The first Lycan was born on April the 20th 1969. Instead of being taught how to do normal things, they were taught how to shift forms, fight, and use weapons. They were locked in cages with a single cot, a toilet, and a hose to use as a shower. They were fed raw steak twice a day. So basically their lives were hell. The journals were written by a few of the elders who were willing enough to retell the hell they lived in for years. They were subjected to a lot of abuse for drug tests. Where David refused to tell me the details, the journals were very graphic. I had to stop a few times just to stop crying and catch my breath. I couldn't imagine the pain and suffering they had to endure.

The last journal told the story of the first Lycan born outside captivity. The man told of everything they had to go through before they could settle down. I loved the way every single detail was described. The first baby was born in skin and only learned how to shift after his sixth birthday. He was weaker and lacked a lot of abilities. Every time a new child was born, they grew weaker and weaker. It was discovered later on that those who have bred had similar DNA. Packs were formed and that was how they evolved.

I finished the last journal and searched the library for more books. There were no more about the history but a lot about the traditions that were started; including the Mating Ceremony. In the pack, I came from we never celebrated this way. They bit their mate to stake their claim. It was never announced in front of the whole pack. There were illustrations drawn of everything—including the breeding that happened after the ceremony. I had sneaked the book up to my room to read without being interrupted.

The men were busy with pack business. They were locked in the study with men going in and out every few seconds. They were worried, but about what I didn't know. Devon refused to discuss anything with me. He said that he didn't want to worry me, so I didn't push for answers. Everything was going great. Arrangements for the Christmas party were being made. It would be the first time I would be spending Christmas with anyone. I was excited.

But I woke up Friday morning with a feeling of dread. My stomach was in knots and the feeling that something bad was about to happen, wasn't fading. I finished my usual morning routine before heading downstairs for breakfast. David was seated by the table when I arrived. I frowned, searching for Devon.

"He's on the phone," David said softly as if reading my mind. "Take a seat, doll. Breakfast is getting cold."

I walked over to the chair he indicated to. Stopping next to it, I stared down at it for a few seconds before I glanced up at him. He wasn't dressed yet. My eyes took every inch of his naked skin in. I walked around the table and stopped next to his chair. David glanced up in surprise. His eyebrows rose when I took a seat on his lap.

"What are you doing?"

Instead of answering, I snuggled closer and pressed my face against his neck. His arms wrapped around my waist to hug me against him, and his cheek rubbed against my forehead. David sighed.

"What's wrong, Val?" he asked softly.

"How do you know that something's wrong?"

"I can sense it. Talk to me."

The tears that filled my eyes were unexpected. I sat up and threw my arms around his neck. He tensed. Words failed me. I didn't know how to explain what I felt. If I told him then he would think that I was crazy.

"All the arrangements have been made. We just—"

I pulled away and glanced over my shoulder at him. Devon hurried closer and crouched next to the chair. He placed his hand on my thigh as his icy eyes searched mine.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?"

I sucked in a sharp breath. "I feel like something bad is going to happen."

"Bad how?"

"I don't know. It's hard to explain. I just know that something bad is going to happen. I don't know what."

Devon reached up and wiped a tear away with his thumb. He straightened but leaned down to press a kiss against my cheek before he stepped away. "I'll have a word with the enforcers. I'll be right back."

I turned back to David when Devon had disappeared. He gave me a tender smile as he reached out to repeat Devon's actions. I leaned into his touch and allowed my eyes to flutter close.

"You don't think I'm being stupid?"

"No. Whenever your instinct tells you that something's wrong, you listen to it. That's how we survive here in the wild, we follow our instincts."

I sighed and leaned against him again. Devon returned five minutes later and sat down in the chair close to David. They took turns feeding me my breakfast. I silently drank my coffee as their conversation about pack business continued. After a few minutes, both men fell silent. I could feel the tension in the air.

"We need to talk about something," Devon said softly as he leaned forward in his chair.

I swallowed, giving him a small nod to continue. My heartbeat increased when he didn't continue right away. I turned a little more so I could get a better look at him. "You sound serious."

"We want to make an announcement at the Christmas party."

"Okay. . ."

"You have to be a little more specific, Devon, so our little mate can understand," David said softly.

"Right. We want to tell our pack that you agreed to be our mate. Is that okay with you or do you want to stall for a little more time?"

I bit my lip as I went over his words. They were willing to wait for me. "It's going to cause a big stir amongst everyone, isn't it?"

Devon shrugged. "Probably. The only ones with a problem would be the elders."

"Maybe you should tell them first," I said softly. "If they accept us and the other members see it, the rest of the pack would accept it easier." David blinked at me. "Does that make sense?"

"You're a genius, little dove."

I smiled at him. Leaning forward, I pressed my palms against the table to get leverage and then leaned over to press my lips against his. His lips instantly parted. I licked his lips slowly before slipping my tongue inside his mouth. Devon gripped the back of my neck as his tongue brushed against mine. A shudder raced down my spine. David's hand slowly slid up my back and then down again. I arched my back.

"Let's take this elsewhere," he muttered.

Devon broke the kiss and silently stared at me. It took a few seconds for me to realize that they were both waiting for me to answer them. Nervousness made my stomach quiver. If I said yes then we'd head upstairs, strip naked, and do all kinds of things. An image of being tied up flashed through my mind. I pressed my thighs together as wetness flooded my panties.

Devon's nostrils flared, and a second later a low growl fell from his parted lips. "You smell very good, little dove. I want to know if you taste as good as you smell."

I groaned. Yes, I wanted him to taste me too. Would it be as amazing as they described it in the books I've read? Our eyes locked. I moved back and glanced between the two of them. They smelled so fucking good.

"I had a dream the other night," I said softly.

"Yeah? What was it about?"

I swallowed. "Us. You had me tied down and you were touching me. You used some vibrating thing on me."

They blinked at me. Maybe I should've just kept my mouth shut. Devon glanced over my shoulder at David. He suddenly smiled and stood, and without saying a word, he held his hand out for me. I took it and allowed him to pull me up and lead me towards the door. A glance over my shoulder assured me that David was following us. I was led to a door that opened to stairs leading down into the dark. A light flickered on, revealing the door at the bottom of the stairs. My heartbeat increased as we walked down the stairs.

Devon dropped my hand and reached up. My brows furrowed when he pulled a chain with a single key out from underneath his shirt—I never noticed him wearing that. He gave me a wink before turning to push the key into the lock. The click of the door being unlocked sounded loud in the silence that surrounded us. He pushed it open, flicked on a light, and stood aside for me to enter first.

I certainly wasn't expecting what I saw. It was another bedroom. Well, not an ordinary bedroom. A four-poster bed stood in the middle of the room with black sheets that looked like satin. The thick carpet muted our footsteps as we moved further into the room. There was a loveseat facing the bed, and the walls were covered with different . . . toys of all shapes and sizes.

"Welcome to our playroom, little dove."