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question of the evening, isn’t it?” Arran inserted himself between Alex and Elle, his mate, and Markus, his former partner.
    Markus released a short crack of laughter as if amused with Arran’s protective move. “You worried about me getting too close to your mate, partner?”
    “You lost the right to call me that the moment you sank your fangs, and other various parts of your anatomy, into Marguerite,” Arran spat.
    “That was a long time ago, Arran.” Markus shook his head and proceeded farther into the room toward the master of the Enclave. “If Kenric can let go of the past, don’t you think you should give it the old Boy Scout try?” At the commander’s side, he faced the others in the room. “After all, Kenric was the one betrayed the most, yet he’s willing to give me a second chance.” Markus tapped first Guerin, then Arran with his gaze. “Your numbers are down, warriors. You need me. And hey.” Markus smiled. “I’m willing to let bygones be bygones.”
    Arran roared and launched at the grinning male.
    “You arrogant son of a bitch.” Guerin also surged toward Markus.
    “That’s enough,” Kenric bellowed and appeared in front of their new team member, blocking their attack. Yet Alex never saw him move. The warriors froze in their steps, their wills seized. A powerful feat only a master such as Kenric could accomplish. Alex’s breath hitched and her pulse quickened at the sight.
    “Now…” Kenric said, ratcheting his tone back down into the range of civil conversation. “Do we think we can keep from killing one another long enough for me to speak?” As if the master vampire had reeled his power back down a measure or two, the males managed slight nods. “Good.” Kenric inhaled deeply and released them.
    “Damn, I hate when you do that.” Arran rubbed his nape. “I always end up with a bad case of fucking whiplash when you let go.”
    “Then stop giving me reasons to do it,” Kenric drily stated.
    “ Pfft .” Arran lowered his arm and drew his mate to his side once more.
    “I knew my decision to release Markus and invite him to return to the Enclave would be met with a great deal of reservation,” Kenric began, taking a stand beside the fireplace. He leaned his shoulder against the mantel and crossed a leg over his booted ankle. Standing at more than six foot four with short, thick black hair and eyes the color of the sea, Eve’s father emitted power—confidence. The dark warrior was an impressive sight, and Alex could easily see why Emily was so enamored with her mate.
    Yet as captivating as Kenric was, Alex found her attention wandering. Drawn to the darker male to his right, the one the others in the room tossed daggers at with their eyes, as if he had a target painted on his chest.
    And it was disturbing.
    Not the part where the warriors and their mates wanted to kill him. Nope. That she understood. She’d wanted to do the same not five minutes ago. But the part where every time his gaze brushed hers, a fire kindled low in her pelvis.
    What’s wrong with me?
    Maybe when a male turned a female it wasn’t uncommon for a lingering attraction? Except no one had ever mentioned she should expect that type of physical reaction to Markus. Elle didn’t seem to have the same problem, and Markus had also been her sire. But she’d also said he hadn’t been the one to feed her during the change. A Calyx by the name of Christian had been sent to take care of her need for blood. Perhaps that had made the difference?
    There was only one problem with her theory, though: confirmation. She couldn’t just walk up to anyone in the house and say, “I’ve got the hots for Markus. Do you think my body’s reaction to him has to do with the fact he’s my sire and he exclusively fed me for so many weeks?”
    Alex mentally shook herself. Nope. No way was she dropping that bit of news on anyone.
    “I can’t imagine why,” Guerin uttered, jerking her back into the moment.
    Shit! Had she