Nature of the Beasts Read Online Free PDF Page B

never went anywhere without the other. They were joined at the hip.
    A calm had settled over him briefly after killing that girl. But Dastan’s presence had all but ruined that sense of serenity. He hated Dastan. He and Dastan had been part of the same pack at one time, but that had been over two millennia ago. It was doubtful Dastan would even remember him, even if they were face-to-face.
    He, on the other hand, definitely remembered Dastan. It was the Persian prince who had him banished from their pack. Dastan didn’t approve of his unusual appetites. Well, as far as he was concerned, Dastan could rot in hell.
    For centuries the Persian was basically untouchable. When Dastan was guardian to the council, he didn’t dare make a move against him. But now that he was retired… Well, that was a different matter entirely.
    The mortal world would be the perfect place to get his revenge against Dastan. Here, his shifter sense was a bit weaker. Here, Dastan wouldn’t see him coming.
    Maybe this town would be a good place to set up shop for a time. He could scope things out, keep an eye on his enemy shifter. If he could find out what was most important to Dastan, he could formulate a plan for getting even.
    He smiled coyly. This would allow him to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. He could satisfy his lust for blood and at the same time satisfy his vengeance against Dastan.

Chapter Five
    Dastan waited impatiently outside the restaurant for Sarah to join them. Normally her going off alone didn’t bother him, but after finding that woman’s body, he couldn’t seem to shake the lingering sense of dread. He would feel much better if Sarah were home with them, where she belonged.
    He glanced over at Dmitry, who leaned casually against the porch railing. Dmitry had a thing for Sarah, big-time. Although he would not admit it, Dmitry was probably falling in love with her. Dastan wasn’t too far behind him. Despite her sharp tongue and her stubborn pride, Dastan could easily see himself making Sarah his mate. The only problem was she wasn’t a shifter.
    And that was the one big thing that puzzled the hell out of him. Why did he have a mating pull? Why did he want her as though she was the one woman in the world who would fit? It just didn’t make any sense. Which was one of the biggest reasons why he hadn’t made a move. Until he understood what all this meant, he wasn’t sure he should.
    Dastan felt her presence before ever spotting her. He glanced down the sidewalk just as she shut the door to the salon and headed in their direction. She looked so adorable in the salon it had taken all his willpower to not touch her. It seemed the more he was around her, the harder it became to keep his hands to himself.
    She had her blonde hair pulled to the side and braided. The jeans she wore hugged her hips and made him swallow back a moan of approval. God, she looked good today.
    She’d been right earlier. He could’ve used the phone, but heaven help him, he liked seeing her. Especially when she looked like she did today.
    “What’s with the whole hovering thing?” she asked in annoyance as she came closer. “You guys never eat lunch in town.”
    “That’s not true. We’ve eaten here several times, just not with you,” Dastan said, then moved in a little closer so he could lower his voice. “And considering what we found not far from the house, I believe I’m entitled to hover.”
    Sarah pursed her lips. “Point taken.”
    “Let’s get inside and eat. I’m starving,” Dmitry said as he put his hand at the small of Sarah’s back and ushered her inside.
    She glanced briefly over her shoulder at Dmitry’s arm but didn’t try to pull away. Dastan followed. Sarah’s sweet scent lingered, and his nostrils flared. The smell of her skin and hair never failed to make his senses come alive. But today he’d noticed another scent clinging to her.
    It was light, but it was there. A musky smell more often associated with