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

As the water came on in the bathroom, Nash went to pick up the chards of the broken cups. His skin itched the entire time. It was ridiculous that he was out here and Arlo in there, behind a locked door—naked.


His vision shifted to black and white, and he took a calming breath. He had to get a grip on his beast. He couldn’t go into town shifting back and forth like a madman, and he should call in sick to work.


His stomach grumbled. There was another thing, switching back and forth took a lot of energy, and if he didn’t eat properly, his control grew weak. Yeah, food. He needed food, or he’d break the door to the bathroom and Arlo wouldn’t like it if he did.


The elastic band was back, pulling him toward the locked door. He growled but did so quietly. Arlo should want him in there, should want his hands running over his body.


Chapter 33