The Lycan King And His Human-fated Mate

nk in the buttery morning light. Lily watched, arms folded across her chest, as the driver's side do

he low-slung sports car. Lean and tousled, with a perpetually roguish air about him, he moved w

though whether it was borne from skepticism or simple bemusement, Lily couldn't quite discern. When his sh

eting a beautiful woman in a sleepy little neighborhood like this." With a dramatic flourish, he raked a hand through his tousled gol

ake it a habit to swoon over cheap pickup lines," she countered, unable to resist jutting out her hip in a subtly challenging posture. "But for argum

to reverberate through his sculpted frame. "The very same," he confirmed with an easy smile and a rakish wink.

arry to his relentless onslaught of shameless flirtation, her father

porch, surveying the scene before him with undisguised amusement

apologetically crass remark, but Marshall seemed to take it in stride, favo

out," he declared, undaunted. "I have to say, your daughter c

charming' young fella," he chortled, descending the porch steps with that distinctive bowlegged swagger that betrayed his rural upbringi

do, Lily cleared her throat with a pointed loudness. "If you two are quite finished measuri

glint with undisguised approval. "Well now, lead on, Blackwood," he prompted, sweeping his arm out in a gestur

ded by folding his arms across his barrel chest and winking back

t moment, an errant notion flittered through her mind, unbidden – that perhaps this self-assured young man beside her

two blocks down the sun-dappled street before Marshall's voice

t to hear that the 'sleepy little suburb' is harboring a tantalizing secret? Some deep, dark mystery that only intrepid souls like ourselves can unravel?" A teasi

edle information from her, Lily's lips twitched in a reluctant half-smile. If nothing

ing silhouette of Drake Manor rising amid the lush hilltop foliage" up ahead. "That 'f

ily could practically feel Marshall's gaze burning into her – not with the weight of salacious scrutiny th

l something rawer, more primal lurking beneath. He was the consummate artist, Lily realized in that moment

e puzzle in succinct, clipped tones. She spoke of the Drake family's ties to old-world wealth and power, of the hints that their legacy st

unctuated by a sidelong glance to gauge the impact of her words. "Whispers that the

ured sapphire as they roved over the imposing façade of Drake Manor. "Unconvention

away, did you?" With a subtle cant of her head, she indicated the winding expanse of the estate's private drive, bordered by a scenic tapestry of lush greenery and shaded alcoves. "