Silver Hawk nodded. “Yes, even you, son.”

“Grandfather, help me understand,” Hunter said in a quiet rush.

His grandfather closed his eyes and put a finger to his lips. “Ssssh… Let them show me more.” With his eyes still closed, Silver Hawk used his index finger to scratch out strange symbols in the dirt beside him. “Learn these and take them to her. This is part of the sorcery that calls spirits to make doubles and walk in the darkness. We must claim them back once they’ve been cleaned.”

Silver Hawk opened his eyes with a start and sucked in a deep breath. “We must go back and warn the others. Tonight is just the beginning.”

He couldn’t stay in the back of the ambulance for a second longer. When Sasha had stopped to get out of the cab and bring him the cell phone so that he could talk to his men, he had needed to get away from her, lest he be tempted to bodily carry her with him. whatever shred of rational thought was left made him bolt. The only reason he took the call was to avert a war. If Seung Kwon thought there was foul play, her team would have been slaughtered in retribution, and he couldn’t have that on his head-not loving her the way he did.

On foot, he was free; he could feel the air caress his face, imagining it was still her. He could run hard and fast, even if in human form, to exercise his body, feel his limbs come back to life again. The exertion was necessary. Being pulled away from her body… her willing, supple body… was no less than a silver bullet in his skull. His men, no doubt, saw the insanity in his eyes as he entered Finnegan’s Wake. He let them see that he was all right, and they followed him where he swore he’d never go… to his enemy’s house-the New Orleans’s Werewolves’ Bayou House. It was still owned by the Buchanan Broussard family, the very clan that had tried to assassinate his brother and trick him into marrying their twisted alpha daughter. Rest both their sick souls in peace.

But there was nowhere else to go; supernaturals were in hiding, except the ones that had Vampire protection down here.

He hated himself as he entered the pulsing red lights that sent music through his veins, his men flanking him. It was a weakness to be this out of control, but if he took on a human female in this condition, under a nearly full moon, he’d possibly kill her from internal injuries. Accident or not, a human fatality would be on his head.

Smug smiles of recognition greeted him and his men-they wouldn’t be attacked; they were clients tonight. Ones that would have their pockets turned out and be laughed at the next day for having to patronize this establishment after all. They would know that meant he’d lost his battle for Sasha. Everything about this carved at his pride.

Music strummed through his body, the wolf in him noting every male’s position, size, and threat level. None visible could best him and his men. The stage commanded his focus as agile females made the poles slick with their sweat. Music throbbed in his groin, reminding him of Sasha. Just end the torture.

Yet, it was the principle of the thing; to pay for companionship at the house of one’s enemy was the height of humiliation. Right now, after Sasha, he had no pride left.

“I didn’t think we’d see you in these parts again, sugah,” a tall, thick-thighed brown beauty said, caressing his back suggestively.

He stared at her full mouth, remembering Sasha. She flashed him a little canine to let him know he could play as rough as he wanted to, as rough as he obviously needed it right now. He slid his hand up her throat and she smiled. She bent her knee and pressed her calf to his ass, balancing on a four-inch black stiletto.

“Neither did I. How much for the entire party, to cover me and my men?”

“A thousand dollars a throw… since you boys have a reputation as not being overly friendly with our family. We’re still feeling some losses-Dana was my friend, and her daddy was good people.” She moved her plump mound against his groin in a slow, sultry grind, holding on to his shoulders. “But when it comes to business, we don’t hold a grudge here at Bayou House.”

Shogun stared at the woman who’d dropped her voice to a sensual murmur. Pro or not, she was exquisite. The black velvet bustier was killer, holding up double-Ds and leaving little to the imagination. “I’ve never had to pay four thousand dollars for entertainment in my life.” He looked up from her over-exposed cleavage and smiled at her, reaching into his pocket and withdrawing a knot. “But, under the circumstances, you drive a hard bargain.”

“See, now, that’s why there’s that saying: Never say never, sugah.”

Shogun released a sad chuckle as he watched his men summarily get picked up and led away. She folded his bills into her cleavage and ran her hand across his crotch.

“Darlin’, I might have to give you a discount… because I can truly tell you I’ve never felt anything like this.”

“They’re human, Bear,” Crow said, looking over the rim of his beer. “I don’t care what Woods and Fisher can get away with-they’re way more human than we are and can’t even shift. I don’t think it’s a good idea, man.”

“Why…”

Crow Shadow took a huge gulp of his beer. “Because what if you lose your mind and shift on them mid-”

“That won’t happen,” Bear said in a low rumble, studying the two women that had been flirting with them all night. “You’ve never been with a human female before, have you?”

“Yeah, of course,” Crow Shadow said, hailing the bartender.

“You can’t allow your canines to crest and their skin can’t handle a rake; you’ll seriously injure them,” Bear said with a smile.

“Yeah, yeah, I know, man.”

“Cannot hard roll a human female onto the floor from the height of a bed. You could break a bone, or snap her back… Gotta take your time, understand.” Bear Shadow looked at Crow Shadow hard. “Dab the corners of your mouth. You’re starting to slobber on yourself.”

“Stop fucking with me, man,” Crow Shadow said, frowning when Bear Shadow smiled. “I don’t see why we can’t just go find a wolf strip club, man-or find out where the real ladies are tonight?” Crow Shadow looked around the bar wistfully.

“Because,” Bear Shadow said, his eyes on his target, “Buchanan’s operation is a sure place to get jumped without backup… All the non-working ladies of interest are in hiding until the party. Now, I don’t know about you, but three moons is a long time, brother.”

“You ain’t never lied,” Crow Shadow said, pounding Bear’s fist. “Which one you want, man… the blond or the brunette?”

“Flip a coin, heads it’s the blond, and tails… ummph, ummph, ummph, it’s the brunette.”

“Don’t howl up in here, Bear, man… Human females don’t understand it.”

“Says who?” Bear Shadow looked completely undone. “You obviously haven’t been with one-you just told on yourself, because if you had you’d know that after you’ve gone downtown, or knocked the backboard out, I guarantee you she’ll appreciate the sentiment. Some things cross all cultures.”

“Just let ’er rip, a full-moon howl, just like that-and she won’t call the police?”

Bear laughed. “Not if you’ve earned the right to release the call of the wild. That, I can’t coach you on or help you with-you’re on your own.” Bear Shadow tossed back his Jack Daniels and set the glass down with a wince. “They’re hot; sex scent is at 100 percent panty saturation point. I’m going in. Cover me.”

“Man… how do you do that shit?” Crow Shadow murmured in awe, looking at the women who gave him and Bear Shadow a little wave.

“The blond is sure,” Bear said, standing, his gaze straight ahead. “Her girlfriend is a little skittish, but they both want to run with the big dogs tonight.” Bear shook his head and rubbed the nape of his neck. “So, I’m sending them another round of drinks, we’re going to get these beautiful, delicate creatures whatever they want to eat, and then see if they might be willing to let a couple of big bad wolves huff and puff and blow down their houses.”