“You can shift. I’m not an idiot.” She glanced at the counter. “This block of knives wouldn’t even save me if you wanted to kill me.” She looked back at Yonda. It surprised her that the other woman smiled.

“You could at least try. Drantos would slaughter me if I laid a finger on you. I’m not suicidal. At least bluff, Dustin.”

“It’s Dusti.”

“Isn’t that a boy’s name?”

“My full name is Dustina but everyone shortens it. It’s with an I.”

Yonda groaned. “A human with an I at the end of her name. How cliché. I’m trying to like you but you’re making it difficult.”

“You’re another VampLycan woman with an A at the end of her name. Crayla. Peva. My mom was Antina. She named her daughters Batina and Dustina. Is that like a requirement here or something? I think I’ll stick with being called Dusti with an I.”

Yonda chuckled. “A lot of our names do end with A’s. It’s tradition in some families to have that in the name of at least one daughter. It’s considered good luck. Tell me about Lord Aveoth. I’ve always wanted to meet him. Does he look like he’d be fantastic in bed? He needs a lover. I’m not sure how I’d do living at the cliffs but he might be worth it.” She sobered. “Especially if this clan’s future is resting on Drantos making you fierce. I’m not holding much hope of that happening.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a bitch?”

“All the time. Is that insulting in your world? Call me human.” Yonda flashed a grin. “That would sting. Now tell me about Aveoth. I’m serious! I’ve never gone to bed with a GarLycan and the ones sent here with messages are in and out before we can flirt with them. They are all business. You could get rid of me if I volunteered to go live with their clan. Tell me about him.”

“He’s about six feet four, massive chest and arms, classically handsome but with a touch of seriously scary too. He looks really dangerous. I didn’t see any wings but he dressed in a lot of leather and his voice reminded me of thunder when he got angry. His eyes and skin color changed right in front of me. It was eerie. He beheaded someone superfast and didn’t seem bothered by it at all. His tone didn’t even really change. You’d think he’d just swatted a fly.”

Yonda licked her lips. “Did he seem really cold and distant?”

Dusti shrugged. “I guess.”

“I’m going to request an audience with him. That’s incredibly arousing.”

“Did you hear what I said?”

“Of course I did. You made him sound like a wet dream.”

“I think I need another drink.” Dusti shook her head. “You people are too weird.”

“Why do you think that way?”

“I couldn’t wait to get away from him but you want to go meet him? I thought you said you weren’t suicidal?”

Yonda advanced into the kitchen and snatched away the bottle Dusti had grabbed. “I think you’ve had enough. You’re slurring your words. You don’t want your mate to come home from patrol to find you passed out on the floor. It will be just one more reminder of how weak you are. You can’t even hold your liquor well.”

Dusti looked up at the other woman. “I really don’t like you. You’re so rude.”

“We’re honest. Lies are a waste of time. You are Drantos’s mate so that means I have to accept you. Feign violence if you are ever insulted. No one would actually strike you since it would be a death sentence if they hurt Drantos’s mate in any way. You’ll at least appear stronger than you really are and earn their respect for courage. Stay away from the booze too.” Her gaze lowered to Dusti’s stomach. “I can see why Crayla advised you to get pregnant. You might want to consider getting in that mindset so your ovaries start producing viable eggs. Everyone loves a new baby and it will distract them from your flaws.”

Dusti blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “I seriously hate you.”

Yonda leaned forward a little. “That’s better. Honesty. You’re sounding more like a VampLycan. Keep it up.” She turned and walked out of the house, closing the door behind her. The bottle went with her.

Dusti sighed and decided to take that bath after all. It would be hours before Drantos returned. Her talk with Yonda had sobered her up enough that she felt certain she wouldn’t fall asleep. She had too much on her mind.

Drantos spotted Yonda coming and made his presence known by walking up behind her. She didn’t sense him until he was a few feet away. She turned. He stopped.

“What are you doing out here?”

“I came looking for you.”

He tensed. “Why? Did you want to insult my mate again? I thought we were friends. How could you pull that shit, especially in front of my father?”

“I was taken aback. I didn’t expect you to go on a mission and return with a human who smelled like you’d just climbed out of bed with her. We don’t mess with humans. I was reasonably concerned when you made it clear you planned to mate her.”

“She believed it was an act of a woman who had a claim to me. I had a hell of a time explaining we have no emotional ties.”

“It’s not my fault humans date and try to form bonds with whoever they have sex with.”

“Did you come to apologize?”

“Yes.”

“I appreciate that. Don’t cause me more problems, Yonda. Avoid Dusti if you can’t be nice.”

“I just left your home.”

Rage exploded inside him. He lunged and grabbed her by her throat before he could get a handle on it. He didn’t squeeze but he let his anger be known as he snarled, glaring at her. “Did you hurt her?”

“No.” She reached up and held her open hands near his nose. “I didn’t touch her. Smell.”

He inhaled and released her, stepping back. “Stay away from her. Did you tell her to leave? Insult her?”

“I went there to explain what you needed in a mate because I consider myself your friend but you’re already linked to her. I’d be more concerned with what your mother said to her than any advice I gave.”

“What in the hell does that mean?”

Yonda grinned.