she thanked them for disclosing their kind.

  “It always helps with the room setup. A happy guest is what we strive for.”

  She had led them to the final room. A corner room, separated from the rest of the house by hallways.

  Khalia’s action sent out a breeze of citrus and jasmine through the room. If only she knew she smelled as sweet as she looked.

  "The citrus is new. Like lemons and tangerines? There’s something else there."

  “New body wash?”

  “Yea, Caleesi bought it for me. She got tired of me smelling like you.”

  Peeking over her shoulder, she gave him a sleepy grin. For a moment, Diem forgot what they were here for. His mind suddenly clouded by the glowing individual in the purple t-shirt dress. Brown short shorts gave hint of the treasure it concealed.

  “Don’t we need rings to make this more convincing?”

  She fiddled with her phone, squinting at the bright light. He took a step. Then another. Until his knees collided with the mattress.

  “I can find other convincing ways.”

  The sight of her body tensing when he lowered himself on top of her sent a chill down his spine. Lowering his head, he nuzzled her ear.

  “Should we pick up where we left off?”

  Going to reply Khalia, yawned before cursing softly, making him laugh.

  “We’ll find the right time.”

  “Now is the right time. I wont pass out. Unless that’s what you’re into. This would be the perfect time to experiment with that one.”

  Diem grimaced, quirking a brow while going through 5 stages of grief.

  “I prefer my women awake, you freak.”

  Climbing off of her he snatched the pillow she was cuddling, smirking a her sleepy curses. Opening the balcony door he inhaled the warm damp air.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Quick run and look around. Might look for an Alpha. Make sure we don’t get on any shit list for the time we’re here. I have a suspicion that won’t be the last time we run into that group of Kirmas. It’ll be good to have the basics of who’s in charge around here. We’ll head into Bathale around noon. Mavi said Beatrice works at – and she’s asleep.”

  Scoffing, Diem rolled his eyes, heading back towards the bed. Hesitantly he began stripping his clothing, taking in the relaxed rise and fall of her chest. The bonnet she wore clung on for dear life as her hair busted through. The square band-aids were fresh, and he could only make out the tail ends of her scars. From her parted lips, light snores escaped. Bringing his hands up he glided it slowly down the length of her arm.

  “You’re being goddamn unsettling. You should have released me when we got to the room."

  “And subject her to your methods of consoling?”

  “I’ve never met a woman who didn’t enjoy my methods.”

  “Demon women Dee, not human.”

  “She’s a Kirma, not human. She survived having sex with the previous Alpha. I’m sure sex with us will be just the same.”

  “He wasn’t her Alpha. He wasn’t fit to be an Alpha. Don’t compare us to him.”

  Pulling his hand away he sighed as lines creased his face. Heavy eyes looked to her hands, her phone nestled between them. The screen was dimmed but he made out the name and looked at the long paragraph she had yet to send.

  “I’ve accepted the past for what it was and will remain. I’ve suffered and I made Theo suffer. Vengeance is completed. Accept it and lets move on. Life will return to normal.”

  "Don’t be arrogant. This whole situation is just odd. My intuition has never been wrong."

  “You’re the arrogant one.”

  Removing her phone from her hands, Diem set it on the cloth covered nightstand.

  BZZZZZZ BZZZ BZZZZZ

  The screen came aglow as the rectangle danced. Picking it up he inhaled sharply. Blue eyes stared back and him and the bright smile of the blonde woman felt warm, even for a contact photo. In bold words her name flashed as he glanced between Khalia and it. Dragging his thumb across the green icon he brought it up to his ear.

  “…Khalia?”