After seven years of being on the move, Arlo Barman wants nothing more than a place to call home. But unbeknownst to him, Arlo is a caladrius healer, so staying in one place has never been an option. The compulsion to separate himself from those he's healed is all-consuming and leaves him little choice but to pack up yet again. Nash Silver is the only werewolf in his small coastal town. Living undetected in a human world is imperative for his kind, and he and his small circle of friends -- a vampire and a psychic -- have done so for decades. But Nash's anonymous existence is jeopardized when a man with an enticing scent moves into town. From the moment Nash lays eyes on the stranger, nothing is more important than being close to him. Not even guarding his secret. Arlo isn't interested in a relationship or even a date, his past has taught him nothing good comes from it, but the rather pushy local popping up everywhere he goes has his heart somersaulting. If he's heart is somersaulting or not doesn't matter, because when Nash gets injured, Arlo is the only one who can save him. Having used his powers, Arlo has to leave Nash and the cozy town he wanted to make his home, but can Nash survive being separated from his mate?

Black Bird

“W-What are you doing?” Why hadn’t he heard him move?


Nash drew in a deep breath as if scenting the air, Arlo did too without thinking—coffee was all he could smell.


“Well, you’re making me a little uncomfortable.”


Arlo could practically taste his heart in his throat, his stomach turned into a cold knot. Would Nash…do something? Looking like he did, there had been a few close calls throughout the years, but Arlo had always gotten away before things turned too bad.


“Why so scared?” Nash flashed his teeth, but Arlo wouldn’t call it a smile, or maybe it was, but it looked kind of feral. His eyes were wild, his jaws clenched.


“I’m not.” Arlo cringed at the words and Nash scrunched his nose.


“Lies have a less than pleasant smell to them.”


Chapter 17