I pushed through the dimly lit bar, making my way pass a row of merged bodies. The club was thick with it's familiar smell of sweat, buzz and alcohol.

Ted was waiting at our usual spot. The same spot I found him two years ago. The lad crossed burly arms behind his back, feet tapping impatiently on the floor betrayed his restlessness.

He was addicted to me. I sighed, I should probably stop feeding off him but he was a good option. He knew I had an untamed nature  but never breathed a word about it. It was the best arrangement for me. I craved the discretion and his blood.

A female lycan that feeds? Yeah. Something was wrong with me. Only the males are known to live off blood, but the moment I go too long without feeding, my suppressed beast would rage with uncontrolled violence, threatening to blow me up like a storm.

I took his arm and his wide doe eyes lit with unconcealed joy when he saw me.

"Angel," he breathed.

I scoffed, if you knew what I was you would take off in the opposite way.

Leading him to a corner shielded from view, I sank my teeth into his.

His blood filled my mouth, nothing special but the prickling in my veins subsided, the pressure in my chest receded.

Ted let out a groan, his hips rocking into mine. Sometimes I help him get off and on rare occasions I let him get me off but not today. I was in a crappy mood so I held him off, taking long pulls.

I stiffened at movement from the corner of my eyes. I played cool till they moved close. Then I turned around, shoving Ted behind me.

Two men, a brown and dark haired, stepped up on both sides, caging me up.

"Blood sucker," one growled.

Ted shuffled out to a corner, fiddling with his fingers.

I arched a brow. "Ted?"

"I'm sorry," he cried. "They followed me, they wanted to know if I was doing drugs."

Undeniable, he acted like a fucking addict.

"What do you want?" I asked the men, wiping off the blood trickling down my lips.

The dark haired grinned, showing off brown teeth. "You vamps have a lot of money. We want out of it."

"What?" Ted screeched. "You said you wanted her to make you feel as good as she made me."

Idiot.

"Shut up." The brown haired yelled, brandishing his handgun in my face. "Fast, we don't have all day."

"Run along," I said quietly. "And I'll excuse this."

"You think we are scared of you?" The brown haired lunged and I didn't budge.

His fist hit me squarely in the midsection. I felt a burst of pain. It felt good.

When he came at me again, i fell on my knees, pretending to be hurt. The moment he touched me, I grabbed his legs, sweeping him off his feet and barreling him into the wall. He collapsed with a thud.

I stood to the feel of the gun pressed into my head.

"Devil from the pit of hell," the man cursed.

I turned to face him, the gun resting right at my temple. "Run off or I swear I will chew your flesh together with every piece of your bone."

Whatever he saw in my eyes made him shudder. Gun still pointed at me, he scurried backwards till he disappeared out of sight.

My hunger was satiated but I somehow headed out of the club feeling way worse than when I came in.

I needed an urgent solution to my edginess apart from killing, feeding and letting out my blood.

"Hey," Ted ran after me. He didn't know my name.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean.."

I shot him a cold glance and he trailed off.

"I may call you," I said, walking away.

I rounded a few blocks to my apartment and stopped short. "Crap," I took a shuddering breath. "Not today."

I winced as I stepped in. Music blared from the sound system. Every corner of my living room had a girl backed into the corner by some guy, swaying madly to the music, rocking and fondling each other.

The empty bottles and filled ashtrays scattered around showed that they'd been at it for long.

Iris met me at the doorway. "Xanda," my roommate screamed over the loud music. "We having a party." She looked so beautiful and happy in a shorts and halter top. "They are...colleagues from work," she slurred and rounded wide innocent eyes to me "You don't mind right?"

Like I could hurt her feelings when she looked at me that way. I shrugged. "What's the occasion?"

"Who needs a reason to party on a Friday. Join us?"

"No, thanks. I have someplace to be," I lied, moving pass the chaos into the quiet of my room.

Quickly I shred off my clothes and got into the tub. The loud music drove me insane. What would a night with someone that could match my energy look like?

Suddenly I knew where I wanted to be.

I opened my closet which was filled with dark and neutral colors and dressed quickly.

****************

"Seen nothing you like?" I asked Martin who watched the stage with a slight disinterest.

He downed a glass of tequila. "The humans do not get it to rise," he said, cupping his crotch.

I threw back my head and laughed. "I refuse to believe that." Although I knew it was true. I've never seen my friend with a human female. Since we arrived the club his eye had taken a piercing look and I knew what he was searching for.

"The humans have a wild streak too, you know," I told him.

He raised a brow. "How would you know that?"

I tipped my chin at Cole. He had ventured off to the opposite table immediately we arrived. The two girls sitting with him were now laughing and putting their hands over him provocatively.

"Nah," Martin shook his head. "Cole's the playboy. How would I explain it when I'm nutting and my claws spring out? Or my face morphs?"

I shrugged. "Any human with the guts to walk into the onyx nightclub would know what they are getting into." I nodded my head when he filled my glass. "Our existence isn't much a secret to the human race as it once was."

I tipped the glass to my mouth, and the liquid burned my throat.

"Well, today's about you. Go get laid," Martin shot at me.

"Seen nothing I like too," I confessed.

I tipped my hand to the barman for another bottle and froze, my muscles locking in place.

Martin was saying something but I couldn't make it out.

There at the bar was the most stunning beauty I had ever set my eyes on.

With a structured leather pants that showcased a great pair of legs, fitted black long sleeved top that housed perky boobs and a fuck me riding boots, she stood like she had no care in the world.

Gods, she looked like sex.

"Zephryy?" My friend called my attention. "Is something wrong?"

I glanced at him. "I think I just found something I really like," my voice turned low. "Just by the bar, dressed in black."

His eye widened and he turned slowly.

"Wheeew," Martin whistled. "She's hot but looks like trouble. Heck, she looks like run-as-far-as-you-can-away-from-me."

When I turned back to look at her, a pair of blue eyes stared straight at me. My dick twitched in my pants.

I raised my glass at her and stood.

"Excuse me," I told Martin, leaving our table.

Whatever Martin said, I didn't catch. I was too focused on the stunner before me.

I approached her and she didn't tear her gaze. Gods, if she knew what that action was doing to me.

"Beautiful," I purred. "I am Zephryy," I offered my hand because she didn't look like the kind of female whose hand you just take and kiss.

She took it, clasping soft palms in mine in a surprising firm grip. "Call me Lily."

Fuck, her voice was like velvet silk. It slid over me, caressing my skin. I was so hard I could drive a nail.

Lily. It didn't fit her. I just knew it wasn't her name.

"What are you drinking?" I signaled at her glass, buying time to soothe my raging hormones.

"Dark rum."

"Ahh, a woman after my heart."

"Do you want to fuck me?"

I coughed, caught unaware by the question. "Come again?"

"You heard me."

Every drop of blood in my body headed south.

Hell yeah, the night just took a good turn.

There was a stark difference between the Onyx nightclub and the club where I met with Ted.

From the polished leather seats, the mixed scent of expensive tobacco and high end perfume to the heavy drapery covering the stage where strippers whined and shook their assets.

I sat close to the bar, watching the bartender mix and serve drinks. I felt eyes boring into me and I glanced up.

A gorgeous man sitting at the far corner tipped his glass at me.

I reared back, surprised at the ferocity with which he watched me.

Fucking hell, maybe he was what my stone cold body needed for the night.

When he stood, a gasp escaped my lips. He was taller than I expected. Casually dressed in jeans and a plain t-shirt, he carried himself with a confidence that was far from simple.

I saw how the human girls pined and flaunted for his attention as he approached. But he never tore his gaze off me.

Good. I like. Extra points for him.

I sucked in a harsh breath when he reached me.

The man was gorgeous. There was no other word for it.

Muscular arms, chiseled jaw and gray orb eyes that gave way to what he was. A lycan.

I had an unspoken rule to never have anything to do with our kind. The last time i bedded a lycan, he looked at me like I had a contagious illness when he learned I was a rogue. So I stayed away as much as possible.

But I could twist my rules for today.

Just for tonight.

Beautiful," his deep rumbly voice washed over me. "I am Zephryy."

The name suited him.

He extended his hands and I took it. A tingle of electricity went through me. Surprised, I started to jerk back my hand but he held me firmly. "Call me Lily," I told him.

A single arch of his eyebrow indicated that he didn't believe that was my name. But he did not press.

Good, the guy had brains to go with the fine face. He would be a good lay.

I tapped my feet impatiently when he started to make small talk. "Do you want to fuck me?" I blurted.

His eye heated and he turned around, my hand still firmly clasped in his, he lead us to a private area blocked off by heavy blindings.

Then he turned down the hallway and used a key card that introduced us to a secluded room. Only then did he let me go.

Holding my gaze, he started to strip. His jeans came off first, then the shirt. He inched back and kicked off his shoes.

I held my breathe when his hand went into the waistband of his boxer briefs.

He dragged it down, exposing his cock.

I wasn't disappointed.

Huge and rightly curved, he was a beautiful male.

I didn't pay attention to the entertainment industry but I knew it would be filled with men like him. Damnit, he could be an artiste for all I knew.

I bit my lips and he groaned. Moisture beading around the head of his cock.

"Little bird you're killing me here," he groaned. "Let me see you."

I fiddled with my shorts, having cold feet all of a sudden.

"Little bird?"

I swallowed hard. "Let's switch off the light."

There was nothing in his gaze. Damnit, I hated that I couldn't read him.

"You do realize my eyesight works perfect in the dark, little wolf?"

I nodded. I wasn't self conscious neither was I one to be shy around a male, but I had scars that would scare him off. I wanted this.

His naked ass flexed as he prowled to the other side of the room. Then the room was plunged into total darkness.

I let out a sigh of relief and made off with my clothes. I was left in just my panties when he returned.

"Do you want me to help with that?" His voice was hoarse.

I nodded.

He came around me. His fingers brushed my back and slowly inched to my waist.

My breaths came in pants when he slid his hand around my waist and closed over the point where warmth pooled. He shifted my panties and ran a lazy finger through my sex.

A whimper escaped my lips. "Faster."

His eye glazed over. "I say how," he growled.

A trickle of arousal slid out of me. Even my wild side settled at the command in his voice.

What was wrong with me? I loved to be in charge. Again, I toyed with the idea of stopping it then.

Warm mouth closed over my nipple. I cried out, every thoughts of fleeing running out of my head.

He gently eased off my panties and leaned back. "I want to taste you."

He walked me backwards, lowering me to the edge of the bed. "Legs spread wide."

My bottom lip caught between my teeth. He was rattling me up real bad. I was used to control.

Just a night right?

I let my thighs fall apart.

"Fuck," he cussed. "Wet and ready aren't you?"

His fingers played with my wetness, spreading it over my lips.

I surprised myself by moaning aloud. I wasn't a talker in bed.

The moments his tongue closed over my mound. I cried aloud, my back bowing off the bed. It was nothing like I was used to. Even the one time I let Ted go down on me. It didn't feel as good.

Zephyryy's tongue dipped into me and he started eating at me with renewed gusto. Every thoughts of Ted flew out of my head.

My back bowed, my thighs trembling as the familiar pressure began to build.

"Damn. You're sweet," he mumbled. "And snug. Fuck, I can imagine how tight you'd be around my cock."

The pressure built faster, my heart raced with effort to hold it down. Hell, what would happen if the wildness under my veins got out?

"Let go, baby." Zephryy purred. "Don't fight it."

"No. Too much," I gasped. "You..you don't un-understand."

"Shh. Let go."

My body obeyed. The pressure unfurled from my belly spreading to every joint in my body.

I screamed, body quivering till it ebbed.

Zephryy didn't stop. He licked and sucked and slurped till I was falling over the cliff again.

When I came to, he was over me. His length inching slowly into me.

We both let out a groan when he filled me completely.

"Fuck, it must have been a while for you. Shit, you're tight," he said, setting a rhythm.

He changed his angle, bumping my clit and hitting a particular spot that made my eye roll to the back of my head. "Zephryy, Zeph. Ahh," I gasped. "I'm coming."

"Gods, you're beautiful," Zephryy purred. He drew out of me completely and went all the way in a single plunge.

When his head dipped to suck my nipples, I lost it.

"Fuck," I yelled, my toes curling. "Zephryy!. Fuck."

"Little bird, yeah!" I barely heard the sound of his own groan as he followed me over the edge.

His hands were firmly around me when all sense of reasoning returned. My heart pounded fast. I had to go, I needed to leave, but my muscles weren't responding.

Like he knew what was going on in my mind, his hand tightened around me. "Sleep, little bird," he murmured, pressing a kiss to my cheek.

I slept.

Without a nightmare. I slept soundly through the night.

I didn't know which was more surprising; that I came so hard I saw stars or having straight uninterrupted sleep.

I didn't let my thoughts distract me from doing what was necessary.

I rolled away from Zephryy's arm and hastily got dressed. I didn't know if it was any consolation that he was also deeply asleep.

I threw one last look at the male who brought out a side of me I didn't know I had. The male who got the edginess and wildness in my veins to quieten.

Immediately I stepped out the door, my mask slid in place. I was the Xanda in charge again. Last night was over and would never repeat itself.

Chin jutted forward, I strode purposely out of the nightclub.

Out in the streets, my lips curved up approvingly when people scurried out of my path. As it should be.

I hailed a cab and enjoyed the ride home in silence.

I alighted at my apartment and let myself in.

All plans to quietly go into my room fled at the sight of Iris.

She whistled and sang to herself as she deep cleaned the living room.

"Xanda!" Her face lit up in excitement when she saw me. "How was work? Was it okay?" She chewed her lips. "I mean, it was successful right?"

Iris knew about my line of work. She had run into Mazedon a few times and she had been exposed to what we do. I knew she hated my job and worried for me but tried to play it cool.

I ran a hand though my wavy hair, pulling it back into a ponytail. "I didn't go to work," I told her.

"You weren't?" Her eye widened. "Where were you?"

"No where important," I grumbled, making my way to my room.

I wasn't prepared for the body that barreled into me. I swerved too late, causing both of us to fall.

"Xanda," Iris screamed, laughing as I righted us. She placed her hands on her waist, pushing out her chest. "Miss bad and dangerous. You don't get to brush me off," she warned.

Despite myself, I chuckled. "Did you just try to look intimidating?"

"Xanda!" She giggled. "I'm serious. Spill."

"Nothing gets pass you does it?" I brushed a stray strand from her hair. "What gave me away?"

"Apart from your ruffled look?" She tilted her head sideways. "You blushed."

"I do not blush," I growled.

"Okay, okay." She raised her palm. "Was it Ted?"

"It wasn't."

"Goddamn you, why are you so tight lipped?" She muttered. "How was the sex? At least give me that."

"Explosive," I answered truthfully, escaping her claws to my room.

Her soft laughter bounced through the walls of our apartment. "Anyway, your phone has been ringing nonstop," she shouted after me.

It was true. Mazedon had almost blown up my phone with calls.

It had to be an emergency if the boss called himself.

I didn't bother with a change of clothes, I grabbed a protein bar and my special milkshake from the kitchen fridge and headed to the Vault.

From outside, the Vault was a crumbling estate with peeling paint. The glass deliberately left translucent was actually bullet proof.

On the inside, it had arch and passageways that led to an underground training grid.

I nodded at Kerry, a roguish human male and went in search of Mazedon.

"Is Don in?" I asked the red head at the reception.

"Xanda," he waved at me. "He is in the den."

I took off to the part of the underground which was filled with different sizes of armor.

The boss sat behind a recliner, toying with a part of a dagger. Bray and a strange male talked in hush times with him.

"Don." I bowed slightly.

"Lyxanda," he didn't raise his voice. He never did. "You went after Kallas."

Shit, he was angry. "I had to," I said quietly.

"What was my order?"

I swallowed. "To let him be for now."

"You're testing my patience, Lyxanda."

My fingers curled into fists by my side. "He killed my brother!"

Mazedon clicked his fingers and the men left immediately.

"You will not question my order," he told me.

Feeling the stirring of that wildness in my veins, I closed my eyes, willing myself to calm down. "Sorry, boss."

His eyes flashed and I reared back. What more would he be angry about?

"Last night, you didn't let Rex assist."

Fuck, that was what he was on about? The bastard had ratted me out.

"I did until I got in. I later handled it perfectly."

"Perfectly?" He threw he dagger and it flew past my ear and embedded in the wall behind me.

I didn't flinch.

"Just five minutes after you left, the sheriff and his boys pulled up into the baron's driveway." He leaned forward,  picking another wicked gleaming pot. "Do you know what that means? A minute more and you'd be busted."

"The baron's dead," I said flatly.

"Yeah after you let your emotions get the best of you and chopped his manly part."

I bit my cheeks, resisting the urge to laugh.

"Lyxanda!"

I burst out laughing. "I'm sorry, okay," I said between feats of laughter.  "I couldn't help it," I told him.

His gaze turned soft. "Put your head in the game, you can't afford to lose it."

"I get it, Don."

His voice lowered. "You loyal with your suppressant?"

I bristled with irritation. I hated it when he started to act like I could break at any point. "I take care of myself just fine."

He straightened and threw a file at me.

"There, I wanted to give the mission to Rex but the client requested specially that you do it."

I raised a brow.

"Yeah," he shrugged. "You're fast making a name for yourself out there. They call you the black huntress."

That wasn't new. I was pleased that I was making wave out there but I was disgruntled that the Don still preferred Rex taking a job to me.

It grated on my nerves that I wasn't his go to person and he trusted Rex to do a cleaner job.

"Zephryy Ashwood," Don gestured to the file. "Wanted dead in two weeks.

I opened the file. A look at the picture attached and I froze, muscles locking in place as all the colour drained from my face.

"..Has a tight security detail so you have to draw a fast plan to get close," Don was still speaking. "You up for it?"