Raven drew back an inch, and he growled. "You gave me a lesson, not my answer. Why me?"

"You were a temptation." Durant smiled gently, and Raven pulled back further, unnerved by the unexpected emotion. "Shifters are drawn to strength, and you were an alpha just growing into yourself. You foolishly fought for something when you had no reason to interfere. Because you thought it was the right thing to do. You have the power to touch a person too deeply and change them." He tipped up his head. "Now my kiss."

Raven didn't care for his explanation at all. She didn't want to change people. Changing people drew attention. She leaned closer, her face nearly touching his. "And why did you want to change?"

"Shifters are pack creatures. They don't do well alone."

Raven narrowed her eyes, recognizing he was holding something back. "We're not talking about shifters. We're talking about you."

A scowl marred his face. "You're like me. You're searching for something."

"And what are you searching for?"

"You." Without waiting for her, he leaned forward, sealing his lips to hers. Her eyes slid shut as he devoured her mouth, begging her to open and return the kiss.

Under the onslaught, Raven was helpless to deny him. His need fed her own. As soon as she surrendered, the kiss gentled. But gentle was more devastating. He took his time to learn her taste. He wasn't just taking. He was seducing her with his mouth, making her crave him so she would come back for more.

Frightened by the strength of the desire he stirred, she pulled back. They both stared at each other for a few seconds before she realized that the buzzer was ringing on his desk.

She rose without looking at him, turning off the clock.

"Set it again. There is more you need to know."

It was a demand and it made her smile, but she was afraid to discover more. His answers were too revealing. She wasn't sure she wanted the brutal truth about herself exposed. The lies she told herself were the only comfort she had. She was afraid she wouldn't be able to live with the truth.

"Ask me a question."

The taste of wildness and seduction lingered on her lips.

Just one more taste.

What could it hurt?

Raven set the clock for fifteen minutes.

"Now come here."

She lingered behind him, relished teasing him too much to obey quickly. Who would have thought the delicate nape of his neck would be so attractive? She trailed her fingers down the strip of flesh. "You're a bit bossy for the one tied up."

"I want to see you." He twisted to catch a glimpse of her. "Please."

Raven circled the chair and stopped a short distance away to clear her head.

"You need to learn how to mete out punishment."

All thoughts of lust evaporated, and she retreated a step. "I don't want to hurt you."

Durant raised an eyebrow as if to say that was even possible. "I'm alpha. I can show you control. And you need the practice. If you slip, I can manage the pain. Do it."

"Bossy." But he was right. She needed to learn, if not for herself, she needed to know how to keep her people safe. That included him.

But if he wanted to do this, she wanted to actually feel him this time. She missed physical contact, missed the feel of another living person beneath her touch, skin to skin.

She lifted her hand and watched him, ready to stop at the least sign of trepidation. His gaze dropped to her hands and didn't lift again as she worked the leather off her fingers, one at a time. When she finally pulled off the gauntlet glove and tossed it to a chair, his breath caught.

It shouldn't amuse her.

It was just her hand, but she adored his reaction. She de-gloved the other hand slower, watching him watch her and couldn't believe how much the small act made her feel daring and sexy as hell.

When she walked toward him, she kept her hands away while she straddled his lap. She leaned in close and inhaled his scent.

"Ask a question."

Her lips twitched, brushing against his neck ever so lightly, and he trembled.

"Raven."

"Have you ever been in love?" She could've bitten her tongue as soon as the question slipped out. He stiffened beneath her, and her whole body froze in horror.

"Don't ask questions you don't want to know the answer." The harshness of his voice sent a flash of hurt through her, and betrayal quickly turned to downright pissed-off.

Fury bubbled up her chest, and the creature at her core woke. Menace pooled in her blood, and sped through her system like a virus. Raven should've been terrified, maybe she would be later, but it wanted answers and so did she.

Her hand shot out and encircled his throat. His pulse pounded under her grip. The heat of his skin burned. Unwilling to give up her prey, she tightened her hold. "Am I some sort of game to you?"

Durant stilled as her fingers dug into his neck. "I will never lie to you. I was in love a long time ago."

"And you still love her." Jealousy curled through her, but Durant was theirs now. And they wouldn't give up what was theirs.

Durant leaned forward despite her hold. "I deserve my kiss."

Raven slammed him back into his chair. Her lips curled into a snarl, and the creature clenched her talons, ready to rip out his throat. "I will not play second fiddle to anyone."

Durant snorted, amusement dancing in his golden eyes, in spite of her painful hold. "I was a different person then. If I'd loved her still, I wouldn't be here with you."

The creature seemed satisfied with the answer and went back to its slumber. Some of her anger eased but not the sting of betrayal. The coldness in her chest lingered. "That's why you accepted the position as owner of Talons, why you gave up your right to form a pack. Because of her."

"My kiss."

"What am I to you?"

"That's another question." Durant eased back, sensing the worse of the danger had passed.

She was almost grateful he didn't answer. She didn't know if she would be able to handle the truth. She leaned forward, but couldn't bring herself to kiss him on the lips. Instead, she set her mouth against his throat and licked the base of his neck where his pulse pounded, revealing that he wasn't as unaffected as he wanted her to believe. He tipped his head back to give her better access, but she wasn't done with him yet.

He shivered when she pulled back. Before she could ask her next question, he spoke.

"You have the threatening part down, but now we need to see if you can go through with it."

"But I wasn't done with my questions."

Durant didn't smile, didn't move. "If you kiss me again right now, I can't guarantee I will be a gentleman."

Raven wasn't sure she wanted him to be one either. But he was right, she needed to focus on surviving the conclave first. In order to do that, she needed his help.

"Fine. What do I do?" She wiggled to put more distance between them, then stopped when a rumble filled his chest.

"First, don't move like that unless you mean it."

Heat filled Raven's face. "Right."

"Then let's begin. Touch me and allow your beast to rise."

Raven hesitated and scanned her body. The creature lay like a block of ice, curled tightly around her core. It couldn't be allowed to wake again.

What decided the issue was that she needed an edge before she went in front of the council. She couldn't let her fear cause her to lose everything.

She gently brushed her fingers over his arm, and a grumble of displeasure rose from him.

"Unbutton my shirt. You can reach more of me that way."

His words were innocent enough, but him being without a shirt was so not a good idea. "Durant-"

"It will be fine. It's not sexual. Unless you can think of another way to make your beast rise?"

No, she couldn't. His nearness befuddled her mind too much. Her fingers fumbled with the buttons. His shirt parted, exposing his very well developed chest.

And what a chest.

Smooth, tanned skin lay bare, her fingers itching to explore. A light dusting of hair rested lower on his abdomen, arrowing downward as if inviting her to delve lower.

Realizing a few minutes had passed with her drooling over him, she glanced up. Instead of teasing she'd expected, she saw a dark pool of desire on his face.

"Touch me."

Not taking her gaze away from his, she reached out. A tremble shook her finger as she lightly brushed his chest, marveling at the texture of pure male. He inhaled, seeking a firmer touch. After one more stroke, she forced her hand to still, ignoring the desire to explore further.

Like he said, this was business.

"Now reach below the surface for your beast."

Raven closed her eyes, waited for her animal to rise. Only this time, it didn't work. Then her brows lowered in understanding. "You're locking your beast away from me."

"Do you think others would just allow you access?" Durant's voice rumbled around her until only the two of them existed. "Fight for it."

Raven drew in a deep breath and concentrated. The first thing that came to her was his leather scent. Following the smell, she leaned closer until she nearly had her face buried in the crook of his neck, stopping just short of touching.

Heat poured off him, and she grabbed the trail back to the source. His core. And was rewarded by a warm brush of fur. "I feel him."

"Now show him you're the stronger alpha." His breath fanned the side of her face, causing her to shudder.

"Am I?"

"It's possible. Test yourself. You won't hurt me."

"Won't or can't?" The darkness behind her eyelids allowed her to hide and be bolder than normal. She brushed her lips along his collarbone then did her best to concentrate on the lesson. Trepidation burrowed under her skin as she waited for his answer.

"Either you do this now or we need to leave. I can't take much more and not have you beneath me."

Raven shivered at his delicious words. Too bad they weren't more of a threat than they were intended. But he was right. She wasn't ready for the commitment he would demand if they took that step.

"How?"

"Think about control. Keeping it. Demanding it. Let your beast free."

Raven wanted to protest, but maybe he was right. She'd never allowed her beasts free reign, letting her fear get the better of her. But maybe during the moon's call and Durant's help, things could be different.

There was only one sure way that had ever worked to call her beast.

Touch.

Close, physical contact.

"I hope you know what you're asking." Taking her courage in both hands, Raven laid her lips against Durant's neck.

"Uh, Raven? Not that I mind, but what are you doing?"

Raven rubbed her cheek against his jaw. "The fastest, surest way to call my animal is by physical contact."

Cuffs rattled against wood.

Callused fingertips brush against her waist, possessiveness in the gesture. "More."

Raven shivered at the rough demand.

Unable to stop herself, Raven let her hands drift lower to trace over his pecks. Muscles flexed, and he scooted lower in the chair, tumbling her across his chest with an umph. When she straightened, she inhaled sharply to find his arousal press against so intimately her.

"Kiss me like you mean it." Durant lifted his chin, the demand clear, but he let her take the lead and set the pace.

Temptation beckoned, but so did his beast. If she kissed him directly, she would become lost. Instead, she ducked her head and licked the strong column of his throat. Only the angle was different, forcing her breasts to brush deliciously against him.

The cage at her center wavered and the large cat prowled forward. Relief was instantaneous. It lasted only a second, then darkness swallowed her. The creature at her core slowly unfurled. All the lovely warmth vanished like ice seeping through her veins.

The need to taste intensified.

The little nibble became a nip.

Durant arched up into her, a hiss of air escaping through his clenched teeth. Then his beast was there, growling a warning.