The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Rule Breaker, Stygian’s Honor , and Lawe’s Justice presents three novellas from the “no-holds-barred”* world of the Breeds—collected here for the first time. A Christmas Kiss Jessica Raines would never willingly betray the people she believes in. But she did expose Breed secrets, and now someone wants her dead. Her protection is Wolf Breed Hawke Esteban—and he’s got the mating urge for a woman on the run. Christmas Heat Jaguar Breed Noble Chavin’s new role: bodyguard to Haley McQuire, a woman at risk after discovering a conspiracy against the Breed community. For Noble, being this close to Haley has brought out the mating heat, and she’s more than willing to stoke it. Primal Kiss Betrayed Kita Engalls, drawn into shady activities involving the Breeds, can trust only Lion Breed Creed Raines to help. But their mating passion reveals Kita’s fear that Creed may be guilty of the greatest betrayal of all. *Errant Dreams   Praise for Lora Leigh’s Novels of the Breeds   “I’m a huge fan of Lora Leigh’s Breed books.”—Nalini Singh, New York Times bestselling author of  Archangel's Shadows   “When I’m in the mood for steamy romance, I read Lora Leigh.”—Angela Knight, New York Times bestselling author of  Love Bites   “Another powerful and highly erotic saga of the Breeds...Highly charged...and carnal.”— Fresh Fiction “It is phenomenal.”— Joyfully Reviewed Lora Leigh is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Breed novels, the Nauti Boys series, and the Nauti  Girls series.  She dreams in bright, vivid images of the characters intent on taking over her writing life, and fights a constant battle to put them on the hard drive of her computer before they can disappear as fast as they appeared. Lora’s family and her writing life coexist, if not in harmony, in relative peace with each other. Surrounded by a menagerie of pets, friends and a teenage son who keeps her quick wit engaged, Lora finds her life filled with joys, aided by her fans whose hearts remind her daily why she writes. •CONTENTS• CHRISTMAS HEAT •   •   • •FOREWORD• They were created, they weren’t born. They were trained, they weren’t raised. They were taught to kill, and now they’ll use their training to ensure their freedom. They are Breeds. Genetically altered with the DNA of the predators of the earth. The wolf, the lion, the cougar, the Bengal tiger; the killers of the world. They were to be the weapons of a fanatical society intent on building its own personal army. Until the world learned of their existence. Until the council lost control of their creations, and their creations began to change the world. Now they’re loose. Banding together, creating their own communities, their own society, and their own safety, and fighting to hide the one secret that could destroy them. The secret of mating heat. The chemical, biological, emotional reaction of one Breed to the man or woman meant to be his or hers forever. A reaction that binds physically. A reaction that alters more than just the physical responses or heightens the sensuality. Nature has turned mating heat into the Breeds’ Achilles’ heel. It’s their strength, and yet their weakness. And Mother Nature isn’t finished playing yet. Man had attempted to mess with her creations. Now, she’s going to show man exactly how she can refine them. Killers will become lovers, lawyers, statesmen, and heroes. And through it all they will each cleave to one mate, one heart, and create a dynasty. •PROLOGUE• Haley McQuire was hiding in Sanctuary’s extensive, beautiful library the night of the pre-Thanksgiving party. She didn’t do parties well, and she didn’t enjoy them. Jonas Wyatt, Director of Breed Affairs, had given her permission to peruse the extensive collection of first-edition classics, but he had warned her that if one of his enforcers caught her there, they would drag her back to the party. If she was found, she hoped that it wasn’t by Noble Chavin. She smiled a bit at that thought. Noble loved books too, though. He would understand. He was always at the library, choosing books she would never have expected him to read. Carpentry books, books on world history. He devoured them, it sometimes seemed. And when he returned them, she could quiz him playfully, and he always had the answers. And he talked to her about the books. She liked that. Perhaps too much. And though he would probably talk to her, she doubted he would let her stay. So when the door opened, she hid quickly. She expected the Breed entering the room to smell her instantly. She was a human, and fairly easy for a Breed to detect. Haley didn’t understand why she didn’t. Maydene Brock was a Breed older, a nurse in the labs. With her graying brown hair and pinched expression, Haley had never really seen her as much of a caregiver. And perhaps she might have sensed Haley if the men following her hadn’t overpowered the room with the scent of cologne. Haley wrinkled her nose