Page 103 of What a Wolf Demands

Satisfaction was a low thrum in Dom’s chest. He continued herding Thibeaux, who stumbled and almost fell. Dom backed him all the way across the study, until they reached the double doors.

In a last show of defiance, Thibeaux muttered an angry curse. “You’re an arrogant prick, Prado.”

“So I’ve heard,” Dom said. “Now, go wait outside.” Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked back to the chairs. “You wait with him,” he told the rest of the loup-garou.

The wolves made a hasty exit, which proved they were smarter than their leader.

When the room was finally clear of Louisiana wolves, Dom went to Lily and took her hands. “You sure you want to do this, sweetheart?”

She gave him a watery smile. “No. But I need to know this is real. That it’s actually happening.” Her green eyes shone with what looked like hope—and maybe a little joy. “This will change everything.”

Uncaring about their audience, he put his forehead against hers. “It doesn’t matter,” he whispered. “It’s just icing on the cake.”

Somewhere behind them, Remy moaned. “Umm, cake.” A second later, he grunted and muttered, “Again, Soph? Really?”

Lily chuckled. The sound was infectious, and Dom couldn’t help chuckling, too.

He lifted his head and smiled down at her. “I’ll be right here.”

Sophie came up and put a hand on Lily’s shoulder. “We all will.”

“All right,” Lizette said, rubbing her hands together briskly. “This is pretty straightforward.”

Lily’s face went serious, like she was preparing for a difficult test.

Lizette glanced at Remy. “Grab me a couple chairs, will you, Rem?”

He hopped to it, swinging one of the chairs around and placing it where she pointed.

“Now the other one facing it,” she murmured.

When he’d positioned them the way she wanted, she directed Lily to one and then sat in the other, their knees almost touching.

“Okay,” Lizette said, offering her an encouraging smile, “try to clear your mind. I’ll do the rest.”

“Should I close my eyes?” Lily asked.

“You can if you want. It might help you focus.”

Lily let her eyes flutter shut, her hands resting lightly on her thighs.

Sophie tugged Remy to some chairs off to the side. Max leaned against his desk near Duncan, who looked on with wide eyes.

Dom hovered near Lily’s shoulder. He wasn’t going anywhere unless she told him to.

Lizette took a deep breath, then placed her hands palm down on Lily’s forearms. She closed her eyes, and her dark brows pulled together as she concentrated.

Dom braced himself. Although he’d seen her Turn latents a dozen times or more, he was never fully prepared for the flash of heat that shot from her hands. According to Lizette, her Bloodsinger talent was an extension of her Healer abilities. When she worked on someone, the pulse of energy that left her was hot and overpowering—like standing in front of a blast furnace. The force usually knocked him back a step.

The room was quiet as everyone waited for something to happen.

Lizette leaned forward, pressing harder on Lily’s arms.

Then her eyes flew open.

She yanked her hands away.

Lily jumped and opened her eyes. “What’s wrong?” Her voice rose. “Did I do something?”

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