Carl had a muscle cramp and grabbed his side. He braced himself against the frame, and another man ran over quickly to help him get up. "Carl, are you all right?" asked the young Lycan. He smelled like aroma and something else familiar.

"Yes, sorry, I'm just-" When he turned to look at the third person in the room, he stopped in his tracks. When he saw her, his mouth went dry and he couldn't turn away. Another beautiful woman was sitting next to his sister. She was looking up at him with a look of surprise on her face. Her pouty lips were parted, and her olive-colored skin was smooth. Her cheekbones were high, and her thick, dark eyebrows were arched in a delicate way.

Beautiful eyes that were a mix of blue and green were framed by long, dark, sweeping eyelashes. Even in the harsh light of the kitchen, they seemed to glow. He could smell the faint scent of almonds on her, or maybe it was just in the whole house.

He thought it was likely her house. Something in him jerked, and he heard a low, guttural sound in his chest. What was that all about?

"Hello?" Nancy put her hand up in front of Carl's face and waved it. "Are you feeling ok?"

Carl blinked twice and didn't notice that his sister had stood up and come over to him.

The younger man said, "Why don't I take Carl back to the guest room?"

"No, I'm fine." He looked at the Lycan and said, "Thanks, um..."

"Hi, Carl, my name is Rio," he said. Carl noticed that the younger man had the same face and eyes as the mysterious woman. This made him think that they were probably related. "This is my-"

The doorbell cut him off.

Nancy thought, "That looks like Knox and Dr. Brennan."

The other woman got out of her seat quickly. "I'll get the door then," she said as she rushed past him, careful not to touch him. His eyes kept on her as she walked away.

Nancy crossed her arms and told Carl, "If you feel weak, go back to the guest room." He tried to say something, but she raised her hand. "Uh-uh. You always tell me what to do, but now you're going to listen to me, all right?"

He grumbled, "I'm fine," and stood up straight. "Please don't help me." Rio and Nancy were right behind him as he turned around and walked back out into the hallway. As they got closer to the front of the house, he saw Knox and Dr. Brennan walk in while the mystery woman held open the door.

"Carl!" When Kimberly Mace saw Carl, he called her. "I'm so glad you're okay!"

"Well, that's one way to say it," he said as he rubbed his temples.

Knox gave him a pullover and said, "We have some clothes for you, Darian." He patted him on the shoulder and said, "Glad to see you're okay." Carl thanked him for the sweatshirt and took it, then put it on.

Carl noticed that the mystery woman was short when she stood next to Knox and Dr. Brennan. She was probably two or three inches shorter than her sister. He also couldn't help but notice how well her jeans and t-shirt fit her curvy body. He was slowly remembering everything. He remembered how she pulled him into bed with her soft hand, how her lips tasted, and how her body felt under him. Again, that strange feeling came back, and he felt it all over his body.

The older Lycan asked Carl, "Are you all right?" "Your eyes are still very big."

"Uh, I think I'm still getting better," he coughed.

Dr. Brennan turned to the woman and shook his head. "Donald, thanks for helping out. Would it be too much if we stayed a little longer so I could look at him?"

The back of Carl's head shot up in surprise. He thought to himself, "Donald." Oh, shucks. He felt like a horny fool, lusting after another man's wife and almost hitting her. He also said that another Carl was Donald. He remembered that she liked his kisses and touches, and that she even unbuttoned her jeans when his hands wouldn't work. It didn't matter any more. He never slept with married women, especially not the wives of other men named Carl.

She said, "Of course." "Please take your time, and don't worry, it's not a bother. I'm just glad. Carl isn't in too much pain. Come with me to the living room."

"Thank you, Mr. Trump." The doctor then looked at Carl. "Let's check you out."

Everyone went into the living room, where Carl sat on the soft, comfortable couch. Dr. Brennan got on his knees in front of him and opened his medical bag. He took out his flashlight and stethoscope.

He gave Carl a quick exaHilarytion and took some blood from his arm to put in a vial. "Well, whatever drug you were on seems to be being fought off by your body. "How do you feel?

He said, "Still a little weak, but much better." "Like I'm getting better from being sick."

Dr. Brennan put the small vial away after saying, "Good." "I hope we can find signs of whatever was in your body. In the morning, I'll send these to Dr. Shaw."

"Good," Carl got up and looked at Rio and the other person. "Uh, thank you. To you both and your group. By the way, where is your Carl? If he's around, I'd like to thank him in person."

Rio took a look at the woman and laughed. On the other hand, the woman crossed her arms and looked annoyed at him. "The Carl is right here," she snarled.

Carl looked around like he didn't understand what was going on.

Nancy said in a scolding tone, "Hey, you might still have those drugs in your body." "She is Carl. We are in New Stone Rock."

Carl's face went from looking confused to looking shocked. The woman's eyes got bigger and her face turned sour. "Then I'm sorry, Carl," he said to himself. "I'm. I just assumed."

"That I'm someone's wife named Carl? Because of what I'm called? Like I would just let a stranger-" She stopped and her face turned red.

Even though she was clearly angry, Carl couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was getting, especially when her blue-green eyes flashed. "It was because I was high on drugs. I didn't mean to hurt you, Carl. Not while I'm on your land. I'm Carl. Carl Baker. He put out his hand to say, "Carl, this is the Pretoria Clan."

She cocked her head and looked at his hand, not knowing what to do. "I..." she paused, then took his hand. She had a strong grip, and her skin was soft but a little rough. When she touched him, his arm went tingly, and he felt a strong desire to be with her. She said, "Ellen Brown, Carl to the New Stone Rock clan."

"Nice to meet you, Carl," Carl said as he held on to her hand and smiled his most charming smile. "Thank you for saving me and being so Katie-like."

"It was nothing," she said, pulling her hand away from him in a dismissive way.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Another man wearing a T-shirt and sweatpants walked into the living room. His hair was messed up in places, like he had just gotten out of bed, and his eyes were dark brown, like he was tired. All of the Lycans in the room, except Ellen and Rio, tensed up when they saw that he was definitely a human.

"Doris," Ellen greeted, her voice turning tender. "Sorry, did we wake you?"

He yawned and said, "It's okay, Ellen." "Hi, everyone! My name is Doris." He gave everyone a smile and then turned to Carl. "Hey, man, are you ok? Happy to see you up and about! Looks like Rio's sweats fit you ok. I wasn't sure, but I hoped that when I got them, they would."

"Thanks, Doris," Carl said with a nod. "And thanks for helping. I mean all of your help."

He looked around. "Cool, well..." He yawned again. "It looks like you guys are talking about important Lycan stuff," he said. "I'm going to let you do it. Good night, Ellen, and Rio. I'll see you in the morning. Before I go to work, I have to go home and take a shower." He did a U-turn and left.

"Who were they?" Nancy spoke up. "Is he a person?"

Ellen smiled at everyone and said, "Sorry." "That's Doris, my sister. I mean half-brother."

"Brother?" Dr. Brennan's eyebrows drew together. He looked back at Rio. "You are also her brother, right?"

He nodded.

"Donald, do you have two brothers?" Knox asked in an interested way.

Ellen shook her head and said, "No." "I have four siblings. Rio, Doris, his twin sister Katie, and Joan, who is our youngest. Except for me and Rio, all of them are human because their dad is human.

"Four of you...five of you?" Dr. Brennan seemed surprised. "That's.fascinating!"

"Why?" Rio inquired.

"Well, I'm sure you know...

Even when they are with humans, most Lycans don't have more than one child, if any at all. Your mother had five, though." Dr. Brennan gave a reason.

Ellen shrugged. "That's always been the case with us. Ma had five children, and her mother had four, but our mother was the only one who turned out to be a Lycan. Grandfather died soon after the family moved from Italy to the U.S.

"Still." Dr. Brennan took a break. "I'm sorry, Donald. As a man with a background in medicine and science, I do know that there are always people who are different from the norm. I just don't understand why we never hear about you or why the Lycan High Council didn't think it was important that you showed up

Ellen shrugged and said, "Don't worry about it." "Our clan isn't very big, and it's not even close to being as big as Pretoria. It's mostly made up of my family members and two or three families who moved here from other states, usually so their kids could go to better schools. We do what we have to do to keep the Lycan High Council informed about our numbers and any problems, but that's about it."

"How did you figure out to call Nancy?" Knox asked.

"Oh! I know the answer!" Nancy's eyes were shining. She was proud to say, "Ellen threatened to rip out another girl's throat when she insulted my mother in the bathroom at my welcome ball."

Ellen laughed. "

"You've met before?" Carl looked at his sister and then asked.

"Yes. "It was at the ball," Nancy said. "I hid in the bathroom stall. Carl, you did see her there, right? "She's the green-dressed woman!"

Carl said to Ellen, "I didn't see your face." "Unfortunately, my Liaison handles things like invitations and such."

"I didn't want to go, but Rio told me I had to," said the Donald. "To get along with the people next door."

"Well, I'm glad you went!" Nancy spoke up. "Carl did find his way to you. Who knows what would have happened if he had moved and gone somewhere else, like your neighbor's house?

Ellen's forehead wrinkled. "By the way, what happened? Did you get kidnapped or something?"

He gave a head shake. "I'm not sure. but it could be something going on inside."

"When we find out more, Donald, we'll let the High Council know," Dr. Brennan promised her.

"Of course," she replied with a shrug.

Nancy yawned and stood up, saying, "We should get going." The rest of the Pretoria Lycans agreed with her, citing the late hour.

"Hey Ellen, I got your number. Don't be a stranger, okay?" As they walked out onto the front porch, Nancy said.

Ellen smiled. "Of course. You should go to the restaurant. Maybe when you have your little one, you look like you're ready to pop!"

"I really hope so!" Nancy laughed and rubbed her stomach. "I'm ready to give this one a notice to leave! I just feel fat and out of place..."

"You look so pretty, honey," Knox put his arm around his wife and put his hand on her stomach.

Ellen said, "Well, I hope you have a safe birth and can't wait to meet the new member of your family."

Knox bowed and said, "Thank you, Donald." "We accept your blessing and wish happiness and good health to your clan."

Carl watched as his sister and Ellen talked and joked with each other so easily. He was glad that Ellen wasn't married or mated to another Carl, but he was surprised that she was the head of her clan. Not that he didn't think women could be Carls.

He was also surprised to find out that he had been so close to her at the ball all those months ago, even though they didn't get to meet.

"Carl?" Again, Dr. Brennan got his attention. "We should turn around. It's nearly 2 a.m."

He turned to Rio and Ellen and said, "Right." "Thank you, Carl and Rio, for being Katieros. Our clan owes you, so if you need help, don't be afraid to ask."

Ellen nodded. "Thank you very much, Carl," she said in a formal tone, avoiding his eyes.

Rio added, "We're glad we could help and that you're safe."

Ellen hugged Nancy. "I'll talk to you soon. You can always come to the restaurant."

"For sure! I'm so excited to try all of your food!"

The Pretoria Lycans said goodbye, and then they went back to their cars. Knox drove Dr. Brennan back in his car, and Carl got in the town car to go with Nancy. The driver opened the door, and Carl helped his sister get into the back seat and then sat down next to her. When the car door shut, Nancy crawled next to him.

She said quietly, as she pressed herself against his side, "I was so worried about you."

He put his arm around her and said, "I'm sorry." "I wasn't careful, and I can't be careless any more."

She asked, "Was it the mages?"

He nodded. "Yes, but we can talk about it later." His eyes went to the house, where Ellen and Rio were waiting for their guests to leave while they stood on the porch. He kept his eyes on the Carl. He felt deep desire, which was something he hadn't felt for a woman in months, but it was more than just sexual attraction.

Any man who didn't see how pretty Ellen Brown was was blind. He usually liked tall, thin models, but something about her lush curves and pouty mouth made him want to throw her over his shoulder and bring her to his bed. He wondered what would have happened if her brother hadn't come in the middle of what they were doing.

"Uh-oh," said Nancy, cutting him off in his thoughts. She looked up at him in a thoughtful way, and her green eyes, which were the same color as his, twinkled with mischief.

"Uh-oh?" Carl looked at his sister from below. "What do you mean uh-oh?"

Nancy smiled arrogantly at him. She looked at the person driving."" We should go home.

"You clumsy idiot!"

"You moron!" Gina screamed at Maple. They were in front of Eileen, who was as still and stoic as ever. "You got him! "The head of the world's most powerful clan, and he escaped!"

Maple dropped down on one knee and bent his head, saying, "I'm sorry, Master." "Our mage squad allowed Carl to flee. He was able to manipulate and overwhelm our people. "I accept whole responsibility." He clenched his eyes tight, as if expecting hellfire to pour down on him.

"Get up, Maple," Eileen said, digging her claw-like fingers into his shoulders. "There's no need to apologize."

"However, Master, I failed you." Maple seemed really perplexed.

Eileen gave a harsh chuckle. "Certainly not."

"Master, I don't understand."

"Master!" Gina shrieked. "When he could have murdered Carl Baker, he let him flee!" She turned to face Maple. "Why did you kidnap him and then let him go?" You should have stabbed him in the heart the instant you got your hands on him!"

"The Master told us to bring him back here," Maple said.

Gina gazed at Eileen, wide-eyed and perplexed. "Master?"

Eileen smiled cruelly at them. "Do you think I would simply let Carl die quickly and painlessly?" No. This was part of the strategy."

The visage of the redheaded witch contorted into a horrible mask. "Plan? What is your strategy? Why can't we simply murder him?"

"My beloved," Eileen remarked arrogantly. "Killing himnow would only enrage the Lycans' hunger for vengeance." When that occurs, the Beta will take control, and with a powerful mate, one linked with the witches, and True Mate kids, it will only strengthen them and make them more eager to kill humanity."

"So, what is the true plan?" Gina inquired, her voice angry.

"I've started making preparations with our new allies," Eileen said. "We will use them to catch , prohimmise his devotion to them, and then assassinate him after they have secured his legacy."

"Is that prudent?" Maple inquired. "How can we believe your new allies?"

"We don't," Eileen said emphatically. "We'll keep them near, and after we have what we want, we'll murder them as well." I have no tolerance for animals that would betray their own species for what purpose? A sliver of land? No. We will eliminate these 'allies' and seize control.

"That's quite a tale, Carl," Barbie said. She was seated on the sofa in office at Jennifer Corp's Midtown Nevada headquarters.

Her husband sat next to her as they listened to Carl recount the happenings of the previous night. "And Carl from Sun Rock!" Just before Nancy's ball, I updated our database, and she was absolutely invited. However, I did not get an RSVP; otherwise, she would have been presented to you and Nancy immediately."

"Well, evidently she decided to go at the last minute," Carl said. "She just came in and met Nancy in the restroom."

Rickey Woods smirked. "We need to beef up security, particularly because anybody can get into our events." As chief of security and Carl's Beta, he was responsible for keeping Jennifer and the clan safe.

"Well, she wasn't just anybody," Barbie reassuringly patted her husband's arm. "She is both a Lycan and a head." Your men most likely imagined she'd already entered the ballroom."

"Sorry for the delay," Knox muttered as he walked into Carl's office, Nancy close behind him. "Darian, Al Doilea," he said, addressing Carl and Rickey with their honorific names. Despite the fact that he was married to Carl's sister, he nevertheless showed respect to the two men, particularly at the workplace or among other Lycans. "Barbie," he said to the other lady. Knox was a Lycan transferee, originally from Winstor but requested to relocate to Pretoria to join Carl's security squad. When he initially came in the city, his first buddy was Human Liaison Barbie Woods .

"Nancy, you should have remained at home," Carl grumbled as he saw his heavily pregnant sister struggle to sit. "You could have dialed 911."

"Uh, please, I'm great, just didn't get enough sleep," she said, settling onto the soft sofa and resting her palm on her abdomen. "Knox, we should absolutely enroll him in football instruction." We're going to have a real kicker on our hands."

Knox sat down next to her and wrapped his arm around her. "How about if it's a girl?"

"You know, girls can play football too," she moaned. "If True Mate infants weren't sonogram-proof, we'd know."

Dr. Brennan found at the start of Nancy's pregnancy that the ultrasonography just wouldn't function on her baby. Aside from immediate conception , one of the indicators of having a True Mate kid was that both the child and the mother were almost indestructible. Nancy had survived a poisoning, and Barbie had healed from a potentially lethal stab wound. Unfortunately, True Mate embryos most likely had some kind of protective barrier that kept ultrasonography waves out. Knox and Nancy were apprehensive, but they had to believe that their kid was healthy, even though they were sad that they wouldn't know whether it was a boy or a girl until after the delivery.

"Anyway," Barbie started, "now that we're all here." "What should we do?" Carl, it's clear that the magicians were behind your abduction. What were they after, and how did they find you?"

"Well, there was a lady..." he started.

Nancy smiled. "I guess there's always a lady."

"I'm not a monk, contrary to common opinion," Carl said dryly. "The short explanation is that I was at Andres and walked outside to get some fresh air when this lady I met followed me and attacked me with some type of potion." I'm not sure what she looks like since she may have used a glamour spell. Anyway, I went dark. I recall transforming into a wolf and fleeing from the back of a truck, but the potion must have clouded my memory because the next thing I know, I was hit by a vehicle and laying on the ground."

"Did you have blood on your clothes?" Rickey inquired.

His head trembled. "No, and I didn't smell anything like that either."

Nancy speculated, "You must have terrified the snot out of the magicians when you changed in the back of the vehicle." "And you were most likely inside Stone Rock area, since you couldn't have gone very far if you were still high."

"We should look for speed cameras and maybe collision records between Pretoria and Carl's residence, in case they lost control of the car." Knox proposed. "We must then report to the High Council and the Witch Assembly."