Page 3 of Auctioned Mate

“And so is our ancient way.”

“Don’t be a stranger. But don’t be afraid to explore. I know you’re a little more hesitant than your friends to discover new things.”

“I’m not hesitant. I’m simply—”

Izdor wrapped a muscly arm around my shoulders. “Cautious.”

“Uptight,” Killian added, to which Raven glared at him and Killian shrugged. “What? He’s a little wound up. I’m just saying maybe thisMossplace can help.”

Raven frowned curiously. “You’ve heard of it?”

“Only vague whispers.” Killian shrugged. “You know how it can be sometimes. Things can come and go quickly. Might be one of those temporary taverns.”

“Either way, be safe,” Raven said. “And let us know if you need anything. We’re only a call away.”

Such welcoming arms surprised me. But Izdor would have never led us into a situation that wouldn’t be as warm as the Silverdawn pack. While Galanthia held the door open, Izdor ushered me out into the cool night to where adventure waited for us.

Darkness gathered in the streets where the lamps didn’t reach. I walked with Galanthia on my right and Izdor on my left, a formation we had carried over from Estaria. Back in that starry place, our positions had been very different. Life had been different in every way, unpredictably so.

What we had witnessed in our elders had led us to this odd realm, a place where things managed to turn upside down quite often. Phrases were strange. Illustrious performances went on constantly. City life never quite halted, even when the sun descended beyond the horizon.

Excitement brewed in every corner of this place, of Wolfcreek. I couldn’t stop repeating the name of it in my head, turning it around with its interesting syllables and false implications. I would have anticipated a place named as such to harbor wolves above all, yet many species resided among these streets.

Izdor slapped my shoulder in a friendly gesture. “Get out of your head, seriously.”

“You could think up a storm,” Galanthia joked. “But the best strategies came from these silences. What are you thinking?”

I stared ahead, keeping in mind the directions I had been given by the stranger without him properly knowing. “I’m not sure.”

“That’s a lot of uncertainty for a lot of thinking,” Izdor joked. “Come on, tell us what you want tonight. Is it a hookup?”

My core burned at the thought. “Well…”

“He needs a woman,” Galanthia stated plainly. “There’s no shame in the longing, friend. We’ll get you situated easily.”

I laughed. “I don’t understand. That’s usually something I can do by myself.”

“We call it being a wingman,” Izdor said with a regal gesture to the path ahead. “It means I’ll make sure to make you sound as appealing as possible to whomever you choose.”

Galanthia smacked me on the back, sending me stumbling forward. “And I shall do the same!”

With friends like these, I couldn’t lose. I prepared my body for a most curious night while trying to think of what the next place might hold for us. Adventure was a finicky thing in unfamiliar places. I didn’t want to make a mistake—and I didn’t want to miss what could possibly be the best night of my life.

What remained certain was the fact that I would soon find out.

Chapter 2 - Juriah

Mossdid indeed resemble its earthy name, feeling somewhat rooted in this reality while retaining a certain supernatural charm. Creatures of all types roamed the open dining area, though many chose to settle in at any of the round silver tables available. Wherever someone needed a bigger chair, a bigger one appeared without an attendant having to walk over and remedy the situation.

Baffled and intrigued, I found myself titillated by the entertainment on stage, a half-clad woman with a large bosom and pastel-pink skin shimmying up a pole. Her eyes were entirely silver and long purple hair hung in ringlets around her shoulders even when she spun upside down. Such acrobatics were the work of magic, surely.

The fact that her tiny bikini had hardly moved during her performance was likely magic as well. Much of it was stirring my loins as it did Izdor, but purely for physical carnal reasons—some of which were entirely new to me. While the earth realm was generous with its pleasures, I was overwhelmed by the ease with which I was aroused.

Something to do with being in a different realm, I had to guess. At the very least, I was able to distinguish primal desire from affection. Not that it was particularly hard. I’d yet to encounter a creature of any species who sparked affection, other than my friends and the pack. Nothing more serious than fondness had arisen from any given situation.

Perhaps I’m being punished for my failures.

My terrifying thought propelled me to the bar. This tavern surely had something resembling the golden liquor fromGoat’s Head, perchance something stronger. Curtained doorways appeared to lead to other places while steel doors hid the secrets of this lustful den. A heightened sense of desire clung to the air, reminding me of thick incense.

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