"It was so exciting to return to this world that Toby Aden has created. I really enjoyed the first book and learning about the war that's been raging for centuries between werewolves and vampires. Seeing the king of all vampires, Kevyan, find his mate in Dorian, an omega werewolf who didn't even know he was a shifter much less a type that hadn't been seen for centuries, was thrilling. It's no wonder I was super eager to jump into this latest release in the series. Even though the peace treaty has been in effect for six months, neither the vamps nor the wolves have made any inroads into being anything but silent enemies. Kevyan and Dorian meet with their neighboring alpha and agree to establish a nightclub for both species, run by a member of each. Kevyan assigns Justin and, unfortunately for him, the alpha assigns Shawn, Justin's mate whom he refuses to acknowledge or have any contact with. Justin contacts Mike to come and see the space and discuss the interior design options. Lo and behold, Shawn is his mate, too. Turns out Justin and Mike mated many years before but something always felt off about it and they didn't know why so they haven't spent a ton of time together. It appears their mate bond was waiting for their third. The opening of the nightclub goes very well until arson has a fire raging and while everyone is busy with that, Dorian is kidnapped. Dorian who is now pregnant, an announcement that he and Kevyan have not made yet. It would appear that the hooded man, for lack of a better term, hasn't let go of his enmity for Kevyan and he's determined to get one or the other species to break the treaty causing full-out war again. As much as I would have liked Justin to get his head out of his butt a whole lot sooner, he didn't, causing Mike and Shawn a lot of pain, and almost losing one of them forever. I empathized with Justin and his feelings, but a fated mate is not something to ignore, in my opinion anyway. The mating was completed and Mike, Shawn, and Justin were given the future to work out their issues. A great addition to the series that I enjoyed even more than the first book. I'm really looking forward to more of these books as I think there's definitely a lot more excitement to be found. As it is, I loved seeing Mike, Shawn, and Justin finally find their happiness together." -- Christy Duke, Rainbow Book Reviews
STORY EXCERPT
A blue-haired, stylishly dressed, tattooed, handsome man stepped out of a red convertible and strode into the building. Two sets of eyes turned to gaze at the man as he sauntered into the room, leaving the door to swing shut behind him. The man’s features were strikingly gorgeous, and he was almost as tall as Shawn. The man’s lanky frame filled out the colorful clothes he wore, which fit him like a second skin.
The scarf he had tied around his neck billowed around him with the blowing wind from the open windows. The man pulled off the dark sunglasses he had on to reveal striking gray eyes which roamed over Shawn’s body before turning on Justin. The moment the man’s eyes touched Justin’s, a shit-eating grin split his face, making him look more like a god come to grace their sights.
Shawn felt his heart thud as he stared at the man in his skinny jeans and form-fitting black shirt. The gray, knee-length coat matched the color of his eyes. He felt the exact same connection he had felt when he first met Justin, and he briefly wondered how come he’d never met the man before nor known that Justin wasn’t his only mate. He was the luckiest and most fucked person ever at the same time. All he could do was stare and hope that his other mate wasn’t as difficult as Justin.
Shawn watched as the man’s long legs ate up the distance between them, and he immediately pulled Justin into a bear hug, burying his face into the crook of Justin’s shoulder. Shawn waited for the feeling of jealousy to attack, but, to his surprise, it didn’t happen. Instead, he stood mesmerized by the man. It would seem fate had gifted him with two mates to keep him grounded, only if he could keep up with the both of them.
“Long time no see, Justy baby,” the man said.
The man’s lilting voice and soothing cologne intoxicated him, and Shawn immediately became hard, barely able to hold back the groan wanting to emerge from him.
“Mike, you bastard, let me go,” Justin said, but there was no reproach or disgust in his voice. In fact, it seemed Justin was holding back laughter as he pulled back from Mike.
Mike pulled back, his hands on Justin’s shoulders as he took Justin in. After a while of looking his fill, he roughened Justin’s hair, earning a smack on the chest and a glare from Justin for his efforts. Mike burst into laughter at the put-upon look he got from Justin before he turned to look at Shawn once again, catching the man watching them together.
“Introduce your friend, babe,” Mike said, nudging Justin.
“We’re not friends,” Justin protested.
Mike looked from one to the other before shrugging. “Semantics, babe, semantics. Now introduce me to this gorgeous hunk.”
“You’re a terrible flirt, Mike,” Justin said, unable to keep the corner of his lips from tilting.
“Yeah, yeah, I know. It’s one of my endearing qualities.” Mike held his hand out. “And since this knucklehead here isn’t going to, I’m Mike Beckley. And you?”
Shawn took the vampire’s hand, feeling the jolt go all the way through his body as he did. “Shawn McKay.”
ADULT EXCERPT
“It seems fate has chosen two mates for me. I’m sure you’ll both keep me on my toes,” Shawn said and used that opportunity to steal a searing kiss from Justin, who was still shocked by the bomb dropped on him and unable to process that he was being kissed, much less react by pulling away.
Mike chose that time to turn around, catching them in lip lock as he saw Shawn pull away, and turned to follow Mike, only to stop in his tracks when he saw Mike watching them.
“Wow, that explains the tension earlier. You lucky devil, you,” Mike crooned teasingly at Justin.
Justin’s face heated rapidly in a blush, and he knew he wouldn’t live that down, not with Mike anyway. He just hoped his friend could keep his mouth shut and not blab to the entire vampire race.
“It’s not what you think,” Justin said, the denial leaving his mouth before he could stop it.
Mike gave a wicked laugh as he moved closer to the two. It was clear he didn’t buy what Justin just said. “Got yourself a lycan lover, huh?”
Justin waved his hands in denial. “No. He’s not. We aren’t, really. We don’t have that kind of relationship.”
Mike raised a brow and said in a singsong, “Methinks the guy does protest too much.”
Justin let out a groan, knowing that whatever he said was going to fall on deaf ears. Mike had heard and seen all he wanted, and nothing could convince him otherwise, not that Mike was wrong anyway. He simply wasn’t ready to admit to himself anything with regards to the wolf, neither was he ready for the shit storm about to come his way.
“So, how was it? Good? Bad? Earthshaking?” Mike teased.
Shawn stepped forward. “Why don’t you see for yourself?”
And with that, Shawn palmed the back of Mike’s neck and drew his head forward, slanted his mouth and took Mike’s mouth in a deep kiss with tongues. Mike’s lips were opened in shock, not quite expecting that reaction to his words. Though once his body caught up with what was going down, his hands involuntarily went around Shawn’s neck as his body became pliant, and he fell into the kiss, taking and giving just as good.
Justin sucked in a stunned breath as he watched the man who had just blown his brain away not long ago making out in front of him with his on-again, off-again lover. He felt a tiny bit of outrage, which he shoved mercilessly away. Besides, watching the two men was too much of a turn-on for the outrage to last a nanosecond.
Shawn fisted Mike’s long blue hair in his hand, wrapping the man’s hair in his fist as he angled Mike’s mouth to penetrate further. In the space of several hours, he’d managed to find both his mates. Although he’d found Justin several months ago, he was lucky he hadn’t cared enough to give a damn about their race. All he could think about right now was how great having two mates was and all the many fantasies he could finally enjoy as he plundered Mike’s mouth.
“Mate,” Shawn growled against Mike’s succulent mouth.
Justin let out a whimper, unable to stop it from releasing. He was so fucking turned on, he felt like he could burst from his jeans. He was slowly going out of his mind with want, and, no matter how softly his mind tried to protest, his body strongly objected. He wanted in but was much more intrigued with watching the two men devour each other.
Shawn dragged his lips away from Mike’s and trailed wet hot kisses up Mike’s cheek and side until he reached Mike’s earlobe, sucking the fragile skin into his mouth to suck on before gently biting down. Justin and Mike groaned at the same time, both knowing it was a weakness for Mike and Mike was about to lose his composure, turning wild.
Using his inhuman strength, Mike picked Shawn up, even though the man probably weighed more than him in bulk. However, since they were evenly matched in height and strength, Mike moved with lightning fast speed and slammed Shawn’s back against the wall, the other man’s legs automatically wrapping around his waist.
“You a receiver?” Mike asked in a growl, his eyes glowing fiercely.
“Both.”
Mike groaned in satisfaction. “Good, same. Justin, get your ass over here, now!”
Justin didn’t need to be told twice. Mike on his own was an embodiment of sexiness. Mike and Shawn together and his pupils were blown, his cock rock hard, his breath panting and his hands aching to hold and join in on the act. Even with the feeble attempt at turning away and ignoring the two going at each other, Justin had no idea when he’d joined them.