The artwork above is not mine.

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"Your cousin is a fucking asshole," Sarai spat, barging into Bryce and Danika's apartment without even knocking. The two females were seated on a worn sofa, watching some sort of reality TV show.

Nathalie stumbled in behind Sarai and closed the blue metal door. She gulped down a few deep breaths, then leaned her head back against the door with an exasperated sigh. "What happened?" Bryce asked. "What did Ruhn do now?"

Sarai fisted a hand in her hair and pried open the refrigerator, scanning the shelves for something strong to drink. Cthona knew she needed to take the edge off somehow. Her encounter with the Fae males that morning, followed by an entire day in the company of her pack, had left her tense and irritated. She felt liable to snap at any moment.

Sarai finally just grabbed something. She uncapped the bottle and took a long draught of amber liquid before joining the others on the sofa. Nathalie had given Danika and Bryce her phone. Sarai didn't have to look at it to know what she was showing them. She'd shown Nathalie the picture a random number had sent to her. It wasn't hard to guess who the number might belong to, as there were only three males to choose from.

"Bastards," Danika huffed, passing the phone back to Nathalie. "Want to go rough them up a bit, Rai?"

Sarai rested her head on Nathalie's shoulder with a weary sigh. "And spend the night in prison, deal with Rafe and your mother, and lose the position in the Aux that I've worked really hard to reach on top of the shit day I've already had?"

Danika inclined her silver head. The rose, amethyst, and sapphire highlights running through her hair seemed brighter today. Sarai guessed she'd had them redone. "The rest of the Devils will be over later," Danika said. "It's Bonding night. Connor is bringing Ithan. You could stay too."

"Fuck yes," Sarai breathed. "Anything to keep me away from Rafe for a few more hours. If I hear one more word from him, I'll rip his damned tongue out."

"At least he's hot," Bryce offered. "That must make him a little more tolerable?"

Sarai flashed Bryce a skeptical look. "Ruhn is hot too, but does that make him any less of a dick?"

"To be fair, I don't think he's actually a dick," Nathalie interrupted. "Neither of you like him because of arguments you've had in the past, and he doesn't like you for the same reason."

"He doesn't like me," Sarai corrected. "We all know he's still highly invested in his sweet little half-breed cousin."

A warning look crept into Danika's caramel eyes, but Bryce brushed the comment aside. "Very true. Regardless, don't let Connor see that photo. He'll lose his shit." She shot Sarai a teasing grin. "He's very protective of you."

"Like a brother would be," Sarai scoffed. "We all know he only has eyes for you."

Danika clenched her jaw, earning a curious glance from Bryce. Instantly, Danika plastered a smile to her lips. "Well, he'll just have to get over that, won't he? B has a date on Saturday." She wrapped an arm around Bryce's waist, squeezing her tightly.

"With who?" Nathalie asked.

"Just some Shifter from the sunball game," Bryce mumbled. "He was so nervous when he asked for my number that I took pity on him."

"I never knew you to be the one to go on pity dates," Sarai laughed.

"You learn something new every day."

"Is he cute at least?"

"Oh, he's beautiful. There won't be any issues there." Bryce whipped out her phone and started scrolling through hundreds of photos. The door squeaked open just as she selected one. Instantly, she pocketed her phone and shifted her attention to the newcomers.

The rest of the Pack of Devils toppled through the door, laughing and talking in loud tones. Sarai smiled to herself, once again wishing she could've joined a pack of her choice. She'd give anything to have the bond that the Pack of Devils shared. It only seemed to grow stronger with time, while Blood Moon's grew more tense.

"Looks like we have two honorary Devils tonight," Bronson said, ruffling Sarai's hair as he moved behind the couch and headed towards the fridge.

"When is Blood Moon's Bonding night again?" Zelda asked. Her twin brother, Zach, sat on the floor beside her. Zelda tossed a dark braid over her shoulder as she waited for Sarai's response.

"It's on Saturdays," Sarai sighed. "I get to deal with Aux inspections and spend an entire night with my Pack on the same day."

Zach and Zelda grimaced. Nathalie stroked Sarai's hair, a smile playing on her lips. "Poor Rai. You're so brave and tough." Sarai laughed in response.

In truth, Bonding night wasn't always awful. It was just...taxing. Bonding night was the one night a week when packs were required to spend time in each other's company, strengthening their bonds with one another. At least, that was what they were supposed to do.

Blood Moon just sat around in Rafe's apartment, eating, drinking, and watching TV until their required hours were up. They didn't have much to do with one another unless someone was arguing or Lucas, Cassia, and Salem were fucking.

"Hey, no frowns tonight." Connor chucked Sarai's chin before settling on the floor, right in between Bryce's legs.

He tipped his head back, grinning up at the female. Bryce returned his smile, then faced Danika. Connor's smile faded and he straightened while clearing his throat. Sarai and Nathalie exchanged knowing glances, though neither said anything. Ithan plopped down beside Nathalie and launched into a long winded explanation of what strange artifacts he'd studied today.

Ithan was a history major, despite his sunball expertise. He was hoping to play professionally in the future, but Connor insisted he go to college first. Sarai admired Connor for everything he did for his brother. He'd been the one to care for Ithan ever since their parents died, and he did a damn good job. She frequently told him as much, knowing that even Connor Holstrom needed encouragement from time to time.

In more ways than one, Sarai thought, watching as Connor twisted away from Bryce and began speaking with Bronson. Bryce's mouth quirked sideways, but she didn't pay attention to Connor for long. Danika said something that had her erupting with laughter, and Sarai leaned closer to hear the joke as it was repeated.

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Hours later, Sarai tripped into the kitchen in search of another drink. She couldn't remember how much she'd had already, but Nathalie assured it was still safe for her to have more, and tonight she would indulge herself. Sarai hesitated, spying Connor leaning against the counter near the fridge. He stared listlessly at his feet and didn't look up when she came closer.

"You all right?" Sarai asked, tugging the fridge open.

"Yeah, I'm just thinking." Connor sighed, pushing dark golden-brown hair away from his brow. "I've got an assignment tomorrow night."

"Shit."

A night assignment meant he would be hunting someone. Likely torturing them once he found them. And find them he would. Connor had yet to fail an assignment. He was good at what he did, but it was obvious that he didn't enjoy it, even though he never complained.

"He's some assassin for the Viper Queen," Connor explained, though Sarai hadn't asked for further detail. "He killed the wrong Angel and now the Governor wants his head."

"Why doesn't the Governor just send the Umbra Mortis after him?"

Everyone knew the real name of Micah Domitus' personal assassin, though they rarely spoke it. Hunt Athalar was one of the Fallen, an Angel who had fought in the rebellion against the Asteri. The Asteri were six ethereal beings who possessed the might of stars and ruled all of Midgard. Every ocean, every continent, and every city belonged to them. They had once been seven, but one of their sisters had been killed and devoured by a Prince of Hel.

Serving beneath the Asteri were the Archangels. They answered only to the Asteri, and most were Governors of cities like Lunathion. Hunt Athalar served the Archangel Micah Domitus. He'd been made a slave as punishment after the rebellion failed, and served several Archangels until he came into Micah's possession.

Despite not having his full power, the Umbra Mortis was still a force to be reckoned with. He was an Angel blessed with the power to summon lightning. He now spent his days as an assassin and demon slayer, killing whomever the Governor ordered him to.

"I guess he's busy," Connor answered finally. "Oh well. I'll find the assassin faster anyway."

Sarai closed the fridge and grabbed a glass of water instead. She sipped her drink and perched on the counter next to Connor. He lifted his head, scanning the living room. "She's in her room," Sarai said, knowing who he was looking for. "Dani went with her."

"Ithan?"

"I think he already left. So did Bronson and Thorne. Zach and Zelda said they were going to a club and Nathalie is asleep, as you can see." She gestured to the sofa where Nathalie was sprawled out.

"Lucky her," Connor chuckled. "I probably won't get much sleep tonight. I need to check the camera feeds from where my assassin was last seen. Are you going back to the Den tonight?"

Sarai shrugged. "I don't know. I probably should, but I can't bring myself to care about what I should do right now." Connor glanced at her and Sarai quickly looked away. "Bryce has a date Saturday," she found herself saying. "Some Shifter she met at the sunball game."

A muscle in Connor's jaw twitched. "I hope it works out for her."

"Why..." Sarai hesitated, then sighed.

"What?"

"Why do you waste your time on her?" Connor narrowed his eyes and Sarai hurried to explain. "I know it sounds insensitive, but if she was going to make a move on you, wouldn't she have done so by now? You've known her for five years and she's never once even insinuated that she'd be willing to give you a chance."

Connor turned his face away. "I know. I've thought of that already. I just... I don't know. I know she's interested in me and a part of me thinks that if I wait long enough, maybe she'll change her mind."

"Why does she feel the need to wait if she likes you so much? She must know you like her."

"I don't know."

Sarai touched his arm lightly. "I'm not trying to tell you that you should give up on her. If she's the one you want, go for it. I just want you to know that it's all right to move on too. You're too good a male to waste your life pining after someone who won't make a decision."

Connor granted her a small smile. "Thank you."

Sarai hopped off the counter and set her water on the table. She entered the living room, just as Nathalie rolled over. A faint snore passed from her lips and Sarai snickered. Connor laughed too. Sarai flopped onto Nathalie and her eyes fluttered open.

"Oh, hi," Nathalie murmured.

"Hi. Go back to sleep." Sarai pushed Nathalie's head back down and rested her own on the arm of the sofa.