Spot A Leopard (Sealed Blood Book 2)

Book summary

Raiven, after agreeing to become Kisten's mate, faces new challenges in her relationship and her own powers. As they navigate their differences, a startling revelation comes with the arrival of the Hunter Whistleblower, claiming to be Kisten's father. Raiven's dormant necromancy awakens, unveiling its true, perilous nature. Together, they must confront this threat, testing the strength of their bond and the limits of Raiven's abilities.

Excerpt from Spot A Leopard (Sealed Blood Book 2)

I leaned against the pier, looking out over the ocean as the sea breeze blew through my hair and shirt. I didn’t visit the ocean very often, and as I looked over the blue expanse, I was filled with a longing for a home I barely remembered. Somewhere, across all that water, was my first home and the place where my sister’s body was buried. I held her locket in my hand, trying to encourage her to speak, but the wood remained hard and silent.

‘…Sis?’ I tried to reach out to her with my thoughts but there was no response to my query, no subtle indication of my sister’s presence. I couldn’t help tightening my hold, sighing heavily as I forced myself to loosen my grip. It was my own fault that she didn’t have the power to answer me, and my heart twisted in my chest.

I gently let my hand fall from the wood, still watching the expanse of blue as the waves flowed across the sand. Watching the water was calming, and I closed my eyes as the breeze blew the salty particles against my face. My chest ached with emotion as I opened my eyes, and I glanced up as I heard a seagull fly above, screeching as it searched for its next meal. I was unable to help my slight chuckle as the bird dove to disturb some of the beachgoers, the couple upset at having their walk interrupted.

“Are you alright, Rabe ?” I turned to see Kisten walking up to me, using one of his many pet names. The Alpha was wearing a sheer white shirt, the fabric hanging loosely around him as it blew in the wind. His shorts also flapped in the breeze and I couldn’t help my excitement as he grew closer. I turned around completely as he reached me, a bright smile gracing my face.

“I am now,” I smiled, leaning up to kiss him as he wrapped his arms around my waist. My mouth exploded with the familiar pain as our lips touched and I ignored it as I stroked his face with my gloved hands. Kisten purred into the kiss, his hands gripping my shirt tightly as the pain fully radiated up my face. He pulled up from me, his eyes bright with his smile as he tightened his hold on me.

“I’m glad,” he glanced down to my collarbone, where his necklace sat around my neck. Kisten was pursuing me as his mate, and the necklace was a part of the courtship process, essentially marking me as his. From what I had experienced so far, most of the process included many gifts, including clothing I had to wear at certain times to symbolize his continued pursuit.

It was all building to a declaration, finally asking me to be his mate in public and I was both excited and scared of that moment. Although I had already given my yes at the beginning of the process, it would be then that I would have to reveal my relationship with Kisten to my job. Only the Director knew about me being more than human, and while I was a member of the Overseer’s Coven, I had to maintain my distance from the rest of the supernatural community in order to avoid a conflict of interests. Agreeing to be Kisten’s mate would no longer allow me to keep that distance, and I still hadn't heard from the Director what would happen next.

I gently pulled away from the Alpha, leaning against the wood of the pier again as I watched the many bodies move back and forth beneath us. The decorations were already being set up behind the hotel and all in preparation for the wedding that would be happening tomorrow night. It was the union of Arkrian and Shannon, a snake shifter from Kisten’s pack and my boss Brandon’s daughter. I leaned over more as I sighed, allowing my hands to hang over the wide rail of the pier.

“Are you excited for tomorrow?” Kisten enquired, his words pulling me from my thoughts as he leaned next to me.

“As much as I can be,” I muttered, closing my eyes as I enjoyed the breeze that started up again. Kisten hummed, placing his arm around my waist and I leaned into him as he stood, the shifter purring as he held me. “My whole team is going to be there unofficially as security and I’m not particularly excited about them hearing your declaration.”

“They were going to find out eventually,” he shrugged, laying a gentle kiss on my braids. I sighed again; he was right as usual, but it didn’t erase the worry in my chest. Kisten pulled away from me and started to lead me down the pier. “C’mon, we need to find the happy couple.”

As the Alpha of The Capital, Kisten had a vital role to play in the ceremony. Apparently, it was tradition for him to preside over the event, officially joining the new couple. After learning I was to be Kisten’s mate, Shannon offered me a spot as one of the bridesmaids, but I refused, not wanting to intrude on her special day any more than we already were. Both she and Arkrian were honored that Kisten wanted to make his declaration at the reception and eagerly agreed when he asked them.

The ceremony was already something unique in its own right and an upcoming trend in mixed marriages; similar to what her brother had done with his wedding, Shannon was mixing human traditions with shapeshifter ones. Her take on what traditions to use had upset her father somewhat, as Brandon wasn’t exactly fond of shifters or Supernaturals, but he conceded in the end. I was happy that my boss had finally started the process of putting aside his prejudice against Supernaturals, and I could only hope that it would soften his reaction to finding out the truth about me.

“Raiven!” Shannon called out to me, a giddy expression on her face as she ran up the pier, distracting me from my thoughts. Kisten released me as we collided, the petite girl nearly knocking me over as I was forced to take a step back. Shannon was a perfect copy of her late mother: long blond hair, bright brown eyes, a petite hourglass figure, and the attitude of someone twice her height. There wasn’t much that could deter her from having her way, and that included her future husband.

Her fiancé walked up to us slowly, shaking his head at Shannon’s behavior. Arkrian was much more stoic than his bride-to-be: in a lot of ways he reminded me of Kisten. He wore a cool head on his shoulders, polite to a fault, but also a fierce fighter for what he wanted. He was the Omega to Kisten’s Alpha and next to take Kisten’s place, an honor he had earned on more than one occasion.

“Shannon,” Arkrian sighed as he reached us, pausing to greet Kisten. His deep brown waves blew in the wind, and he took a moment to brush them from his face. “Don’t jump on Raiven like that.”

“Oh hush, Ark. Raiven can easily catch me.” As if to prove her point, Shannon jumped up on me again, wrapping her legs around my waist. I moved my arms to hold her, unable to help my laughter at her antics. Being part undead had its advantages, such as having a degree of inhuman strength and I carried Shannon easily. Kisten laughed as Arkrian shook his head and I gently put the girl down on the pier, our laughter subsiding. Arkrian moved as if to apologize, but I stopped him with a smile.

“Don’t bother,” I beamed, moving next to Kisten as Shannon returned to Arkrian’s side. “We both know it won’t do any good.”

“That’s… true,” Arkrian conceded, kissing his bride’s cheek as he brushed the wild hair from her face. She glowed at the gesture and leaned into him, clearly happy and excited. My chest hurt at their display of affection, but I kept the smile on my face while Arkrian questioned Kisten about the ceremony.