“I love you,” I whispered into her hair.

“I love you more,” she murmured in return.

She lifted her gaze, the warm brown of her eyes melting into mine.

I could have remained in that bed with her forever. My cock twitched at the thought of making love to her again. But there were more pressing matters to attend to. And if we were going to live the life I envisioned for us—a life where I kept Sasha protected and safe—then I needed to snuff the threat out. Now.

“Sasha,” I began. “About the Dark Fae…”

Her gaze grew serious. “Tell me.”

My lips thinned. “Before you and your wolves killed the traitorous rogues, I was able to interrogate Rick and his bears.”

“You tortured him, of course.” Sasha scowled.

My smile was all fangs. I pressed a kiss to her forehead, and she purred beneath me.

“Rick visited a witch at the were club and learned how to open a portal to the Fae Realm.”

Sasha’s eyes widened. She propped herself up on her elbow. “My god,” she breathed.

I nodded, frowning. “He gathered ingredients together. Some snakeskin, mandrake root, myrrh, burdock root, nightshade, and…” I paused, the words too evil to speak. But Sasha needed to know. “The blood of a witch of fae.”

Sasha’s mouth slackened. She blinked, a far off look in her gaze. “Blood of a fae,” she whispered. “Did they kill…”

“I don’t know how to gather a fae’s blood. My guess is those Dark Fae bastards would kill their Light Fae brethren for the sick enjoyment of it.” I gritted my teeth. “I know Rick used a witch’s blood as the last ingredient. He ground them all up and poured it onto the ground, deep in the woods on the fringes of our territory. A portal opened, and he went through. He met with a Dark Lord by the name of Dargon Vensteel.”

I pushed into a seated position, resting my back against the headboard of Sasha’s bed. She followed my lead, tucking her smaller body against mine. I sensed the sour tang of her anxiety rolling off her soft skin.

My upper lip curled back as I thought of my former friend’s treachery. Though my heart still bore a hole in it from the betrayal. “Rick formed an alliance with the Dark Fae Lord. They would richly compensate him for killing you.”

“But why?” Sasha demanded. She swallowed. “What threat could I possibly pose to the Dark Fae, as all-powerful as they are?”

“Because the Dark Fae seek to take over our realm.” I looked down at her, my lips twisted. “You were right, Sasha. You told me of your suspicions of the Dark Fae wanting our planet for themselves. But I doubted you. I was an ass.” I sighed. “Have been an ass during the entire investigation. You solved the case, though.”

“No, Damon, no,” Sasha said. She placed her hand over mine. “We were both at a loss over the investigation. It took both of us to solve it.”

I shook my head, allowing myself to grin. “You’re too good for me.”

Sasha’s mouth popped open in surprise before she ducked her chin in embarrassment. She shook her head as if to rid it away, then asked, “Did Rick tell you why the Dark Fae Lord wanted me dead?”

I growled. “Because of your powers of the Light Fae.”

“What?”

“You’re part Light Fae, Sasha…”

“I-I don’t understand. I’m a werewolf.”

“Not according to the Dark Lord,” I said. “You have an ancestor in your bloodline who was a Light Fae. They revealed not much else to Rick. Only that you posed a threat to the Dark Fae because of your Light Fae heritage and powers.”

Sasha licked her lips, her eyes shifting slightly, her gaze unseeing. I remained silent and let her muse over what I’d revealed. Sasha’s head lifted.

“That explains so many mysteries in my life.”

I cocked my head. “Like what?”

She tugged on one of her curls. “When I was a baby, someone sent a birthday present. Of course, this is a common thing. I had many gifts presented to me by the pack. Especially since I was the beta’s daughter.” Sasha’s eyes darkened as her gaze drifted to a far off place. One I couldn’t follow.