Chapter 1

T

HE

bus screeched to a metallic halt just in front of Travis. Curb water splashed and dampened his jeans

and tennis shoes as he heard the squeal of the opening doors. Travis hesitated, and people pushed past
from behind him to rush up the stairs and onto the bus. Clutching his ticket in one hand and his walking
stick in the other, he made his way up the steps, his bag weighing heavily on his arm. He saw nothing but
black, yet the rest of his senses were sharp and overwhelming. Body odor was the most pungent, but there
was also flowery perfume that drifted toward him from the left. Someone had a baby because he could
smell baby powder and spit-up. He could also smell leather, and old rubber with gasoline topped off the
list of acrid scents. His inner cougar rebelled at being in close confines with such creatures, but Travis
knew he had no choice.

People rustled and fidgeted as they took their seats, causing the bus to sway slightly. Their heavy

stomps up and down the aisle were irritating to his ears. Humans made such a ruckus. They didn’t know
how to step lightly, how to avoid disturbing their surroundings. Travis did—he had been taught well by
his parents.

Travis held out his ticket in the direction he supposed the bus driver was, and felt it taken from his

hand.

“There’s a free seat four rows back and to your right,” the bus driver said. Travis judged that the

driver was a man, if his smooth tenor was any indication. “It’s an aisle seat.”

Travis smiled. “Thank you.” He followed the driver’s directions and, true to his word, there was a

free seat. He sat down and placed his bag on his lap and his stick between his legs. The passenger beside
him smelled like a woman—the scent of perfume, hairspray, and heavily applied make-up was his
evidence—and she moved her leg away from his, probably hugging the wall to make sure she didn’t touch
him. He didn’t mind; he didn’t want to be touched either. The bus jerked into motion a moment later.

He’d been meeting kind people like the bus driver since he’d had his vision stolen from him. Stolen

by those godless devils, that shifter-hating lynch mob. He didn’t know what they called themselves or
what their individual names were. They hadn’t just stolen his sight either; they had stolen his family. The
last sight burned into his memory was his family’s mutilated bodies, carved and sliced open on slabs like
frogs in a high school biology class. They had been experimented on, tortured, just as he had been. His
father, mother, his sisters and brothers, all treated like lab rats.

Travis touched the dark glasses that hid his eyes from the sight of strangers. He didn’t know what the

scars looked like, of course, but he could feel them on his skin, the burns from the acid the devils had
slathered on his eyes. Afterward, the ones who had poured it on told him they wanted to know about the
physiology of shifters, and the only way to do so was to experiment. Cold and clinical voices had spoken
to him, and the pain had been indescribable. He had prayed for death, but it never came. Instead, he’d
escaped, shifting and clawing anyone who got in his way. He’d bitten and shredded and blood had matted
his fur. And he had enjoyed it.

After his escape he’d lived as a cougar, hiding during the day and stealing food at night. He’d

realized he had nowhere to go and no one to help him. He didn’t know any other shifters, and he had been
scared to search them out. But he couldn’t live as a cougar in a place populated with humans. He’d
scented the humans everywhere, and only constant vigilance had kept him from being discovered. He
hadn’t even known what city or state he had been in. Barely a week had passed when he’d scented a
group of fox shifters. It had been night, and being hungry and wretched, Travis had approached them. They
had been afraid at first, but once Travis shifted and lay helpless on the sidewalk, the fox shifters had

helped him and nursed him back to health. One of them, the female alpha, Trixie, had asked questions but
Travis never answered them. He’d stayed for a month, but Travis knew he couldn’t live with them
permanently. Revenge had never been far from his mind, and he had sensed that they would not go to war.
And he needed an army, not a ragtag group of peaceful shifters, no matter how kind they were.

There was only one place where he would find that army and where he would feel some ounce of

safety. A place where he might find a home.

Haven.
A town made up of shifters, the location hidden, even from most shifters. And those in the know

didn’t tell just anyone. But his parents had known, and they had told him. He now had a long journey
ahead of him. Alone. A journey to Montana.

While part of him felt like a coward and hated himself because he felt he was running away, the

other part knew it was the only logical action to take. He had no advantage over the shifter-haters, and he
was vulnerable without his sight. Before he could take them on, he had to learn how to live without that
vital tool.

His parents also would have wanted him to go there. They always told their children about the town

of Haven and that if anything ever happened to them, the children were to go there. Travis considered this
their dying wish.

Travis’s throat closed and he dug his fingernails into the palm of his other hand, trying to stop the

tears that burned his destroyed eyes. He’d already shed tears for his family, and no amount of crying
would help him or bring them back, Tears were an indulgence he could not afford; they were useless and
made him weak.

Travis was on his own, and he could only pray that perhaps, someday, he would get justice for his

family.

Chapter 2

Six Years Later

S

HERIFF

Jack Ulger closed the door to the sheriff’s office and put on his baseball cap before starting his

regular walk around the town of Haven. He had a truck, sure, but he preferred to go on foot. His patrol
vehicle didn’t give him the same intimacy with the citizens he had sworn to protect, while a good meander
around town did. He zipped up his heavy jacket; although the sun was shining bright, it was cold, cold
enough to cut through even the heaviest material with its icy claws. It had snowed last night but the
pristine whiteness didn’t last long, melting into mush on the streets and sidewalks. He knew it would
snow harder in the next couple of days. He could smell it in the air. Living in Haven wasn’t easy,
considering how far north it was and its elevation. But the town was isolated, safe. It was home.

Jack put on his gloves before crossing the street. He glanced into the window of Stan’s Café and

smiled when he saw Eddie and Tom sitting in their usual chairs, arguing about who was the better shifter,
a hyena or a lion. Which was a purely rhetorical question, since they were fox shifters.

Jack nodded to them and both nodded back, never once breaking rhythm. It didn’t matter the weather

or the time of day, for as long as Jack had lived in Haven, which was his entire life, good ol’ Eddie and
Tom had stuck with their routine. He honestly didn’t even know how old they were. Both had wrinkles
and were a bit thick around the middle, but each had a full head of hair, and were youthful in their
movements and activities. Jack knew them to be great skiers.

Jack waved at a small group of coyote shifters across the street who had just come out of Jenkin’s

Market. Young and restless, the cubs still waved back respectfully and continued on their way. Jack knew
from experience that large groups of youngsters usually spelled trouble if left alone too long. He would
have to keep an eye out for them.

Haven was normally a peaceful town, a community where people took care of each other. But he

remembered what it was like to be young. He also remembered how often his father and older brother had
arrested him when he’d been young and stupid, when they had each in turn been sheriff. So he knew what
to look out for.

Jack had just approached an adult DVD and bookshop, the only one of its kind in a town like this,

when a big tabby came trotting out the door. Jack raised an eyebrow and quietly walked up behind the cat.
Just when the cat realized someone was behind him, Jack snagged the tabby by the scruff of his neck and
lifted him into the air. The cat let out a frightened meow and struggled for a few seconds before jerking
his head around to see who had ahold of him. Then the cat settled down.

Jack tucked the cat against his side, slipping his arm underneath the feline, holding him firmly but

gently.

“Morning, Todd,” Jack said, tipping down his shades with his free hand and gave the cat a stern

look. “Considering this is the third time I’ve caught you here, I’d think you’d have gotten the message by
now. Minors aren’t allowed in there.”

Todd, a sixteen-year-old cat shifter, hissed and made his fur stand on end, doubling his size.
Jack rolled his eyes. “Todd, please, I’ve squashed spiders I fear more than you right now.”
Todd subsided, his entire body slumping.
“Now,” Jack said, adopting a reasonable tone, “I told you last time that if this happened again, I was

going to tell your parents.” He pushed his shades back up his nose. “So, now it’s time.”

Todd started struggling again, but Jack simply held him trapped and kept his hand firm on the cat’s

neck. Todd knew better than to bite or scratch the sheriff, but he still struggled. Jack couldn’t blame him.
But they had made a deal and Todd hadn’t held up his end, so as far as Jack was concerned, this was
justice.

Todd’s parents, as expected, weren’t happy with their son’s behavior, and Jack had to hold in a

smile when they shoved Todd into a small cage. The young shifter let out a long, pitiful meow.

“Sheriff Ulger, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to do about him,” Todd’s mother began.
Jack held up a hand. “No need to explain, Marian. He wasn’t stealing, and he wasn’t selling or

buying drugs. Be thankful he’s just acting like a normal sixteen-year-old.”

Marian didn’t look happy but nodded, and Jack was sure she was relieved he wasn’t charging her

son. He took his leave a few minutes later and turned to see young Jaime Johansson across the street,
playing basketball by himself. He was a gawky fourteen-year-old, and even in a town like Haven, where
shifters of every kind lived together alongside human allies, Jaime’s case was unique. He was a shifter
with human parents. He had been found as an infant by the Johanssons, who had taken him in. Deb and
Patrick, an older couple without children, had seen Jaime as a blessing. That is, until he’d shifted for the
first time, at age thirteen, into a beaver.

Jack was still amazed the Johanssons hadn’t taken Jaime somewhere where scientists would poke

him with a stick. Instead, they had researched, dug deep, and found their way to Haven with their son.
That was real love. He considered Haven damn lucky to have such an open-minded and decent couple.

Not wanting to disturb the boy’s play, Jack turned and began a leisurely stroll toward the residential

area of town. Several minutes later, he grinned wide when he recognized the large figure walking ahead
of him. Jack jogged up to his friend. Travis stopped and turned, a smile on his broad face. The sun glinted
off his shades, and Jack had to tip his head back, considering Travis was a good five inches taller.

“Morning, Sheriff,” Travis said.
“And a good morning it is,” Jack said. At least, he considered it a good morning, now that he was in

Travis’s company. Jack noticed the two bags of groceries in the crook of Travis’s left elbow while
Travis held the cane out before him in his right.

“How do you always know it’s me?” Jack asked. “Your sense of smell can’t be that good in human

form.”

Travis chuckled. “Well, since my hearing and sense of smell are what I rely on most to get around in

the world, even in human form they need to be strong. And besides, who else would be crazy enough to
take a stroll in this cold?”

Jack laughed. “Let me take those,” he said and grabbed the bags from Travis before his friend could

protest. He continued down the sidewalk, Travis beside him. A few citizens were outside, starting their
cars and shoveling out their driveways.

“You could have just taken one,” Travis said. But he didn’t make any attempt to get them back.
“I know,” Jack said. He still remembered the first time he’d helped Travis when the shifter had

arrived in town. Travis had been insulted, insisting he could do anything and everything without any help
from anyone. Jack had backed off, at first, but his continual offers of help finally made Travis realize that
while he could do things himself, he didn’t always have to. Jack didn’t pity Travis, not in the least; he just
liked to help whenever he could.

Besides, when a cold, skinny, and starved-looking cougar shifter had appeared in Haven during the

early morning hours, how could Jack not want to help him? The fact that Travis had found Haven at all

was amazing—most shifters and humans with sight had a hard time.

“Todd get caught in the adult shop again?” Travis asked conversationally.
Jack grinned, shaking his head. “How’d you know that was why I was here?”
“You came from the general direction of his house. Lucky guess.”
Jack knew it was more than a guess. Despite being blind, Travis “saw” better than anyone Jack had

ever known.

“Yep, had to tell his parents this time. Cheeky cat.”
Travis chuckled. “Don’t tell me you never did something like that when you were a young wolf

shifter.”

Jack snorted. “Of course I did. I just never got caught.”
He had to lengthen his strides to match Travis’s. The guy was elegantly thick and tall, and yet he was

the gentlest shifter Jack had ever met. Travis had a deep voice yet was soft-spoken. Jack had seen Travis
interact with the children around the neighborhood. He was so gentle and sweet, they called him their
teddy bear, despite the fact he was a cougar shifter. Jack always wondered where all that gentleness came
from, since cougars, more than any other feline shifter, weren’t known for being warm and fuzzy. Cougars
were exquisitely efficient killing machines, built for sneaking up on their prey with enviable stealth and
grace and taking it down in a way that minimized any chance of injury to themselves. Jack was a wolf
shifter, so he knew about prowling and predation, but he still could admire the particular beauty of a
feline predator.

Feathered soft blond hair framed Travis’s face and he had a sexy dusting of hair covering his chin.

The color of his eyes was still a mystery, since Travis never took off those thick black shades; at least he
never had in Jack’s presence. Travis never spoke of his blindness but Jack knew he hadn’t been born
blind, since his friend sometimes spoke of things he’d seen or alluded to having had to adjust to being
sightless.

Discerning the subject was painful, Jack didn’t pry, but he was damned curious.
Travis turned left at exactly the right spot in front of his house. Jack marveled at how easily his

friend made his way around the world.

“How do you remember the number of steps to each place?” Jack asked. “Have you ever made a

mistake?” They walked up the short steps to the porch of Travis’s house.

“Practice makes perfect,” Travis said, and he took off his glove to pull his keys out of his pocket.
Jack watched him as he fingered the different keys and found the right one. “So, you’ve never

forgotten the number of steps to your house?”

“Once,” Travis said. “The second day after I’d bought it. But memory’s all I got, right?”
His tone was light, but Jack heard the dark undertone to Travis’s words. They stepped inside, and

Jack shut the door with his boot. He walked into the kitchen and set the bags on the counter. Travis’s
house was small and comfortable. The front door opened into the modest living room which held a couch,
two chairs, and a little-used TV. A large bookshelf was in the corner and contained not only braille books
but small cougar figurines. There were no pictures, for obvious reasons. To the right of the living room
was the kitchen. It was probably the biggest room in the house, and Travis kept it exceptionally clean. The
bedroom was straight across from the front door, and its door was currently shut. Jack had never been in
there.

“Thanks, Jack,” Travis said, coming in behind him. He immediately started to unload the bags,

moving gracefully around the chairs, counter, and table with the ease of someone who could see exactly
where everything was. The jars and boxes of food in the cabinets were marked with braille labels to
indicate what they were.

It struck Jack again how amazing this guy was. Then Jack noticed that the food containers Travis was

taking out of his bags had braille labels already on them.

Jack raised an eyebrow. “The shopkeepers provide you with those labels?”
Travis smiled. “No, I brought them. I always bring labels now. It makes everything easier when I get

home.”

“You put them on yourself at the shop?”
“No, Billy, Mr. Allocott’s son does it for me.”
“I’m shocked!” Jack teased. “You let them help you?”
“Oh, shut up.” Travis laughed.
Jack grinned and watched Travis for a few silent seconds before speaking again. “Hey Travis, I’ve

been meaning to ask you—do you want to have dinner with me sometime this week?”

His friend turned from the cabinets and frowned at him. “I don’t know.”
Jack raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean, you ‘don’t know’?”
Travis shrugged. Jack suddenly had a desire to sink his teeth into his friend’s broad shoulders. He

always did have a weakness for men with broad shoulders.

“What would it mean? Is it dinner between friends…?” Travis lowered his head and fingered the jar

in his hand.

“Look, it can be between friends if that’s what you’re comfortable with.” Jack hoped to God it

wasn’t. “But I like spending time with you, and so I’m asking you to dinner. Okay?”

Travis nodded. “Okay. Sorry for sounding…. I don’t have many friends, Jack. And I haven’t been

with anyone in a while. I don’t know if I want to be.”

Jack did his best to ignore the jab to his heart and walked up him. “C’mon, Travis. Everyone in this

town is your friend. You know that, right?”

Travis nodded slightly.
“Well.” Jack started to fidget and was happy that Travis couldn’t see him. “Look, no pressure, okay?

I like you. I respect you. And I also like looking at you.”

Travis smiled. “Wish I could say the same.”
Jack laid his hand on Travis’s shoulder and felt him draw back slightly. But he didn’t let go. “I think

you can. Sometimes, Travis, I think you do see me, and everyone else, somehow better than anyone.”

Travis lifted his head, and Jack saw his own reflection in those shades. “Why have you always been

so nice to me?” he asked quietly.

“I’m a nice guy. What can I say?”
Travis grinned, and Jack squeezed his shoulder before letting go. “I know you are. Thanks for the

help.”

Jack was impressed. Not so long ago, those words would never have left Travis’s mouth. It was

heartening to know what time and persistence could do. His persistence had led to friendship with this
withdrawn cougar; maybe it could lead to more.

“You’re always welcome,” Jack said. “So, about dinner?”

He wished Travis didn’t hesitate. It irritated him. They may have been friends for years, but Travis

had always kept him at arm’s length. At first, Jack was willing to give Travis as much distance as he
needed, since Jack always suspected Travis had a dark past, and he didn’t want to frighten him away. But
he felt it was time to take their relationship to the next level.

“Well.” Travis finished unpacking his groceries and proceeded to fold up the paper bags. “I’ll have

to look at my schedule. I have several deadlines and a meeting with my transcriber in a couple of days.”

Jack nodded. Travis was a local celebrity. He’d written some bestselling mystery novels, under a

pen name of course, and Jack secretly suspected that he was the inspiration for one of the novels’ main
characters.

“Okay, then,” Jack said lightly, knowing he had to get back on patrol. “Rain check? Don’t forget.”
Travis smiled. “I won’t. Promise.”
Jack took his leave reluctantly. When he was back outside, standing on the sidewalk, he knew he had

more than just Travis’s resistance to work through. Jack’s stomach churned unpleasantly as a sudden cold
wind slapped his face. His pack was not going to like the fact that he was pursuing a cougar shifter as his
possible mate.

T

RAVIS

sat on his couch and rolled the beer bottle between his fingers. He shouldn’t be scared of Sheriff

Jack, but the fact was, Travis was scared. Jack had a formidable presence, one he could always sense and
had to respond to—inside, anyway. And that voice… it might not be as deep as most men’s, but it was
resonant, a sweet, rough melody to his ears. Jack’s voice held power and authority, but also empathy, a
strange fascination Jack seemed to have with the world around him. And his persistence was something
Travis had never been able to overcome or push away. Maybe that’s why he made such a good sheriff—
he grabbed hold of a bone and would never let go. Travis smiled slightly. He knew Jack would laugh at
such an analogy.

How could he explain to Jack what the sheriff made him feel, when Travis couldn’t even explain it

to himself? The loyalty and kindness he sensed in Jack was wrapped up with the strength of his will and
the undercurrent of violence all predatory shifters shared. But Jack was different, distinctly different. So
much so, Travis wanted to reach out and touch him, discover him with his fingers, trace out his face and
chin, and even feel again what it was like to be in someone’s arms, to have someone give a damn.

He’d been a young, broken youth when he arrived in Haven, and yet the people here, humans and

shifters alike, welcomed him. Travis had searched out shifters after reaching Montana, asking around
discreetly for assistance to get to Haven. Some had been willing to help him, but only so far. He’d hiked
the rest of the way to the town in dead winter, and it was luck—or perhaps fate—that Jack had found him,
barely standing, at the entrance.

Travis had soon sensed the hundreds of shifters who lived openly, felt the trust they gave the humans

who lived alongside them, and he had been amazed by this. A small part of him had always considered
that aspect of Haven a myth, but it had been proven true the moment he’d stumbled, exhausted and
desperate, into town.

And Jack. Sweet Jack. He’d been there, welcoming right along with the others. He’d been the deputy

then, and his older brother, Jager, the sheriff. Travis had been wary of wolf shifters back then, his inner
feline arching its back, raising its fur. But Jack gradually made him change his mind. Jack’s pack was the
authority in Haven. They ruled over the other packs and herds, and while they allowed each group
sovereignty within itself, theirs was the final word and the law. Which made sense, considering it was

their ancestor, a shifter named Imelda, who had founded Haven so many years ago. It was also rumored
that she was a master shifter, an immortal. But Travis never believed those rumors—they were way too
fanciful.

Travis sighed and took a sip of his beer. He liked Jack, and apparently, the feelings were mutual.

This wasn’t the first time Jack had made a move on him, each time he had been subtle and persuading.
Travis had rebuffed them kindly, but wanted to make sure he kept Jack’s friendship. He had become
dependent on Jack’s presence in his life.

But… during all the time he’d lived here, Travis had never told anyone about his family, their

torture, even his blindness. At first he had planned on telling the shifters of Haven and had imagined
raising an army that would lay siege to the murderers. He figured after he’d lived here a few months and
gained the town’s trust, he could ask them to help him seek justice. But after a while, something had
changed inside him, something that made him not want to leave. Travis found he no longer wanted to think
about the shifter-haters or how his family died. He’d found a home, made some friends; Travis had found
his haven.

Travis just wanted to forget. But how could he forget when he walked around with the consequences

of that evil carved into his own face? Travis lifted his hand and lowered his shades, something he would
never do in the presence of another. Travis touched the skin around his eyes, felt the scars the acid had
left, still curious about what his eyeballs looked like. He wasn’t exactly sure why they had destroyed his
eyes, beyond learning more about shifter biology, but whatever they’d been after, they didn’t get it.

And he’d managed to claw one of them in the face pretty good when he found the strength to shift and

was able to fight back. Even now Travis remembered the rush that had brought. His body, his very soul
had come alive when his claws had raked that flesh and the hater’s blood coated his fur.

After taking another sip from his beer, Travis pinched the bridge of his nose and rubbed it. I’m a

coward. And that was hard to swallow. Logically, he knew the shifter-haters were long gone from the
location from which they’d kidnapped him and his family. But still, if he loved his family, shouldn’t he
hunt the murderers down? Didn’t his family’s blood demand that? Wouldn’t they want revenge?

Travis touched the spot on his shoulder where Jack had touched him. He really shouldn’t get

involved with a wolf shifter. They were so traditional, and Jack’s pack wouldn’t appreciate him dating a
cougar. It was a cliché, but cats and dogs just didn’t mix. And yet, when they were together, he and Jack
got along just fine, didn’t they? Hell, he even liked Jack’s smell, the woodsy, almost canine scent that
dogs got when they were outside too long. It was so uniquely him.

But if they got involved… he would have to tell Jack about his past. He would have to open up and

relive the nightmare. To trust someone that much… he didn’t know if he was ready.

Jack was wrong about him. Travis didn’t see things more clearly than other people. If nothing else,

right now he’d never felt blinder.

Chapter 3

J

ACK

sat in the sheriff’s office, typing up a report. It was a modest office, but adequate for its uses. The

front door opened into the main area, with Jack’s desk and computer. Behind him in a little alcove sat the
“break room”, which consisted of a counter with a coffeemaker and a small fridge. On the other side was
his deputy’s desk, and filing cabinets lined the walls. A short hallway led down to the ten holding cells
that were half occupied most of the time. Most offenders were thieves or drunkards, and they just needed
a place to sit and stay out of trouble. Jack would usually fine them and give them manual labor to do—like
shoveling snow or picking up trash. Work such as that never failed to make the offender think twice
before committing the same crime again. And, because it was such a small town, everyone knew everyone
else’s business. The offender’s identity never stayed hidden for long.

They also had a basement which held various supplies such as snow shovels, rope, extra food just in

case they were stuck in the office, as well as handguns and rifles and riot gear. All precautionary, of
course; none of the weapons had ever been used.

“I smell him on you,” Jena said, one eyebrow raised and her dirty boots propped on Jack’s desk.
Jack paused in his typing to glance her way. “I’m afraid you might have to be more specific, sister

dear. I rounded up a lot of he’s today—like Todd, a couple of peeping foxes, three skateboarding cousins
of ours—”

“You know who I mean,” she said, rolling her eyes and sighing loudly. “The blind cougar you’ve

always been sweet on.”

Jack glared at her, and his fingers tensed on the keyboard. “His name is Travis, Jena.”
His voice was cold. Jena dropped her feet to the floor and leaned over the table. “Brother, you know

the pack won’t care what his name is. Or how nice he is.”

“Apparently, they aren’t the only ones,” Jack growled. He turned resolutely back to the computer

screen and continued typing up his report. One of the many things that sucked about having his twin sister
as a deputy was that she got to hammer away at him like this all day. He could avoid his pack most of the
week, but Jena was always in his face.

“Jack,” she said, her voice softer. “You know I like him. I have no problem with him. But, well, he’s

not a wolf. He’s not for you.”

“What makes you think I want that?” He struggled to keep his voice calm.
“Because I know you,” Jena said. “I know how you are with those you like. I know your moves. I

saw you walk into his house. I know how long you stayed.”

Jack reached out suddenly, gripping his sister’s wrist and squeezing it. He looked deep into her

silver eyes and growled. “Stay out of my business, Jena. I mean it. I will deal with the pack my own way,
but I need you to step back.” He glared for several more seconds. “I won’t ask you again.”

He felt his inner wolf pace in frustration and the hair on the back of his neck rise. The need to

dominate, to protect his territory, in this case his privacy, was making his urge to shift strong. He allowed
the alpha inside him to come out, to show his sister where her place was. He saw her own inner wolf
struggle and was satisfied when she lowered her eyes, her body slumping. Her submission satisfied him.

Jack let go of her and turned back to the computer. Flexing his fingers, he attempted to soothe his

animal side. He hated being at odds with his sister. They had been very close as children, never wanting
to be apart. This was honestly the one thing they would never agree upon. His pack would never accept
any shifter but a wolf as his mate. They didn’t advertise their prejudice toward the town’s few cross-

species couples, but he could see the disapproval, even the disgust, in their eyes. It would break his heart
to see that look directed toward him. But what was the alternative? Never to be with the one shifter he
knew could make him happy the rest of his days?

Was he really going to sacrifice his future happiness for his pack’s approval? He’d followed every

other role they wanted him to fill. But this one… he didn’t think he could.

He wanted Travis.
He’d had years to think, to analyze, to weigh his options and the risks. And in the end, the scales had

always tipped in Travis’s favor. He’d dated other wolf shifters from other packs; he’d tried to be the
good son, a good pack member. But he’d always known, deep down, that he was just… different.

And the fact that he had a strong attraction to a feline only emphasized how different he was. He’d

never seen the shifter as a cougar, but he was sure Travis would be beautiful, graceful. He would have
sleek muscles under golden fur and would be able to move in perfect silence. The wolf inside him began
to pace once more, this time with arousal and curiosity.

“Mom’s making dinner for all of us tonight,” Jena said, and Jack knew she was trying to put their

battle of wills behind her and to hide her sulk. “We’re allowed to bring our mates.” Jena looked right into
his eyes.

Jack regarded her for several seconds. Then he smiled slightly. “Well, wouldn’t that be an awkward

meal?”

Jena stared at him for a silent second, and then bared her teeth slightly. “You asked him out, didn’t

you? If anyone from the pack sees you—”

“Jena,” he said, his tone warning. “This is my problem, not yours. Do not bring it up again. Do you

understand?”

She nodded slowly. He saw her struggle to keep her fear and anger hidden. She went to the door but

turned back with her hand on the knob.

“Just one last thing, Jack,” she said, her eyes focused somewhere above his left shoulder. “It won’t

just be you the pack makes trouble for. They’ll have it out for him as well. Think about that before you
travel down the road to self-destruction.”

When his sister had closed the door behind her, Jack found himself unable to continue typing his

report. He leaned back in his chair, sighed, and stared at the ceiling. She was right, of course. But damn
it. Then he snorted at his own annoyance. He always hated when she got the last word.

He supposed he should bring the issue up during their date. He should lay it all out and let Travis

decide whether the two of them being together was worth the grief. Because there would be grief. Jena
wasn’t kidding about his pack’s feelings on one of their own mating with a non-wolf. From his earliest
years, Jack remembered his father’s speeches on loyalty and purity. There was punishment for disloyalty
to the pack, and his pack would see his relationship with Travis as a betrayal.

Jack hoped to God Travis thought they were worth it. He could face his pack with that one cougar

shifter by his side. He would challenge the pack’s traditions, and even if he couldn’t convince all of them,
if he could convince his father or even his mother, that should help bring acceptance to his choice. He
loved his pack, he understood their traditions, but sometimes, there had to be a change, a transition. And if
it had to be Jack who incited the change, then so be it. But that might be like changing the migratory
pattern of a flock of birds. It could have disastrous results.

“Hell,” Jack seethed and grabbed his hat, then stomped out onto the sidewalk. He need movement, he

needed….

The mountains of Glacier National Park were giants in the distance. The green of the forests, the

snow-covered grass, and crystal blue of the rivers beckoned. That was what he needed: freedom. It had
been weeks since he’d indulged his wolf. Well, that was about to change! It was a slow day, and the rest
of the pack would come to Jena’s aide if she needed backup. It was time to be a little selfish.

Jack radioed Jena to inform her of his early departure and disconnected before she could lecture him

again. He jumped into his truck and sped off, arriving at his destination in less than twenty minutes.

Haven was pressed up against the park, hidden from most tourists’ eyes at the end of a nondescript

dirt road that led off the local, secondary highway. The shifters didn’t call the park Glacier National Park,
however, nor did they use any of the names humans had given the parks around them. All the parks in
Montana and some that stretched into Canada and down into Wyoming were collectively called
Sanctuary. While Haven was a home for those shifters who wanted to live in their human forms to be part
of a human-like community, Sanctuary was home for the many shifters who preferred living as animals. It
was certainly a simpler way to live.

And Sanctuary had its own guardian. But instead of a wolf pack, the guardian was one lone bear

shifter. The Master Shifter Nordik. No one Jack knew had ever met the master shifter, but there were
many legends surrounding him. There were only a handful of master shifters in the world, and they were
nigh immortal. No one knew how old Nordik was, but he had been a constant fixture in Sanctuary as far
back as Haven’s history went. He was said to be an enormous white bear and would kill anyone who
dared harm the shifters under his care. But no one knew what he looked like in human form. Jack’s mother
had told him bedtime stories about the shifter. He seemed more myth than reality.

Jack drove his truck into the wilderness, hiding it by pulling off into a small clearing, as he’d done

many times before. A light dusting of snow covered the ground here, and his truck wheels crunched over
it. Various animal footprints marred the white; his own would soon join them.

He got out of the truck and sensed his surroundings. The forest was quiet, but he could feel the life

hidden in the trees and farther into the mountains. The cold air caressed his face, and he shivered as he
began to strip. This was the part he always hated; he felt so vulnerable during this process, before he had
shifted.

He felt eyes on him but not the presence of another shifter. The trees hid most of the sky from view,

and the snow bit at his bare feet. He took a deep breath… and shifted. No pain, no discomfort. It was
entirely natural, for this was the other part of his soul. His senses sharpened. The musical sounds of the
forest penetrated his ears, and the smell of other wolves and elk filled his nostrils. Now that he was
covered in his wolf pelt, the cold breeze no longer bothered him. Instead, it actually invigorated him,
gliding over his thick coat. The pads of his paws rested securely on the earth, knowing it, remembering it,
welcoming back the touch that was so much more potent than any feeling brought by the booted, tender
human foot. He shook himself. Instinct took over thought, making it easy to forget his troubles, to simply
be.

He howled in triumph and sheer joy, hearing the few prey animals nearby scatter in fear. And he ran,

ran faster and with more agility than a human ever could. The burn of his muscles and the scrape of
branches over his sides and back felt like heaven. And still he ran faster, putting more distance between
himself and the pack, as if by doing so he might gain emotional distance. He soared over a fallen tree and
burst into a snow-covered field where a few remaining stalks of tall grass slapped eagerly at his face.
Hearing the river, he headed toward it, jumping and barking, for the moment as silly and happy as a
puppy. The sleek mountains pointed up to the sky as if preening, showing off how beautiful they were with
the sun shining on their proud heights.

Jack had just rolled on the snowy ground, dampening his pelt, when a scent struck his nose—a scent

he knew very well but hadn’t smelled in a long time. He rolled to his feet and crouched low, his belly
nearly touching the freezing snow. He raised his head slightly, peering intently at the creature that had
caught his attention.

A large elk walked proudly out of the safety of the trees and toward the river. His thick coat

protected him from the cold, and his antlers spread majestically from his head, indicating his dominance
and age. Jack felt instinct take over, and his body braced. He started to slink forward. Though he usually
hunted with a pack, he had become very successful in his solo attempts.

But he hadn’t moved more than two feet when another scent hit his nose, one he had never smelled in

this place. One he’d only ever smelled in Haven. Jack’s mind switched instantly from thoughts of hunting
to thoughts of mating. He lifted his head, scanning the tree line and sniffing the air, which brought the
creature’s scent down to where Jack stood.

Travis.
His scent was more pungent than in human form. It tickled Jack’s nose gleefully, making his body

shake in anticipation. His ears scanned for sounds, but the shifter was silent as a ghost. In Jack’s
excitement he gave a short bark, which startled the elk, and realized this would disrupt Travis’s hunt. He
wondered whether Travis would even recognize him in this form, whether he would come out or simply
slink away. Determined not to let the latter happen, Jack trotted toward the trees, following a scent that
became stronger and more erotic.

A slight noise to his right brought him up short, and he paused only a moment before heading that

way. The scent’s increased intensity told him he was going in the right direction. After a minute, the trees
thinned at the side of a rocky rise. Boulders lay haphazardly at the base, and on top of one of those
boulders was a golden form, utterly motionless, with pale, pale blue eyes staring back at him.

Wait, no, not staring. The eyes were somehow blank. Overlaying their blue color were strange spots

and stripes, marring their beauty. That caused him to pause only for a moment before he came closer. Jack
barked and ran in circles, hoping and praying Travis would recognize him.

The tip of the cougar’s tail flipped back and forth and the round ears twitched. Jack rose onto his

hind legs and pressed his front paws against the boulder, his tail wagging hard and fast. It surprised him
that his instinctual dislike of felines was nonexistent. Sure, in human form he wanted Travis, but now he
knew that even as a wolf, he wanted the cougar shifter.

But would Travis want him in this form?
The cougar gave a high-pitched snarl. His shoulders rolled. He slowly stood and leaned down,

sniffing. Jack stood as still as he could, despite his desire to play, to jump around and nip at his mate. He
wanted to run together. After a couple of minutes of sniffing and listening, Travis seemed to have satisfied
himself that Jack was really Jack. He leapt off the boulder and landed not far away.

Jack had been right when he’d pictured what Travis would look like. He was graceful and sleek,

nothing but muscle and golden fur. Travis paced, his face low and his blank eyes nearly shut. Sensing
residual tension in the cougar, Jack padded slowly and carefully toward him. When Jack was right next to
Travis, Jack leaned forward and nuzzled Travis’s neck. Jack felt the cougar shiver. There came another
snarl, but this one sounded less aggressive and more interested.

Without warning, Travis pounced. Jack tumbled to the ground, the cougar pinning him down. For an

instant he was terrified. But then he sensed play in the movement. Travis even bumped his snout against
Jack’s, lightly mouthing his nose. Delighted, Jack struggled and fought to regain his feet. The challenge of
battling a shifter who was made of solid muscle was exhilarating. They used their claws and teeth with
restraint; gripping, holding, but not tearing. While they were roughly similar in length and height, Travis

was stronger. And then there were those claws. Jack was careful not to let things become too rough, lest
the big cat forgot himself.

When he gained his feet, Jack tore off into the open field. Travis followed, quickly catching up to

him and swatting at his legs, claws thankfully sheathed, in a playful attempt to trip him. But Jack was wise
to the cat’s tricks and turned sharply. Then he had to admire the way Travis maneuvered and his sure
footing. Amazing!

If he’d known playing with Travis was this fun, he would have done it many years sooner.

F

OR

Travis’s part, the twin desires to conquer and play with the wolf churned deep inside him. His focus

on Jack never wavered, and the smell of the wolf surrounded him, intoxicated him. He had been hunting
that elk, intent on taking it down, when the wolf disrupted his hunt. Enraged, he had wanted to attack the
wolf. But then he recognized Jack’s scent, and all desire to attack vanished.

Travis’s blindness failed to diminish the beauty of the land for him. The smells of pollen and the

crisp scent of snow, the sound of the river splashing and flowing nearby, were only enhanced. And while
in cougar form he could actually see some color, even the outlines of large objects. He could also detect
movement, which meant he could hunt. As a human, he couldn’t see anything; the visual world was just a
black pit of nothingness. This partial sight was something he was too terrified to speak of, afraid it would
vanish if he did. He had first noticed it a year back, and he hoped and prayed eventually some sight would
return in his human form as well.

Jack suddenly turned and Travis stopped, bored with chasing and wanting more physical contact.

More than anything, he longed to see what Jack looked like. He yearned to see both the beauty of the wolf
and the beauty of the man. But he would have to settle for what he had. His muscles quivered as he felt
Jack’s presence pacing in front of him, waiting, analyzing. The urge to tackle was evident in the other as
much as it was in himself. But who would attack first?

Jack suddenly launched himself at Travis and nipped his neck, shoving him with his entire body.

Travis snarled in eagerness and shoved him back. They continued to play, to shove, and to nip, until the
sky began to darken. Then Jack lay down, and his heavy panting mixed with Travis’s own. Travis padded
over to the wolf and lay down next to him, leaning back against his body. Jack made soft chuffing noises
and rubbed his snout against Travis’s cheek. Then the wolf put his paw over Travis’s and everything
between them changed.

Jack had seen Travis’s blindness and wasn’t repulsed; his wolf had accepted Travis’s cougar, and

Travis was thrilled his cougar had accepted the wolf. Travis laid his head on his paws, leaning his cheek
on Jack’s paw. The wolf rested his chin on the top of Travis’s head, and Travis wished this perfect
moment could last forever.

The sun was sinking over the horizon when Jack began to stir, nudging Travis to move as well.

Travis snarled low with annoyance but acquiesced. But when he opened his eyes, he was shocked to his
bones.

As the sun continued to sink lower and dusk settled around them, Travis’s sight began to clear, as

though a dense fog were slowly lifting. He swung his head around and stared at Jack, a magnificent wolf
with a lush coat and intense silver eyes. His legs were thin and his body was long and rangy. His tail
wagged slightly, and his ears moved constantly. The incredible was happening: he was seeing Jack! He
could see the tail, the eyes, the legs, and he could see the trees in the distance and the eyes of an owl
watching them.

But then, as the sun dipped completely behind the horizon, his vision faded. The fog fell over his

eyes again. He let out a deep, agonized whine and rubbed his face into his paws, wondering if he’d gone
crazy.

In his misery, Travis suddenly felt hands on his head and back, stroking, trying to get his attention.

Jack had shifted.

“Travis, Travis, what is it?” His voice was full of concern. “What happened? Are you in pain?”
Oh yes. In such pain. There were no words to describe the agony. He shifted back into human form,

tears flooding from his broken eyes.

Jack held him, silently stroking Travis’s head, rocking him, and Travis in turn clung to the wolf

shifter, desperate for that anchor, desperate for comfort. It never occurred to him that they were naked,
alone, and in the dark. The unhappy truth—that he only had real, acute sight during the short time of dusk
—drowned out everything else.

Chapter 4

J

ACK

drove them back to town since Travis had made the journey to the park as a cougar. He’d dug out a

thick blanket to wrap around the cougar shifter and turned the heater up as high as it would go. They didn’t
speak, and Jack didn’t know what the problem was, but Travis didn’t look ready to tell him. His head was
down, but Jack had noticed that the discoloration in Travis’s eyes he had seen in Travis’s cougar form
held true for his human form as well. It was a sad sight, and it deepened Jack’s curiosity about the reasons
behind Travis’s blindness.

It was now fully dark, and the day’s events replayed in Jack’s mind as he drove. He would never

forget the innocent joy of chasing and wrestling with Travis. He wished he could stay in that time forever,
but that was impossible. His life wasn’t innocent or childlike. He had duties, responsibilities, and a pack
that monitored his every move. As he turned onto the gravel road that led to Haven, Travis’s voice
startled him out of his thoughts.

“I won’t tell you why I’m blind, Jack, not yet. But the reason—the reason I became so emotional

back there was because, just for a while, I could see.”

Jack looked at Travis’s face in shock.
“For about a year now, I’ve been able to see shapes and colors when I’m a cougar. But in human

form, I’m still blind.” His voice hitched. “Back there, when dusk was settling, for the first time I could
see—clearly. Like I could before…. I saw you, I saw the forest, the sky—and then it was gone. I—well, it
was awful and wonderful at the same time. I can’t explain it any other way.”

Jack reached over and grabbed Travis’s hand. “You don’t need to. I’m sorry, baby.”
Travis gripped his hand. “Did you just call me baby?”
Jack frowned. He had just entered the town. “Huh, I think I did. Sorry.”
A minute or two later, Jack braked in front of Travis’s home. Travis suddenly turned and fumbled to

touch Jack’s face before leaning across and kissing him on the mouth. It was explosive and sweet at the
same time.

“Sorry?” Travis murmured. “Don’t be.”
Jack gripped Travis’s shoulders, all at once remembering the forest, where he had held Travis’s

naked body as the cougar shifter cried. Despite the confusion he had felt during that short time, he couldn’t
ignore the warmth and texture of Travis’s skin, the muscles that were just as sleek in human form, the soft
blond hair under his hands and the way Travis felt so right in his arms. Like he belonged there.

Going with the moment, Jack grabbed the corners of the blanket that covered Travis’s body and

pulled it aside. Travis tried to move away but Jack tightened his hold on Travis’s hair and nipped his lips
before thrusting his tongue into the cougar shifter’s mouth, earning a surprised gasp from him.

After his initial surprise, Travis pressed harder against Jack. His large body effectively trapped Jack

against the driver’s door. Jack hardened quickly, and visions of the two of them with nothing between
them, not even air, quickly sprang up in his mind. He wanted, yearned for Travis to be above him,
underneath him, everywhere. And he wanted those burning lips to explore his entire body.

That’s when Jack’s phone rang.
Both men jumped back, startled like guilty teenagers. Jack fumbled for his phone, panting slightly. He

stared at Travis, who was pulling the blanket back around his body.

“What?” he barked as he answered the phone.

“Dinner, that’s what,” his sister barked back, annoyance obvious in her tone. “Remember, genius?

Dad’s furious and mom’s panicking. We’ve been calling you for hours.”

He looked at Travis, who was clearly hearing the conversation.
“Sorry, I was out of range. I’ll be there shortly.”
“You’d better. And you better not smell like… anything.” She hung up.
Jack winced.
“I’ll go,” Travis said, turning to get out.
“Travis—” Jack grabbed the shifter’s shoulder.
“You need to go home,” he said, but this time he smiled. Jack watched as the cougar shifter left the

truck, feeling both furious and painfully turned on. It came to him with terrible clarity that he was playing
with fire here, and he was close to being burned. But damn it! He wanted that heat, that warmth. The
worst part was that he wished he didn’t want it. His life would be amazingly easier if his desire for
Travis would just die. If he could simply go along with pack tradition and settle down with another wolf
—but he knew himself too well. He liked difference, which had always caused conflict between him and
his pack. He was the odd wolf, and they all knew it. He was torn between his heart and his head. He
didn’t want to break the bond he had with his pack, but neither did he want to lose Travis. He could be
himself when he was with the cougar shifter.

Jack dragged his hands through his short hair and sighed heavily. With the weight of guilt and despair

on his shoulders, he started his truck and headed home.

W

HEN

Travis got inside, he shut the door and leaned back against it. His legs were actually trembling,

and his erection was throbbing angrily at the interruption. He pulled the blanket tighter around his
shoulders and let his head fall forward until his chin rested on his chest. His hands were shaking too.

That had been, well, something completely unexpected. Sure, they had chemistry; they’d always had

chemistry. But this, this was something more. He’d never felt anything like it, in spite of being quite
experienced when it came to sex and relationships. He’d had plenty when he was younger, before his
abduction, before his blindness. But after moving to Haven, no one other than Jack had ever shown any
interest in him, and he’d never pursued anyone.

But now! Now he wanted to pursue. Jack had been after him for years, and now Travis seriously

considered giving in. Travis felt his inner cougar crouch and hiss, lusting for the hunt, yearning to mate.
And Travis wanted desperately to connect with someone, to be part of a family again.

But Jack’s pack would never accept him. Never. So why set himself up for heartache?
His cougar growled.
Travis walked into the bathroom, dropping the blanket, climbed into the tub, and started the water.

As he washed, he reflected on how Jack had singled him out when he first arrived in Haven. Jack hadn’t
been just nice, but helpful, assisting Travis in finding a job and a place to live. Jack had even grabbed
Travis’s hand, helping him across the street, and counted his money for him. At the time, Travis
remembered being less than grateful. Frankly, it had annoyed him, even humiliated him slightly. He’d
never had to depend on anyone before other than his parents, and they had encouraged independence. In
the beginning of his life in Haven, Travis had resented and resisted the change to dependence caused by
his blindness and in learning about his new home. He remembered, during those times, when in anger he
had lashed out at Jack. But the wolf shifter seemed to be made of Teflon. Travis’s attacks had just slid

right off him. They didn’t seem to faze him. And Travis had said some awful stuff. He cringed, thinking
about the derogatory, cutting remarks he’d made about wolves and canines in general.

But Jack, whenever it happened, would just laugh and change the subject.
Travis had come to depend on Jack more than he was comfortable admitting. The idea that Jack and

he might form a lasting bond, that he would always be there, was both reassuring and terrifying.

Would he survive if Jack for some reason was torn away from him? Travis’s family had been his

center, and he’d nearly died when they’d been ripped away from him. He didn’t think he could survive
another such tearing. But he didn’t want to be the reason Jack might be torn from his family. Family meant
even more to wolf shifters than cougar, by all accounts. Their pack was a part of their identity; their
world. It sickened Travis to think he might cause the separation of Jack from his pack.

Travis dried himself off, collapsed into bed, and curled up under the blankets. Jack was a stubborn

bastard and very persistent. The choice had to be made by both of them. They would have to decide
together what sacrifices they were willing to make. And whether they were worth the risks.

J

ACK

dashed to his apartment, intending to take a quick shower and change his clothes. But he found out

his only brother, Jager, had decided to ambush him. Jager was standing in Jack’s living room when he
opened the door. For an instant Jack felt inclined to walk out. But then he straightened his shoulders,
determined not to feel like a naughty teenager. He was thirty years old, for heaven’s sake! And what gave
Jager the right to just show up and invade his home?

“Mom sent me over to make sure you weren’t dead,” Jager said in a low growl, one eyebrow raised.
“Well, as you can see,” Jack replied coldly, “I’m not. I need a quick change, and I’ll be over for

dinner.” He tried to pass his brother, but Jager grabbed his arm.

“You’re already two hours late.”
“You know what?” Jack jerked his arm away and barely resisted shoving his brother back. This was

his home, after all. He would not be submissive in it. “I’ve never forgotten a dinner in my entire life. And
the one time I do, you all are set to crucify me. Does that seem right?”

Jager opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly he stopped and sniffed. Jack’s muscles tightened as

his brother’s nose wrinkled.

“What is that stench?”
Jack bristled. His wolf rose and prowled, snarling in defense. But he swallowed his anger instead.

“I was with a friend,” he said with forced casualness. “I lost track of time. There isn’t a need for Mom to
fall into hysterics.”

But Jager leaned forward and sniffed again. Jack shoved his brother away and walked into his

bedroom.

“It smells feline,” Jager accused.
“This may come as a shock to you, Jag, but there are feline shifters in this happy little town of ours.

You should know; you were sheriff before I was.”

“That may be, but I didn’t spend enough time with them to smell like I’d bathed in their saliva,”

Jager called after Jack, who had entered the bathroom.

Jack rolled his shoulders, focused on his breathing. He stripped, jumped into the shower, and began

scrubbing hard. Well, this is going just beautifully! Jager had been a good sheriff, fair and sympathetic,

but he had always felt superior to the other types of shifters in Haven, which was common among wolf
shifters. According to them, wolves were the top echelon. Their father thought the same. Somehow,
however, Jack had never felt that way.

Each shifter clan was superior to the others in some way, but none were better. Yeah, so the wolf

shifters ran Haven, his pack being the dominant leaders. But so what? That was simply because their
ancestor had founded the place. But that didn’t mean they had to be dicks about it.

After he had removed most of Travis’s smell, Jack jumped out of the shower and dried himself

quickly, tying the towel around his waist. Jager was waiting in the bedroom, arms crossed over his chest
and a disapproving scowl on his face.

Jack barely spared his brother a glance and began to dress. “I won’t justify myself to you,” he said

flatly. “What I do on my own time is no one’s concern.”

“The pack—”
“The pack can mind their own damn business,” Jack snarled, angry at himself almost more than at his

brother. He was the one causing this rift, him and his nontraditional attraction. Emotions beginning to
drown him, he focused on the matter at hand: getting dressed.

“Father won’t like it.”
And I’m sure you’ll run and tell him. Jack scowled. To Jager, their father’s word was law. Like the

Word of God. Jack didn’t completely fault his brother for being a good little soldier, considering that was
how it was supposed to be, but Jack couldn’t—somehow, for the life of him—do the same. He liked
difference; he liked talking with other shifters, learning what their animal souls were like, who they were
deep down. He had always been curious. And his attachment to Travis had grown from that.

A blind cougar shifter. He’d never met one of those before.
He buttoned his shirt and turned. His brother had left. Jack sighed with relief, but knew it wouldn’t

last long. Dinner tonight would not be a happy affair.

S

HE

finally made it! Thank Almighty God! After all the searching, scouting, and covert operations, the

Knights had finally found the shifters’ base. The headquarters for all their evil plans. And she had been
given the duty of infiltrating it, recording its defenses and how many shifters lived here, what kinds and so
on. She was thrilled, feeling certain she would do her leader, the noble Arcas, proud.

Only the streetlights observed her as she drove down the narrow road in her small car. The cold bit

into her flesh, and she wished her heater had a higher setting. Montana! Shit, what an awful place to live!

Give her the beach, the palm trees, the warm wind, and the lapping of waves on the shore. But she

knew her duty, she knew what had to be done, and she was honored to be the one chosen to do it. Of all
the Knights, she had been singled out for this.

The town was relatively small, but she didn’t underestimate the threat the creatures living here

represented. She knew all about shifters, at least, everything the Knights knew. She couldn’t understand
why humans would live alongside these… abominations. These monsters. How damaged mentally did you
have to be to live alongside a creature that could shift in an instant, attack, and possibly eat you?

She shuddered as the bright lights of a small hotel suddenly caught her eye. Perfect. Since the place

didn’t get many tourists, she had been worried there might not be a place to stay. Gratefully she pulled
into the drive and shut off the engine. She contemplated the cold outside and scowled. It made her hesitate
before she got out of her car. “Haven” (What a ridiculous name!) was quiet. It was almost serene, which

made a hard chill slither down her spine. How could a place so populated with monsters be so peaceful?
Shouldn’t they be running around on all fours, indulging their savage natures?

Frowning, she looked around, shivering when the wind picked up. Her black hair came loose from

her scarf where it was wrapped around her neck and flew around her head, almost invisible in the dark.
All the windows of the markets, the houses, the mechanic’s shop, were dark. But down the road, lights
from a hospital open 24/7 lit the night sky.

A hospital! She never expected to see one in a place like this. It puzzled her. Monsters need

hospitals? Well, maybe it was for the few humans living here. But that also gave her pause. She’d been
told the humans who lived here were chattel or slaves, and sometimes food. So why the hospital? Why the
concern? What had the Knights missed? Well, it was her job to find out.

Shaking her head, she locked her car and walked to the hotel’s front door. Soft lighting lit the small

lobby, and she noticed two comfy chairs as she let the door swing shut behind her. Making her way
toward the desk, she raised her head from behind her scarf, freeing her mouth, and tapped the bell beside
the “For Service” sign.

Nothing. She tapped the bell again, and again nothing. It was only after the third tap that she heard

movement through the door behind the counter. She braced herself, not knowing what sort of person, or
shifter, would be greeting her. Years of practice allowed her to hide her fear, making her face serene. She
needed all the calm she could muster as she anticipated the monster that might appear.

Instead, what she got was a little old lady, probably around eighty years old. The woman slumped a

little, had short, white hair in curlers, and wore a fuzzy pink robe.

Was this a shifter? Her jaw nearly dropped in surprise.
“Hello, dearie.” The lady’s voice was clear and strong. “Are you lost? You must be, to come into

town this late. Why, you look like you’re freezing. You must take a room for the night; I won’t feel right if
you simply ask for directions and try to drive in this dark. It’s not that much, only twenty a night. What’s
your name?”

The old lady slid the register across the counter.
She couldn’t find her words for a moment. The kindness of this old lady—it was very unexpected.
“Shannon,” she said as she signed her name. “My name is Shannon. And I would like a room. For a

week.”

Chapter 5

J

ACK

finished writing up the report he’d been unable to complete the previous night. He leaned back in

his chair, sighing deeply. Dinner hadn’t been a complete disaster, but it had been full of tension and
unspoken arguments. He’d gotten a lecture from his father about pack values. You’d have thought he’d
forgotten a wedding or a funeral rather than a dinner. And they had family dinners about once a week. To
his surprise and relief, Jager hadn’t mentioned the feline smell on his clothes. Jack still wondered why.
Well, he decided finally, Jager didn’t have anything to accuse him of, except being near a feline shifter,
and that was hardly a crime considering how many lived in Haven.

Jack wanted to call Travis. His fingers itched to dial the number. But he was afraid Travis would

tell him to stay away, that nothing could happen between them. Then Jack would be alone, isolated,
betraying his pack and pursuing someone who didn’t want to be pursued.

Sometimes his own childishness disgusted him.
He picked up his cell at the same moment the door opened and his sister came striding through. Jack

set the phone back down.

“Hey, Jack. Lindy says a young woman checked into the hotel late last night.” Jena flopped into one

of the vacant chairs. “She also said the woman is not a shifter. She doesn’t seem to know about shifters,
either.”

Jack frowned. “Probably lost or something.”
She shook her head. “Nope. Lindy says the woman, Shannon is her name, took a room for a week.”
That was peculiar. The two hotels in town were for newcomers to Haven, temporary homes for

shifters and human allies. “But humans don’t come here unless they’re lost,” he repeated slowly, staring at
his sister. “We’re not even on most maps.”

Jena nodded, her eyes showing her concern. “I know. Odd, isn’t it? I mean, she’s probably harmless,

right?”

“No stranger is harmless,” Jack corrected. “Not when we have people here used to shifting

whenever they please, running around on all fours. No, I have to alert everyone to be cautious.” He ran his
fingers through his hair. “Damn it. The young ones will be tempted to make a scene.”

“They aren’t that stupid.”
“Some are,” he said, tapping his finger on the desk. He was sure of that. Some young, cocky teens

would no doubt find it hilarious to shift in front of a stranger, or if they were one of the more exotic
shifters, they might love to stage a mock attack, just to make the hapless visitor scream. The shifters who
grew up here were naïve about the outside world. While they were told that Haven was unique, they
could never fully understand until they actually left this town and journeyed elsewhere. There were no
consequence to shifting in public—it was the norm. Jack hadn’t understood until he attended the
University of Montana School of Law and encountered nothing but humans who didn’t know about
shifters. He’d had to watch himself carefully.

“And it only takes one,” Jack said, finishing his thought.
Jena twirled a lock of brown hair around her finger, which she did when she was nervous. “Well, at

least if it did happen and she ran out of town and told someone, they’re not likely to believe her, right? I
mean, shifters don’t exist in the real world.”

He nodded absently, twirling a pencil in his hand. Still… he’d rather not have that theory tested.

He’d heard through trustworthy connections that there was an organization gaining power across the
country, devoted to the eradication of shifters. If they got wind of the tale of this hysterical person, who
knew what hell might be unleashed upon his town? The town flourished because they were secret, hidden.

No. This had to be taken care of before anything happened.
“What did Lindy say she looked like?” he asked his sister.

T

RAVIS

walked aimlessly around town. He hoped the cold air would not only help him think, but sleep, as

he had slept fitfully last night. A good walk through the snow that had accumulated the night before should
do the trick. The crisp air certainly made him feel better. His cane crunched on the snow, and he listened
to the occasional vehicle going past, the conversations of other citizens, friends and families visiting the
small number of stores. He knew them, knew their voices, their scents. They all greeted him when they
passed, and he returned their greetings with a smile, knowing he belonged. No matter what the future held,
he knew that he belonged here.

Then came the sound of small feet crunching through the snow, running up behind him. He continued

walking, unconcerned, waiting for those feet, which belonged to a child, to pause and launch himself at
his back.

Travis turned at just the right moment and caught the child in his arms. He knew who it was: Devon.

This was a regular routine for the two of them, and neither seemed to grow tired of it.

Devon squealed with laughter. “I almost got you!”
“I disagree.” Travis laughed and tickled the six-year-old’s ribs. Devon giggled and squirmed, and

Travis let him go, amused. It was only eight in the morning, yet the boy already smelled of candy.

“I so almost got you!” Devon insisted.
“You so didn’t!” Travis responded, using the same tone. “If I remember correctly, you didn’t even

get me the first time you snuck up on me.”

“Well, you remember wrong,” Devon said in a snotty tone.
He was right. Devon had successfully launched himself onto Travis’s back that first time about a

year ago, startling him out of his dark thoughts. Sure, he might have great hearing, but on the other hand,
who expects to be attacked by a then five-year-old fox shifter?

“Why aren’t you in school?” Travis asked as he resumed walking.
“Day off,” Devon sang.
“What for? I swear, you kids don’t spend nearly enough time in school. Where are you going to learn

all those things you need to know to go to college?”

Devon took Travis’s hand and swung them as they walked. “I don’t wanna go to college. School

stinks. I’d rather run like my parents up in the hills. I can’t wait until I get to be a fox!”

Travis enjoyed the boy’s innocence and youth, his eager anticipation of his first shift. Travis still

remembered his own yearning for that, to be like the rest of his family. Since the ability to shift started at
puberty, he’d had several agonizing years to wait.

“I’m sure you’ll be a fast and sneaky one,” he said.
“Of course I will. Oh, there’s Mom. Gotta go!” Devon ran off, the sound of his feet fading rapidly.

Travis sighed and continued on his walk, listening and smelling, anticipating another trip into the
mountains as he had taken the previous night. He’d go well before dusk and shift, to see if his experience

of renewed sight had been a fluke.

Someone passed him, a woman whose scent made his skin itch. He stopped and tilted his head in her

direction. After a second or two, he decided to follow her. He felt pulled along by the scent now making
his stomach churn and his cougar want to lash out. He maintained a short distance behind her, determined
not to lose her.

Who was she? Why did her smell make him want to attack? There was something familiar about it,

something that stirred his buried memories and ripped open the protective shield he’d put around them.
Something that stimulated his cougar’s protective instinct—to protect Haven, Jack, and little Devon. But
why—?

He was suddenly back there. He could smell the cage they had put him in, his sterile surroundings.

He could feel the pain, the agony, and the rage. He saw his family clearly, butchered in front of him on lab
tables.

Travis stopped short, each breath constricted by the closing of his throat, his body shaking as though

he had the flu. Cold sweat broke out on his skin and he began to feel dizzy. He swayed and staggered
before slamming against the side of a building. Then he leaned against it while he fought to find his
balance.

How can this be? How can this be happening? Is my past going to repeat itself? No, by God, it

isn’t. I am not going to lose anyone else I love.

She was one of those shifter-hating murderers. Her scent was cold and clinical, maybe not as cruel

as the others’ had been, but there were many types of cruelty. Hers might be the type that looked the other
way while the other cruel people got their hands dirty, pouring acid into a young shifter’s eyes.

Travis panted, his skin rippled, and his body heated. His cougar snarled, and it took every ounce of

strength he had to keep from shifting—from leaping after the woman and tearing her head off.

He couldn’t do this alone. He didn’t know how powerful she was. His tormentors had strange

abilities, almost magical, which gave them the upper hand. There was only one way to deal with this
situation, to protect his home.

She had to die.
Travis shoved away from the building and took a moment to orient himself. Then he turned, listening

for traffic, before heading across the street. He knew now he couldn’t keep his past secret anymore.
Haven was in trouble and he needed Jack’s help. They had to save their home.

J

ACK

looked up as Travis, panting heavily, sweat gleaming on his pale and drawn face, burst through the

front door of the sheriff’s office. “Jack, I need to talk to you,” he said. “Now. Alone.”

Jena stared at Travis for a second, then to Jack’s surprise, she left without protest.
“Travis, what happened?” Jack asked, gripping his friend’s shoulder and leading him to a chair.

“Are you all right? Is someone hurt?”

“No, no, I’m fine. I think. Oh God.” Travis dropped his cane, ripped off his shades, and buried his

face in his hands. He took several long, slow deep breaths. Jack was relieved Travis wasn’t crying; he
was just trying to pull himself together.

“Just take your time,” Jack said calmly. “I’m here. I’m sure it’s nothing that can’t wait for another

second or two.” He hoped they had time.

Travis nodded slightly as Jack got him some water. Jack’s pounding heart slowed, and he took a

second or two to steady himself. His initial fear, that Travis or someone else was hurt, faded, replaced by
concern and perplexity. What could terrify Travis to this extent?

“Here,” he said, pushing the glass gently into Travis’s hand. Travis took it and sat up to drink. As he

did so, Jack saw him open his eyes. He was facing Jack now, and as Jack stared into those damaged eyes,
he wished they could see him, that Travis could look at him. And he wished he could look into those eyes
and see Travis.

“We have a big problem,” Travis said heavily. “A member of the shifter-hating organization is here

in Haven.”

Of all the things Jack had thought Travis might say, this was certainly not one of them. Shock rattled

his very core.

“What?”
Travis slowly reached out and found Jack’s arm and grabbed it hard. But then Travis’s hand moved

up to Jack’s shoulder, then his neck, to his face. Travis’s fingers were gentle as they traced the lines on
Jack’s face, from his eyes, along his nose, down to his mouth and chin, finally coming to rest cupping his
cheek.

“Jack, listen to me. Just a few minutes ago, I was walking down the sidewalk and a woman walked

past me. Her scent was familiar. It made me nervous and frightened. So I followed her.” Travis paused
and took another drink, becoming calmer but no less urgent. “And after several minutes of smelling her,
the memories came back. She was one of those who—well, I mean, she’s a member of the organization
that wants to destroy shifters. Her being here can’t be coincidence. If she’s here, her organization knows
about Haven. It means everyone is in danger.” He paused before adding emphatically, “We have to kill
her.”

Those words ripped Jack out of his funk. “Hold on, Travis. We aren’t going to just kill her, not like

that—”

Travis removed his hand from Jack’s cheek, his face twisted in anger. “Damn it, Jack. This is not the

time for soft hearts. If she’s allowed to leave, to report to her organization where and what Haven is, then
other members of that group will come here and destroy the town. They’re not some ragtag bunch of hicks
with guns, Jack. Not one shifter will be spared, not male, female, or offspring. I know these monsters.”

Jack hesitated before speaking. He noticed Travis’s hands clenched into fists in his lap. He had to

know. “How?” Jack said, gripping Travis’s arms. “How do you know, Travis?”

Travis’s mouth trembled for a second. “Because they captured my family,” he said in a low voice. “I

was the only one to survive.”

No tears came to Travis’s eyes, but Jack could hear the pain and grief in Travis’s voice and see it in

the way his face contorted and his muscles tensed. His skin rippled faintly. He could also sense the
animal inside his friend growling and clawing to be let loose. His inner wolf responded in kind.

“They blinded you,” he whispered. Fury began to build in his stomach and his own skin rippled with

the impulse to shift.

Travis nodded, and then took a deep breath. “Yes,” he said. He straightened his shoulders, and Jack

sensed that Travis was struggling to remain in control of his emotions. “They experimented on me and my
family. I don’t know why they destroyed my eyes, but I managed to escape before they did anything else.
The one who tied me down didn’t do a proper job, I think. I clawed my way loose and fought. I bloodied
many of them and then just ran. I don’t know how long they held me. I just wished to God I could have

killed them all.”

Part of Jack wanted to pull Travis into his arms, tight and safe, to comfort both of them. But he knew

that would not be welcome at this moment. It must be taking all Travis’s will to keep from breaking down,
to keep talking, to tell Jack about his past, the painful secret he’d kept locked inside himself for years.

The other part of Jack wanted to hunt and devour those who had harmed his friend. The thirst for

blood grew strong but he consciously controlled it.

“We have to kill her, Jack,” Travis repeated. “There’s no other way.”
Jack shook his head and stood. “No. Not yet. We have to find out why she’s here.”
Jack picked up Travis’s shades and put them in the cougar shifter’s hand. Travis stood as well and

jammed them back over his eyes. “That would be very stupid, Jack. Members of this organization have
special abilities. Who knows what she can do? We can’t take that chance—”

“I’m sheriff of this town,” Jack reminded his friend calmly, despite his own impulse toward

bloodshed. “I decide what we will do when there is something or someone threatening our community.
Not you, Travis.”

Travis straightened his shoulders, and Jack sensed the cougar wanted to lash out and attack. His wolf

wanted to dominate, but Jack needed to control this situation, and he needed Travis to understand why his
solution wasn’t possible. Not yet.

“If you don’t kill her, I will, Jack,” Travis growled. “I swear this on the lives of my family, the lives

she and her group destroyed. She doesn’t live past today, Jack. If you want to arrest me, go ahead, but just
know you’ll be giving a death sentence to your town and every citizen under your protection.”

The utter confidence with which Travis delivered those words set Jack on his heels. He turned away

and walked over to his desk, trying to sort through all these revelations and choose the best course of
action. At last he turned back toward his friend.

“Give me a day, Travis,” he said.
“But—”
“A day, damn it!” Jack persisted. “All I’m asking for is twenty-four hours. This is something we’ve

never had to deal with. I’ve never dealt with. Besides, how do we know she doesn’t have other allies in
town? How do we know if by killing her we aren’t declaring war?”

“Then let’s declare war! There should be a war!” Travis yelled. Jack’s wolf actually trembled,

hunching defensively at the violence that lashed from the cougar shifter. He had never heard Travis raise
his voice for any reason. This was a side of his friend he never knew existed. It made Jack wonder—just
how well did he know Travis?

“You have no idea what it’s like, Jack! How could you?” Travis dragged his hands through his hair

and yanked violently. “I saw my family dissected in front of me, tortured in front of me, and all the while I
was unable to protect them. That was the last thing I saw before some sort of acid was poured into my
eyes.”

Jack flinched. He could imagine it all too well.
Travis growled and turned away. He grabbed his cane and held it in both hands, bending it until it

nearly snapped.

Jack watched his friend, his heart twisting. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. He took a deep breath and

chose his words carefully. How could he break through the rage knotted inside Travis? Especially when
he felt that rage himself?

“I understand what you’re saying,” he said gently. “I care so much about you, Travis, please never

doubt that. But I care about this town too, and my pack. And it’s my responsibility to protect them. If we
make one wrong move here, one slip, then you and I and all of Haven could lose everything. We have to
think this through.” He paused. “I need you with me on this, Travis.”

“How can you be so accepting?” Travis snarled. “How can you just stand there calmly and—”
“I’m not accepting,” Jack growled, his wolf ready to attack. “Damn it, Travis. Don’t you think I want

revenge on those fuckers? Those monsters? I want to taste their blood and rip them open for what they did
to you and your family. But I can’t. And I hate that I can’t.”

Silence fell again inside the office. Jack’s impotency was like a bitter pill he was loath to swallow.

He had to focus on the present and push Travis’s past aside if he had any chance of resolving the situation.

It was strange for Jack to watch the activity outside, to see the happy faces and people going about

their daily routines, shifters and humans living side by side in peace and acceptance. And walking among
them was an outsider, a dangerous woman who was a nuke ready to go off. He was sure it must be the
woman staying in Lindy’s hotel. There were too few visitors for it not to be the same one Travis spoke of.

“I’m sorry,” Travis murmured, his face lowered and his shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry,” he

repeated. “It just—it all came back, everything I experienced then, everything I’ve wanted to forget. I just
—I want to protect those I love now, the way I couldn’t back then.”

“I know.”
Travis turned toward Jack looking tired and ill. Jack walked to his friend and hugged him. Travis

laid his head on Jack’s shoulder, and Jack nuzzled Travis’s neck. His wolf was torn between the desire to
comfort him and the desire to rush out and attack the enemy.

“I have to tell my pack. They’ll know what to do.” He hoped to God they would.
Travis nodded. “Okay. Okay, it’s your call. I’m behind you.”
Jack patted Travis’s back. “I know you are. I know.”
He took a step back, needing to see Travis’s face. His arms remained around his friend’s waist; he

wasn’t ready to break that contact.

“You said something,” he said, “a little while ago, about special abilities the members of this

organization have.”

Travis nodded.
“What can you tell me about that?”

Chapter 6

T

HIS

town wasn’t what Shannon had expected. She was seated at a round table inside a small café. Her

mission was to observe, to record, and report to her commander. But what was there to report? She
remembered the shifter facts he had drilled into her head, the way they lived, the way they interacted. It
was unnerving to discover a place so completely different than what she’d expected. For the way its
inhabitants acted, Haven might have been any small town in America. This was disconcerting, knowing
what they were. She watched families go into shops and cross the streets, laughing and talking, playing on
their phones and meandering across the crosswalks. Cars sped past the café, some with music blaring. It
had stopped snowing and most of it was gone, turned into slush by the daily activity.

It was all just so… normal. But Shannon knew better. These people, or whatever they were, were

monsters. A disease lived here, an infection that had to be eliminated. Society could only be cured with
blood and death. All this she knew, yet somehow doubt was worming its way into her mind. And that
made her uncomfortable.

Shannon sipped her coffee, took a breath, and shook her head firmly. No, it didn’t matter how

pristine the place looked on the outside. There were sinister deeds behind closed doors. There had to be.
This place was inhabited, founded even, by abominations.

And she remembered, oh yes, she remembered. She had to remember; she couldn’t go soft. The

memories were never far from her mind. Her parents. She had seen the way that creature had ripped into
them, torn their flesh from the bones, licked up their blood. It had relished the destruction, the killing, the
death. And, as hate welled up inside her, she knew all over again that all of them had to die. They
deserved to die, for they were all evil.

Shannon hardened her resolve and squashed the small speck of doubt like an annoying bug. She

closed her eyes and sat very still, allowing the activity around her to fade and disappear. She focused all
her concentration on transmitting her thoughts across the miles, touching the mind of her commander.

She reported to him what she had seen in Haven, her observations, the elements of the town’s layout

that would affect the strategy of a potential invasion. Shannon finished her report and withdrew her mind
from her commander’s. The noises and movement around her came back into sharp focus. She was
relieved that she wasn’t left with a headache. Her telepathic ability was something she still struggled
with, especially keeping her focus free from distraction. One limitation of the process was that she
couldn’t receive thoughts back from the commander.

Her ability was extremely useful, especially when communicating electronically was not an option.

Her commander didn’t know how tight Haven was with the Agency or if this place was bugged. That
damned Agency could hack into anything. It wasn’t safe to send e-mails or even to use a cell.

The Agency. Shannon looked at her drink scornfully. An organization created to help and protect

shifters. Disgusting. Agents had abilities like the Knights did but they put them to much different uses. The
Agency cleaned up after shifters, keeping their existence hidden from the human population. Shannon
shook her head and glared out the window. They were the accomplices of shifters which meant they were
the enemy as well. They were the reason that this disease still existed.

The shifter-sympathizers must not discover this operation. Thank heaven the Knights had found her

first. To be recruited by an organization that protected the very creatures that killed her parents!

Hell would freeze over first.
The anger she had summoned to quell her doubts still bubbled in her gut. She looked down at her

coffee, forcing herself to breathe slowly and steadily. The world would be better off without them.

She lifted her eyes and watched a small boy run around two people, probably his parents. The

innocence in his face, the eagerness in his eyes, made her sick to her stomach. She couldn’t tell if he was
a shifter. She hoped he wasn’t. But if he was, well, what had to be done had to be done.

Shannon finished her coffee and tossed the cup into the trash. She bundled up and left the café,

hoping she would find evidence of sinister and murderous doings committed by these abominations. And
not just so she could report them to her commander. The sight of that boy’s face reawakened the small
speck of doubt that kept coming back, no matter how often she attempted to squash it.

“M

AYBE

I should just wait out here,” Travis said as Jack led him toward his pack’s house. “I know how

your pack feels about me.”

“Don’t be stupid. You’re a part of this. They can just suck it up.”
But Travis ripped his arm out of Jack’s grip and stood his ground. “Jack, seriously. They’ll believe

the news if you give it to them.”

Jack gripped Travis’s arms. Travis felt Jack’s overwhelming presence, his anger and worry pumping

off him in waves. The tone of his voice had become deeper with his worry, and Travis was sorry that he
had put it there. But there had been no other choice. The war he had avoided as a young man was now
being brought to him. He couldn’t back off this time. And it comforted him that Jack had accepted his past.
Part of him had always feared that Jack would for some reason turn away from him. That fear proved to
be irrational.

“Travis, my pack is not like that,” Jack said. Travis wondered if he was trying to reassure Travis or

himself. “They may not appreciate our close friendship, but they have nothing against you personally.”

“Until I give them reason to,” Travis mumbled.
Jack’s rough hands cupped Travis’s face. Travis leaned closer, longing for more of his touch. Why

did this terrible thing have to happen now? Why did it have to happen at all?

“Travis,” Jack said softly. “They won’t scare me away from you. I’ll see us through until the end if

you will stay with me.”

“Jack, are you—?”
“Be my mate.”
Travis was stunned and speechless for several seconds. Long gone was the subtlety that had carried

their friendship for years. Now it was all in the open. “Just—just like that? We haven’t even….”

“What?” Jack suddenly sounded impatient. “We haven’t what, Travis? We’re friends and I don’t

care that you’re blind. I’ve always had a thing for you, you know that. And you are so damn sexy as a
cougar.”

Jack stroked his thumbs over Travis’s cheeks. “But it’s just not that,” he said softly. “We have a

connection. When we were together, out there in the woods, I felt it—and I knew, without any doubt.”

Travis blushed, and it didn’t help that Jack chuckled. But then Jack’s smooth lips touched his, and he

leaned further against the sheriff, gripping Jack’s jacket in his hands, pulling him closer. The kiss was
achingly sweet, a confirmation of their devotion, something they had felt for years, but had been too
cautious to voice.

Their lips pressed together, sending sparks of desire to Travis’s groin. He groaned and wrapped his

arms around Jack’s waist, pulling him harder against his body. Unfortunately, now was not the time or
place, and it was Jack who pulled away, gently but firmly.

“I can’t do this alone,” Jack said and took Travis’s hand in his.
“You won’t have to,” Travis said softly, hope fluttering in his breast. Hope he hadn’t felt in years.

He began to seriously imagine what it would be like to be Jack’s mate—to wake up next to him each
morning, to make love with him every night, to eat breakfast together. It was a future Travis had never
dared to consider.

“I hoped you’d say that.” Jack’s hand tightened on his and Travis allowed his mate to lead him to his

pack’s home. He swallowed his fear, searching for calmness to quiet his inner cougar’s anxiety. He had
always avoided Jack’s home, his pack, at first because they were wolves, but later because he was afraid
they could sense his desire for Jack, one of their own. And while he feared the consequences, his cougar
wanted to defend his personal territory, to assert dominance. It was a fight he knew in his heart he could
never win.

But now, holding Jack’s hand, he felt stronger. Strong and determined. And not alone. Not anymore.
The front door opened, and he allowed Jack to pull him inside. He sensed the others, perhaps ten

wolf shifters. His cougar crouched, braced for attack. His palms sweated, but he allowed that to be the
only outward indication of his anxiety. Jack led Travis to a chair and he sat, setting his cane between his
legs. Travis knew the pack was watching their every move, scrutinizing every look, every gesture. Let
them. He wasn’t ashamed, and neither, he realized, was Jack. He sensed curiosity, wariness, and he tried
not to quake under their scrutiny. Travis wanted to shout at them that he wasn’t the threat, the enemy, the
one they should be worrying about.

“Why did you call this meeting, Jack?” Jeffrey, Jack’s father and alpha of the pack, asked. He was

several feet away from Travis, slightly to his left. Travis could feel this shifter’s presence even more
strongly than Jack’s. It was powerful, primal, the potential for violence held firmly in check. Formidable
without ceasing, the shifter was the center of the pack. He had to be to keep a town full of shifters,
predators and prey, in a state of ordered, peaceful coexistence.

Travis respected the old shifter, but he didn’t agree with all of his rules.
“Father,” Jack began respectfully, “some distressing news has reached my ears.” He was standing

beside Travis, close enough that Travis could feel his body heat.

Then Jack repeated what Travis had told him, along with Jena’s information. The latter was news to

Travis, and his stomach churned when he learned the woman had booked the hotel room for a week. Why
is she here?

Jack’s revelation was met by silence from the pack. It frustrated Travis that he couldn’t see their

faces and whether they were exchanging glances. A lot could be said without saying a word.

He felt someone come closer to him and the presence told him it was Jack’s mother, Justine. Her

presence, while no less intense than her mate’s, was more nurturing than violent. But that didn’t mean she
was a soft touch. Nothing was more frightening than a mother wolf protecting her pups. With a warm hand
she covered his, while her other touched his shoulder.

“You were held by them,” she said softly, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead. “You’re a brave

boy.”

There was no pity in her tone, only respect and admiration. Travis’s throat threatened to close and he

cleared it, ignoring the burning in his eyes.

“The Agency calls them the Knights,” Jeffrey said. “Are you sure it is one of them?”

“Yes, I’m sure, sir,” Travis said, standing. He’d only learned about the Agency after a couple of

years in Haven. His parents had never told him about them, but even if they had, he would never have
gone to them. He’d wanted shifters as a young man, not more magical people. “I would not have alerted
Jack if I had any doubts.”

“Are there others?”
“I don’t think so,” Jack said. “Only one person, non-shifter, has checked into the hotel. Her name is

Shannon.”

“Do you know what special ability she has?” Jeffrey asked.
“No.”
Travis waited, his shoulders tense, his stomach unsettled. What would they decide? Would he be

able to live with the decision? He’d told Jack he was behind him, but could he live up to that? He wasn’t
the only one tense in the room. It was palpable, and he gripped his cane tighter, struggling to calm his
inner cougar. The feline was growling with impatience.

“We need to contact the Agency,” Justine said from somewhere to Travis’s left. She was no longer

physically touching him, but her presence beside him spoke volumes to the room. Her sympathy for his
ordeal eased some of the fear he’d had when entering the house.

“We can handle our own,” Jager interrupted. “We don’t need outside assistance.”
“No,” Justine said firmly. Jager became quiet and Travis assumed he subsided under her authority.

“This is too big. We need resources only the Agency can give us. And in turn, with our help, they might be
able to take the Knights down.”

Everyone waited for the alpha to make the final decision. A baby began to whine, and the mother

tried to hush it. Travis heard the sound of impatient rustling on the couch, and he suspected it was a child
or perhaps a teen who didn’t understand the grave circumstances.

“Arrest her, Jack,” Jeffrey said finally. “Do it discreetly. Trick her if you must. We don’t know what

abilities she has. Is the iron cell in the basement of the sheriff’s office still usable?”

“Yes, sir.” Jack spoke with eagerness.
“Get her in there. That should contain her abilities. I will contact the Agency.”
Travis could feel the anger from several pack members, and especially from Jager. But they would

do whatever Jeffrey, their alpha, commanded.

Iron. Clever. The pure iron would be toxic to her, like a severe allergy, because of her special

abilities. Jack had told him that it was the same for members of the Agency. He explained that they were
descended from the fae, which were not unlike magical creatures from folklore. Pure iron to a descendant
of the fae was like pure silver to a shifter: deadly.

Jack took Travis’s hand and began to lead him to the door. But his father called them back.
“Wait a moment, Jack,” said Jeffrey quietly. “Everyone else, leave us.”
Travis listened to the others leave and wondered whether he should leave as well. But he wasn’t

asked to, so he stayed, gripping Jack’s hand.

J

ACK

had known this would happen, but he had hoped his father would wait until they got this Knight

behind bars. Apparently not.

His father was large, strong, and the most formidable shifter in Haven. Despite the happy childhood

in which Jack had known his father’s gentleness, he also knew what Jeffrey Ulger was capable of. The
thought made his wolf want to submit to escape his alpha’s wrath. But he resisted, knowing this fight was
worth having.

His mother stood slightly behind his father, her black hair swept back from her full face by two

glittering hair clips. She considered Jack with big brown eyes, and it still frustrated him that even as an
adult, he could never tell what went on behind them. She had always been the silent, nurturing presence in
his life, and while on the surface it seemed as though his father made all the rules, Jack was certain his
mother had just as much say about how the pack was run.

Jeffrey’s silver eyes, which he’d passed on to his children, swept over Jack and Travis, then down

to their joined hands. One thick, black eyebrow rose.

“I see,” he said, as if one of them had spoken. “So this is your choice, is it, Jack? No doubts, no

uncertainty? Instead of all the wolf shifters in Haven, you choose to be with a cat?”

“Cougar. Sir,” Travis said instantly.
Jack bit his tongue and tightened his hold on Travis’s hand. No one interrupted his father when he

spoke. But his father, oddly, didn’t seem angered or insulted.

“My apologies,” he said, his gaze flickering over to Travis before meeting Jack’s eyes once more.

“Cougar shifter, then. Still, not a wolf. You know how the pack will feel, Jack. You know how I feel. And
yet you still chose him.”

Jack pulled his shoulders back and lifted his chin, standing tall beside his mate.
“Yes, sir,” he said quietly. “I do. And he chooses me, despite how my pack feels about him. There is

no doubt in my mind that he is my mate. I knew it the moment he came to town.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Jack saw Travis straighten, standing tall and proud. His face, which he

habitually lowered, rose and he looked directly at Jeffrey. Jack stared into his father’s eyes, not in
challenge, but with determination and fortitude. He would not be made to submit. Not this time. Not
concerning this. The two male wolf shifters stared at each other for a long moment, neither flinching or
lowering his eyes.

“You chose him,” his mother said softly. “Despite our laws?”
“If memory serves me, Mother,” Jack said, still staring at his father, “mating with wolf shifters is

tradition, not law. There is no law that dictates my actions in this personal area of my life.”

“True,” his mother said with a nod. “But sometimes tradition is less malleable than law.”
“Traditions are meant to change, ma’am,” Travis interjected. “There was a time when shifter clans

were kept separate, rarely intermingling, as foreign to each other as shifters are to most humans. They
avoided each other like the plague.”

Travis cleared his throat. “If that tradition still prevailed, then Haven wouldn’t exist.”
Jack caught his father’s mouth twitch as if he were resisting a smile. He was probably just imagining

it. Jeffrey moved his attention to Travis, breaking the standoff. Jack blinked and looked to his mother, who
was staring at Travis as well.

“A people cannot grow without change,” Travis continued. “Traditions are good, but life is about

change and forging new paths.”

“Perhaps,” Jeffrey said, narrowing his eyes. “But without continuity, there is chaos. When one

member is allowed to rebel, then others will think it is permissible. I will lose control over my pack, and
then Haven. The only reason we have survived for so long is that we keep order, we follow the laws, and

when someone breaks those laws, they are punished.”

“But I have not broken any laws,” Jack insisted, struggling to keep anger out of his voice.
“That may be,” his father said. “But tradition runs deeper in our pack than laws. And you are

knowingly, flagrantly, going against it.”

Jack swallowed with difficulty. Jeffrey turned away and walked to a large window that overlooked

the town. Jack was finding it hard to breathe. His mother stayed where she was, but she wouldn’t meet his
gaze.

“Wolves know other wolves,” Jeffrey said, his voice rumbling. He still looked out the window. “I

know what to expect from a wolf from a pack. They know loyalty, devotion. What does a cougar shifter
know? What can any non-wolf know about those things that create unity?”

Jack glanced at Travis to see his friend’s face contort, and Jack was sure that Travis had a vicious

reply was on his tongue. Jack squeezed Travis’s hand to keep him silent. To his relief, Travis subsided,
but Jack could see that it cost his friend.

“Without unity, there is chaos and destruction,” Jeffrey continued. “And that will cause this town to

fall.”

“Mother, father,” Jack said, feeling desperate. How could his father assume his love for Travis

would cause the destruction of Haven? “I love my pack. I love my home. I have done everything the pack
has ever asked me to, without complaint. I have taken on the responsibility of sheriff with pride and
gratitude and I would die for Haven. I believe I have earned this.”

“Earned?” Jeffrey said quietly, and Jack’s inner wolf wanted to cower. That quiet tone was

dangerous.

His father turned around, and his silver eyes were burning with cold fire. “You do not follow the

pack’s will with the hope you will be rewarded for your efforts, Jack. You follow my will because it is
your duty. You owe me your loyalty. You follow because you want to, not because you will receive a
prize, and not because of punishment. Your will must match the will of the pack, because the pack is the
only thing that matters.”

Jack felt his temper rise. He let go of Travis’s hand and stepped closer to his father.
“So, are you saying I should be miserable the rest of my life? For the pack? Father, I would sacrifice

my life for the pack. For Haven. For you and mother and Jager and Jena. I willingly follow the pack. My
will is with the pack. My loyalty is still with the pack. My mating with Travis will not change that.
Nothing could change my devotion to my family, and to my alpha.”

Jeffrey stared at Jack, and Jack didn’t know what would happen next. He felt Travis behind him, and

the presence and body heat from his mate gave him strength. He knew this would be a fight, and he was
willing to take the punishment.

Which would be banishment. Forever.
His stomach churned, but he didn’t allow his fear to show. Jack would have to leave everything he’d

ever known. His pack, his family, his home. But he would have Travis. Together they could live
anywhere. He didn’t doubt his own love for Travis, but he worried Travis would be reluctant to leave.
After everything his friend had been through… he deserved a permanent home.

Justine walked to her mate’s side and laid her hand on his arm. Jeffrey looked at her. Jack watched

with trepidation as his parents, his alphas, turned away and huddled close together. Travis touched his
back, and Jack turned around and cupped Travis’s face.

“Travis,” he said quietly. “If they don’t give their blessing—”

“I know.” Travis gripped Jack’s arms. “We’ll be banished.”
Jack grimaced, knowing Travis couldn’t see it. “I am so sorry, Travis. I guess part of me hoped this

day would never come.”

“No.” Travis shook his head. “Don’t be sorry. Please don’t. If given the choice between living the

rest of my life alone, miserable, and moving somewhere else with you… there really isn’t a competition.”

Jack smiled, feeling his stomach unclench slightly.
“Besides,” Travis continued, “I should be the one apologizing. You have more of a foundation here

than I do and more to lose. This is your world. You’d be leaving everything behind because of me.”

“For you,” Jack rubbed his thumb over Travis’s cheek, “I’d be leaving for you, never because of

you.”

Jack pulled Travis into a hug and enjoyed Travis’s strong arms around his waist. Travis’s strength

actually made his stomach flutter. In a good way.

“Besides,” Jack continued, “like you said, if given the choice, which do you think I’d choose?”
Travis squeezed tighter. Despite the confidence of his own words, Jack had his doubts. He didn’t

want to leave Haven. Everything inside him rebelled against the idea. But he also rebelled against giving
up Travis. His wolf wanted to protect and defend both territory and mate. And his wolf didn’t understand
why he couldn’t have both.

“Jack.”
Jack and Travis pulled apart, and he looked to his parents, who had turned around.
“Considering the danger Haven is in,” Jeffrey said, “we will continue this discussion later, after the

present situation is dealt with. But know that there will be a discussion, Jack. Prepare yourself.”

Jack inclined his head. “Yes, sir.”
Jeffrey dismissed them, and Jack grabbed Travis’s hand and led him out of the house, his heart

pounding in his ears.

“This is good news,” Jack said as they reached his truck.
“Why?” Travis asked.
“It means they are considering my argument. If both had been dead set against us, then they would

have declared us banished, effective after the danger to Haven is resolved.”

“But they didn’t.” Travis’s voice betrayed his excitement. “They haven’t completely made up their

minds yet.”

“Exactly.” Jack kissed Travis hard before opening the passenger door and helping him inside.

Chapter 7

S

HANNON

was walking out of the bookstore when a hand lightly touched her arm. She flinched and turned

around. And found she was staring into the black sunshades of a tall man with closely cropped brown
hair. She lowered her eyes and saw the badge tucked into his belt.

A feeling of real panic swept over her. One of these monsters with the authority of the law behind it

was a daunting prospect. The Knights knew about the sheriff and his pack, and she had done all she could
to avoid contact with him. On the other hand, she had been trained for such encounters. Steeling herself,
she looked resolutely back up at the shifter’s face.

“Good afternoon,” he said, inclining his head politely. “We don’t get many tourists around here. I

wanted to welcome you officially.”

Shannon plastered a smile onto her face and took the hand offered. Knowingly touching a shifter,

however, made her skin crawl, and she had to repress a shudder.

“Good afternoon, Sheriff,” she said. “You’re very kind. I’m really enjoying my stay here.”
“I’m glad,” he said. He stepped forward, toward her, and she took a step in response. When he

moved again she noticed how agilely he was directing her along the sidewalk, like a border collie
corralling sheep. It made her heart pound and her mouth go dry, but she was determined to play it cool.

“Look, I don’t want to take up your time. You don’t have to show me around—” she said, trying to

get away from him.

“Nonsense,” he said easily, moving with her, even touching her back in a friendly manner.
“You came to this town to sightsee, didn’t you?” He turned his face toward her, and his shades made

him look even more menacing.

“Yes, of course,” she said hurriedly.
“Well, I think it is only good manners that I should give you a tour,” he said with good humor in his

voice.

She was stuck. A few minutes later, she realized with a start, the shifter was leading her to the

sheriff’s office first.

“W-why are we going there?” she asked, cursing the tremble in her voice.
“Nothing important,” he said and opened the door for her. “I just need to check on a few things

before I give you the grand tour of our little town.”

He held the door open for her, and she had no choice but to walk in. He walked behind her as she

took in her surroundings and realized there were no other exits except the doors they had just come
through. Suddenly, she felt something cold on her wrists, and her skin began to burn. Iron. The shifter had
cuffs of pure iron. She gasped and struggled, but the sheriff’s grip on her arms was fierce and solid.

“You are not going to harm anyone in my town,” he whispered harshly into her ear. Her breath

hitched, and memories of a past nightmare came flooding back. She was too scared to fight as he led her
down a flight of stairs into a large basement which held various supply items. In the corner sat an iron
cage that reached from floor to ceiling and had a wooden bench set inside. There was also a toilet and a
small sink. It was no more than six feet by six feet. There was a gray carpet on the floor, but Shannon was
certain the iron ran along the floor as well—and she could see connecting bars on the ceiling. It was truly
a prison for someone like her.

Her wrists continued to burn painfully, but before he shoved her into the cell, he removed the

handcuffs and then shut the cell door. She was surrounded by pure iron and while none of it touched her,
she itched. How had he known who she was? She thought she had been so careful. She whipped around
and glared, rubbing her wrists, which were now red and blistered.

He took off his shades and fierce silver eyes bored into hers. “I’m the sheriff here, and whatever

power you have won’t make it past these bars.”

Shannon realized the sheriff did not know her ability. Iron could not restrict her mental

communication. But she would not be able to leave without help. She jerked her head around as loud
footsteps thumped down the stairs. Another man came into view, and this one also wore shades, but held a
cane, which he used to guide himself down the stairs. She glared at both of them and backed away,
terrified of what they would do next.

T

HE

young woman stared at the iron bars, then glared at Jack with a degree of hatred that startled him. He

put the keys into his pocket, thinking with amazement how young she was. She couldn’t be older than
twenty, yet already she had such hatred for them. She was petite with long black hair that fell straight and
ended halfway down her back. Her eyes were an unusual pale color.

“You can’t keep me in here,” she said, her hands bunched into fists. “I know my rights. You have no

cause.”

“You have no rights,” Travis interrupted her. The knuckles of his hand holding the cane were white.

“You lost all your rights when you joined that lynch mob disguised as something noble.”

“What do you know of them?” Shannon spat.
“I know more than you think I do,” Travis said with quiet menace. “Your precious family murdered

mine, and they blinded me!”

Jack saw the woman consider Travis, then watched her eyes widen as if in recognition. Jack grabbed

Travis’s arm and pulled him away from the bars.

“Travis, we don’t know what abilities she has. We must use caution. Control yourself.”
Travis’s chest expanded as he took a deep breath. Jack changed his grip to a soothing stroke.
“She smells like them,” Travis growled, his face lowered. “That scent makes me think of the last

thing I saw. My family, butchered.”

Jack wanted to pull Travis away, to hug and protect him. But he had a job to do. And part of that job

was to swallow his own rage.

“Go home, okay? Let me handle this. I’ll come by later.”
Travis nodded, though his body was rigid and his hands shook. He turned toward Shannon, who Jack

noticed was close to the bars, listening. Travis then turned away from both of them and walked up the
stairs and out of the basement.

Jack went back to the cell and Shannon stepped away, her eyes fierce.
“I know who you are,” he said. “But I want to know why you are here.”
She said nothing, turning away and crossing her arms over her chest. Jack regarded her sadly. She

was so young, beautiful, and strong. Why did she have to be the enemy? She reminded him of Jena. Her
fierceness, her stubbornness. It was easier when the enemy was a faceless entity or a maniacal man. But
this girl was being used to infiltrate Haven. She was being used to destroy shifters. If they did kill her,
Jack would be the one to do it. And he would hate every minute of it.

“I don’t know what they told you,” he said. “But whatever it was, know this: we aren’t evil,

Shannon. We aren’t murderous beasts.”

“Yes you are,” she spat, whirling around so fast her hair slapped her face. “You are all demons,

abominations, and our leader will destroy you all!”

Jack blinked at the venom that dripped from every word she spoke.
“I know what you are,” she continued, now in a strained whisper. “I know what you monsters do.

You rip, and tear, and destroy.” She was breathing hard, but she added with emphasis, “And you need to
be annihilated.”

Strangely, Jack saw and heard the same pain and terror from this woman that Travis had expressed

when he talked about his own family. And he finally realized why she was so full of hate.

“What shifter killed your loved ones?” he asked gently.
She stared at him, her mouth open in shock. Then she turned away again, covering her face with her

hands. He didn’t expect her to answer and she didn’t.

“You know, Shannon, you can’t condemn an entire species because of one bad member,” he said,

knowing it was useless but unable to stop himself. “Every species has evil members, destructive and
savage, but there are also good ones, kind and generous ones who try to make the world better.”

Shannon lowered her hands but didn’t turn around.
“The shifter who killed your loved ones deserves to be punished. He or she deserves to be put on

trial and made to pay for their crimes. But isn’t it irrational to destroy an entire species because of the
crimes of one of its members?”

She said nothing and did not move. Jack shook his head sadly and walked out of the basement. In the

office kitchen, he assembled a tray of food and took it down to her. When he descended the stairs, he saw
she hadn’t moved. He pushed a thick blanket through a small horizontal opening in the bars and it dropped
to the floor. Then he slipped the tray through and used the small hooks on either side of it to attach it to the
opening.

Then Jack left her to her thoughts. He felt exhausted and ten years older as he stood by his desk. He

remained there for several minutes, digesting what he had learned and wondering what his next move
should be. He radioed Jena and told her he was taking the rest of the day off. Before she could respond,
he disconnected and set the radio in the recharger on his desk. Then he locked the front doors and drove to
Travis’s house.

W

HEN

she heard the sheriff leave, Shannon contacted her commander and told him what had happened.

She was annoyed by what the shifter said, but she wouldn’t allow herself to be affected by it. To lose her
focus, her determination, to weaken now would be fatal. What the sheriff said was logical, sure. It made
sense. But hadn’t she been warned that shifters were demons with smooth and devious tongues? Hadn’t
she been warned they would cause her to doubt her convictions and try to lead her from her path? It was
what they did.

She was afraid, but felt sure she would be rescued. The Knights, her family, would never abandon

her.

“M

Y

L

ORD

,”

Gregor said, kneeling before his leader, his head lowered. “The scout I sent to the shifters’

headquarters has been captured.”

Arcas, Gregor’s lord and the leader of the Knights, stood before a large window, his hands clasped

behind his back, his tall, lean figure brooding.

“The mission has been compromised,” he said softly, his voice velvety smooth. “We must make sure

there are no loose ends. The scout has become a liability. I will not have the Agency learn anything from
her. Send three grunts.”

Gregor frowned and looked up at his leader’s back. “Grunts, sir? Surely one of our own deserves

—”

“The scout will not come back to us, Gregor.” Arcas’s voice became hard as granite. He turned and

regarded Gregor with deep brown eyes set in a lean face that looked to be made of stone. Arcas was
physically perfect, both strong and handsome, his face and body ideally proportioned, exquisitely
symmetrical. There was only one thing that marred this perfection: a long, thin scar that ran diagonally
from above his left eyebrow down across his nose to the right side of his chin.

Gregor understood. “She will not be rescued.”
His leader shook his head. “No. She has served her purpose. She’s reported her observations of

Haven, has she not?”

“Yes, sir, but—”
“Silence.” Arcas’s stern voice ended the argument. His eyes suddenly softened, and he touched

Gregor’s shoulder.

“I am sorry, my friend. She was a good scout, but this is a war. There will be casualties. And she

would not want the Agency to learn of our secrets.”

“No, sir. Of course not. You’re right, as always.”
Arcas smiled and straightened. Then he turned to look out the window once more. “Grunts will be

adequate,” he continued. “They are guns for hire. They know nothing of the Knights, and so if they are
caught—” He shrugged.

Gregor nodded. “There is one more thing, sir. Shannon reports that there was a shifter there, a friend

of the sheriff. He is blind, and he mentioned his family had been captured and tortured. He said the
Knights had blinded him.”

Arcas started to raise his hand to his face, but lowered it before he touched the scar. Gregor

remembered that day, years ago, when a cougar shifter escaped, on the occasion when Arcas himself had
come to personally observe the experiments in the lab. They had been testing the shifter’s recovery speed
and healing abilities. The blinding of the cougar had served to see if it could regain its sight.

But the cougar had turned bloodthirsty and mauled three scientists before launching himself at Arcas.

One long slice from those nasty claws had marked Gregor’s leader for life. As the blood poured from the
wound, everyone had feared they might lose their savior. And that outcome was only narrowly averted.

“Send another grunt,” Arcas said, his voice icy and eerily quiet. “Have them take care of the shifter

as well.”

“Yes, sir,” Gregor said, his admiration deepening for his leader. Lesser men would want revenge on

the beast who had scarred them, but his leader treated the situation as if it were only business. No loose
ends. The efficiency of the plan pleased him.

“It will be done.”
“Good.”

Chapter 8

J

ACK

ran his hands over the books on Travis’s short bookshelf. They were all in Braille, of course. And

most of them were ones Travis had written himself. He talked into a tape recorder and someone else
typed up the manuscript. Jack read the titles and smiled to think of his own signed copies in his apartment.
He owned all of them.

“Jack.”
He turned around. Travis was sitting on the couch with his face in his hands. Jack walked over and

sat next to his mate. He began to rub Travis’s back.

“What is it, Travis?” he asked.
Travis sighed deeply before raising his head, his blank eyes half-lidded. “I was just remembering my

family. I had two sisters and two brothers. Did I ever tell you that?”

“No,” Jack said. He moved his hand soothingly up and down Travis’s back, knowing he needed to

talk.

“I was the middle child,” Travis continued. “They were my center, Jack. My entire world. We

moved a lot, alternating between human and animal forms. I liked it best as a cougar. It gave me more
freedom.”

Travis turned his head and reached out his hand. Jack took it and gripped it tight.
“Jack, remembering them, remembering just how much I loved them… how much I needed them… I

realize that I can’t take you away from your family.”

Travis took his hand back and moved away from Jack. Jack stared, his heart racing with fear.
“What are you saying?” he whispered.
“I… love you, Jack,” Travis said tightly. “That’s why I have to let you go.”
“No,” Jack protested.
“Yes, Jack. Please don’t argue with me. I will not be the reason you lose your family. I will not have

you hate me.”

Jack didn’t know what to do or say. His mind raced frantically, and he had to stand to shake off his

panic. Just when he thought he had at least this figured out.

“Damn you, Travis,” he said harshly. “Why are you doing this now? After what you said in my

pack’s home? You said you would choose me!”

“I know what I said.” Travis turned away. “But that was before I had time to think about it. Really

think about it. Your father pulled us aside so quickly. I didn’t want to back down in front of him. But it’s
different now.”

“You’re breaking my heart,” Jack said in a low voice.
“I’m not—”
“You are.” Jack gripped Travis’s shoulders hard. “Travis, I need you by my side, don’t you

understand? You have to know I could never hate you.”

“You will,” Travis insisted, standing up and shoving Jack’s hands off him. “Don’t you understand,

Jack? You will hate me in a year’s time. When we’re banished, you’ll realize you gave up everything
because of me!”

Jack was speechless.
“I’d rather live without you and just be friends than face that.” Travis’s voice broke and he turned

away, stumbling around the couch.

A yawning silence surrounded them. Jack stared at Travis’s broad back, searching for the right

words to convince the man he loved they should be together. All of his own doubt vanished at the very
real prospect that Travis might end their relationship. He could imagine banishment, but he could never
imagine not taking their friendship to the next level. He wanted to become one with Travis.

“Not ‘when’, Travis,” Jack said.
Travis turned slightly. “What?”
“You said ‘when we’re banished’. It’s not ‘when’, but ‘if’.” Jack walked around Travis to stand in

front of him.

“You’re not the only one who’s afraid, Travis. But I know we can face my pack. I know we can

convince them being mates is perfect for us.”

Travis opened his mouth to speak, but Jack interrupted him.
“We have been friends for almost six years, Travis,” Jack said. He took Travis’s hand. “But I’ve

been in love with you for the last four years.”

Travis’s breath hitched, and he gripped Jack’s hand in both of his. Jack stepped closer, enjoying his

friend’s body heat. “I’m asking you to not give up on us yet, Travis. Your family situation then and mine
now are not the same. I don’t see you as coming between us or taking them away from me. It’s their
decision whether they love me or their traditions more.”

Jack rubbed his knuckles over Travis’s bristly chin. “And if they love their traditions more than their

own son, then there’s nothing I can do about that. I must have you for my mate, and that’s what matters.”

Jack realized as he spoke the words that they were the truth. He would always love his pack, but they

would not control him. Not in this area of his life. It was not law, so he felt no need to follow their
dictates.

“Oh, Jack.” Tears were thick in Travis’s voice. “I’m so sorry, I just… I’m so confused and scared. I

don’t want to lose anyone else I love. I can’t lose you.”

“You won’t,” Jack assured him, pressing close to him. “I give you my word that you won’t lose me.

Whatever the outcome.”

Travis took a deep breath and fumbled for a moment to find Jack’s face. He traced it with his

thumbs. Jack closed his eyes, finding the light touch arousing.

“I should have trusted you,” Travis said.
Jack smiled. “Yes, you should have.”
Travis’s chuckle was music to Jack’s ears. He opened his eyes and allowed himself to take in the

beauty and perfection of Travis’s pale skin, soft blond hair, and sharp cheekbones, his strong chin and
nose. Jack always thought he had a regal look about him.

“I just know what it’s like to have something important taken from you,” Travis said.
“I understand,” Jack said. And he did. The two most important things in his life were his pack and

Travis. He’d already made his choice.

“I’m here, Travis,” Jack said. “I’ll always be here.”
Travis squeezed his eyes shut and pressed his forehead to Jack’s. They stayed like that for a precious

moment before Travis spoke. “I want to forget the past.”

Their lips met slowly, tenderly. Travis placed both hands on Jack’s waist and tugged him closer,

pressing him against his own solid body. Jack ran his hands through Travis’s hair, massaging the scalp as
his mouth played with his mate’s. Their tongues danced together, sliding and slipping over teeth and gums.
Wanting to get more of Travis’s taste, Jack rose on his toes, until they were at the same height.

Large hands slipped down to Jack’s butt and cupped his cheeks, squeezing and feeling them.

Shivering with need, Jack gripped Travis’s broad shoulders before sliding his hands down Travis’s chest
and unbuttoning his shirt. He skimmed his fingers over Travis’s warm pectoral muscles that were covered
with a dusting of fine hair.

Travis suddenly broke off the kiss and picked Jack up before carrying him into the bedroom. Jack

was impressed Travis didn’t run into anything. He didn’t let any part of Jack hit a wall or corner. Being
held confidently in Travis’s strong arms made Jack feel a little giddy, his stomach twisting with a
sensation he’d never felt before. He’d spent his entire adult life protecting others, and now he had found
someone who wanted to protect him. Someone who actually could protect him. Travis would stand by
him, and Jack happily let his doubts about their relationship go. Travis laid him gently on the bed and Jack
stared at Travis with lustful glee. He couldn’t stay still.

He grinned as Travis began to unbutton his shirt and stood. He shoved Travis’s hands away. “Let

me,” he said, sliding the shirt off Travis’s broad shoulders. He threw it into the corner and pressed his
hands against Travis’s skin again.

“You have an awesome body,” Jack murmured and kissed Travis’s collarbone before sliding his

tongue down the broad chest. Taking his time, he savored the shifter’s topography, the swell of his
pectoral with its pert nipple, which Jack took between his teeth and nipped, making Travis gasp. The wolf
inside him yearned, ached to mate, to finally possess what he had so long desired. He was already hard
and his breathing was constricted, but he wasn’t going to rush this, not when he finally had this shifter
right where he wanted him.

Travis touched him everywhere, stroking, sliding his fingers over his neck and through his short hair.

Jack lowered his hands to Travis’s jeans while his mouth sucked his other pink nipple. He unzipped and
tugged the jeans down, along with the underwear. He gripped Travis’s erection, and both men gasped.
Jack pulled back enough to see what his hands held and his mouth ached to taste.

Long and stiff, Travis’s erection was something impressive. But before he could satisfy his curiosity,

Travis gripped Jack’s wrists, breathing heavily, and pushed him down onto the edge of the bed. Travis
stepped out of his pants and cupped Jack’s face.

“Can I see you, Jack?” Travis said. “Can I touch you, so I can see you?”
Jack’s heart melted. He stared into Travis’s damaged eyes and knew he would give Travis anything

he asked. He grabbed Travis by the waist. “Of course you can. Touch me all you want.”

Travis groaned and kissed him deeply.

T

RAVIS

would have given anything to see Jack’s face and body, but he had to settle for the image in his

mind he’d built with his touch alone. Travis lowered himself to his knees, moved between Jack’s legs,
and proceeded to undress him. Jack’s shirt fell away, and Travis ran his hands over warm skin and well-
defined muscles. The curve of Jack’s biceps and the definition of his shoulders delighted Travis and gave
him strong visuals. Jack was strong, disciplined, a warrior.

Jack’s earlier words whirled inside his head, pleasuring him with their devotion and love. His trust

in Jack was infinite, and while he still doubted the pack’s acceptance of their relationship, he wouldn’t
allow anything to take something wonderful from his life.

That something being Jack.
Thick hair met Travis’s fingers as he touched Jack’s chest, and his cougar purred happily, wanting to

rub and lick, nuzzle and pet. He pressed his face against that defined chest, kissing the skin and rubbing
his cheek against Jack’s hair. Jack’s hands slid over Travis’s shoulders and down his back. Travis’s skin
became supersensitive, every touch shooting a bolt of pleasure to his cock and making it further harden.

Knowing he couldn’t last much longer, Travis grabbed Jack’s pants and tugged them off. His hands

met strong thighs and calves, and thick hair tickled his fingers. Jack was beautiful. His beauty was deeper
than the skin. Travis didn’t need sight to know that. The core of Jack was what had attracted him, and
wasn’t that the thing that mattered?

The answer was clear to Travis.
He worked his hands back up Jack’s legs, and met at his groin. Jack, who’d been making low noises

the entire time, let out his deepest groan yet as Travis encircled Jack’s thick erection with both hands.
Travis took a deep breath of Jack’s musky scent before closing his lips over the head of his mate’s cock.

Jack gasped and tangled his fingers in Travis’s hair. Travis moved his tongue over the heated flesh,

the smooth skin, letting the taste and the smell become his entire focus. Travis’s lust brought his cougar
closer to the surface, and it began to snarl for release, crouching to leap, to dominate. Suddenly he
couldn’t hold back. He pulled away and brought his face close to Jack’s.

“On your knees,” he growled. Travis heard his mate’s eager breathing and a flurry of movement as

he followed Travis’s order. When Travis reached out, his palm came into contact with skin once more.
Fine hair caressed his fingers, and Travis knew what part of Jack he was touching and that knowledge
sent a thrill through him.

With both hands he discovered Jack’s ass, and he rubbed his fingers teasingly over Jack’s hole

before gently pushing a finger inside. Jack shuddered. Travis pressed his face closer, took a deep breath,
and removed his finger long enough for a long lick, which garnered a gasp from Jack. Then he stood and
slid his hands up along Jack’s muscled back. He was nearing his limits, and his cougar was snarling
inside him to find release. His skin rippled, but he consciously kept his cougar under control. He grabbed
Jack’s shoulders and pulled him up, pressing his mate’s back to his chest. He stroked his hands along
Jack’s sides, over his flat stomach, before cupping his balls.

“Hell yes!” Jack gasped and moved against him, sliding his ass against Travis’s erection. Jack

wrapped his arms around Travis and leaned his head back, exposing his neck, which Travis took full
advantage of to nip, hard. Jack yelped and groaned and suddenly tugged at Travis’s hair, turning his face
to kiss him. Travis dominated Jack’s mouth with his lips and tongue. Having taken charge, he intended on
keeping it.

“Take me,” Jack gasped, ripping his mouth away. “Take me now.”
Travis could feel Jack’s skin ripple and move. The wolf inside him must be demanding satisfaction.

His cougar responded, calling to the wolf, a demand to mate.

Travis slicked his fingers with saliva and easily found Jack’s entrance again before pushing inside.

He heard Jack’s quick exhalation, but his mate frantically moved against his fingers, grabbing Travis’s
other hand and bringing it to his groin.

Travis really had no idea how responsive Jack would be as a lover, and he was ecstatic to realize

how eager he was, how accommodating. The shifter might act like an alpha, and in many ways, he was,
but the fact that he would give up control and domination, especially at a moment like this, proved just
how much of a miracle he was.

Travis had three fingers inside Jack, stroking and moving them around, when Jack suddenly reached

behind himself and grabbed Travis’s erection.

“Now, damn it,” Jack demanded.
Travis removed his fingers and shoved his cock inside Jack in one thrust. Jack gave a startled cry but

didn’t flinch, nor did he push Travis away or ask him to slow down. In fact, he moved first, reaching
around and gripping Travis’s hips and thrusting his ass back onto Travis’s cock.

Travis’s eagerness matched Jack’s, and he gripped Jack’s arms, pulling them in front and holding

them in place. Then he proceeded to thrust his hips forward. He tried to go slow, to savor everything, the
beat of Jack’s heart, the smoothness of his inner walls, the way his body shuddered and his muscles
contracted. But the sensations became too intense and Jack wouldn’t be still. He kept moving against
Travis and turning his head to nuzzle Travis’s neck. Not that Travis didn’t like that. He did, but he wanted
this to last as long as possible.

Travis finally bore down his full weight, shoving Jack’s chest onto the bed and pinning him there as

he thrust harder, penetrated deeper.

“Fuck, yes!” Jack cried out. Travis slapped Jack’s ass on impulse and heard a surprised yelp from

his mate. He grinned, pushed Jack’s legs wider, gripped his hips harder, and drove them both over the
edge.

Jack came first. Travis bent over him to bite his neck, giving one last thrust before he, too, climaxed.

He collapsed on top of Jack and heard his mate’s grunt. When he attempted to move, Jack grabbed his
arm.

“No,” he murmured. Travis smiled and rolled them both over onto their sides, wrapping his arm

around Jack, taking deep breaths of the musky air.

“You’re awesome,” Jack said after a moment of contented silence.
Travis snorted, feeling easier and lighter than he had in years. Sure, his problems still existed, but

for this blissful moment, he was able to escape from them completely.

“Thank you, Jack,” he said, nipping Jack’s ear. “You made me forget.”
Jack rolled over and their legs tangled on the bed, their arms wrapped around each other.
“You’re welcome. Mate,” he said before kissing Travis. Travis felt his cougar purr and when he let

that purr come out, he heard Jack chuckle.

Travis found Jack’s hand and linked their fingers, finding it strange that despite the enormity and

intensity of Jack’s presence, his hands were smaller than Travis’s. How could that be?

Lips nibbled at Travis’s nose and he grinned, feeling content, safe, and deeply in love.
“Next time, I get to be inside you,” Jack whispered.
Travis brought their joined hands to his mouth and kissed the back of Jack’s hand. Then he grinned

wickedly. “We’ll see,” he said, and Jack laughed.

Jack’s cell phone rang.

J

ACK

’

S

blissful bubble burst and Travis suddenly grabbed him tightly, nuzzling his neck. “Just ignore it,”

he pleaded.

Jack sighed and stroked Travis’s hair. “I wish I could, but we have to go back to reality, babe. It

might have something to do with the woman I arrested.”

Travis moaned, but let him go. Jack rolled over, found his pants, and answered his phone.
“The agent is here,” said Jena. “Meet at the pack’s house.”
“I’ll be there,” Jack said and hung up. He rolled back over and looked at his mate. He could feel

Travis’s regret, which mirrored his own. Travis had truly been incredible. Jack would never have
guessed the sex god that lay hidden within the habitually mild-mannered cougar shifter. But Jack had
witnessed those talents firsthand, and now he felt loose and happily used.

Jack turned toward the bathroom and took a quick glance around the bedroom itself. He’d never been

in here before. The large bed dominated the simple room. There was a dresser, a closet, and another door
that led into the bathroom. Jack’s initial impression was that there was something missing, and it took him
a few seconds to realize what it was: a mirror.

Then he realized he had not seen a mirror anywhere in the house.
“How do you choose what clothes to wear?” he asked. “I mean, how do you know what colors to

choose when you shop?”

“I ask,” Travis said. “I’ve become good friends with most salespeople at the clothes shop down on

Main Street.”

Jack nodded and gave Travis a quick kiss before heading into the bathroom. Or staggering might be

the better word, not that he was complaining.

“You sure touched me in all the right ways,” he said.
Travis laughed and got out of bed, He followed Jack into the bathroom. “I should,” he said. “I see by

touch.”

“Then you must see me pretty well,” Jack said.
The cheeky grin that spread across Travis’s face made Jack’s wolf growl with need. That his wolf

wanted more of the cougar, as he wanted more of Travis, Jack found fascinating and heartening. His wolf
may not have been completely comfortable being the submissive, since it was something he wasn’t used
to. Yet, his wolf couldn’t argue with the pleasure still coursing through his body.

They showered quickly, yielding to their urges only to the extent of quick kisses and nips. They

dressed, and Jack drove them to the pack’s home. Another vehicle, a nondescript gray truck, was parked
outside. Jack parked his own truck behind it and, taking Travis’s hand, walked into the house.

The first thing Jack noticed when they entered the living room was a striking woman shaking hands

with his father. She stood over six feet tall, had the body of an Amazon, and the hair of a Viking. Red and
thick, it fell past her shoulders and was currently tied back. The woman’s garb was as striking as she
was: all black, with boots that rose to just below her knees and buckled along the sides. Her belt had
pouches of different sizes hanging from it.

She had about her an air of authority, and judging by the way Travis’s head turned in her direction,

he was picking up on this also. His head tilted toward her as if he was listening.

The agent turned toward them and Jack was struck by her eyes: large and blue, shining like

sapphires. She had a smattering of freckles along her nose and cheeks, but they did nothing to take away
from the curiously masculine beauty of her face.

She walked up to them, a welcoming smile on her face, and held out her hand. “You must be Sheriff

Ulger. I’m Agent Genii. I hear you have a Knight here. Is that correct?”

“Yes,” Jack said, taking her hand. Her grip was strong but controlled. “She’s in jail,” he continued,

“in a cell with iron bars. We aren’t sure what abilities she has. But I managed to get her down there.”

The agent nodded, and Jack gestured to his mate. “This is Travis.”
The two shook hands, and Jack noted her consideration of the big cougar shifter. Then she turned

back to Jack.

“I’m glad you captured her. I can only hope she doesn’t have any psychic or telepathic abilities. If

she does, she will have alerted the Knights about her imprisonment.”

Jack resisted a wince, keeping his face straight. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
“No need to worry.” The agent’s smile was reassuring, but her eyes were still shielded, emotionless.

“I would like to speak with her.”

“Of course,” Jack said, and as he gestured for her to precede him, her eyes, for the first time, showed

emotion. They were warm and pleased.

“Such a gentlemen,” she said.
“He is that,” Travis said dryly, but with a slight smile.
Jack led the agent to the sheriff’s office. Jena stood as they walked in. Introductions were made, and

Jack led the agent down to the basement. Genii approached the bars with caution. Jack realized she would
be allergic to pure iron as well. Shannon was sitting on the bench inside the cell. She looked up as they
approached. Her mouth opened slightly as she stared at Genii.

“May I speak with her alone?” Agent Genii asked, her gaze never leaving Shannon’s face.
“Of course.”
“Please unlock the door.”
“No.”
Genii met Jack’s eyes. Her own eyes were unreadable. “Sheriff Ulger, I need to speak with her

without these bars interfering. She won’t get past me, I promise.”

Jack hesitated and looked at both of them. Then he sighed and unlocked the door, sliding it open.

Shannon stiffened and curled away from him, eyes narrowed. She looks like a cornered animal. Jack
turned and walked out of the basement.

Upstairs, Jena looked up from the monitor, through which she had a view of the iron cell.
“You unlocked the door?” she said. “Have you gone mad?”
“We’re talking about an agent here, Jena,” he replied, though he couldn’t shake his own doubt. “If

she can’t handle herself, who can?”

“Turn on the volume,” Travis said, standing next to Jena at the desk.
Jack and Jena exchanged a look. Jack nodded. Jena switched the volume to “on”.

W

HAT

is going on? Shannon stood and backed away as far as she could get. She knew this woman was an

agent. Was she going to be killed? But despite her fear, she didn’t feel any sense of menace coming from
the woman.

The agent slowly walked in, sat down on one end of the bench, and folded her hands in her lap.

“My name is Agent Genii. I won’t harm you, Shannon. I just want to talk, that’s all.”
Her voice was deep and her eyes striking. Talk, huh? Her superiors wouldn’t like it if they knew she

was talking to an agent. But what if she could learn something about the Agency to report back to her
commander?

Straightening her shoulders, Shannon walked over to the bench and sat on the other end as far as she

could from the agent.

“Okay,” she said. “What do you want to talk about?”
“My sister’s name was Delilah,” Agent Genii said quietly. “She was ten, and I was eleven, and we

were out camping with my parents during the summer.”

Shannon frowned. She didn’t understand why the agent was telling her this. Why would she care?
“One night, when we were all sleeping, my sister and I in one tent, our parents in another, a man

came into our tent and took my sister. He struck me, but I didn’t lose consciousness. I got up and followed
him. My sister wasn’t making any noise. She was too terrified. Everyone called her the mouse and me the
cat.”

Agent Genii lowered her eyes and paused. Shannon watched her, realizing that telling this story was

hard for the agent. She wondered why the agent was telling it in the first place.

“I followed. And when he thought they were alone, he changed. Shifted.” Agent Genii raised her

eyes to meet Shannon’s eyes.

“He was a coyote shifter. He nudged my sister, but she didn’t respond, so he did it again, harder.

After several of these nudges, my sister screamed. She got up and ran, like he wanted her to. He wanted
the chase. He wanted to play with her before he killed her. He took her away from the family because he
didn’t want his play to be interrupted.”

Anger sparked in Genii’s blue eyes, and Shannon felt her own anger responding.
“I couldn’t save my sister. I tried, but—well, she was mauled, blood everywhere.” She paused and

took a breath. “A shifter killed my sister, for sport.”

Shannon felt her throat close, and she cleared it, brushing hair away from her face.
“A shifter killed my parents too,” she said quietly. “A cougar shifter. He killed them, then he shifted

into human form and—hurt me.”

The memories of those horrific hours still haunted her as nightmares, making her sweat and twist in

bed.

“I hate them all,” she murmured fiercely. “They all need to die.”
Shannon looked up, expecting to see disapproval or anger in the other woman’s eyes. But all she saw

was empathy and understanding.

“I know you think so,” Genii said softly. “I did as well, for a couple of months afterward. But I

wasn’t sure whether what I had experienced was real. I wanted it to be just a nightmare. But then an older
woman came to me, one day after school. She told me what I’d seen hadn’t been my imagination. She said
shifters were real, and that some were bad. She asked me if I wanted justice for my sister, if I wanted the
shifter punished.”

Genii smiled. “I said ‘Yes, of course.’ She was Agent Hera. She was my first introduction to the

Agency. My own abilities started to emerge soon after meeting her, and she said that the Agency could
train me how to use them.”

“What abilities?” Shannon asked, her interest in the agent growing.

“I’m a psychic,” Genii said, and grimaced as though she had made a bad joke. “I always hated that

word, but that’s what I am. And not just one of those TV psychics, either. I have visions, sure, but I also
have telekinetic and telepathic abilities.”

“So do I!” Shannon said. She leaned closer to Genii, beginning to forget that the woman was an

enemy.

“I’m a telepath. The Knights—” She looked away.
They were silent for several minutes before Genii reached out and laid her hand gently on Shannon’s

where it rested on the bench.

“Shannon,” she said quietly, “Please, consider what I’m telling you. I know how you feel, how you

felt then. The shifter who killed my sister deserved punishment, just as the shifter who killed your parents
and abused you deserves punishment. But we don’t condemn all shifters for what one or two of them did.”

Shannon stiffened and forced herself to meet Genii’s eyes. “But they’re all the same,” she said,

repeating what the Knights had taught her.

Genii smiled and shook her head. “No, my dear, they’re not. Have you been harmed while you’ve

been here? Deprived? Abused?”

Shannon frowned. “No.”
The woman nodded as if that was important. “You see,” she said. “You are at this town’s mercy, this

town full of shifters. And not one of them has harmed you. The sheriff even brought you food and an extra
blanket, right? He turned up the heater so you wouldn’t be cold, didn’t he?”

Shannon’s heart began to pound harder. She suddenly remembered that he had done all those things.

And she’d stopped shivering from the cold hours ago. She hadn’t even needed the blanket that the sheriff
had provided. Shannon stood up, crossing her arms over her chest. “What’s your point?” she demanded.

“Only this,” Genii said, her voice not as gentle as it had been a moment before. “The Knights have

fed on your anger and your pain, painting all shifters one color. They told you they were all demons and
abominations, right?”

Shannon nodded.
“Well, I’m here to tell you that they are not. The coyote shifter who murdered my sister was evil. He

was found years later and was executed for the crimes he’d committed. As he should have been.”

Shannon looked back at Genii. “But you’re an agent. You protect the monsters.”
Genii stood, walked to her, and laid her hands on Shannon’s shoulders. “We protect the good ones,

the ones who just want to live their lives, the ones who are not out to harm others. They follow the laws.
They are peaceful, decent people, and I protect them, Shannon.”

Shannon shook her head, not understanding, struggling with the new view the agent was pushing on

her. “But the Knights gave me a home, a family. They—”

“They played on your grief and anger,” Genii said firmly. She squeezed Shannon’s shoulders.
“My dear girl,” she whispered, “you were used.”
Shannon tried to break free from the woman’s grip, but could not. Genii maintained her gentle but

inexorable hold. “No, that’s not true,” Shannon cried. “I don’t believe you!”

“You must! It is the truth,” Genii said, staring into Shannon’s eyes, her own eyes bright. “You must

believe me. You never mourned your parents, am I right? They told you to use that anger to murder
shifters. You’ve been living on vengeance so long that you don’t know how damaging that way of living
is.”

Shannon’s eyes began to burn as she continued to struggle with the other woman. Genii suddenly

pulled Shannon to her and held her, those strong arms an unbreakable vise.

“Listen to my words, girl! I know what you went through, what you witnessed. But annihilating

shifters won’t bring your parents back, and it won’t stop the pain inside you. That pain will only increase
the black pit of hate that you cherish in your heart. They are not all like the ones at whose hands you and I
suffered. Believe me, I have met many of them, and some have even become good friends. They are loyal,
they protect, and they love. They are not so different from us.”

“No, no,” Shannon moaned. “They’re devils—” But her protests were becoming weaker. Her mind

was reeling and her eyes leaking tears.

“No, my dear. You’re wrong.” Genii insisted. “People like you and me were considered devils

centuries ago. We would have been seen as witches, consorting with Satan. But we aren’t, and neither are
the shifters. They are varied, just like us. They have families, just like us. And they can forgive, just like
us.”

Shannon gripped Genii’s shoulders, for the woman was the only thing keeping her standing. She

cried, sobbing over the pain of losing her parents and the fear she’d been living with ever since joining
the Knights. She had told herself the Knights were her saviors. They had taken her in because they cared.
But Genii’s words echoed through her head, and she knew they were true.

For the second time in her life, her foundation was crumbling beneath her feet. And she didn’t know

if she could survive it again.

“It’s okay,” Genii said softly, stroking her hair. “In time it will all be okay.”

Chapter 9

T

RAVIS

listened to Shannon and Genii’s conversation on the speaker and his heart ached. He could hear

the truth in Shannon’s words, the fear, desperation, agony, and he realized something.

“She’s a victim just like I was,” he murmured. The Knights had taken his family, and a shifter had

taken Shannon’s parents. She wasn’t like those who had experimented on him and his family. She was just
a scared young woman underneath all that built-up rage and hate.

Overwhelmed, he turned and walked toward the door.
“Travis,” Jack said, coming after him and grabbing his arm.
“I need—some time. I just need some time.” It was becoming hard to breathe. He jerked his arm

away from Jack’s grip, walked out of the sheriff’s office, and strode down the sidewalk, his cane banging
hard against its surface. He needed to be alone, he needed to collect and organize his thoughts, to
understand the revelation that had just been thrown in his face.

People on the street greeted him but he didn’t reply, not trusting himself to speak. He suddenly heard

the sound of boots running up from behind. He gritted his teeth.

“Damn it, Jack.” Travis whipped around and Jack gripped his arms.
“Shut up,” Jack snapped. “I’m not leaving you alone, not in this state,”
“You stubborn jerk,” Travis snarled. “You’re the sheriff, you’re needed—”
“Yes, and Jena is my capable deputy,” Jack replied, then took a deep breath. The simple touch of his

hands affected Travis powerfully. He remembered their lovemaking. He took his own deep breath.

“Look,” Jack said steadily. “We have an agent in town, right? She’s in charge. She can handle things.

What I want to know is, what do you want to do? Where do you want to go?” Then he added, his voice
hard, “Just know this, mate: I’m not leaving you alone.”

Travis relented. He leaned down, resting his forehead against Jack’s, and sighed. “I just want to be

the cougar again,” he whispered. “I want to chase your wolf, like we did the other day.”

Jack kissed him and Travis moaned. “I’d like that too,” Jack said.

I

F

anyone came across a full-grown wolf and cougar playing and romping through the forest or snowy

fields together, he might wonder what trick of the eye the sun was playing on them. The wolf, an unusual
dark brown, chased the larger and stronger cougar across the fields and around trees until at last the
cougar whipped around and pounced on its pursuer. Then they rolled together, a tangle of limbs, to a
chorus of snarls and growls that echoed through the park, scattering prey animals and making the few
human visitors look around in bewildered confusion.

After some time, Jack leaped over Travis and ran for a small group of boulders. He climbed to the

top. Travis followed, sniffing and listening. Jack crouched down, deciding to play hide-and-seek. He
struggled to keep his tail still and lowered his ears. He knew it was probably an unfair game to play,
considering his mate was blind. On the other hand, Travis had a knack of always knowing where Jack
was. The cougar shifter didn’t need sight, and Jack sometimes forgot entirely that his mate was disabled.

The cougar moved closer, body tense and beautiful, tail long and switching. The only sign of

alertness came from the rounded ears that were standing straight up and twitching slightly in response to
every sound of the forest around him. Jack made sure he wasn’t part of those sounds.

But Jack must have made some sort of noise, because Travis’s head suddenly turned in his direction.

The cougar crouched, his shoulders tensing for the pounce. Then he sprang, and Jack barely had time to
leap off the boulder before Travis landed evenly, right where he had been. But Jack’s movement had
alerted the big cat, and Travis jumped again, this time catching him and wrestling him to the ground. They
struggled for a time, then Jack felt his human trying to take control, wanting to touch, to mate.

He shoved away from the cougar and shifted, gasping for breath. He knew Travis felt the difference

and lowered his head, his ears twitching. Jack barely noticed the cold, considering how hot his blood was
pumping.

“Come here, mate,” Jack crooned and the cougar came eagerly. Jack scratched his ears and neck,

drawing deep-throated purrs from his mate and making his eyes close in ecstasy. Jack chuckled and kissed
the cougar right on the nose.

“Come to me, mate,” he murmured. “I need you.”
Before his eyes, the cougar became the man. Jack pushed Travis to the soft ground and then settled

between his legs. Travis pulled Jack to him, grinding their groins together, kissing him recklessly. Jack
moaned, touching and feeling his mate the way Travis had felt him during their first time. He stroked and
allowed his fingers and hands to explore his mate’s body. Travis’s breath hitched, and he dug his fingers
into Jack’s back, spreading his legs and bending his knees.

His wolf was still too close to the surface to allow for much tenderness, and he figured Travis’s

cougar was close to the surface as well. His touches became more aggressive, and he began to nip,
marking the shifter as his. He brought his hands to Travis’s erection and stroked it roughly, wringing
grunts from his mate. Jack lowered his mouth and finally managed to taste what he had so longed for. He
swirled his tongue around the heated head first, enjoying the silky smoothness of the swollen skin, before
taking it into his mouth. Travis cupped Jack’s head and thrust his hips up, driving his erection deeper into
Jack’s mouth.

Jack groaned and gently squeezed Travis’s balls, sucking hard on the heated length thrusting into his

mouth. His other hand worked his own cock, keeping it hard.

“Jack, please,” Travis gasped. Needing the release as much as Travis, Jack moved his mouth lower

to his mate’s small hole and worshipped it with his tongue. Travis grabbed Jack’s head hard as Jack used
his fingers to prepare his mate. He groaned at the warmth and the tight muscles that closed around his
digits.

Jack slid up Travis’s body, nipping and licking, wanting to devour his mate in large, greedy bites.

He captured Travis’s mouth in a hard kiss and gripped his mate’s legs as he pushed inside him. There was
some resistance, and Jack instantly wondered how long it had been since Travis had been submissive
during sex. But then the resistance was gone and Travis gripped Jack’s ass, pulling him deeper inside.

Jack planted his knees, braced his hands on the ground on either side of Travis, and claimed his mate

like he had fantasized about for years. Travis gripped Jack’s shoulders, and they fell into a satisfying
rhythm.

Jack was determined to make Travis forget all his grief and pain, and he bent with intense focus on

his task. He found his mate’s sweet spot, and Travis gasped, his back bowed, and his fingers dug so hard
into Jack’s skin, Jack knew he would have bruises.

But he didn’t care. The sheer joy on Travis’s face was the only thing that mattered.
Jack soon felt himself coming close to release, and he vaguely realized the sun was going down. He

looked into Travis’s eyes and was stunned to see Travis looking back at him. The discoloration had faded
and the pure, bright blue of the irises mesmerized him. Travis gripped Jack’s face, and they watched each

other as Jack pushed them both over the edge.

Jack collapsed on Travis, but his mate still held his face. Those eyes swept over his face, his body,

and Travis seemed unable to speak.

“Well?” Jack rasped with a small smile. “Do I look how you imagined?”
“You are so much more,” Travis whispered, and the sheer love Jack heard in that voice

overwhelmed him.

He kissed his mate, remembering Travis telling him about how the dusk affected his sight. That time

seemed so long ago, even though it had only been a couple of days. So much had happened since then.

“You know,” Jack said, gazing lovingly into Travis’s eyes. “We never did have our date. And what

about those appointments you said you had?”

Travis face, which was already red from the cold and their lovemaking, flushed darker.
“I, um, I kind of lied about them,” he admitted.
Jack chuckled and shook his head. “You were just making excuses to make me go away, weren’t

you?”

Travis smiled embarrassedly. “Yeah,”
Rolling his eyes, Jack nuzzled Travis’s neck. “I should make you pay for that.”
Travis gripped Jack’s hips. “What did you have in mind?”
Jack grinned. But before he could answer, the cold wind suddenly cut through the trees. Jack was

surprised he hadn’t noticed it earlier. They dressed but didn’t head back right away. As dusk turned into
night, they held each other in the back of Jack’s truck, watching the stars, prolonging the inevitable return
to reality and all its problems.

S

HANNON

continued to talk to Genii late into the night. At some point, she realized she didn’t want to be a

Knight any longer. And she began to realize how fearful she had been of the very people she thought were
her family. The things Genii told her about the Knights didn’t end this fear; they only enhanced it.

“I can’t just… quit?” she said.
Genii touched her hand as they sat on the bench. “You will be protected, but only if you are sincere

in your conviction.”

“I am!” Shannon protested, gripping Genii’s hand. “I swear.”
Genii nodded with a kind, but cautious, smile.
“Genii,” Shannon said after a short pause.
“Yes?”
“What if they come for me? I’ve been in telepathic communication with my commander and—I’ve

told him everything.”

She felt guilty and frightened for the citizens of Haven. Then she almost laughed. Imagine, her scared

for the safety of shifters!

Amazing.
“I see.” Genii narrowed her eyes and looked away. “Would they rescue you?”
“Yes,” Shannon said. She was certain of that. “They wouldn’t want me to tell you what I know about

them.”

Genii nodded. “I would imagine not.” She stood. “You need to stay here. You will be safe, but I

need to talk to the pack leaders about this.”

Shannon frowned but nodded. Genii took out a glove from her pocket and slipped it on her hand

before walking out of the cell. She shut the iron door, gave Shannon a significant look, then turned and
walked up the basement stairs.

J

ENA

looked up as Agent Genii shut the door to the basement. Well, finally. How long did they really

need to talk?

“Well?” Jena asked as the agent came toward her.
“She seems repentant,” Agent Genii said, stroking her chin. “You need to relock the door, however.

We will have to have Agent Oenghus come and look into her heart.”

Jena blinked. Who? It didn’t matter. She had turned off the speaker when her brother left to chase

after that cougar of his. She still couldn’t believe he chose a cougar as a mate. She liked Travis, sure, but
—a cougar, a blind cougar, for a mate? She’d always known her brother was the odd wolf in the pack, but
—this was beyond anything she would have ever dreamed he might do.

“You need to call your pack to a meeting,” Agent Genii said, bringing Jena’s attention back to the

matter at hand.

“Why? What’d the Knight say?”
“Just get your pack gathered,” Agent Genii repeated. “And lock that cell door.” Then she walked out

of the building to her car.

Jena wrinkled her nose at the order, but she grabbed her phone anyway. Great, it wasn’t just her

pack and sheriff brother she had to take orders from, now she had a damned agent on her case as well.
She was getting tired of being submissive to everybody. Her wolf growled. But it didn’t seem inclined to
do anything about her current position.

“Damn help you are,” she murmured to her wolf as she phoned her father. After the call, she stomped

down to the basement and gave Shannon a nasty look as she relocked the cell door. Shannon just sat on the
bench, her eyes unfocused. Jena stared at her a moment before turning and walking upstairs.

Twenty minutes later, Jena sat in the living room of her childhood home, the rest of the pack around

her. Notable in his absence, however, was her brother. Jack had been out of cell phone range, and that
could only mean he was in the mountains—playing with that cougar, no doubt.

Some sheriff he is, she thought bitterly.
“What has the Knight revealed?” Jeffrey asked the agent. Jena pulled herself out of her dark thoughts

to listen.

Agent Genii, who was way too damn gorgeous, stood, easily gaining everyone’s attention.
“I have convinced her that shifters are not her enemies. I believe she is sincere in her repentance,

though I will have another agent, who can read a person’s heart, talk with her. But the most distressing
thing I discovered is that she has been in telepathic communication with her commander.”

Whispers filled the room instantly.
“Silence!” Jeffrey barked. Quiet fell immediately.
“She believes they will rescue her,” Genii said. “But I think they will come to assassinate her. She is

a liability now and, as she said herself, they will not want her telling the Knights’ secrets to the Agency or
shifters. But she doesn’t know who or how many will come.”

“Why not just let them kill her?” said a voice from the back. “What use is she?”
Before Genii could answer, Jeffrey whipped around, his sharp eyes ablaze, glaring in the direction

of the speaker.

“She knows the Knights,” Jeffrey answered, his voice wintry cold, “and she will be a great asset if

her allegiance has turned to the Agency. We must keep her alive. And, in case all of you have forgotten,
we are not the monsters from nightmares. We do not shed blood unless in defense of our home. We protect
and we defend. We do not murder.”

His word was final, and any other objection was quelled under his stare. He turned back to Genii,

and the agent inclined her head to him.

“It is correct that she could provide valuable information. I have already contacted the Agency, and

they will be sending out two other agents. I do not know when the assassins will come, but we must be
prepared. They probably won’t send many, wanting to keep the act simple and under the radar. But she
will have to be monitored 24/7.”

“She must stay in the cell,” Jeffrey said after a moment of silence. “They will come for her, and they

will not expect her to have told us about them. They will expect her to be in the cell.”

“Agreed.” Genii nodded.
“How long will it take for the agents to get here?” Jeffrey asked.
“Not long. An hour or two at most.”
He nodded, his dark eyes blank, but Jena could read the concern in his face and the tense stance of

his body. He was worried, and that made her worried.

“Jager,” Jeffrey said, turning to his son. “Organize the packs, send the word to every household.

Have the young and elderly adjourn to Sanctuary until this is over. I don’t want casualties. I don’t think
Nordik would mind a few extra shifters in his forests.”

Jena watched Genii’s eyes widen, and the agent took a step closer to her father.
“You know Master Shifter Nordik?” Genii asked, her voice hushed.
Jeffrey raised an eyebrow and turned around to look at her. “No one knows him, agent,” he

admonished quietly. “But if Haven’s shifters are in trouble, he won’t mind lending Sanctuary to us for a
day or so.”

Genii nodded, but Jena saw her considering, and she wasn’t sure she liked the look in the agent’s

eye. Did that agent really think she could communicate with Nordik when not even the elder shifters could
find him? If Nordik didn’t want to be found, he wouldn’t be found, period.

“Jena.” Her father turned to her, and she stood. “Find Jack. Alert him about what’s happened.”
She barely resisted making a grimace. “Yes, Father.”
She would have liked Jager’s job better. Shoulders hunched, she left the meeting and got into her

own car to drive toward Glacier Park.

Chapter 10

T

RAVIS

realized he’d fallen asleep when he felt Jack shaking his shoulder. He grunted and curled more

tightly against his mate. Jack chuckled but continued to shake him.

“Jack,” Travis moaned.
“Travis,” Jack said in the same tone. “We need to head home. It’s getting cold.”
“No, it’s not.” There was an extra blanket in the cab of the truck, and they had wrapped themselves

in it. Travis was nicely warm and was loathe to leave his cocoon.

“We need to get back, anyway.” Jack sighed and got to his feet. Travis followed Jack’s move. But

when his feet touched the ground, his senses came alive. The hair on the back of his neck rose, and his
cougar roused, hissing at impending danger.

He sensed them being watched, and the danger was coming from the watchers. He grabbed Jack and

threw them both to the ground. They landed hard just before the distinctive sound of a bullet shot through
glass. Jack rolled over on top of Travis, protecting him. Travis heard the click of a hammer. Jack had
pulled out his pistol.

As Travis tightened his arms around Jack, he realized his nightmare had come true. He had always

feared, in his darkest moments, the Knights would come for him. They would come to finish what they had
started. And now they were here, and Jack would be killed because of him.

He would lose the love he had so recently found. No. Never!
Travis grabbed Jack’s head and hissed in his ear, “I’m going to shift. I can see better as a cougar,

even in the dark.”

He felt Jack nod. Jack slid off him, and Travis shifted without a sound. He shook off his clothes. It

took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dim light, and he could soon make out shapes, the visual
information coupled with his other senses.

Instinct had him jerking to his left, just in time to avoid a shot that would have hit his shoulder. Jack

fired in that direction, not wildly, but with precise, controlled shots.

“Damn it, they must have night vision,” he muttered. “Well, hell, so do I.”
Jack’s presence and smell changed. Jack was now a wolf, with better night vision than any human.

They both slipped around the truck, silent and focused.

How many shooters? Where are they? Travis quickly discerned the direction from which the shots

had sounded. Now he focused all his cougar senses on finding the would-be assassins, his heart pounding
rapidly. His only comfort was that Jack, who had the advantage of clear sight, was by his side.

Headlights suddenly flashed in the night, and a car came roaring into view. Travis smelled Jena. The

assassins suddenly shot at her, and Travis could hear the cracking of her windshield. The car squealed to
a halt near them and crunched on the dirt. Then Travis heard the sounds of return fire. Jena had her gun
with her.

“Jack! Travis!” she screamed. Jack nipped Travis’s neck to urge him toward the car. Travis ran

beside him, but just as he felt Jack jump into the car, Travis veered aside and ran back into the forest. If
the assassins were focused on him, they would follow him.

He had to get them away from his loved ones.
Jack howled behind him.

Travis used his senses and memory of the forest to find his way deeper in among the trees. He saw

outlines of trees and rocks, of bushes and tangled branches. He leaped and dove, his long legs stretching,
propelling his powerful body forward. Sticks and rocks scraped against the pads of his paws and the
wind whistled past his ears.

Don’t follow me, Jack, he pleaded in his mind. Don’t follow me.
Shots began to whiz past his head. One even clipped his ear. He snarled and sped up. Damn, they

were good shots. He only hoped they were human, which would mean they couldn’t move as agilely as he
could. And they didn’t know this forest like he did. If they didn’t have special abilities, that made guns
their only advantage.

And night vision.
All he could do was run. So that was exactly what he did.

J

ACK

was terrified. He clawed at the car doors, but Jena had locked them. He howled and gnawed and

tried to break the windows, but his sister was pulling away from the scene and the shooter or shooters
still peppering them with bullets.

“Stop it, Jack! It’s too late. We can’t go after him!” Jena shouted, driving in reverse. “I don’t know

how many are out there. You’ll get yourself killed!”

He didn’t care. Why should he care? His mate was in trouble! His mate could die if he didn’t help

him!

Jack placed his paws on the dashboard, his claws digging into the plastic, and gave a piercing howl

of agony and frustration that echoed through the night, over the gunfire, and caused the forest to come alive
with howls and yips from sleeping animals.

Though he didn’t know it, his howl also awakened another creature, one who was very old, nigh

immortal, and the self-proclaimed guardian of Sanctuary.

S

HANNON

paced the cell, wondering what she was going to do. Oddly, she was feeling a giddy freedom

she had never known before. Though she wasn’t free yet, a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
This made her realize, and finally understand, how much all that hate had been dragging her down, and
how much enjoyment in life it had taken away. She found herself thinking of the good times she’d had with
her parents instead of the night their lives had come to an end. Perhaps it was better to base her life on
their memories rather than the cruelty of their deaths.

The sound of heavy footsteps descending the stairs alerted her. She whirled around and wondered if

it was Genii. Shannon walked to her cell door, standing as close to it as she dared. But her visitor was a
stocky man dressed in all black, wearing a ski mask.

And holding an AK-47.
She gasped and backed away before stumbling into the bench. She was trapped. Her mind whirled

with panic and disbelief. She knew what this man was. Two such men had come to the substation she’d
been stationed at, and her commander had given them their orders. They had worn the same black
clothing, the same masks, and had held the same guns. The man, the assassin, reached the bottom of the
steps, but he didn’t come any closer. Why should he? He had a clear shot from where he stood.

This couldn’t be. The Knights had sent an assassin after her!

“Y-you… you’re not here to rescue me?” she squeaked. Wouldn’t they want to rescue her and—but

Shannon couldn’t finish the thought. She knew the Knights and realized how foolish she had been. They
didn’t leave loose ends.

In answer, the assassin lifted his rifle and pointed it at her. Shannon shook violently and felt a sudden

lurch in her stomach, which felt as though it had fallen to her feet.

Then, out of nowhere, Genii appeared and tackled the man from behind. They both crashed to the

floor, and the assassin’s gun skidded away from him. The agent straddled the assassin, and twisted his
neck while he tried to reach for something at his waist. But Genii managed to get him in a headlock. The
assassin still squirmed and grunted, his arms flailing and trying to grab any piece of Genii he could find.
She kept him pinned to the floor, but her heavy panting indicated her struggle to stay in control.

Somehow Genii managed to get a hand loose and tossed something at Shannon. A ring of keys

skidded near the cell and Shannon knelt down. She cringed and her heart pounded as she carefully slipped
her arm between the iron bars and her fingertips touched the ring.

“Hurry!” Genii ordered. She and the assassin struggled over the floor and Shannon began to tremble

violently. Her fear for Genii’s safety amazed her but it also made her struggle harder and work faster. She
strained and twisted her body, sweat forming on her brow. Her fingers managed to pull the keys closer
and when she gripped them with her full hand she let out a relieved breath. She quickly stood up and once
again slipped her arm through the bars, struggling to find which key would fit. It seemed to take forever
before the lock clicked open. Shannon grabbed the blanket and used it to push open the iron door.

“Grab the gun!” Genii ordered, her breathing rapid, her eyes blue flames.
When Shannon didn’t move, Genii screamed her name. Shannon jerked and stumbled forward,

surprised her legs held her at all. She grabbed the weapon and held it awkwardly. She hadn’t been trained
how to use such powerful firearms.

“Hit him in the head with the butt,” Genii ordered.
“W-what?” Shannon stammered.
“Hit him!” Genii said, jerking her head up and glaring at Shannon. “I can’t hold him, he’s a fighter.

Hit him!”

Shannon cringed and held the rifle in shaky hands. She took a deep breath and brought the butt down

on the assassin’s head. The impact sent a shudder up her arms, and the cracking sound had her cringing.
His face was smashed into the floor by the force of her blow, but he was still.

“Now,” Genii panted. “There are handcuffs attached to my belt. Grab them and give them to me.”
Shannon leaned the rifle against the wall and did as instructed. Genii handcuffed the man and blew

out a deep breath, then grabbed a length of rope off the wall where it hung and hogtied him.

“These are tricky bastards,” she said, grabbing Shannon’s arm. “They can wiggle out of almost

anything. Now, take the gun upstairs and wait for me. Stay away from the windows and doors. Okay?”

Shannon nodded jerkily and staggered up the stairs. She looked back only once, to see Genii

dragging the assassin toward the now unoccupied cell.

The agent muttered, “Where’s Poe when you need him?”
Still uncertain what to think or feel, Shannon staggered through the doorway at the top of the stairs.

She set the rifle against the wall and turned around. Another man, all in black and wearing a ski mask,
stood staring at her, his rifle aimed at her head. Shannon screamed.

But even as the other assassin squeezed the trigger, someone grabbed Shannon and yanked her to one

side, out of the line of fire. Another man, who seemed to materialize out of nowhere, appeared behind the
assassin, gripped his head, and with a single jerk, snapped his neck.

The assassin fell with a thud to the floor. With wide eyes and clammy skin, Shannon looked at her

rescuer, who stood over the dead man, not sure whether she should be grateful or still afraid. He was
nearly seven feet tall, thickly muscled and bald with black eyes. He looked down at the dead man on the
floor with disdain, and then his gaze moved to her. His eyes were so intense she cringed. The tall man
raised an eyebrow.

“You are safe now,” said a kind voice behind her, which belonged to the hands still holding her up.

Shannon flinched and jerked away from the grasp. The hands let her go. She turned and saw they belonged
to a blond man of medium height, slightly on the skinny side, with heavy-lidded blue eyes.

“Get him?” Genii suddenly appeared beside Shannon. She fell into Genii’s arms, needing their

familiar and comforting warmth.

“Easy there,” Genii said, patting her back. “It’s all over.”
“Wouldn’t be so sure,” the large agent said. His voice was deep and commanding. “The sheriff still

hasn’t come back yet. Neither has his sister.”

“Damn it,” Genii said. “I’ll try to get a read on him. I touched him, so it shouldn’t be too hard.”
Shannon looked up as Genii closed her eyes.

J

ACK

felt a strange vibration inside his skull. It wasn’t unpleasant so he ignored it, still struggling to get

out of the car. The gunfire had stopped, but Jena had turned the car around and was speeding down the
road. He was too panicked to shift, and what help would that be? He was too easy a target as a human.

Jack? Can you hear me?
Jack stopped clawing at the door and twitched his ears. Who was that? Was that in his head?
Sheriff Jack Ulger, can you hear me?
It did come from inside his head. Who the… Who is this? He framed the thought clearly, amazed at

his own ability to focus, considering the terror that fluttered in his breast.

This is Agent Genii. I don’t have time to explain, but I can hear you if you think clearly. Where

are you? What is your status?

Jack didn’t know what to think, but he planned to use this new advantage.
Travis and I were attacked. He thought as clearly as he could manage. Assailants unknown, but I

think they might be from the Knights. Numbers unknown. They are after Travis. He ran off to lead them
away. We’re in Glacier Park, heading back to town. I need to save him!

He mentally shouted the last, hoping that damn agent could hear the urgency in his thoughts.
We’re coming. Another agent will come with me. Stay where you are!
Jack took a breath and shifted. He grabbed the wheel and pulled the car over to the side of the road.
“What are you doing—” Jena screamed.
He slapped his hand over her mouth. “Listen carefully, Jena. Agents are coming. We are going to turn

around and go back to the park. We are going to wait for them, and then we are going to save Travis.” His
voice became a snarl. “So help me God, Jena, if he is dead, I will never forgive you for leaving him
there.”

Jena’s eyes widened and he saw the flash of anger, though she nodded.
He removed his hand. “Now drive,” he ordered and shifted back into his wolf.

T

RAVIS

was exhausted. There was pain in his side and back leg, but he ignored it. He was slowing, his

body protesting. He’d stumbled several times over fallen tree trunks and protruding roots. But at least the
bullets had stopped, so he must have lost them for the time being.

He suddenly smelled water and ran for it, thirst burning in his throat. He would have to be careful.

There was always danger for an animal drinking. He would be exposed for whatever time it took to drink,
a few seconds at the minimum.

Travis moved out onto the field. The scents were familiar; it was the same field where he and Jack

had first played together in animal form. Cautiously he approached the stream, paused, and sniffed the air
before taking greedy gulps, his heart pounding in his ears. Out of the corner of his eye he could make out
the silver shape of the moon in the sky and the mountains in the distance.

He finished when he had only barely quenched his thirst. But as he turned there came the sound of a

shot, and his left shoulder burned with pain. He snarled and leaped to one side. He managed to dodge the
next shot. But the silver in the bullet worked quickly, and the burn began to spread from his shoulder
down into his chest. He had to get the silver out before it disabled his lungs.

There were two of them. Travis sensed them and hoped to God they were alone. Sticky blood matted

his fur, but he ran to where he knew there were boulders against the side of the mountain. He could hide in
the tunnels. If he could just make it there—another shot rang out. This one hit his right back leg. He
crashed to the ground. He could see the outline of the mountain’s base ahead, and he managed to stand up
despite the pain. He growled in determination and stared in the direction of the shots, seeing faint figures
in the dim light of the moon. Travis turned his head, determined to face his attackers and die like a true
shifter—defiant to the last. Two figures approached. They lifted their rifles.

Then a sound pulsed through the air, an unnerving roar that must have come from a demon of fiery

Hell. It made Travis’s teeth chatter and his bones rattle. He swore he felt the very earth shake. The two
figures jerked and stumbled, and Travis, acting on instinct, took advantage of the assassins’s panic. He
didn’t know what had caused such a fierce sound, but Travis saw it as a gift. He worked through the pain
and moved swiftly over the wet ground, slinking behind the man on the right before he knew what Travis
was about. Travis managed to dodge around him and attack from behind, his jaw latching onto the man’s
neck. Yelping, the man fell and Travis bit down hard, hearing bone crunch under the pressure.

“Get off!” the other assassin yelled. The butt of the rifle slammed into his head, and Travis released

his hold. The pain in his head coupled with the pain of the silver in the bullets eating at his insides. He
stumbled away, and his legs gave out. He panted hard, feeling the silver making its evil way to his lungs.

“Die, freak!” the assassin grunted and lifted his rifle, inches from Travis’s head. But then Travis felt

a presence that overwhelmed him, a presence he knew at once he would never forget and would haunt him
forever.

The pounding of a large animal swiftly approaching caught both of their attentions. Travis gathered

his dwindling strength and looked over his shoulder. For a moment he could see perfectly.

A larger-than-life white bear was charging toward them at full speed. The bear was like a light in the

darkness, a beacon of hope and strength. Of protection—a terrifying guardian angel. The bear kept
charging and the assassin backed away, his rifle raised, but he looked too shocked to remember how to
use it. Travis flinched as the bear shot past him and then skidded to a halt right in front of him. It was

standing between him and the assassin. Shielding him.

Who…?
Nordik.
The answer struck Travis like lightning. He stared at the massive shifter in awe. Nordik was bigger

than any bear should be, his fur pure white. Even Travis, with his damaged eyes, could see him with
complete clarity. The very air around the beast pulsed with power and authority, age and wisdom.

Nordik approached the assassin. His head was down and a menacing growl bubbled out of his chest.

Travis could imagine the bared teeth, the sharp claws, and wondered why the assassin didn’t run or shoot.

Apparently, he was wondering that as well. The assassin suddenly lifted his rifle and aimed it at

Nordik. Nordik charged him, moving far too swiftly for such a big creature. He swatted the man’s rifle
away and mauled him with his claws and teeth. Travis closed his eyes, hearing the crunch of bone, the
screams of agony, the rending of skin. For a second he shuddered, but the bullet wounds burned, and the
blood loss made him so dizzy it was hard to be aware of anything else.

Then he felt hot breath on his face. Breath tinged with the iron scent of blood. Travis opened his eyes

and flinched again. He was looking into Nordik’s enormous face and smelled the human blood that coated
the bear’s fur. But all the violence in Nordik was gone. The master shifter made soft noises and nudged
Travis with his snout, rubbing his fur.

Nordik was trying to soothe him. A large, warm tongue licked at his wounds. Travis let out a

pathetic sound of pain. Nordik nuzzled him again.

A howl split the air, and life surged back into Travis. Jack! He was alive!
Travis tried to make a sound in response, but by now any such effort was beyond him. Nordik lifted

a large paw equipped with wicked claws and gently pressed it to Travis’s side, holding him down. Then
the bear turned around and roared loud enough that Travis wished he were able to cover his ears. The
response was another howl, closer this time. And then Travis smelled his mate, sensing him nearby. And
there were others. Jack had brought reinforcements. Nordik turned after the second howl and started to
leave. Travis, with a great effort, growled. The master shifter stopped. Travis, with the last of his
strength, shifted and afterward lay gasping on the grass.

“Thank you, Nordik,” he panted. “Thank you!”
His sight had diminished with the transformation, but he could still sense Nordik. He smelled the

bear’s breath again, and a large tongue suddenly licked his face. Then Nordik was gone, heading back
toward the mountains. Travis’s head fell to the ground, and he struggled to remain conscious. The pain
was still coursing through his body; the bullets still burned where they lodged deep inside his leg and
shoulder. His leg was numb, but his last thoughts were only of his mate.

Jack. You found me.

J

ACK

burst out into the field in time to see an enormous white bear trotting away from his mate. He could

see Travis lying there in human form, but for a few seconds Jack remained frozen in astonishment.

Had that been—could it be?
Then the smell of blood and death hit Jack’s nose. He ran forward past what was left of the two

assassins to reach his mate and reassured himself Travis was alive. A wicked glee at this victory
combined with fear and concern inside Jack. He saw blood leaking from Travis’s shoulder and leg. And
he wasn’t moving.

Whining, Jack nuzzled Travis with his snout, licking his face, but still Travis didn’t move. Jack

howled and turned to where Genii, Jena, and a large agent—who had been introduced to him as Captain
Odin—were running toward him. Genii dropped to her knees beside Travis and opened a large bag
before quickly pulling items out of it.

“He’s alive, Jack,” she said, moving quickly and efficiently. The wounds had swelled and were a

nasty green color with pus leaking from them. But that was common when silver touched a shifter’s skin.
It was even worse when a bullet was lodged inside. It would start to fester immediately and eat like acid
through the skin and tissue.

Jack paced beside his mate, his eyes never leaving Travis’s face. He couldn’t die, he just couldn’t.

Jena dropped to her knees beside Jack and grabbed him around the neck, holding him still. He buried his
face in her chest, needing her strength right now. She stroked his thick coat and scratched his ears,
soothing him as best she could.

Jack watched Genii work. She managed to extract the bullets after many tense minutes, squeeze the

pus out, and stitch up the wounds. Her movements were quick and trained, and Jack had reason to hope
that she would be successful and that Travis would be all right. It was an agonizing wait, but Jack
managed to keep himself in check and not harass the medic. At last, Genii sighed and leaned back on her
heels.

“He’ll live,” she said as she turned and smiled at Jack. “But he’ll be sore for a little bit. Make sure

he doesn’t shift until his stitches come out, okay? I’ll give him antibiotics when we reach town.”

Jack’s tail wagged fiercely as he licked Travis’s face with infinite tenderness. He believed Genii,

but he still wished Travis would wake up. Captain Odin came and draped a blanket over Travis before
wrapping him up carefully. He lifted him gently. Jack stayed beside him, watching every movement
closely, vigilant but reassured by what he saw. He sensed only concern from the captain. Still, he kept
close as they headed back to the car.

Chapter 11

T

RAVIS

was still asleep when there was a knock on the door. It was early morning and Jack had yet to

catch some sleep. He wanted to stay alert if Travis woke up. Jack rose from the couch slowly, dragging
his feet, and looked through the peephole. He sighed before opening the door.

“Hello, Agent,” he said with a tired smile.
Genii smiled back. “You don’t look so good.”
“I’m fine.”
Genii nodded. “How’s the patient?”
“Good. He’s still sleeping.”
“That’s the best thing for him right now.” She walked inside and Jack closed the door behind her.
Genii looked at the coffee mug on the table. “How many is that?”
“Three,” Jack said absently. “Can I get you anything?”
“No, thank you. We’ll be leaving soon.”
“Thank you for all your help. I owe you a lot.” He reached for her hand, but she shook her head.
“You don’t owe me anything. It’s my job. But I do have a question for you.”
“Just one?” He walked back over to the couch and sat. Genii sat on the arm of the chair across from

him.

She smiled at his response. “Was Travis born blind?”
Jack frowned. “No, why?”
“Can he see at all? Anything, like colors and shapes?”
“Why are you asking about this?”
“I see shapes and colors in cougar form,” came Travis’s voice, weak and raspy.
Jack sprang up and was at Travis’s side in two seconds. “What are you doing out of bed? You

should go back—”

“Bullshit.” Travis waved him away and made his way over to the couch. “I’m fine. Sore, but fine.

Mother.”

Jack glared for a second, but then he got Travis some water and stood over him protectively.
“Why do you want to know?” Travis asked the agent.
“Well,” Genii said, an amused smile on her face. “There is an agent who has the ability to heal most

injuries. Her name is Lila. If you used to see, I think she might be able to do something about your sight.”

Jack felt his heart slam against his ribs and he sat down next to Travis. His mate gripped his hand.

They both sat in stunned silence for several seconds.

“Are you sure?” Travis whispered.
“I can’t guarantee anything,” Genii warned. “But I can contact her. Sometimes it takes a few sessions

to fully heal an injury, but she’ll be willing if you are.”

“Yes,” Travis said, opening his damaged eyes wide.
“Thank you, Genii,” Jack managed to say. She smiled at him, affection evident in her eyes.
“You’re welcome. You both did very well out there. And I have to say, I’m a little jealous that you

got to meet Nordik, Travis.”

Jack felt Travis shudder. “Well, in all honesty, I wouldn’t want to repeat the experience. He’s too—

powerful. He’s scary.”

Genii nodded. “Yes, he is. Still, it would be nice to meet him. He’s the only master shifter the

Agency knows the whereabouts of.”

She stood and shook both of their hands. But as Jack walked her to the door, he remembered

something.

“What about Shannon?”
“Oh, she’s converted, trust me,” Genii said with a slight laugh. “If she wasn’t partly there before the

assassination attempt, she sure is now. Oenghus, an agent who can see into people’s hearts, has read her
intentions.”

Jack wondered what it would be like to live with people with that sort of ability. Telepathy, healing

powers, seeing into someone else’s heart—shifting made more sense to him.

Genii turned to Travis. “And she wanted me to tell you she is truly sorry for what happened to your

family. She says she understands.”

Jack tensed and worried about Travis’s reaction. But when he turned to Travis, he saw a small smile

touch his mate’s mouth. “I know she does.” He sighed. “Tell her I forgive her, Genii. We were both
victims, after all.”

Jack saw a look of respect come into Genii’s eyes.
“What about the other assassins?” Jack asked.
“Only one survived. We’ll deal with him,” she said grimly. “And Shannon’s given us a lot of good

info on the Knights. They’ll be stopped, I promise you.”

“But the Knights know the location of Haven,” Jack said. He took a deep breath to stifle his fear.
“I’ve talked to your father about that,” Genii said. “The Agency will be working closely with him to

secure the safety of everyone here. Patrols of agents have been suggested.”

Jack nodded slowly. “It would be wise to inform our citizens of the situation. To conduct our own

patrols.”

“I agree,” Genii said. “But be assured that the Agency will never give up until the Knights are

brought down. We will help you protect Haven.”

Jack nodded and shook her hand again before shutting the door behind her.
“It won’t be easy,” Travis said ominously. “Who knows how big that organization is? How many

members are in it? Something that big is hard to bring down completely. Hate never dies, and it breeds
like flies.”

Jack walked over, sat next to his mate, and pulled Travis gently into his arms.
“That’s why we keep fighting, Travis. We never stop fighting.”

T

HE

following day, Jack and Travis stood in the parlor of the pack’s house. The alphas stood before them

while the rest of the pack lined the edges of the room, silent and observing. A town meeting was
scheduled after the pack’s meeting, concerning how they would deal with the Knights. Travis didn’t have
any good ideas, except for moving everyone out of Haven, but that would be admitting defeat. They had to
fight fire with fire.

Though having difficulty standing from the aftereffects of the silver bullet to his leg, Travis was

determined to show no weakness. Since his shoulder had also been wounded, his arm was in a sling, and
he felt vaguely like a soldier on trial after a war.

So far, however, the meeting was going well. Jeffrey and Justine explained the situation to the pack,

despite the fact that this was not a democracy but a monarchy. The rest of the pack would not have a say in
the outcome, but that they were present at the decision-making proved what good leaders Jeffrey and
Justine were. Travis just prayed they would be good to Jack and him.

Jack had told them how Travis had led the shooters away from him, most likely saving his life. And

how he had managed to attack one of the assassins, despite being wounded. Travis had told Jack
everything that had happened after he’d run off into the forest. Jack had reprimanded him for leaving, but
it had been short, and Jack even admitted that he would have done the same thing. Saving a member of
their pack, especially the town sheriff and the alphas’ son, was a big plus for Travis. And he had become
a local celebrity when it became known that Master Shifter Nordik had saved his life.

“Travis,” Jeffrey said. Travis turned his head in the direction of the alpha’s voice.
“If you become Jack’s mate, you would be made a member of this pack. Your loyalty would be to the

pack, and you would be called upon to protect the pack with your life. The pack’s survival would become
more important than your own; it would become more important than the survival of your mate. Are you
willing and able to accept this?”

Travis knew Jack and his fate rested on the answer to this question. So he took a moment before

answering. He even consulted his cougar, who had been quiet during the meeting. But now the cougar
urged him to do whatever it took to remain with Jack, to remain in his home. To gain the family he had
lost all those years ago.

He had his answer.
“My loyalty is with Jack, and his loyalty is to his pack. Therefore, my loyalty will be with the pack

as well.”

He consciously raised his head, feeling all eyes upon him. “I believe I have proven through my

actions to what lengths I will go to protect Haven and the shifters and humans who call this place home.”

He took a breath, realizing his hands were trembling. “I lost my kin to the Knights, and I give you my

word, freely, that I will not allow that to happen again, as long as I still breathe. I would see the pack as
my kin if I am allowed to become Jack’s mate, and I would see it as my duty to protect and defend them.
And I would willingly take upon that duty.”

He swallowed. “I am willing and able to put the pack first. And I am honored to be considered for

inclusion into this noble pack.”

His writer’s spirit came out at the end, adding flattery and honesty to his words. He meant everything

he said and prayed he could live up to it. Jack took his hand and squeezed. Travis took another deep
breath, his bullet wounds aching worse as his anxiety rose.

“Well said,” Justine said softly. The pack stirred and rustled around him, surrounding him. He

wanted to sit, considering his legs were trembling and he suddenly felt lightheaded. It would be much
preferred to falling down.

“As you said,” Justine continued, “sometimes change is needed. We would be the ones honored to

call you pack.”

Travis’s stomach churned uncomfortably.
“I agree,” Jeffrey said. Then Travis suddenly felt Jeffrey’s large hand clamp down on his unwounded

shoulder. Shock froze him as the alpha wolf shifter suddenly embraced him.

“Thank you for protecting my son,” Jeffrey whispered, so only Travis could hear. “I am in your

debt.”

Travis closed his eyes tight and hugged the alpha back. His alpha.
His alpha. Was that it? Was he now pack?
As soon as Jeffrey let go, Jack hugged Travis and actually lifted him off his feet, laughing.
“Put me down,” Travis admonished. He felt giddy, but his cougar was surprised, wondering if this

was a trick. But Jack’s happiness confirmed Travis’s greatest wish, and his cougar soon joined in the
celebration. Travis realized the meeting was over, because the pack was talking and many came forward
to pat him on the back. Their scents surrounded him, and he even smelled Jena, who actually leaned up
and kissed him on the cheek.

But he could still sense wariness, disapproval, even hate from some in the pack. He hoped he could

change their minds, but the fact he had the alpha’s approval and acceptance weighed heavily on his side.

And he had Jack. Dear, sweet Jack. His mate was by his side as most of the pack continued to

surround them, talking over themselves, their voices pounding in his ears. He found Jack’s hand, and by
the way Jack returned the touch, Travis knew his mate would never let him go.

Jack suddenly leaned up and cupped his head, bringing Travis’s ear to his lips.
“I love you.”
Travis leaned into Jack and nodded.
“And I love you.”

A

DREAM

had become reality before his eyes. Jack watched his pack welcome his mate and wondered if

this was actually happening. Travis’s words had touched his heart, but he wasn’t the only one. Several
members of his pack looked past the fact Travis was a cougar shifter and actually became curious about
who he was, instead of what he was.

He pulled Jena into a hug after she had kissed Travis. She smiled up at him.
“Forgive me?” she said.
Jack rolled his eyes but kissed her lightly on the lips. “I suppose I have to. You are my favorite

sister.”

She laughed.
But there was a face he didn’t see welcoming his mate. Jager stood off with a small group of pack

members which included Jager’s mate. He was glaring at Travis. Jack hated the discord between them
and suspected it would never change.

With his hand still clasped with Travis’s, Jack looked over the heads of his pack to find his parents.

They were off to one side, his mother in the curve of his father’s body, his thick arm around her. It still
surprised him to see how petite she looked when standing so near his father. But they were perfectly
matched, and Jack smiled to know how that felt. He glanced at Travis again, who was handling the pack’s
enthusiasm with his usual calm demeanor. But Jack knew him better now. He saw the embarrassment and
how overwhelmed his mate was with all the praise and expressions of welcome. But his mate was also
pleased and happy.

Jack looked back at his parents and could see that they were talking, but he couldn’t hear their words

over the noise his pack was making. But it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered except that Travis was now
pack. And his mate.

“Come on.” Jack tugged Travis away from the crowd. “You need to rest. You look like you’re about

to fall over.”

“Not far from it,” Travis admitted.
“I’ll take you home.”
“I am home.”
Jack kissed Travis gently as he led him out of the pack’s house. “That you are.”

One month later

T

RAVIS

sat at the Ulger pack’s dinner table once again and excitedly pushed up his eyeglasses. He still

relished the sight of all the food before him, and the shifters around him, and the simple beauty of the
house. He had a family again. He was having family dinners once every week. His ache for the family
he’d lost still lingered, but there was another ache for the family he’d found. He kept glancing at Jack,
most of all thankful he could see the wolf shifter beside him, his mate, his love.

The sessions with Agent Lila were going well, and while he may never have perfect vision, he

would be able to see more than just shapes and colors. He was currently admiring the pattern of the lace
tablecloth while feeling it, seeing it through both senses. He sighed and looked out the large windows.
The town was quiet and patrols had been established three weeks ago. So far, there was no sign of the
Knights, but his alpha kept in constant contact with the Agency. The Knights’s movements were unknown,
but the town was always vigilant. It was nice to see how well they came together.

“Are you all right?” Jack asked near Travis’s ear.
Travis turned his head and grinned. “I’m fantastic.”
Jack grinned back and brushed a lock of hair from Travis’s forehead before gently touching the frame

of his glasses.

“Have I ever told you how much of a sexy nerd you look like in these?”
Travis chuckled, feeling his face heat up. Conversation flowed around them, both loud and quiet, and

he knew no one could hear them, but he was still slightly embarrassed, in a good way.

“Yes, actually,” he whispered back. “You have. Last night, remember? When you wanted me to wear

them to bed?”

Jack’s lovely, amazing, silver eyes began to glow. Travis couldn’t resist touching Jack’s close-

cropped brown hair, loving the way touch and sight came together now as one. He could use both to
create a true picture. His mate was so real and so beautiful, as was his wolf, and now Travis could see
and touch both. He didn’t know how he’d come to be so lucky.

Sometimes he would walk around their house with his eyes shut, just to remember what it felt like.

Then he would open them and revel in the wonder of vision all over again. He now had a choice, to see
or not.

“You’re beautiful when you’re happy,” Jack murmured.
Travis forgot where they were for a second and kissed his mate. But when he would have jerked

back, Jack gripped the back of his head and deepened the kiss. The pack had accepted him, and while

some of the members might still have some problems, the majority seemed to have warmed up to him.

Jack let him go and Travis turned back to his food. His face burning, he murmured, “Then I must be

radiant these days.”

Epilogue

T

WO

agents sat in a crowded pub at a table in a corner. The pub sat right across the wide street from their

headquarters. They didn’t mind the crowd or the noise—it gave them the privacy and the anonymity that
they wanted. The air was misty with smoke and the smell of various alcoholic beverages. The crack of a
cue hitting a billiard ball occasionally met their ears, but all that background noise was easily forgotten.
They had business to discuss.

Agent Genii sat back in her chair and fingered her beer bottle. She looked across the table at Agent

Poe, a man she greatly respected and was proud to call friend. He was around five feet tall with spiky
blond hair and intense blue eyes that were often mistaken for being cold. Even she sometimes forgot the
fire and passion that lay behind them. Poe could be very calculating and eerily practical at times. But he
never stopped caring about his fellow agents or the shifters he protected.

He wore a leather jacket that heightened his bad boy biker look, which didn’t need any help

considering he could be mistaken for a bodybuilder. Genii always found that amusing considering his
ability was strength. He didn’t need the extra muscle.

Poe was also the agent who was at the forefront of the Knights situation. He’d caught more knights

than any other agent, and his passionate hatred for the vermin rivaled the Knights’ hatred for shifters.

“There were several times when I wished you’d been at Haven,” Genii said, leaning forward so he

could hear her.

Poe leaned forward as well, a slight smile curving his lips. “There are more times that I wished I

was there.”

Genii smiled. “I can’t see why. You got to go play in Peru.”
Poe winced, and they both glanced at his leg. He wore pants but he had shown her the nasty slice a

jaguar shifter had given him. It was stitched up and wrapped securely, but Genii knew Poe was pissed
that he’d been injured at all.

“Damn feline,” Poe muttered.
Genii chuckled. There were other Agencies around the world, but the resources of the one in South

America were stretched thin. The governments were constantly in upheaval, and rebellious shifters
flourished there. So when they had asked the US Agency for help, Poe had been sent to the land of the
ancient Incan Empire. Genii was envious of his opportunity.

Poe took a sip of beer. “So, did the convert tell you anything?”
Genii raised an eyebrow. “Her name is Shannon, and no. She couldn’t tell me much. Apparently,

she’d only been to the substations, not the headquarters. The chief sent agents to those locations, only to
find them burned to the ground.”

Poe muttered a curse. “What about the assassin you captured?”
Genii shook her head grimly. “Nothing. Just a gun for hire. The odd thing is, though, when I searched

his mind, I couldn’t find much of anything besides his skill to kill.”

Poe frowned. “What do you mean?”
“What I mean is, he was barely functioning. He barely had the survival instincts to eat and drink. His

mind was—damaged, somehow. Burned.”

Poe glared. “Experimentation on humans now? First shifters and now—”

He slammed his fist on the table, creating a dent and a crack in the wood. Genii took another sip to

give Poe a moment to calm himself.

“How is your shifter doing, by the way?” Genii asked a few minutes later.
Poe raised an eyebrow. “You mean the one I caught up in Washington?”
Genii nodded.
Poe shrugged. “He still has fits of rage which cause him to shift. He attacked two of our medics, so

we keep him in his cage 24/7. I get weekly reports on him. He still hasn’t spoken a word, and we don’t
have a clue as to his identity.”

“Fingerprints?”
Poe shook his head. “Nothing.”
Genii sighed. It had been nearly a year since Poe had caught a deranged wolf shifter who had been

on a killing spree. Several shifters were now dead because of him. But it was only when Poe had
captured the shifter, before the wolf could kill another wolf shifter and his mate, that he realized there
was something more at work. It wasn’t a secret to the Agency that the Knights were experimenting on
shifters, trying to find the best way to annihilate them. Travis wasn’t the first, nor would he be the last.

“I never got to ask,” Genii said. “What did you tell that other wolf shifter and his mate after you

captured him?”

“I said that he was to be executed by his pack.” Poe shrugged. “I didn’t want them to worry. And that

shifter is never leaving his cage.”

Genii chuckled. “Poe, you’re just a big softy.”
Poe scowled. “I have a rep, Genii. Don’t go saying that too loud.”
Genii let out a small laugh, and it felt good. She hadn’t laughed in a long time.
“They messed with his mind,” Poe suddenly said, glaring at the table. “They brainwashed him into

killing his own kind. How despicable can they get?”

“I don’t want to know,” Genii said.
Silence fell between them again.
“So what happens to Shannon?” Poe asked.
“She’s Captain Hera’s problem now,” Genii said.
Poe snorted. “Great. That’s all we need.”
Genii frowned. “Don’t be like that, Poe. Isn’t this what we want? For knights to see the error of their

ways?

“I’d rather throw them into a deep, dark dungeon and let rats feed on them, but sure, let’s convert

them and reward them for finally understanding that shifters have a right to live.”

Poe’s voice held blatant bitterness, and she watched him take a hasty gulp of beer. He coughed

slightly.

“Did you read my report?” Genii asked, changing the subject.
“Course I did,” Poe snapped. He took a breath. “Damn, I wish I could have been there. You said that

the cougar shifter actually met Nordik?”

Genii grinned. “Indeed he did. Nordik even protected him. Mauled an assassin like it was no big

thing. I would have given anything to be only a few minutes earlier.”

Poe moved his empty bottle from hand to hand, the bottom scrapping the table.
“To think I used to consider master shifters nothing but a myth. Like Merlin.”
“Merlin isn’t a myth, Poe,” Genii said with exasperation. It was an argument they’d had for many

years now.

Merlin was the immortal forefather of shifters. He was also said to know magic and to be able to

shift into many animal forms. Poe had never believed in him. Genii wanted to believe in him.

“Where do you think we get those lists of possible Agency recruits?” Genii countered.
Poe shrugged, his gaze on his bottle.
“But,” Genii started, “here’s something to think about.”
Poe met her eyes.
“Shannon wasn’t the only person on those lists who the Knights found first.”
“Yes,” Poe said softly. “That is something to think about.”
Genii finished her beer in one gulp, anxiety tightening her stomach. She didn’t want to consider that

they had a traitor in the Agency, but how else could this be explained? It wasn’t coincidence. It had
happened too often to be that.

Poe suddenly sighed. “A traitor,” he said, as if reading her mind. “Like we didn’t have enough

problems already.”

G

REGOR

watched Arcas read the report their source in the Agency had sent them. He had read it first and

didn’t know what to make of it.

“So,” Arcas said softly. “Nordik really does live in those national parks. Sanctuary—what a dull

name.”

Gregor heard the strange tone in his leader’s voice and curiosity made him speak.
“My lord, do you—know Nordik?”
“In a way,” Arcas said, closing the folder the report rested in and setting it on his desk. He turned

around and met Gregor’s eyes.

“We met a long time ago under very gruesome circumstances.”
Gregor desperately wanted to ask what those circumstances were, but he knew better. He kept his

mouth shut and was dazzled by the mystery his leader presented. The man himself was a puzzle and every
so often, another piece would fall into place.

“Sir, about Haven—” Gregor started.
“Not yet,” Arcas said.
“But—”
“We are not ready.” Arcas cut across his protest easily, and the spark in his eyes warned Gregor that

the subject was closed. “It would be foolish of us to lead our knights into Haven without learning more
details about it, correct?”

Gregor nodded. “Of course, my lord.”
“And now that the Agency is involved, we must move even more carefully.”
Gregor agreed.

“We move on, then,” Arcas said smoothly. “How is Group 1 coming along with finding out where

Subject 1A has been taken?”

“They have several possible locations—” Gregor started obediently.
“I don’t want ‘possible’ locations.” Arcas’s voice had lowered dangerously, and Gregor suddenly

felt cold and his muscles stiffened.

“I want my pet found, Gregor. I want to know where the Agency has stashed the wolf shifter.”
“Of course, my lord. I will speak with Group 1.”
Arcas smiled, but Gregor still felt cold.
“Good. Dismissed.”

About the Author

M.D. G

RIMM

lives in the wet state of Oregon, and when she’s not reading, writing, or watching movies,

she dreams of owning a pet dragon. She’s wanted to become an author since second grade and feels that
her dreams are finally coming true. She was fortunate to have supporting parents who never told her to
“get her head out of the clouds.” While she doesn’t like to write in only one set genre, she feels romance
is at the core of most of her stories. M.D. earned a Bachelor of Arts in English at the University of Oregon
and hopes to put that degree to good use in the literature world as well as the “real” world.

Visit “MD Grimm” at Facebook, Livejournal, and Goodreads. You can contact her at

[e-mail]

.

T

HE

S

HIFTERS

series by M.D. Grimm

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

Copyright

Blind Devotion ©Copyright M.D. Grimm, 2012

Published by
Dreamspinner Press
5032 Capital Circle SW
Ste 2, PMB# 279
Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously, and
any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Cover Art by Catt Ford

This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of International Copyright
Law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. This eBook cannot be legally loaned or given to others.
No part of this eBook can be shared or reproduced without the express permission of the Publisher. To request permission and all other
inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press at: 5032 Capital Circle SW Ste 2, PMB# 279 Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/

Released in the United States of America
August 2012

eBook Edition
eBook ISBN: 978-1-61372-683-9

Table of Contents

Title page
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Epilogue
About the Author
The Shifters series by M.D. Grimm
Copyright