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She slammed her skis into his chest, spun on her heel, and stormed after Kathleen and Danielle. Liam fumbled awkwardly with her skis, too shocked to do much more.

  "Well now, it seems like Kathleen isn't the only one you shouldn't wave a red flag in front of," Jack chuckled.

  Liam glowered as he thrust the skis at him. "Shut up."

  Jack laughed as he caught the skis. "You really pissed her off; bet you're glad you'll be spending eternity with her now!"

  Liam cast him a furious look as he spun and headed toward the lodge. His friends echoing laughter only served to infuriate him further with each step he took. He made his way through the small crowd gathered in the main room of the lodge. Sera's anger was like a homing beacon as he left the main room and strode down a hallway.

  He found her sitting on one of the leather couches in a small sunroom at the far end of the lodge. There was no one inside as she stared out the multitude of glass panes making up the entire back wall of the room. Potted plants and trees filled every available nook and cranny. Deer heads hung on the wall by the small fireplace.

  He crossed the small blue throw rug to stand beside her. She didn't turn away from the window as she watched the skiers coming down the hill. The setting sun washed over her in soft rays that lit her porcelain skin and highlighted the vivid violet blue of her eyes. He took a minute to admire her delicate beauty.

  "You don't own me, Liam."

  He turned to watch another group of people coming down the hill. "Sera, you belong with me."

  "I know that just as well as you do, but you don't own me, and you can't dictate my life."

  "If your life is in jeopardy, then I can, and will, dictate it!"

  Her chin thrust out as she finally turned to look at him. "No, you won't. You will talk to me about it, and we will decide together, but you are not going to order me around. I won't have it, especially not in front of your friends."

  Liam ground his jaw as he tried to keep a firm hold on his fraying patience. "I will not let you be injured, and if that means I have to tell you what to do, then you are going to do it."

  Sera launched to her feet, her hands fisted as she rounded on him. "No, I won't!"

  "You're just obstinate now." He was staggered when her eyes flashed with red.

  She couldn't believe he was treating her like this, that he was saying this to her. "I am not being obstinate. I'm telling you that you will not treat me like some possession you can walk all over and tell what to do. I am my own person, Liam, and so help me God if you keep this up, I will go find Beth, and—"

  Sera was cut off in mid-tirade as he seized hold of her arms. She started in surprise; she'd never even seen him move. He lifted her, so she was eye-level with him. "I'm telling you right now you don't want to finish that sentence. You will stay away from Beth, and as long as there is any threat to you, you will listen to me!"

  "Liam—"

  "No!" Torment filled his eyes. "If something were to ever happen to you..."

  He broke off as she laid a hand against his cheek. His eyes instantly returned to their brilliant emerald color.

  "Nothing is going to happen to me," she vowed. "But you can't treat me like this, Liam. I won't live like that forever." His eyes flashed again as his jaw clenched. "Talk to me, don't order me."

  He dropped his head to rest against hers. "Sera, when it comes to this, I can't help but order you around," he admitted with a ragged breath. "I am the one who will protect you and keep you safe. I have to."

  Some of Sera's resentment melted as she realized he wasn't trying to be cruel, or unkind to her, he just couldn't bear the thought of losing her. When it came to the issue of her safety, the beast in him was just below the surface, and able to break free at a moment's notice. "All right," she relented. "But could you at least try and talk to me instead of treating me like I'm an idiot."

  "You're not an idiot, you're infuriating," he groaned.

  Sera frowned at him as he lifted his head to smile at her. "I am not!" she protested.

  He lowered her back to the floor. "You're infuriating... aggravating... tempting... and utterly irresistible."

  He punctuated each of his words with a kiss. By the time he was done, Sera's anger vanished, and her body burned with desire. She twined her arms around his neck as she smiled seductively and pressed her body against his.

  "And you are just as infuriating, aggravating, tempting, and irresistible," she whispered as she brushed her mouth against his.

  His lips seared into hers, melting her clear down to her toes as she sighed in contentment. Her fingers stroked the nape of his neck as she opened her mouth to his invasion.

  "Hey... oh for God's sake get a room. The party's starting!" Kathleen declared.

  Sera pulled reluctantly away to face Kathleen. She stood in the doorway with her hands planted on her hips as she grinned at them. "Hi, Kathleen," Liam greeted.

  She shot him a disgruntled look before turning back to Sera. "Well, come on."

  "We're coming, we're coming," Sera assured her.

  "Sera," Liam growled in her ear.

  She frowned at him as she cast a glance out the window. "The sun has set."

  His head jerked to the window. "Fuck!"

  Sera stroked his cheek in an attempt to soothe him. "It will be all right," she assured him.

  "You stay close to me."

  "I will," she promised, but the tension in his gaze didn't ease.

  "Come on!" Kathleen urged.

  Sera turned toward her, but Liam grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her back against his side. Resentment sparked through her again. She rounded on him, but the look in his eyes silenced any further protest. He was angry, but he wasn't mad at her, he was annoyed with himself for not realizing it had become so late. He was also apprehensive. It radiated from him as he held onto her.

  She couldn't be angry at him, not when he was looking at her like that. "God, you guys are going to kill each other if you keep this up!" Kathleen took hold of her other arm. "Come on, Sera; you can part with him for a few minutes."

  "Just hold on, okay? I'll meet you out there."

  Kathleen's eyes darted between them before she gave Liam a scathing look and left. "What is the matter with her?" he asked.

  "She thinks you beat me."

  "What?" His eyebrows jumped into his hairline.

  She grinned as she playfully bumped his hip. "Yeah, she thinks you're too possessive, and you're going to start beating me."

  Liam's eyes flashed with humor as the corner of his mouth quirked. "Maybe I should start; you might listen to me then."

  Her mouth pursed. "Just try it."

  He grinned cockily as he kissed her. "Stay near me, I mean it."

  "I will," she promised.

  He let go of her arm and followed her out to the packed main room. The room was huge, with massive cathedral ceilings, and about fifty chandeliers hanging from the beams running across it. The bar took up the entire side of the left wall, while the main desk took up half of the right. A massive stone fireplace covered the other half and crackled noisily. A small band was set up on the stage jutting out from the back wall.

  There were about a hundred people in the room, but they were all moving around the large space. Kids ran around, dashing by people, and disappearing through the doors leading to the arcade. Longing stabbed through her chest as she watched them go.

  Liam squeezed her arm. She forced a smile as she turned to look at him. His eyes were troubled as they searched her face.

  "Okay, let's go!" Kathleen clutched her arm and pulled her into the crowd before she could even form a protest.

  She glanced over her shoulder at Liam, who was watching her. Sera turned away as Kathleen pulled her along.

  Liam's eyes were focused upon Sera as she stood with Kathleen at the bar. A young man had approached them and was now leaning entirely too close for his comfort. Liam shifted as annoyance began to rise inside him. Sera's gaze met his, and she smiled at him. He managed a nod i
n return as his gaze shot pointedly to the man.

  "She's not going anywhere with him," Mike informed him.

  "I know that," he grated through clenched teeth.

  "Then stop looking as if you're going to rip out his throat."

  "Speaking of throats," Jack drawled. "I'm hungry."

  "We all are," Liam replied coldly.

  A group of people dancing by in a conga line momentarily blocked his view of Sera. He watched the line as he picked out the girls who could be possibilities for later. He lifted his gaze to find Sera studying him out of narrowed eyes. It was now his turn to smile sweetly. Her eyes filled with fire as her mouth compressed into a flat line. He had only a second of supreme satisfaction before the guy touched her arm.

  "Would you like to dance?" he asked her.

  "Oh, no thanks," she replied as she sipped her drink. "I'm sure Kathleen would love to though."

  Without thinking she grabbed his arm and propelled him toward Kathleen. She turned back around to find Liam glaring across the dance floor. She wanted to feel satisfaction at his anger, but she didn't. All she felt was the powerful need to go to him, to be with him. She put her drink down and began to wind her way across the floor to him. She paused as the conga line went by with arms and legs kicking in a rush of different directions. She couldn't help but smile and laugh as they shouted and danced along.

  Liam's hands settled on her waist, and he pulled her in front of him. She laughed happily as her hands settled upon the chubby woman before her. The music continued to play as they wound their way through the arcade, into the sunroom, and back out to the main floor.

  She cast a grin over her shoulder to find Liam smiling down at her. His hands seemed to sear into her waist. The music came to a halt, and the line broke up. Sera whirled into Liam's arms and lifted onto her toes to kiss him.

  His grin was cocky and slanted. "I'm hungry." His whispered words sent a mixture of yearning for him, and a craving for blood through her. "So are you, love."

  She smiled as she lifted a shoulder. "Maybe."

  "For more than one thing," he teased as he rubbed his erect shaft against her provocatively.

  Her eyes sparkled as she grinned saucily at him. "Maybe," she teased.

  "Well then, I guess I'll have to fulfill both of your hungers."

  His nip on her lower lip sent a firestorm of want rushing through her. "Uh huh," she replied dazedly.

  He wrapped his arm around her waist and led her off the floor. Sera's lustful haze broke, and she recalled a group of people surrounded them. She cast him a threatening look as he led her over to Mike, and Jack. He’d purposely distracted her and clouded her mind, just as he had deliberately left her in a state of arousal. He chuckled as he kissed her forehead.

  "Soon," he promised.

  He released his hold on her and turned to survey the crowd. "Where are David and Doug?" she inquired.

  "Having fun," Jack replied.

  Sera frowned at him as he grinned back at her. "I'll be back," Liam told her.

  He turned to leave, but Sera grabbed hold of his arm. "Not a girl," she said quietly.

  "Sera..."

  Her jaw clenched as a wave of possessiveness washed through her. She didn't even want to think about it. "Not a girl."

  His smile was wry with amusement as he brushed her hair back. "Would that upset you?"

  She didn't find it at all amusing. "Well I could always go back to that guy at the bar, and see what he's up to."

  Liam's smile faded. "Point taken."

  "Good." She folded her arms over her chest as she stared crossly at him.

  He bent down and brushed a light kiss along her neck before nibbling on her ear. Sera's irritation instantly melted as her body responded to his. "Your wish is my command."

  He kissed her on the cheek and melted into the crowd. Sera watched him for a minute before turning back to Jack and Mike. They were both grinning at her knowingly. "Don't," she warned.

  They burst into laughter. "I am so glad we get to watch this forever!" Jack cried.

  "At least until it happens to you," Sera retorted.

  Jack shook his head as he smirked. "I don't think so. I'll run the other way as fast as I can first!"

  "I'll be right behind you," Mike said joyfully. "No way am I letting some girl get her hooks into me."

  Sera scowled at them as she turned her back to the wall and leaned against it. Kathleen was on the floor dancing with the guy from the bar. Danielle was a few feet away dancing with another man. They were both laughing. Sera felt an answering smile tug at her lips.

  "They're having fun."

  "Yep," Mike replied absently as his gaze searched the crowded floor.

  "What's the matter?"

  He cast her a lopsided grin. "Searching for dinner," he replied.

  "Oh," she said dully as Jack chuckled.

  "Hey guys," Doug appeared at Sera's side with a cute red-haired girl tucked under his arm. "This is Bridgette."

  "Hey," they all greeted absently.

  "Bridgette's got a room, so we're going to head up there. Come get me if you need me."

  Bridgette giggled as she ducked her head shyly. Mike and Jack exchanged knowing glances and grinned; Sera rolled her eyes at them. "And what room would that be?" Jack asked.

  "Two twenty-four," Bridgette answered with another giggle.

  Doug grinned as he turned and walked away from them. "Why don't we get rooms?" Sera suggested.

  "Oh, baby!" Jack cried with a mock raise of his eyebrows. "You're not my type, but thanks for the offer."

  Sera snorted as she shook her head. "Any woman who walks is your type.”

  Jack grinned as he shrugged his shoulders. "True."

  "We probably could get rooms," Mike said. "If they have any open. I'll go check."

  He moved swiftly through the throng until it swallowed him. Sera studied the crowd impatiently as she waited for Liam to return. Instinctively, she drew within herself to search for him. The knowledge he was feeding slammed into her. Sera pulled immediately back as hunger blasted through her, burned into her veins, and caused her teeth to lengthen.

  "Hey, you okay?" Jack demanded worriedly.

  Sera shook her head and dropped it into her hands as the pulses within the room beat against her. Sera whimpered as she tried to shut it out.

  "Come on." Jack grabbed her arm and began to propel her through the crowd.

  Sera kept her head bowed and her hand over her forehead to shield her face. The blazing hunger in her eased as the crowd faded away. She groaned as Jack slid her onto a sofa. She didn't have to look up to know they were back in the sunroom; she recognized the smell of it.

  "Feel better?" She nodded but still couldn't bring herself to look at him. "It will get easier."

  Sera risked raising her head to find him watching her sympathetically. "When?" she whispered.

  "It takes some time, but eventually you can control it with no problem. I promise."

  Sera turned her gaze from his to stare at the night. She was still shaking, and there was a fierce burning making its way through her veins. "It hurts."

  "You get used to that also."

  She turned back to him, but he was no longer looking at her. His pupils dilated as he searched the room. "Jack—"

  "Get out of here, Sera!" he shouted. "Now! Go now!"

  Sera leapt to her feet as the side door burst open. They spun toward it as cold air blasted into the room on a rush of wind and violent red eyes. Jack leapt forward, only to be flung across the room and slammed into the fireplace. Sera screamed as she lurched toward his lifeless body.

  "Jack!" Hands snatched hold of her arms and yanked her backward. "No!"

  Her wail broke off when the hands scrambling over her skin, covered her mouth. She thrashed in their grasp, kicking and clawing at the hands pinning her against a massive chest. She knew it wasn’t Beth who held her, but one of the other things. She bit deep into his meaty palm; satisfaction filled her as his blood
spurted forth. He hissed loudly in her ear as something smashed against her head. Sera was left dazed and disoriented as she went limp in his arms.

  Cold air blasted against her skin, she had just started to renew her fight when she was hit again, and the world went black.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Liam froze in the middle of the crowd. The people dancing bumped and jostled into him, but he didn't notice. He spotted Mike making his way back toward where Liam had left Sera. David was cutting across the floor toward him.

  "Excuse me."

  Liam ignored the young girl as his eyes shot toward where Sera had been. His heart leapt into his throat as an all-consuming sense of urgency enveloped him. He shoved through the crowd, ignoring the startled cries and angry looks shot his way.

  "Where is she?" he demanded.

  "She was here with Jack." Mike gave him a look that said he thought Liam had flipped his lid.

  "Where is she now?" he spat.

  "Hey Liam, calm down..."

  He spun away from David and opened himself to her presence. Nothing but darkness encompassed him as the beast burst forth.

  "Holy shit!" Mike yelled. "Not here, Liam! Not here!"

  He shook off their hands as he shoved his way through the crowd. He could smell her blood. He knocked someone to the ground in his haste. "Hey!" they shouted.

  Liam burst out of the crowd as he followed the scent of her blood to the sunroom. "Jack!"

  Mike and David shoved past him as they ran to Jack's side. They grabbed hold of his arms and shook him forcefully. Liam stepped out of the shattered windows and into the snowy night. His eyes rapidly scanned the horizon as he searched for any sign of her presence. There was no movement within the shadows of the still forest, but he could still feel her.

  "Get Doug!" he yelled over his shoulder before disappearing into the night.

  Sera woke slowly, her head ached unbelievably, and there was an awful metallic taste in her mouth. Her jaw and cheek were sore, but it was nothing compared to the stabbing pain in her skull. She moaned as she rolled onto her side.

  "Sleeping Beauty's awake."

  Sera stifled a groan as she recognized the haunting, cold voice. A hand brushed over her forehead and brushed her hair away. She scuttled away from the touch as her eyes flew open. Agony shot through her battered skull as she blinked against the dim light. Beth knelt before her, a small, hate-filled smile on her beautiful, blurry face.