Chapter 2

Sera yawned as she climbed out of her bed at sanctuary, she had been here a week and established that though there was no immediate threat from any of the were hunters here as none of them could distinguish her scent, she should not under any circumstance relax her guard. During the week she had been behind the bar three times, she was a old hand bar work, she'd been living as a human for over a year now bar work was the easiest around to get a job. It had occurred to her that perhaps she should tell someone who she was, perhaps Mama Peltier who on first meeting she had taking a liking to her, not that she could understand why, she didn't want to have an opinion on any of them because she'd be moving on in a few months, if she kept moving there was less chance of her family tracking her down. That had been the main reason for not telling anyone she was Arcadian, people would always betray, friends would … family would, everyone had a price, eventually they all sold you out. And someone like her they were likely to hand over gift wrapped, Arcadians were despised by Katagaria but Arcadian sentinels were something much worse.

Sera gave a sigh as she looked into the mirror wishing she was as human as she pretended to be, to have her family back, the one she always knew not the monsters they turned into, turning on each other brother on brother, mate on mate. Remembering it brought a lump to her throat that she pushed aside as she continued to dress.

Dev was in bear form laying sprawled out on his bed, it was typical for most Katagaria were hunters to sleep all day and only rouse during the night when it was easier to take human form. Coupled with his late night bar shifts he usually spent the day dead to the world, never setting foot outside his door perhaps only to eat but still he would loll about in bear form until it was absolutely necessary to change.

Today however he was plagued by relentless fantasies of the woman who's room was down the hall to his. He felt edgy and uncomfortable when he had led her to her room a week before and had been tempted to knock on her door to entice her into a midnight rumble, but something about her was hurt and vulnerable, something in her that belied her tough exterior. And whatever he was, Dev could never be accused of taking advantage of the weaker, though he had a feeling if he said that to Sera she'd throw a punch straight for his balls. He'd even contemplated going for one of the women below in the bar but even as he thought it Dev knew it wouldn't appease his bears desire for that one woman. If he were another; Dev would have suspected that she may indeed be his mate but Katagaria didn't mate to humans, ever. And he had long ago given up hope of finding his mate and having a family of his own.

Dev was lost in thought when a feeling went through him, it was hot and raw and made his very skin tingle. He took a deep breath and recognised Sera's scent, the direction she was walking would say she was heading down to the bar, Dev realised he was leaning up, poised and straining to hear her. Dev made himself relax and lay back, even though he really wanted to get up, perhaps walk to the door with the intention of pretending to go and get a drink. That would be his excuse to walk down stairs with her, then perhaps spend a little while in the bar with her; Dev shook his head, on second thoughts no. He never got up during the day and he was sure that some of the Arcadians that were working the bar today would notice and that would draw attention to Sera.

Were hunters were like that, if you hadn't claimed your woman then they would do all they could to take her from you. If he left her noticeably alone then so would they, he wouldn't flirt with her anymore then was necessary to keep up his front. Then Dev would carefully manoeuvre her to the bedroom and then she will have experienced the heights of pleasure as she went of her merry way. Dev smiled, yeah he liked his plan, he would savour his challenge.

"Hi there," Dev froze as a deep voice, Dev knew to be Colt's reach his ears, there was no one else on the landing, he was obviously talking to Sera. Dev growled low in his throat, a deaf man would have heard the flirtatious note in his voice.

"Hey yourself," Sera responded, she flashed him a smile that was a little mysterious. She could smell the scent of Acadian Sentinel on him, he was like her though that didn't mean she trusted him; she simply recognised like attracted like.

"You starting your shift?" Colt asked, leaning his hip casually against the door frame, his hot gaze slid down her body. Sera noticed this and was irritated but she didn't react to him, she merely smiled politely again; he grinned like a naughty little boy and she laughed.

"What?" Colt chuckled, Sera shook her head laughing; Colt liked her. Something like a brotherly affection made him want to tease her and make her laugh; he had no desire to seduce her; well that wasn't entirely true but he wouldn't. He had seen the way Dev had looked her the night she came and if she wasn't human Colt would have bet money that Sera was Dev's mate.

"Is your shift starting?" Sera asked, she didn't want to get too close to anyone here but something about Colt did kind of make her laugh, put her at ease.

"Yep. And I was thinking that I might escort you down to the bar, milady," Colt did a rather poor English accent, Sera laughed.

"Thank you, kind Sir," Sera was about say something else but stopped when she heard the door behind her open, she glanced over her shoulder and her mouth went dry. Dev crowded the doorway, looking far too impressive and utterly masculine to stand in such a small space, the confines of the rather spacious hallway became suddenly warm as Sera gaped at his bare chest. His long blond curls fell in a sexily messy tumble down his back and his soft looking jeans had a washed out look. Sera stared at the top button of his jeans that he had left casually undone, he was bare foot, looking like he had just rolled out of bed and flashed a pair of jeans on. He gave her an easy grin that belied the intense heat there was in his eyes; she could see it there, the pure male bear full of lust and want. He would pursue her until he got her in his bed, Sera would never let that happen, ever. No matter how much her mouth started watering when he run his hand through his curls.

"Whoa, is there a fire or something?" Colt jeered, giving Dev a knowing look, which he ignored. "Your never out of bed before the sun goes down!"

"Who says I'm getting up?" asked Dev, "I need something to eat."

He looked directly at Sera when he said that and she shivered, she couldn't help feeling a slight disappointment that he wasn't going to be there today. God, what was wrong with her?! She didn't need this, the sooner she got out of here the better! Sera turned and made her way to the bar with Colt following, he gave Dev a gleeful look before he continued after her. Dev was left standing on the landing fighting against the urge to run down stairs and carry her back to his room.

Sera found that New Orleans was an exciting place, full of interesting people, she loved their accents and their culture. The wonderful heat and sun made a change from the dreary English weather she was used to, though now she was away from home she suddenly saw how charming her home had been.

Still, she reasoned, it was all for the best. The night she left she swore never to go back and she never would; not if she wanted to remain innocent of murder. Sera smiled benignly at a customer, she had only been here a week but she had started to learn names and faces. One person in particular kept coming back every day when her shift started; Max was already waiting at the bar as she came through the house to the bar. Sera suspected all the Weres had been put on their guard about the human in the house as hardly any of them were ever seen. She was put on day work with most of the human staff.

"Hey Max," Sera said in her low musical voice, "can I get you something?"

"Just a beer, thanks," he replied and waited anxiously for her to get him one then seat herself opposite him at the bar, Sera scanned around first to make sure no customers needed serving; though Mondays were pretty quiet during the day.

"So what's new?" Sera asked, she felt a surprising affection for this human, they had met when he had come into the bar for a drink to drowned his sorrows because he and his girlfriend had argued, Sera had offered him a sympathetic ear. Now she listened to his latest drama with a smile.

"Now she says she is moving away if I can't show her how much I love her!" Max cried, "I mean damn! Can't she just ask?"

"Women don't ask, Max."

"Well, they should!"

"Do you love her?" Sera asked, she could smell it if he lied to her and she sincerely hoped he didn't.

"I don't know, I guess." He fidgeted uncomfortably, she could sense his shyness and awkwardness in discussing it.

"You guess?" Sera repeated, her face screwed up like she was revolted by some smell. She hated this about men, so indecisive and stupid. "If you don't know then obviously you don't love her. I was always told when you love someone its either yes or no, there is no in between unless its not a romantic love. Maybe you should just be friends instead."

Sera felt satisfaction in watching him blanch.

"No, I do love her!" he cried, desperate for Sera to believe him, he blushed then and studied his beer bottles label.

"Then tell her," she said simply.

"I can't."

Sera blew out a breath with a shrug, she was about to turn away when he made a series of spluttering noises that made her stay, she studied him. He needed advice. She wasn't sure she was the right person to be giving people advice on love, she could only speak from the heart.

"Listen Max," Sera said leaning on the bar so her face was level with his, "I don't know much about this stuff but all I know is it is far, far more painful to not be loved and to not love someone then to love someone and then a few years down the line lose them. You understand? See, " Sera paused thinking best how to phrase it. "Maybe your not in love but shouldn't you at least try it out? See what it brings?"

"Its not that I don't love her," Max muttered low, his body sagging, Sera felt sorry for him then. "I just don't know how to tell her."

"Then write it to her. Tell her all you feel by the written word instead of spoken, its just as special and romantic. To be told I love you by someone who means it is a precious thing indeed. You shouldn't deny her it. Everyone wants to be loved, Max. Donna is just looking for you to be the one to love her."

Sera didn't realise how low and captivating her voice had become as she spoke with such emotion, she left Max unconsciously trembling at the sound of it. It was beautiful yet heartbreaking. The clash of something in the kitchen snapped Max out of his stupor and he declared energetically that he would write her a letter, he waved as he ran through the door. Sera laughed and began wiping down the bar; she froze the moment she felt Dev move behind her.

"You believe that's what everyone is searching for then? Love?" Dev asked his voice thick with emotion, Sera refused to turn and face him, the attraction between them was too much to bear. Her body grew hot and her pulse quickened.

"Yes, I do believe that," Sera whispered back, "don't you?"

"I would like to, but sometimes I don't," his voice just as soft as hers and to Sera just as compelling and enchanting as hers was to Max.

"Why?"

"I gave up on finding mine a long time ago."

"Oh?"

"What?"

"Nothing," Sera said quickly, clearing her throat, "it just makes me feel sad for you."

Dev huffed a laugh and bent his head low so his lips brushed her ear as he whispered.

"Who do you want to love you, little rose?"

Sera felt her spine stiffen and she moved away from his briskly, she turned to look at him with an unknown emotion blazing in her cool eyes, it was anger yet there was something more saddening there. "No one."

She stalked off then to sweep through the tables and clear away glasses; Dev raised an interested eyebrow but remained silent. Something was troubling his little rose, and he was just dying to find out what.