Rafe

"Dana Archer does not disappoint! I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end!" - Beth ★★★★★

"Action packed." - Angel ★★★★★

"I loved everything about this book. Twists and turns, love and acceptance!" - Shelley ★★★★★

"A must read if you are into paranormal!" - Amanda ★★★★★

"I have always loved shifter romance books and this one didn’t disappoint!!" - A Reader Review ★★★★★

The butterflies in her belly took flight. "You know, I'm starting to enjoy the odd way you talk. It makes me feel as if I've walked into a world where princesses wait to be swept away by knights in shining armor."

He grinned. "You would make a beautiful princess."

"Would I?"

"One to be fought for." He twirled a lock of her hair around a finger. "What about me? Would I fill the role of your knight in shining armor?"

She ran her hands over his chest. The sensation of hard muscle under her palms sent a shiver of awareness through her body. "I don't know if any horse would be able to carry you for long. I see you more as a warrior. Maybe a conqueror."

"One who demands the bonny ladies as his reward after a battle?" He swept her into his arms. She gasped and grabbed his shoulders. "Oh yes, I like this fantasy, and in it I get to choose you as my booty." He bent closer so his golden brown eyes filled her vision. "I think I might keep you."

Jazz waited until the hallway door swung closed, then glanced at Rafe. "You heal quickly?"

"Very. We're hard to kill too. Well, Royals are. Single shifters heal quicker than humans, but they're not as strong as a Royal. They can still die from their injuries."

"Royals?"

"Multi-animal shifters. We're direct descendants of the goddesses so the single shifters slapped the title 'Royal' on us. It stuck."

She stared at him for a moment, then snapped her mouth closed. "Direct descendants of the goddesses? Care to clarify that?"

"A few thousand years ago, the gods created the first shifters by joining their human warriors with the souls of predators."

"How did they do that? And why?"

"No idea how. The why is simple—they wanted stronger, more cunning, and vicious warriors."

"For what?"

"Recognize this?" Rafe held up one of the dozens of bid sheets Evan had found in the storage unit Tony had shared with his neighbor.

"No." Josh frowned. "What is it?"

Josh's scent didn't change nor did Rafe's cats alert him to any questionable body language. Rafe blew out a relieved breath. Josh hadn't been a part of Tony's gambling life.

"A bid sheet."

"For what?" Josh snatched the paper. "Cage fighting?"

What would Jasmine think if she learned the truth? Would she look upon him the same way? Maybe run from him?

He let his head rest against the wall. She would if she knew how Royals had to claim human mates—at the point of death. And if one of his cats refused her? Or she panicked and refused him? She'd die. If his cats accepted her, however, she'd be his for eternity.

His one true mate.

The goddesses had promised all shifters—singles and Royals—peace in the form of a true mate. Too bad their goddesses hadn't offered them an easy way to find their perfect complement, the one person who could calm both man and beast. The only advice their elders gave was to trust your instincts. That was great for the single shifters. If their animals refused to complete the bond, or she did, they'd leave their lover with a scar. If Royals picked poorly, they'd end up as murderers.

It was no wonder few Royals mated. Or found peace.

He let his gaze drift to the closed door. Would Jasmine risk her life for him? Or would...

Jazz took in the curvy road ahead and braced herself against the dashboard. "Slow down."

"No. That guy showed himself for one reason—to warn us. He's either following us or knows where we're going. Either way, time is against us."

"What if he already has Seth and Levi?"

"Call the house." He pulled out his phone.

She took it and dialed but before she hit send, Megan screamed. Josh slammed on the brakes.

Jazz flicked her gaze to the road. An uprooted tree blocked it.