The Guardian by Sara Anderson Page B

for a while. He had many
friends, and while he never lacked for someone to talk to, or fuck, he yearned
for a mate. Perhaps it was time. “I will let her decide how she wants to
change. I will not force her to mate.”
    Cole snorted. “Of course you won’t, even though you
can use your authority to just claim her. Shifter law is clear with soul
bonds.”
    “Thank you, Cole.” Michael glanced over at him. Cole
would if he thought he could get away with it, like with Blair. If he got
enough leverage he would not give her a choice. He had allowed foolish fears
cloud his judgment, and made a huge mistake. Now Blair’s heart was broken, and
she wouldn’t allow him near her. Cole had asked Michael to give her to him, but
there was nothing he could do. While Blair was sassy, bull-headed, and had her
own way of doing things, she never broke shifter law. He had no reason to put
her under his authority.
    Cole shrugged. “Just trying to help make sure you
don’t make my mistake.” He glanced at Cassie as she slept in his arms.
      Michael looked
up. “So if you had it to do over you would have forced a mating bond on Blair?”
    “Maybe. She is a stubborn fox
who refuses to listen to me.” Cole sighed and looked at a painting. “You should
have killed him. He has been a nuisance for too long.”
    Michael allowed Cole to change the subject without
comment. “I agree, but Ilithyia still hopes he will
come around. Death is only used as a last resort.”
    Cole shook his head. “He killed a woman tonight.”
    Michael closed his eyes. Michael was aware of the
woman that was dead. He mourned her passing and knew Cassie would be dealing
with her own grief. Lucas had not only killed the other young woman, he had changed
Cassie’s life forever. Had he been wrong to punish him with another
banishment ? He hoped not, but time would be the judge of that.
       

Chapter Five
     
    Lucas paced in the cabin. His prey had escaped him
from.   He had sensed the essence in the
female when he bit her. In that moment his plan had changed from killing her to
claiming her as his own. He could nearly taste the innocence on her as he bit
down. She would not stay that way though. He would make sure he molded her into
the perfect companion. It would be fun to watch her descent into darkness, and
thrilling to know he had led the way for her trip to hell. He had not
transmitted much of his essence before that fucker, Michael, had come along.
    Thinking about the asshole reminded him he needed to
get out of here before he came back. He stormed out of the cabin and headed
towards town. Thanks to that fucking guardian he could not go into town, but he
could watch from the edges. Michael Sinclair was the bane of his existence. Lucas
used to get along with him just fine until he dared to judge him. Michael
thought he was so superior for being able to remain aloof. Lucas hoped to have
the opportunity to bring Michael down to his level. Let’s see how aloof the bastard is when he loses everything.
    Michael had turned traitor on him and decided he was
in the wrong for exterminating the vermin infesting his territory. He had never
harmed a single human before that; he had never wanted to turn humans into lab
experiments. Humans had done it, and when he decided humans needed to be
eradicated. Michael came in where he had no business and judged him. The damn
idealistic bastard had taken everything from him. Stupid Goddess-damned fucker. Lucas
would find a way to hurt him as much as he hurt right now. He kicked the door
down, shifted and loped off towards town. He would not be able to walk through
town like he had earlier in the week now that he was banished. He would wait
and watch to find a weakness to exploit with Michael. He would show him how
much it hurt when those who should have your back turned traitor.
    Lucas made it to the town surprisingly fast and
prowled around the edges of town. His wolf was able to detect the scents of
others better than his