As a young boy, abandoned by my parents and ripped apart from my twin sister, I learned early on that the world was full of evil and hate. I survived by living between the light and darkness, using my shifter abilities to stay alive…until one mistake should have cost me my life. Instead, it became my salvation and gave me a family and band of brothers who had my back no matter what.

The Dark Leopards MC was not a gang to be trifled with, and many gave us a wide birth, and as the Sergeant At Arms, I ensured that’s the way it stayed. But someone was trying to encroach on our territory and begin a war. I suspect the woman I saved, the woman whom I discover is my mate, is tied to it all somehow. I just have to figure out the puzzle before it’s too late.

I was only trying to help a friend. The last thing I ever thought is that my friend would try to kidnap me, but thankfully someone or something saved me. Rushing to meet my roommate, Siam, I got another shock when the gang responsible for my brother’s death are her friends. I didn’t care if her brother had mesmerizing eyes or if I had a hard time not thinking about him. He was the enemy!

But even as my enemy, he may be my only chance to stay alive and learn the truth. And if Snow is the one protecting me in and out of bed, I wouldn’t complain too much.

**Previous published in Dark Leopards MC, Michigan Chapter, it has been expanded and contains new content.

I was on the verge of turning sixteen and needed some money. A thick billfold attached to a chain caught my attention. Easy pickings. Some shifters’ gifts could only be used while in their animal counterparts, but not mine. I had the ability to use mine both in animal and human form, and I took full advantage. It meant, if I wanted to, I could sleep with a roof over my head, and no one would be the wiser.

Ducking into an alley, I kept my eye on my target and stripped before activating my gift. I’d learned at ten that suddenly disappearing in front of anyone tended to make people freak out, and it was worse if you disappeared, but your clothes didn’t. In addition, no one wanted to see a kid strip down naked in the middle of the room so they could become invisible.

Stepping out of the alley, I noticed my target leaning against a big blue mailbox, scanning the area. Maybe he was looking for someone. Good. It meant his attention would be on whatever he was doing, and he was less likely to notice the disappearance of his wallet. He was making this too easy for me.

I moved closer and realized the man was a shifter, and my heart thudded. I swallowed hard, and it sounded loud in my ears. I inched my way toward him, slow and steady because I didn’t want him to realize I was there. There was always a higher level of danger when I stole from a shifter. However, it never stopped me.

His leather cut made me pause, but only for a second. This man was giving off a don’t fuck with me vibe, and I had the feeling many didn’t argue with him. I needed his wallet, though. Three more steps. The pounding pulse in my ears drowned out the sounds around me. This man was bad news. One more step. I could do this. I’d done it a million times, and this was no different than anyone else, except this guy could probably kill me. He had that look about him.

Reaching for his wallet, I noticed the back of his cut. FUCK ME! Not probably kill me. Definitely kill me. Dark Leopards MC was spelled out in bold letters along with their logo. I’d picked the wrong person to steal from…or had I? If I managed to get his fat wallet, not only would I have his money, I could have the satisfaction of knowing I’d stolen it from a patched member of the local badass MC.

Slowly and carefully, I detached the wallet from the chain and began to pull it out of his pocket, and then all hell broke loose. His large paw grabbed my wrist, squeezing hard, and I had to bite my lip to stop myself from crying out. It hurt like a motherfucker! How? How had he noticed me? He shouldn’t be able to see or smell me. I was completely invisible.

“Big mistake, boy,” he growled. See? Very naïve little shit.

I have never read a paranormal MC and why haven’t I?? Definitely going to be on the lookout for more in this series – hopefully just more than just Siam’s story because I need more!!

I was a little confused at first that Snow was a male and not a female. That definitely threw me. But once I read more, I was in! Snow and Verity are so interesting to read together. They are so great, each in their own way and I was totally sucked in!

I can’t wait for more and more of Siam. She intrigues me.

Maria Vickers is a bestselling and award-winning author who currently resides in St. Louis, MO with her pug, Spencer Tracy. She has always had a passion for writing and after she became disabled in 2010, she decided to use writing as her escape. Life is about what you make of it, you have to live it to the fullest no matter the circumstances.

From a young age, she has always loved books and even dreamed of being an author when she was younger. Growing up in the Navy, she used to weave tales for her siblings and her friends about anything and everything. And when she wasn’t creating her own stories, she had a book in her hand. They transported her to another world. She hopes that her readers will have the same experience when reading her stories, and that, in some way, they can relate to her characters.

Getting sick changed her life forever, but it also opened doors for her that she thought would always be out of reach.