Chapter 40

Reclining in a spacious, first-class seat on the flight home, I swirled a glass of champagne while staring out at the orange-tinted cloud tops. Memories of my time with Lisandra floated through me. No, that’s a lie; they raced, like my pulse.

Our last coupling had been even slower, more tender. With me above her, leaning on my arms as my rod eased in and out of that spectacular, arching body, the universe had again disappeared. Amid a spray of sable hair across the pillows, her red-cheeks puffed with each languid stroke. The fierce grip of her hands on my forearms. The gentle swaying of those impressive tits as her sleek olive-hued frame rocked atop the bed.

Oh, and those dark eyes. For the first time, I sensed actual vulnerability. At the merest signal from me, she’d surrender, become mine. It’d be so easy: I could rule their pack. We’d be mated. She was correct; Luka would have no choice but to accept it. At last, I’d find a true home.

“No,” I murmured before tasting the bubbly.

Heart still speeding, I sighed and stared at the glittering flute. The jet roared ever southward.

Towards Mandy.

“I’m human,” I whispered before taking a slower sip. A quiet snort left me. “Well, mostly. And they’re not.”

Which was the truth. As enticing as Lisandra was, she was something else entirely, perhaps more than human. We were attracted to each other, no denying that fact, and that’d never change, but there was no future. I was not of their kind.

“What am I?” I murmured over the rim of the slender glass as we skimmed a wispy puff of cloud.

Because Lisandra’s words echoed in my mind. As I’d led her from the hotel, she’d been quiet. When the park bench came into view, with her husband standing beside it, the sable-clad figure had moved closer to me.

“You are changed, Iakovos,” she’d whispered.

“Is that good or bad?”

“Good, I think.” A soft sigh had left her, followed by a chuckle. “Now I desire you even more.”

While staring across the clouds from the jet at the rising sun, I gulped. Because that change was a result of Mandy. My alluring neighbor had brought out so much in me. After Debbie, I’d been a shell.

“Retired?” I scoffed. “No such fucking thing, idiot.”

With a laugh, I raised the shimmery glass in salute to the gods. Their ageless minion would play their game. Of course, I would. Had no choice. Nor did any of us. The gleam in Lisandra’s eyes as she left me for her husband’s waiting embrace said as much. We’d meet again and again. Maybe one day I’d take her for my very own ... or not.

“But I’m no doggie,” I grumbled, then downed the rest of the champagne in a single gulp. Brows knitted, I fixed my gaze on the brightening sky. “And you know it.”

The next morning, after stepping onto the front porch, I sucked in the chilly pre-dawn air with a grin. It faded at approaching footsteps. Then returned as Mandy appeared from the gloom. With dark hair gathered in a high ponytail and in a white-striped, red tracksuit, she wore a beaming smile. Her strides were purposeful, and as my head tilted, my eyebrows arched.