ChapterOne

Pain.Toomuchpainandtoomuchblood.

Seamusheardsnarling,viciousanddeadly,felthisownthroatsore.Hadthe

soundcomefromhim?Orwhateverwasattackinghiminthedark?

Seamusfoughtlikemad,thestrengthofhislionagainstwhoeverthehellit

was.HethoughthesmelledShifter,butinthedarkandthemadnessoffrenzy,
scentswereconfused,whirling.

Seamuscouldn’tsee,couldn’tthink.Heclawed,bit,untilhismouthwasfull

ofblood,hisfurdrenchedwithit.

Hecouldn’trememberexactlywherehe’dbeenbeforethis,onlyducking

anddodgingthroughthefields,drawingwhoeverfollowedafterhim.Hedimly
rememberedtuckingthoseinhiscaresafelyintoahousewherenoonewould
thinktolook,andthenreturningheretofooltheirenemiesandleadthemastray.

Hislifedidn’tmatter.Thoseheprotecteddid.Seamuswasatracker,a

soldierwithajobtodo.

Exceptthathisbrainkeptblankingout,fightinginstinctstakingoverand

makingeverythingablur.

Feral.Thewordwhisperedthroughhisbrain—thefeareveryShifterhad,

especiallythosewho’dnevertakentheCollar.

Seamushadbeenfeelingitforafewweeksnow,eversincethebunkerhad

beentakenoverandtheShifterswithinforcedtoscatter.Hisassignment,
protectingthoseputinhischargefromthewide,badworldandeveryoneinit.
Thetaskhadheightenedhiswariness,shootinghighthenaggingfeelingthat
somethingwasjustontheedgeofhisvision,waiting.

Edgy,paranoid,easilyprovokedintofighting,Seamushadmovedhis

chargesfromonesafehousetoanother.

Nowhisrawanimalinstinctshadtakenover.Maybethiswaswhatgoing

feralwaslike.Nothinking,justreacting,wantingtofight,hurt,kill.

Seamusstruckandstruckagain.Hesmelledblood,hearddesperatemale

screams.Andthen,whateverbattledhim...vanished.

Seamusforcedhiswayback,secondbysecond,tosanity.

CoolNovemberwindrippledhislion’smane,bringingthescentofdustand

weeds,andthefaintsmellofexhaustfromthetrucksandmotorcyclesaroundthe
roadhouseinthedistance.Musicdriftedfromthebuilding,andthesoundof
Shifters,thekindwithCollars.

Hechanged.Seamus’sbonesachedastheyshrankandmoved,sinews

twistingandreadjustingaroundthenewform.Hissightwentfromaconcave,
wideviewthatpickedupallshadows,toanarrowfocusthatdidn’tseeaswellin
thedark.Hestraightenedhisback,hearingvertebraepop,andturnedaround.

Twomenlaydeadathisfeet.Human,notShifter.AShifterhadrippedthem

apart—thebrutestrengththathadpulledtheminsideoutcouldonlyhavecome
fromsomeonelikeSeamus.Piecesofthehunters’brokenshotgunswere
scatteredaboutthedriedTexasgrass.

Seamus’sbreathcloggedhisthroat.Thescentofdeathandbloodwas

horrific,blottingoutallthought.

He’dbelievedhe’dsmelledShifterashe’dfought,buttheonlyShifter

withinsight,hearing,andscent,washimself.

Seamus,un-Collared,ontherun,fearingthatthecrazinesshe’dbeenfeeling

intheselastweekswasthebeginningoftheferalstate,wasstandingovera
coupleofdeadbodies.

Hisclothes—T-shirt,jeans,boots—layinasimplepileafewyardsaway.

Barelyabletobreathe,Seamusquicklypulledthemonasheponderedwhathe
shoulddo.

“There!”someoneshoutedinthedarknessofthefields.“Gethim!”

Shite.Seamusfiguredheknewexactlywhothehumanvoiceswereyelling

about.Heturnedandran.

Ashotgunboomedatthesametimeheheardtheretortofariflefiringthen

firingagain.Painblossomedinhisside,butSeamuskeptrunning.Heheadedto
theedgeoftheroadhouseparkinglot,knowinghe’dhavetostealavehicletoget
away.

Kendrick,hisleader,wouldshitabrick,butthen,lifesuckedforanun-

CollaredShifterontherun.

***

BreeFayettevowedtogiveupthelifeofaShiftergroupie.Thatwasit—

over—shewasdone.

Shedecidedthisasshelookedintotheeyesofthreefanaticalwomen

outsidethebackdooroftheroadhouse,wherethey’ddraggedher.Twohadtheir
facespaintedwiththeusualFelinemakeup;oneworeLupineearsandaT-shirt
withawolfonit.

“Thisisourplace,”thewolfwomansaid.“Timetogo,honey.”

Breehadcomeheretonighttomeetpeoplewhosharedherinterestin

Shifters,butshe’ddecided,assoonasshe’dwalkedintotheroadhousebetween
AustinandSanAntonio,thatshe’dmadeamistake.

She’dhadtimetoorderonedrink,whichshehadn’tevenfinished,for

cryingoutloud,beforetheotherwomenconvergedonher.TheShifters,who
seemedabitwilderthantheonesshe’dencounteredinNewOrleans,hadn’t
cometoheraid.Theydidn’tknowher,andShiftersavoidedhumanstheyhadn’t
vetted.

BeforeBreecoulddecidethatretreatwasthebetterpartofvalor,thegroupie

womenhadtakenherbythearmsandforciblydraggedheroutthebackdoor.
Shefought,butlost.

“Isthishowyougreetnewpeoplearoundhere?”Breeaskedthewomenas

shetriedtocatchherbreath.“Realhospitableofyou.I’msogladIventuredout
tonight.”

“Justtakeahike,”oneofthewomenwithcat’searssaid.“Theseareour

Shifters.Wetakecareofthem.”

Meaningtheywereveryprotective.Ofcourse—Breemightbeaspyforthe

police,reportingonwhichShifterswerebreakingthemanyrulestheyhadto
follow.

“I’mnotathreat,”Breesaidinahardvoice.“I’dneverdoanythingtohurt

them.”

Thethreewomenweren’tconvinced.“YoucomeherewithaShifterofyour

own,andmaybewe’llbelieveyou,”thewolfwomansaid.“Fornow,getout
whileyoucan.”

Breeheavedasigh.She’dneverwinafull-blownfightagainstthesethree

andknewit.Shedecidedtoleavewhileshestillhadsomedignity.“Fine.I’m
going.”

Shehadtopushpastthem.Thewomenfoldedtheirarms,expressions

unyieldingasBreebumpedbythemandheadedtotheendofthelotwhereshe’d
parkedhertruck.Shefelttheirgazesonheralltheway,thensheheardthe

thumpofthebackdoorslamming.Shelookedbacktofindthewomengone,the
doorclosed,shuttingherout.

So…thathadgonewell.TheseTexaswomenwerecrazybitches.Notlike

thefun-lovingShifter-stalkersthatwereherNewOrleansfriends.Breeandher
girlfriendsweren’tShifterwhoresoranything—theyjustlikedtolookatthetall,
gorgeousalphaguyswhocouldturnintoanimals.Theywantedtotalktothem,
hangoutwiththem,bearoundthem.OneofBree’sfriendsevenkeptawebsite
aboutShiftersandamuch-readblog.

BreeandhermomhadmovedoutherefromLouisianathiswinter,but

betweenBreemakingsurehermotherwassettlingin,nottomentionbothof
themcopingwithRemy’sdeath,shehadn’thadachancetogettoknowmany
people.She’dthoughtshecouldcomeheretonightandmeetladies,andguys,
whosharedherinterestinShifters,butapparently,she’dbeenwrong.

Herlonelinessroseuponherwaveofanger,andsheblinkedbacktears.

Damn,Imissyou,Remy.

Bree’scellphonerangassheclimbedintotheblackF250pickupthathad

belongedtoherbrother—Godresthissoulandkeephimsafe.Sheknewthat
ringtone.Figures.

Breeansweredasshesettledintothedriver’sseat.“Hello,Mom.”She

saggedbackandstudiedherselfintherearview,dustylightreflectingfromthe
parkinglot.“Yes,I’mfine.”Aslightexaggeration.Hermakeupwassmeared,
oneofherfakecat’searstorn,andhertailhadbeenpulledoff,lostsomewhere
inthedarknessofthebar.“Yes,I’llremembertostopandpickupyoursmokes.
No,Ididn’tmakeanynewfriends,notyet.”Anotherpausewhilehermother
reallygotgoing.Breestartedthepickup.“No,Mom,I’mfine.Isweartoyou,
it’saperfectlynormalShifterbar.”Foronewithabunchofmaniacalgroupies
andcrazyShiftersinit.“Nomethheads,nodrugsatall.It’sanice,quietlittle
place…Reallyquietandnice—”

SomethinghitBree’spickupfullforce.

Breewhippedherheadaroundasamanlandedinthepickup’sbedand

swarmeduptothecab.Shewatchedinnumbastonishmentasheswunghislong
bodyfeet-firstintothecabthroughtheopenpassengerwindow.

“Bree?Areyoustillthere?”camethestridenttonesofhermother.“If

you’vehunguponme…”

Themanlandedontheseat,closedahugehandaroundBree’scellphone,

andthrewthephoneouttheopenwindow.

Bree’sfrozenmomentofamazementbroke.Sheclungtothesteeringwheel,

openedhermouth,andscreamedasloudlyasshecould.

Themanwasacrosstheseatinaheartbeat,clappingastronganddirt-

streakedhandoverhermouth.“Drive,”hesaid,hisvoicesogutturalshecould
barelyunderstandtheword.“Now!”

NowayinhellwasBreegoinganywherewiththisguy.She’dfighthimoff,

runbackinsidethebar,yellforhelp.Whocaredthatthegroupieswere
unfriendly?She’dhideoutinthebathroomandletthebouncersdealwithhim.

Twomoremenmaterializedoutofthedark.Theyhadshotguns,andthey

pointedthematthemanandatBree.

“Go!”themanroared.

Theshotgunsboomed.Bree’struckwasn’ttheretoreceivetheblast,though,

becauseshe’dstompedonthegas.

Thepickupjumpedforwardandhittheground,wheelsspinning.Athick

cloudofdustboiledupbehindthemasBreeshotoutoftheparkinglottothe
road.

Theroaditselfwasdirt,washboardrough,slipperywithdustthatweeks

withoutrainhadmadebonedry.Anothershotrangoutbehindthem,andBree’s
rightmirrorshattered.

Shescreamedagainandpushedharderonthegas.Thetruckshimmiedand

danced,butBreehadhelpedRemyrebuildthisbaby,andsheknewitinsideand
out.Sheexpertlymaneuveredupanddownthewashesandouttoapavedroad.

Breeraceddownthisemptystretchofbackhighwayforaminuteorso,until

multipleglancesbehindthemtoldhernoonewasfollowing.Notyet,anyway.

Sheswungtothegrassatthesideandslammedthetrucktoahalt.“Get

out,”shesaidfirmly.

Themanwholookedbackatherinthedarkdidn’tmove.HewasaShifter

—she’dguessedthatthemomenthe’dleaptwiththegraceofanacrobatintothe
cab.Hislargebodytookupmostofthepassengerseat,darkT-shirtstretching
overatightchestandarmsthatcouldliftthispickupifhewantedto.Hishair
wascutshortbutamess,black,shethought,thoughitwashardtotellinthis
light.

Hiseyes…Theyweregolden,intense,pinningherasBreestaredathimin

shock.Lioneyes,whisperedthroughherhead.

TheShifterwildcats—Faecats,theycalledthemselves—hadbeenbredto

mixthebestqualitiesofbigcats,butindividualFelineclanstendedtofavorone
speciesorother.Leopards,jaguars,cheetahs,andmountainlionsweremost
common.Tigerswerevery,veryrare—sorareBreeknewaboutonlyoneof
them.

Andthentherewerethelions.TheMorrisseyfamily,whorantheAustin

Shiftertown,wereblack-manedlions.She’dseenphotosofthemenofthatpride
ontheInternet,butshe’dneverseenthisShifter.

Hecrankedaroundinhisseattolookbehindthem.“It’snotsafetostop

here,”hesaidinanaccentthatsoundedfaintly...Scottish?Irish?Breewasno
expertonaccentsotherthanthosearoundherhometown.“Keepgoing.”

Breedidn’tanswer.Shewasstaringathisneck,moreofitrevealedwhen

he’dturnedhishead.

Hewasn’twearingaCollar.

AllShiftersworeCollars.Itwasthelaw.Collarshadsomekindofchipin

themthattriggeredaseriesofnastyshockswhentheShifterwhoworeitbecame
violent.TherewerethosewhoclaimedthattheCollarsalsocontainedFae
magic,meanttocontroltheShifters,thoughBreewasalittleskepticalaboutthe
magicpart.Butthen,shape-shiftershadturnedouttobereal,sowhoknew?

ThisShifterhadnochainofsilver-and-blacklinksaroundhisneck,no

Celticknotathisthroat.Noredlinearoundhisnecktoshowthathe’dpulledhis
offeither—theCollarswereembeddedintotheskinforlife.

Breewasterrifiedatthesametimeherinsatiablecuriosityroseand

demandedtobesatisfied.Itwouldgetherkilledoneday,thatcuriosity,her
motheralwayssaid.Well,maybetodaywastheday.

“Areyouferal?”sheaskedcautiously.

FeralShifterswerethosewhohadleftanycivilizedbehaviorbehindand

werebecomingwildanimals,nothingmore,nomatterwhattheirshape.Bree
hadheardtheyusuallystoppedbathingandwearingclothes,andthisguywas
definitelydressed—jeans,T-shirt,andmotorcycleboots.Thoughshesawblack
smearsonhisskin,hedidn’tlooklikehe’dmissedmanyshowers.

Hestaredatherwiththosegolden,lioneyes,andsaid,“Maybe.Notyet.

Now,go.”

“Or,Icango,andyoucangetthehelloutofmytruck.”

“Damnyou,”hesaid,hisvoicequietlydesperate.“I’mdeadtheminuteIhit

theground.”

Bree’sheartpoundedsickeningly,butsheremainedinplace.“Youweren’t

atthebar.AreyoufromoneoftheShiftertownsaroundhere?”

HewasovertheseatandrightnexttoBreebeforeshecouldblink.Hisfoot

slidalongsidehersandpushedthegas.

Thetruckleapt.Breegrabbedthesteeringwheel,crankingitaroundbefore

theyslidintotheditch.Thepickuphitthepavement,shimmyinguntilBree
righteditandsentthemdowntheroadinthecorrectlane.

AtleasttheShifterhadmovedhisfootonceshe’dgotthetruckgoing.

“Idon’tcarewhereyoutakeme,”hesaid.“Justgetmeawayfromthe

hunters.”

Breepeereddownthedarkroad,astraightstretch,emptythislate.They

werealongwayfromAustin,alongwayfromanywhere,really.

Lightsappearedbehindher.Thehunters?Hardtotell,butthelightswere

cominguptoofast.TheShifternexttohertwistedintheseattolookbackat
them.“Hell—go!”

Theheadlightsgotlarger,farquickerthantheyshouldhave.Bree’sbreath

cametoofast,herbloodpumping.She’dbeenchasedbefore.Shehadn’tlikedit
then,andshedidn’tlikeitnow.

“Allright,allright.”Breeshovedherfootdownonthegas,thetruck

rushingforward.Thespeedometercreptpastsixty,seventy,eighty.

“Whoareyou?”sherepeatedovertheengine’snoise.“WhatShifterclanare

youwith,andwhyaren’tyouwearingaCollar?”

Themansaidnothing.Breeriskedturningherheadtofindherselfpinnedby

hisgoldenstare.

“WhydoyouknowsomuchaboutShifters?”hedemanded.

Breewavedherhandathermade-upfaceasshefocusedontheroadagain.

Hereyelinerhadstartedtorun,formingblacktears.“Hello?I’maShifter
groupie.WeknoweverythingaboutShifters.Theclans,thepridesandpacks,the
familytrees.Whatyoucandoandcan’tdo,whereyoulive,whoyourmatesare,
whattheCollarsdo.I’mnotasintoitassomeofmyfriendsbackhome—they
wouldknowexactlywhoyouwereandwhereyoucamefrom.Kindofcreepy,

right?”

Hekeptscrutinizingher,likeabigcattryingtodecidewhetherornotto

pounceonagazelle.“Myname’sSeamus.”

“NiceIrishname.YouIrish?”

“No.”

Hesnarledit.Breeletoutherbreath.“Allright.Noneedtobitemyhead

off.”

Morescrutinizing.Maybesheshouldn’thavementionedbiting—hewasthe

mostpredatoryShiftershe’devermet.Probablybecausehedidn’thaveaCollar.
Whydidn’the?What…

Theblacktruckinherrearviewputonasuddenburstofspeed.Thecrazy

drivershovedthetruckbetweenBreeandtheright-handsideoftheroad,onthe
verynarrowshoulder.Onewrongbump,andthey’dbothflip.

Apparently,thedriverdidn’tcare.Threeguysinthebedoftheothertruck

hadshotguns,andtheyliftedthemandpointedthematBreeandSeamus.

“Shit!”Breeyelled.Herinstinctwastoslamonthebrakesandlettheother

truckshootforward,butthetruckmighthither,andthey’dallbewhirlingacross
theroadtolikelydeath.

“PulloverandgiveustheShifter!”thedrivercalledthroughhisopen

window.

“Nowayinhell!”Breeshoutedback.Onlyonethingtodo.“Holdon,”she

toldSeamus.

Seamusmusthaveseensomethinginherexpression,becausehestopped

snarlingandclosedhishandsaroundtheseat.

Whatthehuntersdidn’tknowwasthatthistruckhadbelongedtoRemy

Fayette,Bree’sbrother,beforehismilitarystintintheMiddleEasthadendedhis
life.Amissilehadtakenoutthehelicopterheandhisteamhadbeenin,while
carryingoutarescuemission.ThearmyhadgivenRemyahero’sburial,and
theirmomaflagandalittlemoneyinthebankeverymonth.Breekeptthetruck
inhismemory.

BeforeRemyhadgivenuphiswildlifeforthedisciplineofthearmy,he’d

spenthistimemodifyingcarsandtrucksandracingthem—legallyandnotso
legally.Breesenthimasilentblessingassheflippedaswitchtodeploythe
nitrousoxideboost.

Thepickupshotforward,jerkingBreeandtheShifter.Thetruckfollowing

themdroppedinstantlybehind.Ninetymilesanhour,ahundred.Breehungonto
thesteeringwheelfordearlife.

Theheadlightsbehindthemswiftlygrewsmaller.Seamuswasclutchingthe

seatsohardhisfingerstoretheupholstery.

“Whoo—hoo!!”Breeyelled.“Eatthat,dirtbags!Thankyou,RemyFayette.

Iloveyou!”

Asusual,whenBreethoughtofherbrother,hereyesfilledwithinstanttears.

Notnow.Shehadtodrive,toseetheroad.

Shealsohadtogetthemtogroundsomewhere.Breecouldn’tkeepthis

speedwithoutattractingeveryhighwaypatrolinthecounty,butifsheslowed
down,theguyschasingSeamusmightfindthem.

Nothingforit.

“I’lltakeyoutoaShiftertown,”shesaid.“Whichoneareyoufrom?”

Seamus’sgazewasonheragain,unrelenting.“No.NoShiftertowns.Justput

enoughdistancebetweenusandthem.”Hehadahandonthedoorhandle,as
thoughcontemplatingwhenitwouldbesafetojumpout.Whatthehell?

Somethingbadwasgoingonhere.Atthesametime,SeamuswasaShifter,

andthoseguyschasinghimwerereadytoshoothim.He’dbesafeina
Shiftertown,wherehuntersdidn’tdarego—theyweren’tallowedtobother
CollaredShifters.ButifSeamusrefusedtogotoaShiftertown,thenwhere?

“Ihaveanidea,”Breesaid.“Iknowaplaceyoucanlielow.Notthebest

choice,butnoonewillthinkoflookingforyouthere.”

Seamusdidn’tanswer.Heglancedbehindthemagain,andhisbodyfinally

relaxed.Theheadlightsweregone.

Breeturnedofftheextrajuice.Thetruckslowedabruptly,rattlingand

bumping.Remyhadtaughtherhowtodrivearodthough,andBreemaneuvered
thetrucktohandlethesuddenchangeinspeed.Shetookthenextcorner,
headingoffintothedarknessofthebackroads.

“Where?”Seamusasked,hisvoiceharsh.

“You’llsee,”Breeanswered.“I’mjusttellingyounow,though—yougetto

explainwhyyouthrewawaymycellphonewhileIwastalkingtomymom.”

ChapterTwo

TheyoungwomantookSeamustoahousecomfortablyfarawayfromany

Shiftertown.Seamuswasn’tsureexactlywherehewas,buthecouldsensethat
noShifterswerenearby,norhadtheyeverbeenthere.

Thehorizonshowedasmudgeoflight—reflectedlightofacity—butthe

half-miledrivetheyoungwomanwithsmearedmakeupturnedupwasbathedin
darkness.

Thatisuntilshepulledthetrucktoastop.Instantly,floodlightsburstonto

surroundthetruck,theyoungwoman,awhitepaintedhouse,andawhite-fenced
flowergardeninharshyellowlight.

Thescreendoorofthehouse’sporchbangedopenandawomancradlinga

slimshotgunemerged.“Who’sthere?”

“It’sme,”theyoungerwomansaidinirritationassheslidfromthepickup’s

cab.“Whodoyouthink,inthistruck?Putthatawaybeforeyouhurtyourself.”

Theshotgun’sbarrelmovedtoSeamus.“Who’she?”

“AShifter,”theyoungwomancontinuedassheapproachedthehouse.“This

isSeamus.Heneedsaplacetocrash.Geez,Mom,wouldyouturnoffthelights?
It’slikeLasVegasouthere.”

Thewomanontheporchhadshort,veryblondhairthatstuckupinpoints,

andworeacolorful,flowinggarmentthatreachedherfeet.Shecompetentlyheld
thegun,theeyesoveritahardblue.Awomanwho’dseentoughtimes.Her
daughter’sshort,curlyhairwasagoldenwheatcolor,soitwaslikelythe
mother’sblondwasnotnatural.Motheranddaughtersharedthesameeyes,but
thedaughter’slookwassadratherthanhard.

Theyoungerwomanwasnicelyshaped,withcurvesoutlinedbyhershort

leatherskirtandawhitetopthatbaredplumpshouldersandamodestamountof
cleavage.Theyoungwomancarriedacat’searsheadbandandhadpainted
slantedpointstohereyesandwhiskersaroundhernoseandmouth.

Shiftergroupieslikedtodresslikethis,soSeamushadheard,thoughhe’d

notencounteredgroupiesmuchbeforetonight.Kendrick’sShiftershadtobe
carefulwhatbarstheywentto,andSeamushadalwaysbeentoobusywith
trackerdutiestogooutmuch.

Theyoungwomanwalkedconfidentlyuptotheporch,tooktheshotgunout

oftheolderwoman’shands,anduncockedit.

“Comeonin,Seamus,”shecalledbacktohim,hereyesmeetinghisina

sweepofblue.“Myname’sBree,bytheway,andthisismymom.Youcancall
herNadine,oryoucancallherMom.Whicheverismostcomfortableforyou.”

Bree’smotherscowled.“Noneofyourlip,Bree.Youshouldhavetoldme

youwerebringinghomeaguest.Iwouldhavefixedsomething.”

BreeignoredhertowaveSeamustofollow.“Noonechasingyouwithguns

here.Atleast,notanymore.”Shedisappearedinsidethroughthescreened
porch.

Seamushesitated.Hedidn’tbelievethatBreeorhermotherwereadanger,

atleastnonethathecouldimmediatelyperceive.Buthecouldbringthem
danger.Morethantheyunderstood.

Nadinecalledafterherdaughter.“Whydidyouhanguponmeoutthere?I

wastalkingtoyou.”

“Askhim,”Breesaidfromsomewhereinsidethehouse.

NadinesnappedaroundtoSeamusandgavehimanimpatientlook.“Are

youcomingin,orwhat?IfIleavethisdooropenanylonger,everybuginTexas
willgetinside.Anddamn,theyhavealotofbugsouthere.”

“Liketheydon’tinLouisiana?”Bree’svoicefloatedout.Shesaidthestate’s

namewithallthevowelsslurred,likeLooziana.

Nadinereachedonehandinsidethehouse.Thelightsdied,leavingonlya

smallglowoverthedoor.

Seamus’stensioneased—hepreferredtobeindarknessastheobserver,not

litupandobserved.Hemadehisdecision,quicklyskimmeduptheporchstairs
pastNadine,andenteredthehouse.

Nadinebangedthescreendoorshut.“’Bouttimeyoumadeupyourmind.

Bree,didyoupickupmycigarettes?”

Asoundofannoyanceandrunningwatercamefrombehindadoorundera

flightofstairs.“No,Ididnotgetyourcigarettes.Iwasbusy!”

“BusychasingShifters?”NadinelookedSeamusupanddown,herhandson

herhips.“Iseeyoucaughtone.Bree,youarenothavingsexwithhiminyour
bedroom.Youhearme?”Nadinebrokeoff.“What’shedoing?”

Seamuswasmovingthroughthehouse,checkingeverything.Apainfully

neatlivingroomranfromfrontdoortoback,analcovewithadiningtablelay
behindthestaircase,andadoorinthediningarea’swallopenedtoaverylarge
kitchen.

Anotherdoorinthekitchenledtothebackyard.Seamuscrossedthekitchen

andopenedthedoortofindallquietoutside,exceptforastripedcatwhocame
patteringupthebackporch’stwostepstoSeamusassoonasheemerged.

Thecatfollowedhiminside,twiningaroundhislegsashewalkedthrough

thekitchentothelivingroomagain.CatslikedFelineShifters,andSeamusin
particular.

SeamuswalkedpastNadineandstartedupthestairsasBreeemergedfrom

theground-floorbathroom,wipingherdrippingface.

NadinecalledafterSeamus.“WhatdidIjustsay?NoShiftersinthe

bedrooms.”

“Leavehimalone,”Breesaid.“He’swalkinghisbounds.”

Seamusallowedhimselftofeelatouchofamusement.Hewasangry,scared

shitless,andinpain,butthisgirl,Bree,was…interesting.

Therewasmoretoherthanmettheeye,thatwascertain.Whenhe’djumped

intohertruck,Breehadbeenterrified,butshe’dquicklyralliedintoangerand
thenresourcefulness.She’dunderstoodthedangertheShifterhuntersposed,and
shecouldthinkonherfeet.

UpstairsSeamusfoundtwobedroomsandabathroom,eachasneatasthe

roomsdownstairs.Thefurniturewascomfortable,notshowy,butcleanandtidy,
thehardwoodfloorspolished.

Asquareofceilingonthelandinglikelyledtoanatticabove.Seamuswas

tallenoughtoreachupandpushthesquareasidetorevealadarkhole.No
ladderwasinsight,soSeamusleapt,caughttheedgesoftheopening,and
hoistedhimselfupandinside.Thecatsatdownonthelandingandmeowed.

Theattic,unliketherestofthehousewasdusty,dark,unused.Seamuscould

seewellenoughinthedimlight,evenwithoutshiftingtohiswildcat,todiscover
whatwasupthere.

Notmuch.Boxessmellingmusty,pipesfortherestofthehouse,debristhat

lookedasthoughithadbeenleftoverfromthehouse’slastremodeling.

Seamusdidn’tliketheslightlyacridsmell,sodifferentfromthecleanhouse

downstairs.Hewonderedwhythetwowomenhadn’tcomeuphereandthrown

awayallthisjunk.

Nomenwereinthehouse.Breeandhermotherlivedalone,andoneofthem

smoked—alot.Seamuswonderedwhyhumanslovedinhalingtoxicchemicals.
Hecouldseethebandsofpoisonslidingintothemandnotcomingout.

Heslidbackdownthroughthehole,landingonhisbootedfeet.Breeandher

motherhadjoinedthecat,threestaresonSeamusashestraightenedupand
dustedoffhishandsonhisjeans.

Bree’seyes,nowfreeofgroupiemakeup,wereundisguised,soft,andblue.

Shelookedhimover,takinginthestreaksofdirtonhisarms,whichhidthe
now-driedblood,hishair,whichmustbeamess,hisfacethathadtobeasfilthy
astherestofhim.Hisclotheskeptherfromseeinghowhurthewas,whichhe
wouldshutupaboutuntilhedecidedwhattodo.

Breemovedherscrutinyfromhimtotheattic.“What’supthere?Ihaven’t

hadthechancetolook.”

“Oldstuff,”Seamussaid.“Youshouldhaveaclearout.”

“Ghosts,”Nadineputindecidedly.Shehadacigaretteinhermouth,a

lighterclicking.“Theplaceishaunted.Youcanhearthembangingaroundup
thereatnight.Thishousebelongedtomyuncle.Whenhedied,wegotanice
yard,apaid-forhouse,andghosts.”

Breerolledhereyes.“It’snothaunted.Birdsgetinthroughthevents.”

“Well,there’ssomethingupthere.Whatdidyousee,Shifter?”

“Noghosts,”Seamussaid.“Notatthemoment.We’realone.”

Breeandhermotherexchangedaglance.Theywereuncomfortable,

uncertainofhim,thoughnotcompletelyafraid.

Whoeverhe’dbeenfightinginthedarktonighthadbeensoafraidof

Seamustheterrorhadrolledoverhiminwaves.Ragehadflowedoverhimas
well—orhadthatbeenhisown?Thefearaswell?Therememberedfeelofterror
andangerstartedtobringhisdarknessback,thelackofair,theblurringofhis
brain.

Seamuswassuddenlyexhausted,thepainmakinghimweak.Heneededto

sleep,toheal—hedidn’tknowifhecouldtrustthesetwotoguardhimwhenhe
did.Oreveniftheycould.

Nadinetookover.“Well,wearemarchingbackdownstairs.Andyou,young

man,aregoingtotelluswhyyoumadeBreebringyouhere.”

“Hedidn’t…”Breeflippedherhandsinagestureofsurrender.“Never

mind.Ineedcoffee.AndIwanttohearwhythoseguyswerechasingyoutoo.
Downstairs.Go.”

Seamusdidnotobey,butBreebrushedpasthim,fillinghimwithascentlike

violets.Heturnedhisheadtowatchhergodown,noticingthewayherhips
swayedundertheleatherskirt.

Whenheturnedback,hefoundNadinerightunderhisnose.Sheblewout

cigarettesmoke,makinghiseyesscrewup.Seamusheldbackacough.

“Ihavemyeyeonyou,”Nadinesaidseverely.“Yougoeasyonmygirl.

She’sgrieving.Ifyouhurtherinanyway,I’llshootyouthroughtheheart.”

“Mom!”Theexasperatedwordcameupthestairs.“Leavehimalone.”

TheendofthecigaretteglowedasNadinetookanotherpull.“You

understandme?”

Seamuswastoofatiguedtoargue,sohegaveheranod,turnedaway,and

wentdownstairsafterBree.Nadinefollowedhim.Closely.Hercloudofsmoke
engulfedhim.

SeamuscheckedthegroundflooragainasBreeclankedthingsinthe

kitchen.Theshotgunwasnowhereinsight—Breemusthavesecuredit.She’d
knownhowtocarryitsafely,respectfully.Seamushatedguns,asmostShifters
did,andhewasgladthatatleastBreewasn’tcarelesswithit.

Thefrontdoorwasthemostdefensible—anintruderwouldhavetonavigate

theporch’sscreendoor,theporchitself,andthemaindoorinordertoenter.
PlentyoftimeforSeamustohearthemcoming,togetthefemalestosafety,to
counterattack.

Thefloodlightshadamotionsensor,Seamusdiscoveredwhenheandthecat

walkedoutsidetocheckthetruckandscanthegrounds.Anyoneapproaching
wouldbeinstantlyseen.

Allwasquiet.Alineofhousesbegantothewestaboutamileaway,

separatedfromthishousebyanemptyfield.Theotherthreedirectionsalsoheld
emptyfields—onehadwhatlookedlikealarge,uprightsigninthemiddle.Trees
denselylinedthefarsideofthefieldtothenorth,showingthepresenceofwater,
mostlikelyacreek,oneofthemyriadofwaterwaysinthisarea.

Seamuswalkedaroundthehousetotheback,wonderingwhatthehelltodo.

Heneededtomakesurehispeopleweresafe,buthecouldn’triskleading
anyonetothemrightnow.Hewastooweaktofight,wouldbetooslowtoget

themtoanotherplace.Andhewasrunningoutofsafehouses.Atsomepoint
tonight,he’dsimplyfallover,andheneededtosecurehimselfbeforethen.

Whototrust?CouldhetrustanyonewhilewaitingforKendrick’ssignal?He

couldn’triskrevealingthewronginformationtothewrongpeople.

ThenameDylanMorrisseywastalkedabout,butDylanwasaCollared

Shifter,highinpower.TheMorrisseyscapturedrogueShifters,he’dheard,
broughtthemin,putCollarsonthem,triedtotamethemiftheywereferal.
Killedthemiftheycouldn’tbetamed.No,theMorrisseyswerenotanoption,
especiallywhenSeamusfearedhemightbegoingferalhimself.

IfhecouldgetwordtoKendrick…SeamuswasoneofKendrick’strackers

—afighter,guard,scout,andspy.

Hehadresponsibilities,protocoltofollownowthatthey’dhadtogoto

ground.Keephisheaddown,protectthosehewasassignedtoprotect,staysane
andfree,regroup.Standingprocedure.

Atallothertimes,standingprocedureworkedwell.Thistime…

Seamusswallowedanothergruntofpainandlethimselfinthekitchendoor.

Thisentrancewasthemostvulnerable,withnoscreenandonlyasmallporch
withstepsleadingtoit.Ifhebatteredthestairsaway,hedecided,anenemy
wouldhavetojumporclimbtogettothedoor,givingSeamussomeadvantage.

BreeandNadinelookedupfromwhereBreewassettingcoffeeonthetable.

Somanywindowsinthisroom,intheentirehouse.Toomanyplacesashot
couldcomethroughandinjurethosewithin.Bunkersweremuchsafer.

NotthatthebunkerSeamushadbeenlivinginuntilrecentlyhadn’tbeen

breachedbyaKodiakshe-bear,ahumansoldier,andacrazywolfShifter.
Hence,Seamuswasontherun,cutofffromhisclanandleader,tryingtoguard
thoseinhiscareandnotgoinsaneatthesametime.

Thecoffeesmelledgood.ThebeveragewasahumanaffectationSeamus

hadtakenupwithpleasure.Hedroppedintoachair,grabbedthecup,andpoured
thesteamingbrewdownhisthroat.

BreeandNadinewatchedhiminalarm.Nadinewasstubbingouther

cigarette,thesmokethankfullydissipating.

BreesatdownacrossthetablefromSeamusandliftedhercuptoherlips.

Blueeyesfleckedwithgreenregardedhimwithinterest.SeamuswatchedBree’s
redmouthtouchthecoffeecup,narrowtoapuckerasshesipped,andthenher
tonguecomeoutasshelickedawayalingeringdrop.

Despitehispain,Seamuswenttight.Ithadbeenalongtime,thiswoman

hadrescuedhim,whethershe’dmeanttoornot,andhisprogressingmadness
heightenedallfrenzy—matingaswellaskilling.

Thepainwasn’tdampeninghissuddenneedeither.Seamusdrainedhiscup,

thumpeditbacktothetable,andcouldn’tstopasoundofdiscomfort.Heneeded
tocrawlawayandsleep,heal.

“Areyouhurt?”Breewasupandathisside,hereyesfilledwithconcern.

“I’mShifter,”Seamussaidthroughhisteeth.“Imendfast.”

“Letmesee.”Bree’stopslid,lettinghimglimpseapillowofbreastasshe

bentoverhim.Wispsofhershorthairbrushedhischeekasherhandwent
unerringlytotheplaceSeamushurtmost.

Hecouldn’tstophisgasp.Fightersandtrackerscouldn’tshowweakness,

eventothefemalesofthepack.Theyhadonejobtodo,andthey’dgodown
doingit.

BreemanagedtopeelSeamus’sblackshirtuptoexposethedriedbloodand

bruisingonhisribs.“Shit,”sheexclaimed,hereyeswidening.“Youdidn’t
mentionyou’dbeenshot.”

ChapterThree

Bree’sfingerswentcoldasshestudiedthesmallholesinSeamus’sskin,the

blackenedblood,thepurple-blackofthebruises.Thewayhe’dmovedgetting
intohertruck,thewayhe’dwanderedrestlesslyinandaroundherhousehad
betrayednopainordiscomfort.NotuntilSeamushadstartedtorelaxhadhe
showedanyhurt.

Seamus’shandcurledtoafistasBreepriedtheshirtaway,butotherthan

that,hebreathedwithoutahitch,andtherestofhisskinwassmoothandwhole,
ifalittlepalefromthewound.

Theabstheshirthadclungtowerehardandwell-formed,anarrowofdark

hairpointingtohisbeltbuckle.Hewasabigman,asmostShiftermaleswere,
buthewasmorelithe,likeagymnastoracrobat.Oldscarsandonemottled
chunkofskingonefromhisrightsideinalong-agoinjurytoldBreehewasa
fighter.Asoldier,likeRemy.

Asoldierwho’ddefinitelytakenabullettonight,ortwo,orthree.

Bree’smomwasup,cigarettesabandoned.ShebentoverSeamus,gavethe

woundaglance,andrushedoutofthekitchen,hermuumuufluttering.

“Howlongago?”Breeasked.

Seamuswasregardingherinquietsurprise.He’dprobablythoughtshe’d

turngreenandpassoutatthesightofhisblood.“RightbeforeIfoundyouand
yourtruck.”

ItwasBree’sturntobesurprised.“Seriously?Thislooksdaysold—but

wait,you’reShifter.Youhealdifferentlythanwedo.”

“Faster,”Seamussaid.“Notmuchdifferent.Healingishealing.”Hewinced.

“Itstillfuckinghurts.”

“Ibet.”Breetouchedhisskinasclosetothewoundasshedared.“Mom’s

gettingherfix-upkit.We’llgetyoutakencareof.”

SheheardNadineclatterdownthestairs,andinamoment,hermotherwas

back,settingthebigtackleboxthatwastheirfirst-aidkitonthetable.

“Howmanybullets?”NadineaskedSeamus.

“Three.”Seamus’svoicewasgettingweaker.“Andafewscattersofshot.”

Helookedprettygoodforsomeonewho’dtakenthreebulletsandsome

pellet.Breekeptstrokinghissidebelowthewound,likingthewarm,tautfeelof
hisskin.

“Getyourshirtallthewayoff,”Nadineordered.

Seamusobeyedwithoutquestion,hissupplearmsmovingquicklyashe

bunchedtheshirtinhishandsandpulleditoverhishead.Amanusedtobeing
givencommands,butknowingwhichcommandswerewisetofollow.Asoldier,
asBreehadsurmised.

Seamusballedtheshirt,asthoughhedidn’twanttodropitonthefloor.“I

don’thaveanythingtoknockyououtwith,”Nadinewassaying.“Unlessyou
wanttogetroaringdrunk.”

“No,”Seamussaidtightly.

Nadinelaidouttweezers,alcohol,ascalpel,andbandages.“BreeandIare

goingtotakeoutthebullets.Shiftersmighthealfast,butyoucan’tdoitwith
slugslodgedinyou.You’reluckythey’reshallow,justbytheribs.Don’tworry,
Iwasanursewaybackwhen,andI’vetaughtBreeeverythingIknow.Camein
handy,livingoutinthemiddleofnowherelikeweusedto.Mysonmanagedto
gethimselfpepperedwithshotmorethanonceinhiswilderdays,andmedical
helpwashoursaway.Easiertopatchhimupandthendrivehimtothehospital.”

Remyhadsureyelled,Breerememberedwitharushoffondness,but

concededitwashisownstupidfault—he’dtrespassonlandsofcrazypeopleor
walkinfrontofahunternotoriousforshootinganythingthatmoved.

TearsmoistenedBree’seyes.Remyhadbeengoodatdodgingandducking,

managingtoavoidtheworstofit.Buthehadn’tbeenabletododgewhenthe
missilehadcomeforthehelicopter,explodingitinthemiddleofthesky.

Ahandonhersclearedthefoginhermind.Breeblinked,findingSeamus’s

large,warmfingerswrappingthebackofherhand.Hesentheralook,notof
sympathy,butunderstanding,hiseyesquiet.

NadinestuckhertweezersintoSeamus’sside.HeclampeddownonBree’s

hand,thenrealizedandtriedtoletgo.Breefirmedhergripbeforehecouldpull
away,holdingontohim.

Clink.Onebullethitthetray.Clink.Another.

Seamus’sgoldengazefixedonBree,asthoughfocusingonhereasedthe

pain.

Clink.

“Nowholdstill,”Nadinesaidasshepickedoutthetinypellets.“Ifyouwere

myboy,I’dgiveyoustitches,butyou’reoneofthoseShifters,andwhoknows
whatwouldhappenifIstuckabunchofthreadinyou?I’lljustbandageyouup,
butyou’llneedtostayquiet.Norunningaroundforawhile.”

SeamusmovedwithFelinerestlessness,buthedrewabreathand

deliberatelycalmedhimselfasNadinedabbedhimwithdisinfectant.Healso
didn’tletgoofBree’shand.

“Thoseguyschasingusdidthis,right?”Breeaskedhim.“Whywerethey

shootingatyou?”

“They’reShifterhunters.”SeamusgruntedasNadinepulledathiswound.

“Whichmeansthey’llbecoming.”

“Thishouseisfairlyisolated,”Breesaid.“That’swhyIbroughtyouhere—

they’llneverthinktolookoutthisway.”

Seamus’seyeswerefilledwithcertainty.“I’manun-CollaredShifter.Fair

game.They’lllook.”

Breesupposedaveryresourcefulhunterwouldhavetakendownthemake

andmodelofhertruck,maybememorizedherlicenseplateandhaveawayto
lookitupatthedepartmentofmotorvehicles.She’dalreadyobtainedTexas
platesforhertruck,whichwouldhelpwithanonymity.Therehadtobeseveral
millionpickupswithTexasplatesinthisstate.Orthehuntershadgottenlucky
andfoundthecellphoneSeamushadtossedoutintothedarkness.

However,BreeunderstoodfromotherShiftersthatShifterhuntersweren’t

verybright.TheywereallowedtogoafterferalShiftersandtherareShifter
withoutaCollar,butCollaredShifterswhofollowedtheruleswereofflimits.
Hunters,intruth,wouldtakeashotatanyShifter,andclaimlaterthatthey
hadn’tseentheCollar.

SeamusflinchedagainasNadinepulledabandagetightlyaroundhistorso.

“You’vedonethisalot,”hesaidtoher.

Nadinereturnedthethingstoherboxandcarriedthetweezersandanything

bloodytothesink.She’dwashthemthenboilthemandwipethemwithalcohol.
“You’dbeamazedhowmanyidiotswithgunsgetthemselvesshot.Includingmy
ownson,Godblesshim.”

Bree’semotionssurgedagain,whichshehidbyquicklylookingaway.

“Ifyou’reaShifter,”NadinesaidtoSeamusfromthesink.“Whydon’tyou

haveoneofthoseCollars?”

“Mom.”Breeraisedherheadtoglarehermothertosilence.“Iwastrying

nottomentionit.”

“Well,weneedtoknow.”Nadinekeptherattentionhertask.“Ithoughtthey

allhadtoweartheCollarstokeepthemfromturningintowildbeastsor
something.”

Seamushadgoneverystill,andhiseyes…changed.Onemomentthey

lookedashumanasRemy’s,thenextthey’dflickedtothetawny,slit-pupilled
eyesofacat.Awildcat,holdinghimselfquietuntilhedecidedtostrike.

“Iwon’thurtyou,”Seamussaid.

“Damnrightyouwon’t.”Nadinedriedherhandsandextractedanother

cigarette.“Ijustpatchedyouup.Itwouldbeverybadmanners.”

SeamusstillhadholdofBree’shand.Hisfingerstightenedonhers,as

thoughheworriedshe’dpullawayandrun.

Breewasn’tsurewhatshewantedtodo.Ontheonehand,noCollarmeant

noshockdevicestocontrolSeamusifhewentcrazyviolentandstartedtotear
uptheplace.CollarsweresupposedtokeepShiftersfromrevertingtotheirwild
ways.AShifterwho’dneverwornaCollar…

She’dneverseenaShifterwithoutone.MostShiftershadbeenCollared

twentyandmoreyearsago—thosewhohadn’twererumoredtobedeadand
gone.ButthereSeamussat,hisneckclearandfreeofanychain.

Ontheotherhand,SeamushadjumpedintoherpickupandforcedBreeto

drivehimaway.He’dessentiallyabductedher.

Onthethirdhand,hehadn’thurther,andheobviouslyneededhelp.Seamus

heldontoBreenotsomuchtokeepherfromrunning,butasthoughholdingher
soothedhim.She’dheardthatthetouchofamatecouldhealaShifter.

Onthefourthhand—Breehadnoideawhattothink.Whatthehell?Ifshe’d

beenbackinLouisiana,she’dhavecalledsomeoneinaShiftertown—she’d
madeenoughfriendstogetholdofone—andaskedthemwhattodoabouta
ShifterwithoutaCollarsittinginherkitchen.

Breehadn’thadachancetomeetanyShiftershere,whichwaswhyshe’d

goneouttonight.Here,shehadnocontacts,nofriends,nothing.Theemptiness
ofthatkickedherinthegut.

Seamusbrokethesilence.“I’veneverhadaCollar.Iwasseparatedfrommy

clanwhenIwasveryyoung—theyweretaken,andIescaped.”

Nadineopenedhermouth,smokecurlingoutofit,toaskmorequestions,

butBreeshookherheadtheslightestbit,andhermothersubsided.

Seamus’smatter-of-factstatements,whichclearlyhidmuchmore,spoketo

her.Seamuswasalone,hisfamilygone.Hewashurt,down,scared,thougha
manlikehimwouldrefusetoshowit.

Breeknewaboutthatloneliness,whenyou’dlostwhatyoulovedand

wantedtocurlupandhideuntilyoustoppedhurting.Itneverwentaway,that
hurting.

“Youcanstayheretonight,”Breesaidquietly.“Momwillmakeupabedfor

youonthecouch.Wewon’tsayanythingtoanyone,allright?Itwouldn’tbe
hospitable.You’rehurt,andyouneededourhelp.Inthemorning,ifyoustill
thinkyouneedtogo,yougo.Youwereneverhere.”

Nadineranwaterfromthesinkandsetapotonthestove.“It’skindofan

unwrittenruleintheFayettefamily.Ifyou’reunderourroof,wetakecareof
you,evenifyou’reafugitive.”

SeamuscaughtBree’sgazewithhisShifterone,andBreecouldn’tlook

away.Hisgoldeneyesboreflecksofgreen,theirisesringedwithdeepergold.

Thenhiseyeschangedtohumanagain,andSeamusgaveBreeanod.“Iam

grateful.”

Breeletoutabreathshehadn’trealizedshe’dbeenholding.Seamusdidn’t

loosenhisgrip,andhedidn’tlookaway.

“Good.”Nadineclatteredherinstrumentsintothepot.“Bree,getoutsome

cleansheets.”

***

Seamuslayonthecouchinthedark,asheetpulledupoverhisjeanstohis

bandagedchest.Hewaswideawake,staringatthelivingroomceiling.Hisbare
feetstuckoutovertheendofthesofa,hisframetoolongforhimtostretchout.

Breehadtakenhisruinedshirtaway,dartingintoalaundryroomoffthe

kitchentotossitintothewashingmachine.ThebandagearoundSeamus’storso
itched,butitwasahellofalotbetterthanthehotbulletsinhisside.

Heowedthesepeoplehislife.Breehadgottenhimawayfromthehuntersin

thenickoftime—givinghimacrazy,wildride.Nadinehadcompetently

removedthebullets,whichwouldallowSeamustohealcleanly.HisShifter
metabolismmighthaveclosedflesharoundtheshots,buttheycouldhave
festered.Shiftersweretoughtokill,butinfectionhappened.

Directlyabovehim,separatedfromhimbytheceiling,Breelayinherbed.

Seamussensedherwithhisentirebeing,imaginedherbreathingquietly,covers
overherbody.Hergoldenhairwouldberumpledonherpillow,herhandcurled
underonecheek.

Hisheartbeatfaster,butSeamustriedtosuppressthevision.Hedidn’thave

timeforanamorousencounterrightnow,didn’tmatterthatthesimpleactof
holdingBree’shandhadbotharousedhimandeasedhispain.

Breewasnotforhim.Seamushadbiggerthingstoworryaboutthan

cuddlingupwithawoman,nomatterhowenticingshewas.

Hesmiledinthedarkness.Breewasn’tameek,weakcreature.She’dmake

someoneagoodmate.

Seamussawthedeepsorrowinher.Thebrother,Remy,Breespokeof,who

wasveryobviouslynothere,wasdead.SeamusrecognizedthegriefinBree’s
eyesandthatofthemother.Photosinthelivingroomshowedayoungmanina
uniform.ProbablyRemyhadbeenkilledinoneoftheendlesswarshumans
wagedwithoneanother.Ineverydecadetherewasone,thenewwarusually
segueingfromthepreviousone.

NotthatShifterscouldn’tfightbloodybattleswhentheyhadto.Thetime

wascoming,Seamusknew,whensuchathingwouldhavetohappenagain.

Farabovehim,Seamusheardasoftthumpandarustle.Hewasalreadywide

awake,buthisShifterselfwokeupfurther.

Thesoundhadn’tcomefromBree’sbedroom,orNadine’s.Itcamefrom

higher,atthetopofthehouse—theattic.

Quietly,Seamuspushedbackthesheetandrosetohisfeet.Therustlecame

again,asthoughsomeonehadgoneuptolookthroughtheboxesofjunkleft
above.

Insilence,heflowedupthestairs,alreadyknowingwhichstepscreakedand

howtoavoidthem.Hewouldn’tbeabletoavoidmakingnoisepullingopenthe
atticdoor,though,soifhecouldn’tbestealthy,he’dsimplyhavetobequick.

Seamuscroucheddownonhisheels,andinonemovement,sprangthe

distancebetweenfloorandceiling,shovingthedooroutofhiswayashewent.
Hecaughttheframearoundtheatticdoorandswunghimselfupward,half

scrambling,halfleapingintotheattic.Hisfeetfoundbeamsonwhichtoland,
hisvisionchangingtohislion’sashelookedaroundthepitch-darkspace.

Acrosstheatticwasawaveringlight,whichbrightenedintooneclearbeam

asSeamuslookedatit.Inthatlighthesawthatboxeshadbeenupended,books
andpapersstrewnabout.

Thenthelightwinkedabruptlyout,bathingtheroomindarkness.Afew

papersflutteredtothefloor.

“Shit!”cameBree’swhisperedvoice.Seamuslookeddown,findingher

directlybeneaththeattic’strapdoor.Bree’seyeswerewide,hercheeklinedwith
creasesfromherpillow.“Pleasedon’ttellmemymom’sright,andtherereallyis
aghost.”

ChapterFour

Seamusslidbackthroughtheopening,bracinghimselfonthetrapdoor’s

framebeforelettinggo.Helandedonthefloorbelow,rightnexttoBree,who
didn’tmoveaninch.

Sheworeathinshirtthatreachedtoherknees,opaqueenoughthatSeamus

couldseetheshapeofherlimbsbeneathit.Shesmelledofwarmthandsleep.

Seamusdidn’ttouchher—itwasenoughfornowtobebesideher,breathing

herscent.“Idon’tknowwhatitwas,”hesaid,keepinghisvoicequiet.“The
lightshortingout,maybe.”Hedidn’ttrulybelievethat,andhewaspuzzledbyit.
Hehadn’tsenseddanger,exactly,butitwasodd.

Breeglancedatthedarkspaceabovethem.“Well,closeitup,willyou?It

givesmethecreeps.”BeforeSeamuscouldmovetoputthedoorbackinplace,
Breetookastepclosertohim.

“Areyouallright?”sheaskedinasoftvoice.“Youshouldbekeepingstill.”

ShetouchedSeamus’sside,wherethebulletshadbeen.

Thesorenessthere,whichhadbeenbuggingSeamusashetriedtosleep,

easedabit.Bree’sfingersweresmall,herfingertipssmooth.

Shekepthergazeonhissideasshetracedthebandageoverthenow-closing

holes,ranherfingersalongribsthathadbeenblackwithbruises.Thebruises
wereagreenyyellow,andtheirsorenessfadedasBreetouchedthem.

Seamusliftedhishandandcuppedherface.Breestarted,thenleanedinto

histouch,hercheeksflushing,eyessweepingdownward.Herplumpfeatures
weresmallagainsthispalm.Seamusranhisthumbacrosshercheekbone,liking
thesoftnessofherskin.

Breetookalongbreathandletitout,thebrushofitsendingawaveof

pleasureallthewaydownhisbody.Seamusmovedhisthumboverher
cheekboneagain,morefirmlythistimeashelearnedthefeelofher.

Hereyesweresoft,theblueofthemalmostblackinthedarkness.Seamus

slidhisfingertipsacrossherbrows,brushingoverherlashesashecamebackto
hercheek.

Bree’sthroatmoved.Shetouchedhissideagain,nearthewounds,thenran

herfingersaroundthelinesofhispectoralsanduptohisshoulders.

Theleisurelytouchhadhimburningmorethanifshe’djumpedonhimand

bornehimtothefloor.Notthathe’dmindifshedidthat.Seamuswouldcradle
heragainsthim,soothehereagernesswithslowkisses...

Herfingersmovedacrosshisshoulders,Bree’sgazeonthehollowofhis

throat,whereaCollarwassupposedtorest.Sheleanedforwardtheslightestbit
andtouchedhertonguetohisskinthere.

Seamusstarted,hisbloodigniting.Herhairbrushedhisnose,theviolets

smellcomingtohimagain.Wantinggreaterthanhe’deverfeltrushedthrough
him.Seamushadbeenholdinghimselfsotightlyforsolong,thatlooseningwas
goingtokillhim.

Heclosedhiseyes,inhaledthegoodnessofBree,andpressedakisstoher

hair.

Ineedthiswoman.Ineedhertoholdme,tohelpcalmthisthingraging

insideme.Ineedhertohealme,tomakemewholeagain...

TherewasasuddenclatterfromNadine’sroom,andsheyankedopenher

door,notsixfeetfromSeamus.

Breewrenchedherselfawayfromhim,herfaceflaming.Theshockofher

vanishingwarmthjerkedagrowlfromSeamus’sthroat.Timehadslowed,
thickening,ashe’dtouchedher.Nowitrolledforwardwithakick.

“Iheardit,”Nadinesaid.Shestruggledtotiearobearoundhersubstantial

form.“WhatdidItellyou?Seamus,helpmegetupthere.Iwantalook.”

***

Seamusatfirstrefused.Toodangerous,hesaid.Breeprivatelyagreedwith

him,buthermotherwouldn’ttakenoforananswer.NowBreewaited,heart
beatingrapidly,asSeamusmaneuveredtheladderhe’dbroughtfromthegarage
underthehole.

Breewasonfirefromhistouch,herfingerstinglingwiththeneedtoreach

forhim,totastehimagain.Hisskinhadbeenvibrantunderhertongue,smooth,
withabiteofsalt.She’dneversensedthevitality,thealiveness,forwantofa
betterword,inanyotherShifterthatshesensedinSeamus.

Maybebecausehedidn’thaveaCollar?Didn’thavetocurbhimselftoavoid

painasotherShiftersdid?Orwasitsomethingabouthim,Seamushimself?

AllBreeknewwasthatifhe’dledherbackinsideherbedroom,slidoffher

shirt,andmadeswiftlovetoheronherbed,shewouldn’thavestoppedhim.

Wouldhaveencouragedhimalltheway.Stillmight.

Nadinesnappedonthelightsintheatticfromtheswitchinthehall.Seamus

hadsuggesteditwasthelightshortingoutuptherethathadcausedthe
flickering,butnope.Thelightcameon,beamingasmallcircledownatthem.

Seamusstartedclimbingtheladder,whichlookedrickety,thoughNadine

claimeditwasperfectlygood.AsfirmlyasSeamushelditfromabove,Bree
frombelow,itrockedaroundasNadinescrambledup.

“Getuphere,Bree,”NadinecalleddownonceSeamushadhelpedherinto

theattic.“Comeandsee.Don’tworry;you’llbefine.”

SeamusgaveBreeareassuringnod.Breerolledhereyesandputherfooton

thefirstrung.

Theladdershook,swayed,creaked,assheascended.Breedidn’tmuchlike

ladders,havingfallenoffoneandbrokenheranklewhenshewassix.Theankle
inquestiongaveathrob,questioninghersanity.

Breeheldherbreath,clungtotheladder,andmadeittothetop.Seamus

caughtherhandsandsteadiedherasshesteppedfromtheladderontothebeams
oftheattic.

Therewasplentyofroomtostandup,Breefoundasshestraightened,the

roofpeakinghighabovethem.Thecloselyspacedfloorbeamswerethesturdiest
thingstostandon,thoughboardshadbeenlaidbetweenthem.

Keepingherfeetonthebeams,Breecarefullymadeherwaytowhereher

motherwaspickinguppapersfrombesideabox.“Thisiswhathewaslooking
at,”Nadinesaid.“Thisiswhatfell.”

ShethrustthepapersatBree.Breefoundherselflookingatacopyof

Remy’sordersfromthearmyandhispaperworkfromafterhe’dbeenkilled.The
boxheldafewbooksandthingshe’dsavedfromhighschool—hisyearbook,a
boutonnierehisgirlfriendhadgivenhimathislastHomecomingdance,racing
carpostersthathadhunginhisroom,completewithbuxomfemalesdrapedover
saidcars.

“ItwasRemy,”Nadinesaid,beaming.“Hewaslookingforsomething.

Thesearehisthings.”

“YoustuffedRemy’sthingsuphereintheattic?”Breelookedathermother

insurprise.AfterRemy’sdeath,NadineandBreehadbeenverycarefulwith
anythinghe’devertouched.Whenthey’dmovedintothistwo-bedroomhouse,
Nadinehadfittedouttheclosetbetweenthebedroomswithshelvesandneatly

placedthethingsthey’dkeptinit—photos,T-shirts,letters,Remy’suniforms,
trinketsthathadbeenspecialtohim.Paperworkwasinastrongbox.

“No,Ididn’t,”Nadinesaid,scowling.“DoyouthinkIwould?Don’tyou

see?Hemusthavebroughtthemhere.”

“Mom.”Breefoldedherarms.ShewasstillswayingfromSeamustouching

herwiththegentlesthands.She’dnotbeenabletoresisttouchinghiminreturn
—hisside,thenhischest,feelingsolidmuscledustedwithgoldenhair,hisheart
beatingbeneathhisbones.

HermotherinsistingthatRemy’sghostwasuphere,comebacktoseethem

forwhateverreason,wasn’thelpingBreeregainherequilibrium.Thefactthat
Seamuswaitedquietlyassheandhermotherplayedoutthedrama,silentand
uprightlikeasentinel,didn’thelpeither.

“Itwasn’tRemy,”Breesaidinahardvoice.“He’sgone.”

Nadinewasunfazed.“Whowasitthen?OfcourseRemywouldwanthis

things.”

Breestartedtoanswerthenbrokeoff.Sheknewhermotherwasstill

grieving,asBreewas.NotlongafterRemy’sdeath,Nadinehadgonetoa
psychicneartheirlittletowninLouisiana,awomanwho’dtakenhermoneyto
letherreceivemessagesfromRemyontheotherside.

WhenBree—andthepolice—hadprovedthewomanafraud,Nadinehadn’t

beenangrywiththepsychic.TalkingtoRemyhadcomfortedher,she’dsaid.
Justbecausethatpsychichadbeenbogusdidn’tmeanthesupernaturaldidn’t
exist.Andanyway,didn’tBreehaveathingforpeoplewhocouldturninto
animals?

Breehadconcededthepoint,butevenso,triedtodiscourageherfrom

believingRemywastryingtocommunicatewiththem.Shewonderedifher
momhadputthesethingsuphere,tobuildthefictionthatRemywaslookingout
forthem.Perhapsshe’d“prove”itandfeelbetter.

ButRemywasgone,asmuchasBreehatedtokeepsayingit.Theyneeded

tolearntoacceptit,andmoveon.Maybethenthepainwouldlessen—though
Breedoubtedit.

Seamuscameoutofhissilentstanceandmovedtowardtheboxes,looking

likeafertilitygodofoldwithhiswell-muscled,baretorso,evenwiththe
bandages.Nadinestarted,asthoughshe’dforgottenhewaswiththem.

“Doyouwantmetotakethethingsdownstairs?”Seamusoffered.Hisvoice

wasquiet,understanding.

Nadineblinked,hereyeswet.Thenshefrownedandputonherusualno-

nonsenseexpression,whichshedidwhensheneededtopullherselfbacktothe
present.“Youcan’tbeliftingboxesafteryou’vebeenshot.”Shelookedhimup
anddown.“Thoughyouseemalotbetter.IguessShiftersreallydohealfast.”
Sheshookherhead.“No.Let’sstraightenupbutleaveeverythinghere.I’msure
Remyputithereforareason.Ifhecomesback,maybehe’lltellmewhy.”

BreeexchangedaglancewithSeamus,whogavehertheslightestshakeof

head.Itwasaninterestingday—ornight—whenawildShifterwithoutaCollar
who’dkidnappedBreeandwasnowhidingoutwithhermademoresensethan
Bree’smessed-uplife.

“Wecanstraightenitouttomorrow,Mom,”Breesaid,tryingtosound

soothing.“I’llmakesometea,andthenwe’llgobacktobed.”

Seamushadalreadystartedliftingthestrewnpapersandbooksandsetting

themneatlybackintotheboxes.Nadinemustbetired,becauseshelethim.

“Goodidea,”Nadinesaid,soundingweary.“Aniceherbaltea,maybewitha

littleshot,soI’llsleepniceandcozy.”

Seamusfinishedandwentdowntheladderfirst.Hedidn’tuseeveryrung;

hislithebodymovedquicklydownward,slidingthelastyardwithhisbarefeet
oneithersideoftheladder.Hebetrayednoawarenessofhisnimbleness—he
wascomfortablewithhisbody,notshowingoff.

HeheldtheladderasfirstNadinethenBreedescended.Seamusputhis

handsonBree’swaisttoliftherdownthelastfewfeet,hisgripstrong.Bree
leanedintohim,asshehadwhenhe’dtouchedhersotenderly,beforehermother
hadinterrupted.Shehadn’tmistakentheneedinhiseyesthen,andshedidn’t
mistakeitnow.

Seamus’shandscompressedtheslightestbitonhersides,ahiddencaress.

Breedrewabreath,tryingnottolikethatsomuch.

Seamusreleasedherandturnedawaytocarrytheladderdownstairs.Bree

watchedhistightback,whichwascrisscrossedwithscars,ashewentdown,
hoistingtheladderasthoughitweighednothing.

Nadinesnappedofftheatticlight.“Bree.”

BreejerkedhergazefromSeamusashedisappearedthroughthedoortothe

garage,wheretheladderwasstored.“What?”

“He’sgoodlooking.”Nadineappearedwrungout,buthervoicewasas

steelyasever.“He’ssexywithoutknowingit,andyou’relonely.Buthe’s
Shifter,andthere’ssomethingwrongwithhim,morethanjustthefactthathe
doesn’thaveoneofthoseCollars.HeseemsdifferentfromtheotherShifters
I’veseen,andnotonlybecauseoftheCollarthing.”

“Iknow.”Breesighed.“Allthat.Iknow.”

NadineputahandBree’sshoulder.“Ijustdon’twanttoseeyougethurt,

honey.You’vedoneenoughhurtingforthreewomenyourage.Inthemorning,
Seamuswillwanttomoveon.Youlethimgo.”

Breeshiveredinherthinnightshirt,inspiteofhermother’swarmtouch,but

sheknewNadinewasright.Seamushadneededhelptonight,he’dchosenBree
tohelphim,andthenhe’dleave.Hecouldn’triskbeingcaughtwithoutaCollar.

Seamuscameinfromthegarage.Nadinewentondownthestairspasthim

tothekitchen,andBreequicklyfollowedher.Shedidn’ttrustherselfalonewith
Seamus,soshewasrightbehindhermotherastheyenteredthekitchenfortheir
soothingcupsofspikedtea.

***

WhenSeamusawokeinthemorning,backonthecouchandtangledin

sheets,thetabbycatwaslyingonhisankles.

Italwaysamazedhim,Seamusthoughtashecarefullysatupandstrokedthe

blinkingcatbetweenitsears,howheavyverysmallcatscouldbe.

Thecatyawned,stretched,pokeditsneedleclawsthroughthesheet,and

kneadedSeamus’sbareleg.He’dtakenoffthejeansthistime,lyingdownto
sleepafterhe’dcleanedupthebestthebandageswouldlethiminthetub
upstairs.

Seamuspriedthecatup,detachingitfromthesheet,andcradleditagainst

hischest.Thecat,knowingasuckerwhenshesawone,purredandsoakedup
thepetting.

Itwasearly,aroundfivethirty,Seamusjudgedfromthegraylight.Itwas

autumn,November,andthesunwouldn’tbeupforalittlebityet.Noonestirred
above—SeamushadthefeelingthatNadineandBreeweren’twomenwhoshot
outofbedatthecrackofdawn.

HelookedforwardtoseeingBreestumblingdownthestairs,mussedfrom

hersleep,givinghimherlopsidedsmile.

Strange,Seamushadallhislifefearedandevenhatedhumans.Theywere

physicallyweakerthanShiftersandyethadmanipulatedthemselvestohave
masteryofthisworld.Theiranimalstrengthhadbeenreplacedbycunning,
whichinthelongrunhadprovedthemorecapabletraitforthem.Ifyouknew
exactlyhowfasttorunandpreciselywheretohidefromthestronger,stupider
predators,youcouldoutlastthem.

Thiscathadthesamekindofcunning.Herancestorshadbeenquickand

resourceful,andhaddiscoveredthatbeingadorablycutehaditsbenefits.A
dangerousShifterwhocouldhavemadeshortworkofthiscatwasnowcuddling
it,protectingit,makingitfeelgood.

Thecatsuddenlyliftedherhead,herclawscomingouttoburythemselvesin

Seamus’smusculararm.Hetensedbutdidn’tdropherortossheraway.

AnanimalcomingalertmeantsomethingSeamuscouldn’tignore.Hisown

sensesprickled.

Seamusverycarefullysetthecatonthefloorthenraisedhishead,partedthe

sheercurtainofthelivingroomwindow,andpeeredout.

ThehousewassurroundedbyShifters.

ChapterFive

Seamusveryslowlyeasedbackdowntothesofaandreachedfortheclean,

whole,olive-greenT-shirtNadinehadbroughthim—belongingtoherson,he
understood.Seamussliditonandthenhisjeans.Hedidn’tbotherwithhisboots,
becauseifhehadtoshiftandfight,bootswouldonlygetintheway.

Hedidn’trecognizetheShiftersoutthere,butheknewwhotheymustbe.

Howthey’dtrackedhimhere,Seamusdidn’tknow,butCollaredShifterswere
crafty,likethehumanshe’djustbeenthinkingof.

Seamusneededtobejustascraftyhimself.Hehadtogetawayfromthe

Shiftersbutalsonotallowthemtofollowhimtothosehewasprotecting.Keep
themsafe.Thatisthemission.

Dressed,hequietlymadeforthefrontdoorandcrouchedagainstthewall

besideit.Hecouldn’tfightthemall,buthecouldleadthemastrayandthenfind
awaytosliparoundthemandmakehisescape.Maybe.Gettingawayfrom
Shifterswasn’taseasyasevadingtrigger-happyhumans.

TheShiftersoutsideweredeathlysilent.Theyonlyhadtowaititout,and

theyknewit.

Fromsomewhereabovehim,awindowscrapedopen.Asecondlater,

Nadineyelled,“Getoffmyproperty¸allofyou,oreatlead!”

Shite.Seamuswasacrosstheroomandupthestairsinaninstant,goingon

allfourstokeephisheaddown.

HenearlyslammedintoBreeonthelanding.Shewasindeedmussedand

warmfromsleep,herhairtousled,hereyesbleary.“Whatthehellisgoingon?”
sheaskedinconfusion.“Mom,whatareyoudoing?”

Nadine,inarobe,herbleachedhairstickingouteverywhichway,was

standingatherbedroomwindowoverlookingthefrontofthehouse,shotgunin
hand.

“I’mabouttoshootsomeShifterswho’vedecidedtocampoutonmylawn.”

Nadinesaidtestily.“Youallbackoff!”shecalleddowntothem.“Allthewayto
thestreet.OrIcallthecops.”

NoneoftheShiftersmoved.Nadineliftedtheshotgun,sighted,andpulled

thetrigger.

TheboomofthegunrocketedthroughSeamus’ssenses.Breescreamedand

clappedherhandsoverherears.Thecat,who’dfollowedthem,streakedfrom
thisbedroomandintoBree’s.

Outside,therewasshouting,acoupleoftheShiftersboilingapartfrom

whereNadinehadaimed.Shehadn’thitany,Seamussawfromaquickglance.
She’dshotattheground,awarning.

SeamuspositionedthemirroronNadine’sdressersothathecouldseeout

thewindowwithoutanyoftheShiftersbelowbeingabletoseehim.Hecounted
fourinfrontofthehouse.Probablythesamenumberwereinback,withmore
outofsightontheperimeter.That’showhewouldhavepositionedhistrackers.

Seamusknewwhotheleaderwas,theonewhosteppedforward,hishands

raisedinaplacatinggesture.Notsurrender—thisShifterdidn’tknowthe
meaningoftheword.

“IknowyouhaveaShifterinthere,”themansaid,hisrumblingvoice

carrying.ThehintofIrishaccentwasclear.“Sendhimout,andwegohome.We
havenowishtoharmyou.”

SeamushadnevermetDylanMorrissey,butheknewalotabouthim.All

Shiftersdid.ThemanusedtobeleaderoftheAustinShiftertown.Whenhisson
tookover,Dylanbecamemoreofanoverseer,roamingtheShifterterritoriesin
SouthTexas,makingsureallShifterskeptinline.RogueandferalShifterswere
toberoundedup,broughtin,Collared,andprocessed.Dylanandhistrackersdid
alotofthat.

Dylanhadbeeninstrumentalinshuttingdownthebunkerthathadhoused

KendrickandhisShifters.He’ddestroyeditandleftKendrick’sShiftersinthe
wind.Darkangerspiraledinsidehim.

“You’restillonmyproperty,”Nadineshouteddown.“Nowgetthehelloff

it.Wantmetohaveyouroundedupandcaged?”

Dylandidn’tmove.Hewasflankedbyamanwithasword—aGuardian.

Probablyhisson,SeanMorrissey,theGuardianoftheAustinShiftertown.

TheverylargeShifterstandingbehindthetwoofthemhadtobeabear.

Onlybearshadthatmuchbulk.Thefourthwastallandhard,withtattoosall
overhim,hisheadshaved.

Trackers,Seamussurmised,andtoughones.Thebearwouldbestronger

thanallofthemputtogetherbutnotasfast.TheMorrisseyswerelions,like
Seamus—he’dbemoreorlessevenlymatchedagainsteachofthem

individually,thoughDylanhadarepofneverbeingbeaten.

Seamuswasn’tsureaboutthetattguy.Felinebythelookofhim,but

Seamuscouldn’ttellwhatkindofcathewas.Ifsomethinglikecheetah,thenthe
guycouldoutrunSeamusbutprobablynotoutfighthim.Theguylookedlikehe
couldholdhisown,however.Heradiatedself-assurance.

AfifthShifterwalkedaroundthehousetojointhem.Hewasbiglikethe

bear,butwithclose-cutblackhair,tatts,andanattitudethatcouldonlybe
Lupine.

Dylantriedagain.“IknowyouhaveaShifterinthere.Wecanscenthim.

Sendhimout,andwe’llbegone.”

“Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout,”Nadinesaid.“Yougetoffmy

property,thenwe’lltalk.”

Dylanmadeaminutesignaltothetrackers.NadineandBreewouldn’tcatch

it,butSeamusrecognizedthebodylanguage.Itwas,Findawayinandtake
him.

Seamusturnedfromthemirror,thoughheremainedoutofsightofthe

windows.“I’llgodown,”hesaidquietlytoNadineandBree.“Idon’twantthem
tohurtyou.”Notthatheplannedtosubmitwithoutafight.He’dgo,butthey’d
havetocatchhim.

Seamussuitedactiontoword,withoutwaitingforresponse,headingforthe

stairs.

Asoftbodybrushedby,andthenBreewasinfrontofhim,blockinghisway.

“Likehellyou’regivingyourselfup.”Breescowled,blueeyesglitteringwith
anger.“TheymightbeShifters,buttheydon’tlookliketheywanttohandyoua
beerandwelcomeyouwithopenarms.”

Seamusputhishandonhershoulder.Damn,damn,damn.Heshouldn’t

havedonethat—onetouch,andhedidn’twanttoletgo.Hewantedtostayhere,
sinkintoBree’ssoftness,lethermakehistroublesmeltaway.Oratleastgive
himtheillusionthathistroublesnolongerexisted.Lethimfloatinpurebliss.

Butifhedidn’tleave,Breemightbehurt,andsocouldotherswhodepended

onhim.Hedidn’tknowwhattheShiftersoutsidewoulddotoBreeandNadine
iftheycamestormingintograbSeamus.WhileShifterswereusuallycareful
withhumans,theydidsomostlytoavoiddrawingtheattentionofthehuman
policeandShifterBureau.Theyweren’tnecessarilykind.

“Ididn’tsayI’dgiveup,”SeamustoldBree,reluctantlyliftinghishand

away.“I’lldistractthemandrun.Drawthemawayfromyou.”

Atthewindow,Nadinesaid,“Oh,I’llgivethemadistraction.”

Notabadidea.“WaituntilI’mready,”Seamussaid.“I’llsignal,youdo

yourthing,andI’llgo.”

HepushedaroundBreeandwentdownthestairsbutheardhercoming

behindhim.

“Seamus.”Breegrabbedthetailofhisshirt.Seamusturnedback,caught

morebyherpresencethanherhold.“Youcan’t.”

“Ican,”Seamussaid.“I’mfast.I’llbegonebeforetheyrealize.”

“That’snotwhatImeant.Whatwilltheydotoyouiftheycatchyou?”

“They’refromtheAustinShiftertown,”Seamussaid—noreasonforhernot

toknow.“TheywanttoputaCollaronmeandsequesterme.They’vebeen
chasingme...us...foraboutamonthnow.”

BreetightenedherhandontheT-shirt’shem.“Wherewillyougo?”

“Somewherenothere,”Seamussaid.“Understand?They’llchasemeaway

fromyou.It’swhatIdo.Youandyourmotherdon’tneedabunchofpaininthe
assShiftersgivingyougrief.”

Bree’sblueeyestookonableaklook.Withoutthemakeup,wakingupfrom

sleep,Seamussawthatshewasalittleolderthanhe’dfirstthought—notthathe
wasanexpertonhumanages.Shewasoldenoughtohaveamateandcubofher
own,oldenoughtohavehadlifekickather.

Breetookastepclosertohim.“WhatImeanis,willIeverseeyouagain?”

Seamusstudiedherforafewbeats.Inthatmoment,hisbody,whichhad

beencooperativeupuntilnow,becameamassiveknotofpain.

He’dbeencalmersincehe’dbeeninthishouse,givinghimacrumbofhope

thathe’dconqueredthewildnessbubblinginsidehim.HerealizedasBree’s
bodybrushedhis,thathe’dconquereditbecauseofher.Assoonashe’dfound
her,hernearness,hertouchhadstartedtoquiethimdown.

Ifhelefther,wouldthepain,theconfusion,comerushingback?

ButifSeamusstayed,he’dleaveBreeopentodanger.Nomatterwhat,

Seamushadtogo.

SeamuspeeledBree’sholdfromhisshirt,wrappedhisarmaroundher,and

draggedherclose.WarmthofwomancametohimasBree’sbodycurvedagainst

his,thethinshirtlettinghimfeelherlimbs,herfullbreasts,thesupplebendof
herspine.

Seamusleaneddownandkissedhermouth,afullkiss,notpreparingher,not

goingslowly.Heneededtokissherrightnow,mightneverhaveanotherchance.

Breecurledherfistsonhisshouldersbutdidn’tpushaway.Sheopenedher

lipstohim,accepting.Hertonguemovedagainsthis,shetastinghim,pushing
herselfupintohim.

Seamusdeepenedthekiss,takingwhathecould.Breetastedofspiceandthe

night,heatandeverythingthatwasgood.Hetastedherdeepsorrowaswell,a
sadnessshecouldn’tshake,andherneed.Breehadsomuchneed.Shewas
hungry,thiswoman,andnoonehadfilledthatcravingwithinher.

Painsnatchedathimandwouldn’trelent.Seamuscouldtakeherwithhim,

keephernexttohim,whateverhappened.Boundasone,mates.

Hetightenedhisembrace,kissingherharder.Breeansweredwithasbolda

kiss.Sheneededhim,andheher.Primal,basicneed.

Breewrappedherarmsaroundhisneck,herunfetteredbreastsscooping

againsthim.Bree’sbackwasapliantline,drawinghishandsalongittoher
buttocks.Softfleshmethistouch,theirpositionrubbingherabdomenrightover
hiscock.

IffiveandmoreShiftershadn’tbeenreadytochargethehouseandbreak

downthedoor,SeamuswouldhaveloweredBreetothestairsandrelievedhis
frenzythenandthere.Swiftthrustswhilesheclungtohim,thesoundsBree
madeinherthroatescalatingtofullcriesastheyreachedthebreakingpoint
together.

Fornow,Seamuscouldonlytouchher,kissher,drinkinherwarmthagainst

thecoldnessthatwastocome.

“Anytimeyou’reready,Seamus.”

Nadine’squietvoicecamefromabove.Breeabruptlybrokethekiss,her

eyeswide,faceflushed,herbreathingrapid.

Nadinepeeredoverthebanistersatthem,theshotgunheldcarefullysothe

barrelpointedupward.

Seamusturnedhisbackandwalkedaway,movingondownthestairs.Ifhe

stayed,ifhelookedatBreeonesecondlonger,he’dnevergo,andheknewit.

***

Breehadforgottenhowtobreathe,talk,maybeevenstand.Sheheldherself

upagainstthewall,tryingtofindherbalance,whileherentirebodyrejoicedat
thekiss.

Seamushadheldherlikealover,asthoughthey’dbeentogetherforyears

insteadofmeetingforthefirsttimelastnightunderdirecircumstances.Hiskiss
hadbeenhot,strong,thorough,hintingatwhatfevercouldbehadfromanight
inbedwithhim.

Abovehim,hermotherwaswatchingindisapproval.Breecouldn’traiseher

headtolookupatNadine,buttheweightofthedisapprovalwaslikeablanket
droppingonherhead.

WorsestillwasthecoldslapofSeamuswalkingaway.Hewasrunningfrom

herintodanger—nowaycouldheevadethatbunchofscary-lookingShifters
waitingforhimoutside.

Breeshovedherselfawayfromthewallandranonshakinglegsafterhim.

Fromthekitchen,Seamusyelled,“Nadine...now!”

Hermothermusthavegottenherselfbackinposition,becausetheshotgun

wentofftwice—bang!bang!NextcameafewmomentsofsilencewhileNadine
reloaded,thenthegunwentoffagain.

TheShiftersoutsidewereshouting.Breehitthekitchenintimetosee

Seamusslipoutthebackdoor.Breerantothedoorandshelteredherselfbehind
itwhileshelookedoutintothedawn.

Seamushadalreadyvanished.Onesmudgeofdirtonthewoodensteps

showedhe’dpassed,butwherehe’dgone,Breecouldn’tsee.

Herheartwrenched,herextremitiesgoingnumb.Whenthey’dgottenword

aboutRemy,she’dfeltabitlikethis—theentireworldchangingwhileshestood
there,unabletostopit.She’dlostRemy,andshewaslosingSeamus,andthere
wasn’tadamnthingshecoulddoaboutit.

Aroarlikethatofaprimevalbeastrolledacrossthefieldbeyondthehouse.

ItcaughtBree,vibratedthewindows,shooktheporch.Anotherroaransweredit,
thisonedifferent,quicker,touchedwithrage.

Alioncameboundingoutofthefield.Ithadablackmane,alithemuscular

frame,giantpaws,andtawnyeyes.Lioneyes.Seamus’seyes.

RightbehinditwasthebiggestBengaltigerBreehadeverseeninherlife.

Notthatshe’dseenmany,butshe’dstoodbytheirenclosuresinzoos.Those

tigershadbeenbigandintimidatingenough—thistigerwasgigantic.

Andfurious.Hisearswereflatonhishead,hiseyesawildgold.Withintwo

bounds,itwasonthelion—Seamus—whoturnedandfoughtforhislife.

Anotherlionracedaroundthehouse.Thisonetoohadablackmane,butit

waslarger,older,withmassiveconfidenceinhiseyes.Heranrightbetweenthe
tigerandSeamus,plantinghisfeetandbarkingaroarthatpoundedinBree’s
ears.Seamusroaredananswer,butthetigerwentdeathlysilent.

Thetiger,hiseyesstillsparkinganger,retreatedafewsteps,turnedinaslow

circle,andstoodpoised,readytospring.Thetigercouldhavewipedoutboth
lionswithonesweepofhisbigpaws,butnowhesimplywaited,watching.
Almostlikehewasbeingpolite.

Theolderlion,ontheotherhand,wasadvancingonSeamus,mouthcurling

withhissnarls,theintentinhiseyesunmistakable.

Giveup,orwekillyou.

“No!”Breeshouted.

Shewasoutofthehouse,downthesteps,andrunningtothembeforeshe

realizedwhatshewasdoing.ShestoppedinfrontofSeamusandfacedtheother
lion,whosegrowlsincreased.

“No,”Breerepeated,tryingtocatchherbreath.Shewasscaredshitless—the

lionShifterwasgigantic,mean-looking,andcouldkillherwithoutbreakinga
sweat.Notonlythat,butthetigercouldcomebehindhimandstampout
whateverbitsofherwereleft.

Seamuswassnarling,tryingtopushherasidewithhisbody,butBreestayed

put.

“Youleavehimalone,”sheyelledattheolderlion.“Understandme?Yougo

away,andleavehimalone.”Breetookthefinalsteptothesecondlionand
smackedhimhardacrossthenose.

ChapterSix

Whattheholyhellwasshedoing?

ThewordsflittedthroughacornerofSeamus’sbrain,alongwithasurgeof

frustratedrage.Astrongerangerandincredulitywashedafterthat,emotions
flyingsofasttheconfusionmadehimblink.

Thenhismindcleared,leavingonlyonesharp,focusedidea:Protect.

SeamushadalreadyshovedhimselfbetweenBreeandDylan,hisearsback,

snarlsunceasing.He’dgoforDylanthemomentDylanputapawtowardBree,
didn’tmatterthatDylanwasanalphaandoneofthemostdominantShifters
Seamushadeverencountered.

Thiswasdifferent.Thiswasamatething.

SeamussawthatacknowledgmentinDylan’seyesbehindtheabsolutefury.

Dylanstoodhisground,neithercontinuingtheattacknorbackingoff.

Bree,damnher,wastryingtopushherselfinfrontofSeamusagain.“He

isn’thurtingyou,”sheyelledatDylan.“Orme.Oranyone.Whatthehelldoyou
wantfromhim?”

Seamusturnedhisgrowlsonher.Breeneededtostaybehindhim,lethim

defendher.Dylanhadconcededthemateidea,withaflashofsurprise,butthat
didn’tmeanhemightnotswatBreetothegroundtomakehershutup.

BreeonlydrewanotherbreathtocontinueberatingDylan.Atthatmoment,

thetigershiftedsmoothlyintoahugemanwithmottledred-orangeandblack
hairandgoldeneyes.HewrappedgiantarmsaroundBree,liftedherfromher
feet,andcarriedheraside,Breeflailingandprotestingalltheway.

TheLupine,theGuardian,thebear,andthetattooedguyhadcomearound

thehouse,stillintheirhumansforms.

“Standdown,”theGuardiangrowledatSeamus,hisaccentasIrishas

Dylan’s.“We’retryingtohelpyou,man.”

TheLupine,inamuscleshirtandjeans,foldedhisarms.“Yeah,wecando

thisthehardway,orwecandothisthehardway.”Hebrokeoffandchuckled.
“I’vealwayswantedtosaythat.”

“Andallofyoucanbackoff!”Breeshoutedatthem.

She’dstoppedfighting—thetigerheldherfirmly—butshewasn’taboutto

bequiet.Seamusbothadmiredthatandfounditworrying.

Nadineburstoutofthebackdoor,hershotgunready.“Thismightnotkill

Shifters,”shesaidinafirmvoice.“ButI’veseenthedamageitcancause.
Anyonewanttospendthedaygettingpelletspickedoutofthem?”

“Mom,gobackinside!”Breecriedinalarm.

Nadinecockedthegun,pointingitatthetiger.“AndIreallydon’tlikenaked

mentramplingmygarden.Letmydaughtergo.”

Thetiger-manlookedatDylanthenatNadine.Finally,hefocusedhisall-

tigerstareonSeamus.Dylansnarledathim,clearlytellingtheBengaltokeep
holdofBree.

Thetigerwaitedafewmoreheartbeats,thenheslowlyreleasedBree,setting

heronherfeet.Heturnedhisbackonthemall,flowedintohistigerform,and
walkedaway,huffingunderhisbreath.

SeamushadneverseenaShiftersoeasilychangeshapebefore.Seamushad

struggledwiththeshiftmightilyasacub,findingitpainfuluntilhegrewintoit.
Evennowtheshiftwastoughforhim.Kendrickwasmuchbetteratit,ableto
changenearlyasinstantaneouslyasthisBengal.Maybeitwasatigerthing.

Nadinewasn’tfinished.“Now,therestofyou,getbackintowhatever

vehiclesbroughtyouhereandgo.Iwon’taskyouagain.”

TheGuardian,sunlightcatchingonhissword’shilt,tookafewcautious

stepstowardher.“Iwould,lass,butthatbiglionismydad,andhe’llneverlet
meheartheendofitifIdon’tfinishthis.WejustwanttotakethisShifterback
homewithus.Hewon’tbehurt.He’soneofus.”

BreeroundedontheGuardian,herfistsclenched.“Howcanyousayhe

won’tbehurt?You’llputaCollaronhimandkeephiminShiftertown.Why
wouldyouwanttodothat?Hehasn’tdoneanythingwrong.”

“Oh,”theLupinesaidwithalowgrowl.“Ilikeher.”

Thebearrumblednexttohim.“Metoo.”

TheGuardiandidn’tjointheirmirth.Hiseyesweresternasheregarded

Bree.“LastnightaferalShifterrippedaparttwohumanhunters.Wegotword
thatmorehunterswerechasingaShiftertheysawatthescene—allevidencewe
foundpointstothatShifterbeinghim.”HejerkedathumbatSeamus.“Weneed
tocontainthisbeforethehumanpolicecomeafterhim.”

Bree’smouthdroppedopen,andNadineblinked.

Breerecovered.“Hedidn’tkillanyone,”shesaidhotly.“Seamuswaswith

usalllastnight.Hehadcoffee,sleptonthecouch.Thehunterswerechasing
Seamus,nottheotherwayaround.”

“Seamusishisname,isit?”theGuardianasked.“SeamusMcGuire?”

Breelookedathimblankly—Seamushadnevertoldherhisfamilyname.

ThattheGuardianknewitdidn’tsurpriseSeamusallthatmuch.Guardianshada
secretdatabasethatlistedallShifters—names,locations,details—accessible
onlybyGuardians.

TheLupinegrowledatSeamus.“That’syou,right,Feline?”

“Whatevidence?”Breeinterrupted.“Ithadbetterbegood.”

TheGuardianpulledasmallobjectfromhispocket.“Seamusatonepoint

hadhishandonthis.Wefounditnotfarfromwhereatruckhadbeenparked.It
belongstoyou.”

Breestaredinsurprise.“That’smycellphone.”

Hedidn’tgiveittoher.“Indeed,itis.WitnessessaidaShiftergothimself

intoyourtruck,thephoneflewout,andthetruckstormedaway,chasedby
anotherfullofhumans.ThephonehasSeamus’sscentandabitofhisbloodon
it,nottomentionhisfingerprints,andthelastcallwaslistedascomingfrom
yourmum.Nothardafterthattotraceyoubackhere.”Heshowedahintof
smile.“NotforaGuardian,anyway.”

Dylancouldhaveshiftedbacktohumanandjoinedthediscussion,buthe

stayedanimal.Smart—itgavehimthebestchancetotakedownSeamusif
Seamustriedtorun.Thetigerremainedinhisbeastformaswell,buthewas
walkingtheboundary,notlisteningtotheconversation.

Seamusknewthattheminuteheshiftedtohuman,they’dtakehim.He

couldn’tfightthemall,evenifheremainedinbigcatform,buttheyseemedto
thinkhewasatbayfornow.

Hisadvantage—theyhadCollars,andSeamusdidnot.

Seamusdidn’twaittocalculatetrajectory,speed,whatever.Ifhedid,Dylan

wouldsenseit,andbealloverhimbeforehecouldtakeonestep.

Sohesimplyran.OnemomenthewasinadefensivepostureagainstDylan,

clawsdugintothedirt,thenext,hewasrunning.

Hisonlythoughtwastoleadthemfaraway.They’dchaseSeamus,leave

Breealone.Breewasn’tstupid—she’dtakehermothertosafetyassoonasthe
Shifterscameafterhim.

Texasweedsanddirttorelooseunderhisfeet,billowingupaconcealing

cloud.Seamusincreasedhisspeed,makingfortheopenfieldsthatledtorolling
hillcountry...

...andfoundagiantBengaltigerpinninghimdown.

Damn,thetigerwasstrongandfeckingfast.TigerpawscrushedSeamus’s

back,andamouthwithmassiveteethclosedaroundhisneck.Nothingbrokethe
skin,buthehadSeamusflat.Seamuswasn’tgoinganywhereanytimesoon.

Dylancamejoggingup,inhishumanformnow.Hewasstrong-bodied,with

darkhairgoinggrayatthetemples,andblueeyesthathadobservedmuchfor
manyyears.

“Shift,”Dylanordered.

HisdominancewassocompletethatSeamusstartedtoobeybeforehe

stoppedhimself.TheTigerstillhadhispawsfirmlyonSeamus’sback,the
pressureofwhichwouldcrushhishumanform.

“Tiger,easeoff,”Dylansaid.“Seamus,Ineedyouabletotalktome.”

Seamusdidn’tgiveadamn.Hedidn’twanttotalk,hewantedtogetthehell

awayfromhere.

WhatsoldhimwasthefactthatthebearhadcaughtholdofBree.Heheld

herloosely,nothurtingher,buthisstancetoldSeamusthatheknewhowto
containpeople,nomatterwhattheytried.

Behindthem,thebigLupinehadstartedforNadine,hishandsup,asthough

insurrender.Whilehepretendedtocomeatherpeacefully,TattManslidsilently
behindNadineandhadtheshotgunoutofherarmsbeforesheunderstoodwhat
washappening.Felinescouldbedamnstealthy.

Tatt-Manuncockedtheshotgun,andtheLupineblewoutabreath.“Thanks,

Spike.”

NadineturnedonSpike,lungingforthegun,buttheLupinecaughtandheld

herinaneasygrip.“Notsofast,Mom.Let’sgoinside,andyoucanmakeus
coffee.”

“Fuckyou!”Nadinestated.

TheLupinelookedamused.“Youknow,youremindmeofmyaunt.”

Thebearpulledhisattentionbackfromthem.“I’mRonan,”hesaidtoBree.

“Thefull-of-himselfLupineisBroderick,thenwehaveSpikewiththetattoos,
Seanwiththesword,and...Tiger.He’sjustcalledTiger.Dylan’stheotherlion
wholikestotellpeoplewhattodo.”

Breefoldedherarms,notcaring.“Nicetomeetyou,Ronan.Now,getlost.”

“Wecan’tdothat,lass,”Seansaid.“WereallyareheretohelpSeamus.Ifhe

didn’tdothemurders,fineandgood.Ifhedid—wehavetofigureoutwhyand
whattodobeforethehumanpolicegethereandtakehim.”

Breehesitated.Seamusfelttheindecisionpouringoffher—theneedto

believeSeamushadnothingtodowithitwarringwithherfearsthatmaybehe
had.

Seamuswouldlovetoreassureher,buthestillcouldn’trememberwhathad

happened.Easyenoughtorecallamomentofwild,hottriumph,thetasteof
blood,themadsnarling,thentheneedtorunandthepainoftheshots.Hitting
theparkinglotoftheroadhouse,searchingforescape,andfindingBreewaiting
...

Seamusshifted,hismusclesstretchingandachingashemovedagainto

humanform.“Allright,”hesaidashestraightenedtohisfullheight,hisvoice
stillholdingthegrowlofhislion.“Let’sgoinside,andtalk.ButnomatterwhatI
did,leaveBreeandNadineoutofit.Theyhadnothingtodowithanything.”

Dylanwatchedhimamoment,thengavehimanod.“Understood.Ronan,

Spike,Broderick,covertheoutside.Nadine...”HepinnedNadinewithanalpha
stare,whichapparentlydidnotimpressher.“Mayweenteryourhouse?”

***

BreewatchedhermotherweightheprosandconsoflettingtheShifterstalk

versustryingtograbtheshotgunbackfromSpikeandopeningfire.Nadine
hatedobeyingorders,especiallyfrommen.Backinheryoungerdays,Nadine
hadn’thadtofightforherrightsasawoman—she’dsimplytakenthem,tohell
withanyonewhogotinherway.

Finally,Nadineshruggedandheadedintothehouse.Shewantedtoknow

whatwasgoingonasmuchasBreedid.

BreewentstraighttoSeamus.He’dshiftedfromliontohumanbeforeher

eyesandnowstoodtallinthedustandweedsbeyondtheirsmallyardwithouta
stitchon.He’dbeenhotenoughinonlyhisjeans,butnow...

Thebandageshadrippedawaywhenhe’dshifted—pieceslayscattered

acrossthepatchoflawnbehindthehouse.Thebruisesonhisribshadfaded,the
holeswherethebulletshadbeen,nowsmall,redmarks.

SeamusbetrayednoembarrassmentbeingunclothedinfrontofBreeorthe

others.FromwhatBreehadlearned,Shiftersweremoreanimalintheiremotions
thanhuman—shiftingwasnatural,nothingtobeashamedof.

Breesawnothingatalltoshamehim.Seamus’sthighsweretightunderflat,

hardabs,andwhathungbetweenthosethighsmadeherbreakintoasweat.
Shifterswerebiggerthanhumanmen,inallways.Seriously.

Breerealizedshewasstaringandraisedhergazefromhisnetherregions,

butSeamushadseen.Fromthelookonhisface,hedidn’tmind.

Behindhismildsatisfactionthatshelikedlookingathim,Breereadneedin

hiseyes,anddespair,anddeepfear.Seamuswasafraidhetrulyhadkilledthe
hunters,Breesaw,andtheideahauntedhim.

“Idon’tremember,”hesaidfiercely.HelookeddirectlyatBree,nooneelse.

“Idon’trememberanything.Onlyfightingsomething,runninghardandfast,the
shots,theroadhouse,andthenyou.”

Breesteppedclosertohim,thegroundcoldandsharpunderherbarefeet,

andclosedherhandsaroundhisforearms.“Iwon’tletthemtakeyouaway.”She
lookedstraightupintohisface,willinghimtobelieveher.“Iwon’tletthemlock
youupforsomethingyoudidn’tdo.”

Seamus’sgoldeneyesglitteredinthemorninglight.“Idon’tknowifIdidn’t

doit.”

“Comeinside,”Breesaidsoftly.“We’llfindout.”

Seamuskepthisgazeonher,inspiteoftheotherShiftersdriftingtocircle

them—Dylanwasn’tabouttolethimgetawayagain.OnlyheandBreemightbe
standingthereintheTexasdawn,acoldbreezepluckingatthem,whiletherest
oftheShifters,thehouse,thesigninthefieldpromisinganewdevelopment
comingsoon—thesignhadbeenthereforfiveyears,theirneighborshadtold
them—theentireworld,floatedaway.

BreegaveSeamus’sarmsasqueeze.Hisskinwashot,smoothovermuscle,

satinoversteel.Seamusstoodimpossiblystillwhilehiseyesbetrayedthat,
inside,hewasonemassofpain.

Breerememberedwhenhe’dfirstjumpedintohertruck,thewildnessinhis

eyes,theanger,thefear.

Areyouferal?she’daskedhim.

Maybe,he’danswereddistractedly.Notyet...

Buthefearedhewasbecomingso.AferalShiftermightnotrememberthat

he’dkilledtwomenandfled,comingtohimselflongenoughtoforceawoman
inatrucktohelphimgetaway.

“Iwon’tletyou,”Breetoldhim,hervoicefirm.“Iwon’tletyoubeferal.

Understandme?”

Seamusonlywatchedher,whateverthoughtswarringinhismindmaking

hiseyesfillwithfear,hisskinbeadwithsweat.

Heabruptlyclosedhishandsoverherarmsinreturn,hislargefingers

foldingaroundher.“Ineed...”

Whateverheneeded,hecouldn’texpresswithspeech.Hishandsbitdown,

thegriptight,andmercilesslystrong.

Butnottohurther—Seamuswastryingtoholdontosomethingthatwasn’t

whirling,rushing,andtumblingoverhim.Breemethisgaze,wantingtotellhim
shebelievedinhim,wasthereforhim,butnotfindingtherightwords.

Hedidn’tneedwords,sherealized.Hertouchwasenough.

BehindBree,Ronanwasrumblinginhisdeepvoice.“Ithinkit’stoolatefor

aninvestigation,Dylan.They’recoming.”

Ronandidn’tspecifywhotheywere,buttherewasn’tmuchmistakingthe

sirensthatwailedacrossthefieldsandfromtheendofthedrivetothehouse.

Dylanhadpulledonjeansandabutton-downshirt.“Inside,”he

commanded.“Now.”

SeamusgrabbedBree’shandandhustledheracrossthedamplawntoward

thehouse,sweepingupthepileofhisclothesontheway.Breestumbledupthe
stepsandintothekitchenastheharshsoundofsirenscoatedtheair.

ChapterSeven

“Seriously—whocalledthecops?”NadinedemandedasSeamusandBree,

Dylan,Sean,andTigerenteredthekitchen.Dylanclosedthedoorbehindthem
andlockedit.TheotherShiftershadfadedfromsightoutside,blendingintothe
earlygraylight.

Bree’sheartwaspounding.Seamusstillhadholdofherhand.Theywere

boundtogetherthroughtheclasp,asthoughSeamuswouldn’tgoferalaslongas
theydidn’tpart.

SpikehadhandedDylantheshotgun.Dylanpoppedthecartridgesoutand

gavetheunloadedgunbacktoNadine.Shetookit,tight-lipped,butlockedthe
gunintothecabinetinsidethebasementdoor.Shewasn’tfoolishenoughtogo
wavingitaroundinfrontofpolice—well,notagain,anyway.Anightinjailin
Louisianahadcuredherofthat.

“Who,isagoodquestion,”Dylansaid.Hemovedtothefrontroom,his

wordstrailingbehindhim.

SeamusreleasedBreetoresumehisclothes,buthedidn’tmovefarfromher.

HewassettlingtheT-shirtasSeanunstrappedtheswordfromhisback.

Theswordwasgigantic,withabroadhilt,andlookedveryold.LettersBree

couldn’tdecipherwereetchedonthehiltandthecrosspiece,runningdowninto
thesheath.

TheSwordoftheGuardian,Breeknew,thoughshe’dneverseenone.The

bladewasdriventhroughtheheartofaShifterwho’ddiedorwasdying,toturn
hisorherbodytodustandreleasethesoultotheSummerland,theafterlife.

Thissword,whichlookedancient,musthavegonethroughmanyShiftersin

itstime.BreetookastepbackasSeanhelditacrossbothhands,andshenoticed
thatSeamusdidaswell.

“Willyelockthisinyoncabinetwithyourweapons,lass?”Seanasked

Nadine.“Can’tbelettingthecopsgetholdofit.”

Nadineheavedasighandbeckonedhimtofollow.Seanwentwithhertothe

basementdoor.

Dylanreturnedtothekitchen.Breecouldn’tseetheotherShiftersoutside,

butthen,Shiftersweregoodathidingthemselves.

TheeasiestthingDylancoulddowashandoffSeamustothecops.Hecould

claimthatNadineandBreehadbeenSeamus’shostages,andDylanandhis
ShiftershadcomeheretorescuethemandtakeSeamusinthemselves.

Everyonewouldbehappy,exceptSeamus,who’dbetranquedandtaken

away,likelytobeputintoacageandthenterminated.Breewaswellawarewhat
humansdidtoShifterswhowereconsidereddangerous.

BreesentDylananarrowlook.“Don’tyoudare.Youdon’tevenknowif

he’sguilty.”

Dylanignoredher.He’dtakenwhatlookedlikeachainfromhispocket,and

nowhedangleditinfrontofSeamus.

Thechainwasofsilverandblackmetal,wovenintothicklinks.Atitsend

hungapendant,theCelticknot,whichwouldrestagainstSeamus’sthroat.
Dylanworeanidenticalchain,asdidalltheShiftershere.ACollar.

Seamus’sfacewentgray.“No,Ican’t.”

“Suckitupandputiton,”Dylansaidsternly.“Thepolicecan’tseeyou

withoutone.”

“It’sfake.”TheslowgrowlofTiger’svoicefilledtheroom.Thebigman

witheyesasgoldenasSeamus’stouchedtheCelticknotonhisownCollar.
“Likemine.”

SeanreturnedtothemasNadinemovedbehindhimand,ofallthings,

startedmakingcoffee.“That’ssupposedtobeasecret,bigguy,”Seansaidto
Tiger.

“Theyneedtoknow,”Tigeranswered.

Fake?SeamuswasstudyingtheCollaringravesuspicion.Itsurelooked

realtoBree,nodifferentthantheonesaroundSean’sorDylan’snecks...and
evenTiger’s.

BreewentcoldassherealizedtheimplicationsofwhatTigerhadsaid—his

Collarwasn’treal.Thatmeanttherewasnothingtostophimfrombecomingthat
hugeBengalagainandtearingintoeveryone,includingDylan.

Cometothinkofit,whenTigerhadjumpedonSeamustobringhimdown,

hisCollarhadn’tsparked.TheCollarsweresupposedto,wheneveraShifter
startedtoseriouslyfight.ItwouldjerkpainthroughtheShifter’sentirenervous
system,shuttinghimdown.

BreeandhergroupiefriendsknewgoodandwellthattheShiftershad

adaptedtothatpain—hadtooritwouldhavekilledthemlongago.Theycould
fighteachotherattheillegalandsecretfightclubs,ignoringtheCollarsthebest
theycouldtobattleitoutwithintherings.

Thefightclubshadsomerules—nokillingwasthebiggestone.Second

biggest,fightswereforexhibitiononly.Theiroutcomesdidnotchangea
Shifter’splaceinthedominancehierarchy.Breehadattendedafewfightclubs
inNewOrleansbuthadnotyetbeentotheoneinSouthTexas.Shewasn’teven
surewhereitwasheld,butsheknewitexisted.Wordgotaround.

Seamusslowlyreachedforthechain.Heflinchedwhenheclosedhisfingers

aroundit,thoughtheCollardidnothing.Hestaredatitforalongtime,a
swallowmovingthethroattheCollarwouldbind.

“Ican’t,”hesaidinanearwhisper.“I’msorry,butIcan’t.”

“Itwon’tdoanythingbutrestonyourneck,”Dylanassuredhim.“You’re

goingtohavetotrustme,son.IftheyseeyouwithoutaCollar,they’llarrestyou
onthespot.Ormaybethey’lljustshootyou.”

Seamuscouldn’ttakehiseyesofftheCollar.Hewasn’tstupid—Breecould

seehefullyunderstoodthatthehumanpolicewouldgoballistictheminutethey
sawSeamuswithabareneck.Buttheideaofwearingitwasmakinghimalittle
crazy.He’dneverwornone,hadsomehowescapedthecaptivitythatallShifters
nowhadtoendure.

Seancontrivedtolookhurt.“ImadethatCollarmeself,lad.Putmeheart

intoit.Looksjustliketherealthing,doesn’tit?I’manartist.”

Seamusignoredhim.HesnappedhisgazetoBreeandheldthechainoutto

her.“Youdoit.”

Breeblinked.“Me?Why?”

Seamus’sgazesoftened.“Iwon’tmindsomuchifit’syourtouchonmy

skin.”

“Ah,”Seansaidquietly.“That’showitis,isit?”

Breedidn’tanswer.ShenotedTigerwatchingthemintentlywithoutseeming

to—Tigerwasanenigma.

SeamushadhisgazeonBreeagain,silent,trustingher.Breeletoutabreath

andtooktheCollarfromhim.

Thechainwaswarmtothetouch,whereshe’dexpectedittobecool.The

pendanthadaCelticknotinraiseddesignonthefront,aflatdiskinback.Bree

assumedthatthependantheldthechipsontherealCollarsthatsomehow
measuredachangeinaShifterwhenhewasabouttogetviolent.Breehadno
clearideahowtheCollarsworked—Shifterswillingtodiscussthembelievedin
thetheorythattheyhadmagicinsidethemaswellaselectronics.

BreeputherhandonSeamus’sshoulder.Hisskinrippledundertheshirtas

heheldhimselfbackfromshifting.Hischestrosewithalong,worriedbreath.

UnderBree’sguidinghand,Seamussankdowntooneofthekitchenchairs.

TheotherShiftersandhermotherdidn’tmove,watchingwithintensescrutinyas
BreetouchedthechaintoSeamus’sneck.

Hesnappedhiseyesclosed.Breecaressedhisshoulder,tryingtosoothe

him,thensheveryslowlyslidtheCollararoundhisneck.

Seamusfroze,thebreathhe’dbeendrawinghaltinginhischest.Hisbody

shudderedonce,thenwentrigid.

BreewasabouttoaskSeanhowtheCollarclippedtogetherintheback,

whentheendsjoinedandfusedunderherfingers.Sheblinkedatthechain,
whichwasnowsmoothandwhole,encirclingSeamus’sneck,pressingintohis
skin,indentingit.

“It’stootight,”Breesaidquickly.

“Therealonesaretighter,lass,”Seansaid.“Seamus,man,youallright?”

Seamusopenedhiseyes,hisbodystiff,hisgoldengazefixingonDylan.

“Youlethumansputtheseonyourfamily?”Ragefilledhisvoice.“Whenthey
cameforyou,yousurrenderedandletthemdothis?”Hepointedastifffingerat
theCollar.“Howdoesthatmakeyouagoodleader?”

Sean’sfaceclouded.“Steady,lad.”

Dylansaidnothing.Thoughhisexpressiondidn’tchange,Breethoughtshe

sawsomethinguneasyinsidehim.ThechoicetotaketheCollar,tomakehis
family,pride,andclanwearthem,musthavebeenpainfulforhim.

“Itwasnecessary,”Dylansaid,histoneneitheradmonishingnorashamed.

“I’veheardthearguments.”Seamuspeeledhimselfoutofthechair,

unfoldingtohisfullheight.TheCollarcaughtagleamoftherisingsun,
glisteningaroundhistannedthroat.“ThattakingtheCollarandlivingin
ShiftertownshelpedShiftersnotstarve,tohavemorecubs,growstronger,”he
wenton.“Dowelookstrongerrightnow?Ihavetopretendtobeoneofyou,to
bowmyheadandbetakenawayinsteadoffightingmywayfree.Howdoesthat

makeusstronger?”

“Wecandiscussitlater,”Dylansaid,mouthtight.“You’repretendingtobe

oneofussohelldoesn’traindownonallShiftersinSouthTexas.Whenthe
policecomein,youwillshutup,andIwilltalktothem.”

Nadineshovedherwaythroughtothetablewithcupsofcoffee,twoineach

hand.Shesetthemdown,andSeanimmediatelygrabbedone,lookingrelieved.

NadineglaredatDylan.“Whatdoyoumean,whentheycomein?Police

don’tcomeintomyhousewithoutawarrant.Iknowmyrights.I’mnotletting
themtrampinhere,gettingmycarpetsdirty.Youletmetalktothem.”

Withoutwaitingfordissent,Nadineheadedtothefront,hermuumuu

swirlingaroundher.Shehadn’tbotheredtogetdressed.

Breehurriedafterherinalarm.Hermotherdidn’tlikepolice,andBree

picturedthemallbeingarrestedtogetherandthrownintoasqualidcellafter
Nadinegavethemapieceofhermind.“Mom,wait.”

“Don’tworry.”Nadinemadeitacrossthelivingroomandyankedopened

thefrontdoor.

Thefloodlightshadcomeon,fightingwiththelightsfromthecops’carsin

thelighteninggrayness.Thegarishglowilluminatedthefouruniformedpolice
who’dclimbedoutofthecarsandaimedhandgunsatthehouse.

“Oh,lordy,”Breesaidsoftly.

“CanIhelpyou,officers?”Nadinesteppedoutontotheporch.Shehada

cigarettebetweenherfingersbutdidn’treachforthelighterinherpocket.“Is
somethingwrong?”

Awomaninasuitwithaguninahipholsterstrolledpasttheuniformsand

towardtheporch.“Ma’am,weheardwordthatShiftershadconvergedonthis
house.Wecametoseeifyouwereallright.Aretheyinthere?”

BreewatchedhermotherdebatewhethertolieandsaytheShiftershadgone

orhadneverbeenthereatall,versushavingthepolicepushtheirwayin,
claimingtheyhadarighttowhentherewasacleardanger.

BreecaughtNadine’seye,andgaveherafaintnod.Tellthemthetruth.

Thetruth,Breehadlearned,meantdifferentthingstodifferentpeople.

“Yes,they’rehere,”Nadinesaid.“Butthey’remydaughter’sfriends.They

cametobreakfast.”

Breestolebackintothelivingroomandrantothekitchen.“Make

breakfast,”shesaidrapidlytotheShifters.“Ihaveanidea.GowithwhateverI
sayanddo.”

Seamusstaredatherasecondortwo,thenheseemedtounderstand.He

cuppedherfacewithhisbighandthenlethergo.

“Right,”Seansaidbehindhim.“Someonefindmeamessofeggs.”

***

Seancooked.Seamusrummagedinthecupboardsandremovedplatesand

things,enoughforbreakfastforsix.Dylanhadtakenupastanceattheback
door,watchingoutthewindow.

Seanhadeggsandbacongoingintwofryingpans,instructingSeamusto

bringhimingredientsfromtherefrigerator—salsa,peppers,limes,whatever
Seamuscouldfind.

Tigerwasthemostrestless,pacingtheroom,checkingthedoorsand

windowsasthoughcalculatingthebestwayoutiftheplacewasstormed.

Bree,who’drunupstairs,camebarrelingbackdownjustasSeamusheard

Nadinefinallyconsenttoletsomeofthepoliceintoherhouse.Breeslidintothe
kitchen,nearlyshovedSeamusdownontoachair,andslammedherselftohis
lap.

She’dputonthetightesttopandskirtimaginable,theskirtshowingoffher

legsfromhiptoankle.Hereyeswereoncemoremadeupwitheyepencilto
lookcatlike,andshe’ddrawnwhiskersonherface.Thelineswerewobbly,but
solid.She’dalsoputonanewsetoffakecat’sears.

She’dbecomethegroupieagain.Seamuscouldn’tdecidewhethershe

lookedadorableorsexyashell.

Breenuzzledhisneck,herarmswrappedwellaroundhimasNadineledthe

policeintothekitchen.AroundBree,whocontinuedtonuzzleandkisshim,
Seamussawawomaninasuitflankedbytwouniformedpolicemen.

Thepresenceofthepoliceshouldsendhimintoapanic,butSeamusviewed

themasthoughthroughahaze.Heathadstartedinhisheartandwasbusily
workingitswaydownhisbody.NotonlywasBreesexyashell—okay,thatwas
aneasydecisiontomake—shewasdoingthistoprotecthim.Matesdidthat.

“Bree,”Nadinesaidinexasperation.“Itoldyou,Idon’tlikethatgroupie

stuffatthetable.”

BreeslidfromSeamus’slap,lookingonlyslightlyembarrassedasshe

straightenedherbriefskirt.“Iknow,but...”ShecircledbehindSeamusandslid
herarmsaroundhim.“Ican’tresisthim.”

NotonlydidherclaspcalmSeamus,itkepthimfromfingeringtheCollar,

whichwastoodamnedtight.Ifhegaveintoinstinctandgrabbedatit,he’d
maybedislodgeit,revealingthatitwasn’treal.

Seanturnedfromthestove.“Breakfastisup.Dad?”

Dylanmovedslowlytowardthetable,eyeingthepolice.ThiswasaFeline

usedtobeingincharge,Seamusknew,buthe’dbeenaroundlongenoughto
knowwhentobeforcefulandwhentobackoff.Hehatedbackingoff,Seamus
saw,butaShifterdidn’tgettobeleader—andthenkeephislifeafterhe
concededleadership—byattackingwhenitwasn’tprudent.

Tigerunderwentthebiggestchange.Assoonasthepolicehadenteredthe

kitchen,he’dceasedpacing,satdownonachair,andwentstillasstone.Hisbig
facewasacarefulblank,hisyelloweyesfixedonthetable.

“ThisisDetectiveReder,”Nadinesaidbrightly.“She’sworriedaboutrogue

Shiftersinthearea.”

Rederwasonthetallsideforahumanwoman,herblackhairtuckedintoa

neatbun,herbrowneyesquicklytakingintheShifters,Bree,theroom,theexits,
andSeanatthestove.

Seamuswonderedhowthedetectivehadknowntheywerehere.Hecouldn’t

imagineDylanandhistrackersbeingsoclumsyastoletthemselvesbefollowed,
orlettingthemusetheGPSonBree’sphone—aGuardianlikeSeanwouldhave
beenwiseenoughtodisablethat.Ormaybeithadbeenassimpleasoneofthe
hunterswho’dbeenchasinghimgivingthepolicethelicensenumberofBree’s
truck.

DylanfoldedhisarmsanddeliberatelydidnotmeetReder’seyes.“These

Shiftersworkforme.Nonearerogues,asyoucansee.”

“Whoarethey?”DetectiveRederaskedcrisply.“Names?”

“I’mDylanMorrissey,”Dylanansweredinaneventone.“MysonSeanis

cookingbreakfast,TigerhereisaliaisonwithShifterBureau,andSeamus
McGuireisoneofmytrackers.”

“Andyouareallhere,because...”Thedetectivepaused,herdarkgaze

impenetrable.

“Becauseofme,”Breesaid.ShelookedupatRederandgaveheraninane

littlelaugh.“Icouldn’tletSeamusgolastnight—wewerehavingsomuchfun.
Dylanandtheotherscametofindhimthismorning,tomakesurehewentback
toShiftertownlikeagoodboy.”SheturnedanannoyedlookonDylanandstuck
hertongueoutathim.“Spoilsport.”

ChapterEight

RedertransferredherinterestedgazetoBree,andBreepoppedhertongue

backintohermouth.

Beneathher,Seamussatrockstill,hisheadturnedsohisgazerestedon

Bree.Saferthatway.Astormofemotionsroiledinhiseyes,whichwouldbetray
himifhelookedatReder.

“Explainallthis,”RedersaidtoBree.“Shiftersaresupposedtospendtheir

nightsinShiftertown.”

BreekissedSeamus’scheekwhileshethoughtthroughwhattosay.The

buzzofunshavedwhiskerswaspleasantonherlips,butshecouldn’tletherself
getdistracted.

“Seamusandmegottodancing.”BreeliftedherheadbutgaveSeamus

anothersqueeze.“Icouldtellhelikedme,andIaskedhimtocomehomewith
me.”Sheshrugged.“Welosttrackoftime,Iguess.Sohisfriendscamelooking
forhim.”

“Trustme,”Nadinesaidwearily.“Theydidlosetrackoftime.Butwhatcan

youdowithadaughterwho’saddictedtoShifters?”Sheshookherhead,the
sadnessoftheworldweighingonhershoulders.

“I’mgoingtoneedtoconfirmthat,”Redersaid,stillfocusedonBree.“Who

didyouseeattheroadhouse?”Shedidn’tgetoutanotebookoranything,only
watchedBreeasthoughmemorizingeverythingabouther.

“Oh,lotsofpeople.”Breescrewedupherface,asthoughthinkingthen

givingup.“I’mnewhere.Idon’tknoweveryone’snames.”

“Buthewould.”Reder’sglancefellonSeamus.“Whowasthere,Shifter?”

BeforeSeamuscouldspeak,Seanbrokein.“Me,forone.HowelsedidI

knowwheretostartlookingforthelad?Broderick,Ronan,Spike...oh,lotsof
peoplefromShiftertown.”Breehadn’tseenanyoftheShiftershereatthebar,
butshehadnodoubtthatSeanwouldmakesuretheyallsworethey’dbeen
there.

Rederrockedontheballsofherfeet.“Theproblemisthatthere’sbeentwo

deaths.”Hervoicefilledwithsteel.“Twomenhavebeenfounddeadnearthe
roadhouse,theirbodiesrippedupasthoughbywildanimals.Thesetwomen

werearmed,buttheirshotgunswerelikewisetornapart.Nohumanwouldhave
beenstrongenoughtodothis,soweimmediatelyknew...Shifter.”

Seamusstiffened.Breerubbedherhandsoverhisarmsandpressedakissto

hisshoulder.Keepittogether,shewilledsilently.You’reallright.

Seancontinuedspeakingforthegroup.“YouhaveDNAtestsnow,don’t

you?Totellyouwhowasatthescene?TheDNAofeveryShifterisonrecord,
youknow.Samplesweretakenwaybackwhenwewerefirstroundedup.”

SpotsofredburnedinReder’scheeks.“Wehaven’tbeenabletoisolatethe

ShifterDNAyet.It’snotaseasyasitlooksonTV.”

“Ah.Maybethere’snonetheretoisolate,”Seansaid.

“We’llsee.”Redersoundedconfident.“AllotherevidencepointstoShifter.

That’swhyI’llhavetotakeyouallinuntilwediscoverwhat’sgoingon.”

Crap.Atapolicestation,witheveryonegettingstripsearchedandthelike,

Seamuswouldn’tbeabletomaintainthepretensethattheCollarwasreal.
They’dalsofindoutSeamuswasn’tfromtheAustinShiftertownatallwhen
theybegangoingthroughrecords.SeanMorrisseymightbegoodat
verisimilitude,butShifterscouldn’tworkmagic.

AchairscrapedasTigerclimbedtohisfeet.Rederstartedandtookastep

back,thenanotherasTigerrosetohisfullheight.Thetwouniformedcops
swallowed,handsonweapons.

“Whatishedoing?”Rederaskednervously.

Tiger,inhisfatiguepantsandblackT-shirtlookedlikeawar-experienced

soldieryoudidnotwanttomesswith.Hismixedblackandorangehairwent
wellwithhishardfaceandunmovinggoldeneyes.

“ShifterBureau,”Tigersaidcalmly.

Rederwatchedhimnervously.“ShifterBureauwhat?Whatareyoutalking

about?”

“ShifterBureaumustbenotifiedifanyShiftersaretakenin,”Tigersaid.

“Thereisaprocedure.CallMajorWalkerDanielson,thecommandingofficer.”

“Thisisn’tamilitarything,”Redersnapped.“It’sfirstdegreemurder.Onmy

watch.”

Tigershookhishead.“Allpoliceinvolvementinanythingtodowith

ShiftersmustbecoordinatedwithandclearedbyShifterBureau.”

RederlookedtoBree,ofallpeople,forconfirmation.Breeshrugged,

leaningdownagaintorestagainstSeamus.Itfeltnaturaltocradlehim,as
thoughtheybelongedtogether.

Dylanbrokein.“Tigerhasapoint.PutinacalltoShifterBureautoconfirm

ifyouwantto.Youhavetowaitfortheirokay.”

Reder’stemperwasonitslastfrayedthread.“TohellwithShifterBureau.

I’marrestingallShiftersinthisroomonsuspicionofmurder.I’dreadyouyour
rights,butyoudon’thaveany.Youtwo.”ShepointedatBreeandNadine.“I’ll
needyoutostayintown,whereIcanputmyhandsonyouandquestionyouif
necessary.”Redernoddedathertwouniforms.“Cuffthem.”

Theuniformedcopsdidn’twanttodoit,Breecouldsee,buttheyreluctantly

tookcuffsfrombehindtheirbacks.NoneoftheShiftersmoved,including
Seamus,whowastenseasacoiledrattlesnake.

ItwasinterestingtoseethatbothuniformedcopstriedtogoforSeanfirst—

heseemedtheleastthreatening.Seanfounditinterestingtoo,apparently.He
grinnedandstartedbackingawayfromthem.

Reder,furious,wentforTiger.

Tigerreachedout,andwithoutchangingexpression,tookthecuffsfrom

Reder’shandsandbrokethem.Redershrieked,oneoftheuniformsspunaround,
drewhisweapon,andshotTiger.

Tigerjuststoodthere.Hedidn’tevenlookdownattheredholethat

blossomedinhissidenordidhetrytotouchit.

Themanwhofiredwentsheetwhite.Rederdrewhergunandfoundit

pluckedfromherhandbyTiger’sbigone.Anothershotrangout,thisone
grazingTiger’sarm,butTigerstilldidn’tflinch.

Tigersaid,“Dylan,”thenhisclothesweresplitting,andanenormousman-

beastwithTiger-stripedfurfilledthekitchen.

Breeexpectedthecopsoutsidetocomechargingin,alertedbygunfireand

Reder’sshouts,butshesawandheardnosignofit.

Theuniformsaimedagain.“Stop!”Dylan’svoicerangthroughthekitchen.

“Don’tprovokehim.CallShifterBureau.Doit.Now!”

“I’monit,”Seansaid.

“Seamus,”Dylansaid.“Seewhat’shappeningoutside.”

“Nooneleavesthisroom!”Redershouteddesperately.

“Ithinkyou’vebeenoutranked,honey,”Nadinesaid.Shetappedacigarette

onthecounterandputitbetweenherlips.“Betterletthemfindoutwhyyour
backupisn’tcoming.”

Redersnappedherfingersatoneoftheuniformsandgrabbedtheradiohe

handedher.“Gonzales,Smith,respond.”

Noanswerbutthecracklingofstatic.

BreereluctantlyslidherarmsfromaroundSeamusashegottohisfeetto

obeyDylan.Hestartedforthelivingroom,butBreewentwithhim,because
Seamuswouldn’tletgoofherhand.

***

Theyhadtogetoutofhere.Seamus’sskinwasroastinghot,crazyimages

tearingthroughhishead,hisbodystartingtoshiftofitsownaccord.Heclamped
downontheneedtobecomelion,holdinghimselfinhumanformwithallhis
strength.

WatchingTigertakingtheshots,breakingthepistolandthecuffs,andthen

burstingintohisbetweenbeast,hadsurgedSeamus’sadrenalinehigh.Tigerwas
nearlyferal,unstoppable,un-Collared,andtheferalinsideSeamusrespondedto
that.

Aglanceoutthefrontwindowshowedthecopsandthecarswerestillthere.

Butthetwouniformsweretalkingquietly,notlookingatthehouse,obviously
hearingnothing.

“Huh,”Breesaidbesidehim.“Maybesomethingisjammingthesignals.”

Oneofherfakecat’searsbrushedSeamus’sarm.Adeepshiverwent

throughhim,aneedsostrongheknewhe’dnotcontainitforlong.

Breehadnoideahowgoodshelookedintheskirtthathuggedherample

curves,themakeupshe’dalreadysmeared,eventhesillycat’sears.Seamus
wonderedwhyeverymaleintheroadhouselastnighthadn’ttriedtocarryher
off.

Thethoughtmadehimrumblewithgrowls.Eventhebriefestimageof

anotherShiftertouchingherhadSeamus’sangersoaring.

TohellwithDylanandhistameShifters,tohellwiththehumancopsand

thehunters.SeamusneededBree—didn’twanttobewithouther,everagain.
Anythingelsegoingoninthishouserightnowwasirrelevant.

Seamusgraspedherarm.“Comewithme,”hesaid,hisvoicebarely

working.

Bree’sblueeyesbehindtheblackpaintwidened.“Comewithyouwhere?”

“Outofhere.Away.We’llgofarfromhere,holeup,staytogether.”

Bree’smouthformedaroundO.Seamusexpectedhertolookterrified,to

yankherselffromhim,tofighthimwiththecouragehe’dseeninher.

Nofearfilledhereyes.Instead,Seamussawinterest,curiosity,andlonging.

ThenBree’sfacefell.“Ican’t.Ican’tleavemymomtodealwithShifters

andthecopsbyherself.”

No,shecouldn’t.Bree’sfamilymightbeverysmall,butSeamushadseen

thefierceloyaltybetweenmotheranddaughter,thesharedgriefoverthebrother,
thewaytheytookcareofeachother.

“Bringher,”Seamussaid.“I’llprotecthertoo.ButIhavetogo,nowthat

I’mhealed.Ihavenochoice.”

Bree’smouthdroppedopenagain.“Wait,youwantmetorunawaywithyou

and‘holeup,’asyousaid...withmymother?”

“Wewilltakecareofher.It’stheShifterway.”

“TheShifterwayisthecrazyway.”Bree’ssmileheldincredulity.“Anyway,

itdoesn’tmatter.We’llnevergetoutpastthecops.”

“Ican.”

“Yeah,Ibetyoucan.”Breelookedhimupanddown.“ButIcan’t.”

“I’llworkonit.Bree...”Seamuscouldn’thelptouchingher,skimmingher

hairbackfromherface.Theheadbandsnaggedonhisfingers.“There’ssomuch
Ineedtotellyou.ButIhavetogetawayfromhere,now,can’tbearrested.It’s
important.”

Bree’sexpressionwasserious.“Didyoureallykillthehunters?”

Confusedmemoriesbeatintohisbrain.Theblood,thepain,snarling,

screams,thesmell...“Idon’tknow.It’s...unclear.”SeamustookBree’shand
again,pressingdown.“NowthatI’vefoundyou,Ican’tletyougo.Ican’t.I
neverwouldhavehealedthisfastifnotforyou.”

“Yousaidthatlastnight.Butifyouneededtoleavesobad,whydidn’tyou

go?Imean,thismorningbeforewewokeup?BeforetheShifterscame.Ifyou’d
goneinthenight,theymightnothavefoundyou.”

Seamuswasalreadyshakinghishead.“BecauseIdidn’twanttoleave

withoutyou.Iwantedtoconvinceyoutocomewithme.”Humortrickled
throughhisfrustration.“Iwasstupid.Whichisalsodowntoyou—mybrains
wentoutthewindowwhenIlandedinyourtruckandlaideyesonyou.There’s
thingsIhavetodo.Ihavetoknowthey’resafe—Goddess,pleaseletthembe
safe—butI’mrunningoutoftime.”Hiswordstumbledout,hisworryescalating.

“Ifyoureallyneedtoleave,”Breesaid.“Icandistractthem.You’reShifter

—I’mprettysureyoucanbegonefasterthantheycanthinktostartlookingfor
you.”

Seamuspulledhisattentionbacktowhatshewassaying.Offeringtostay

behind,totakethewrathofthepolicesoSeamuscouldslipoutandgo.
Sacrifice.

DidSeamushaveachoice?Eitherway,helost.IfheleftwithoutBree,he’d

likelyneverseeheragain.Ifhestayed,he’dfailhismissionandthosewho
countedonhim.Can’thaveboth.

WhatthehumancopsandShifterBureaudidn’tunderstandwasthatShifters

weremorethananimals.Eonsago,whenShiftershadbeencreatedasfighters
fortheFae,thoseShiftersweremoreprimal.Ifhe’dlivedbackthen,Seamus
mighthavesaidtohellwithhisresponsibilitiesandBree’sfamily,grabbedher,
andheadedoff.They’dgosomewhereremote,losethemselves,neverreturn.

ButsincethenShiftershadlearnedaboutcommunities.Didn’tmatterabout

Collars,noCollars,orwhatspecieseachShifterwas—anotherthinghumans,
andeventheCollaredShifters,didn’talwaysunderstand.Seamuscouldbeas
protectiveofthoseinhiscommunity—theLupines,bears,andFelinesnot
remotelyrelatedtohim—ashewaswithhisownfamily.

Whowereallgone.Kendrick’sbandofShiftershadbeenmadeupofthose

leftontheirown.Kendrickhadknownhowtodrawthemtogethersothey
formedonebigclan,nomatterwhattheirorigins.

Nowtheclanhaddissipated,eachShifterhavinghisorherdesignated

responsibilitiestocarryoutbeforetheyreunited.Kendrickseemedtohave
vanishedoffthefaceoftheearthfornow,butitdidn’tmatter.He’dbeback.He
alwayscameback.

Comeawaywithme.Seamuswantedthatmorethananything.ForBreeto

becomepartofhisfamily,partofhispride.

SeamusopenedhismouthtotellBreehehadabetterideawhenahuge

noisesoundedbehindtheatticceilinginthestairwellabovethem.

Witharushandaroar,theplasterandboardsoftheceilingcamedown,

alongwithadelugeofwater,theentiretyofitcrashingintothestairsandthe
floorbelow.

ChapterNine

Breescreamed.Dust,boards,sheetrock,andwaterpoureddownthestairs,

andSeamusslammedhimselfoverBree,feelingdebrispoundhisback.He
smelleddirt,water,blood.

Tigerwasthefirstoneoutofthekitchen.Hewasafulltigernow,giant

pawssendingupplumesofwaterasheboundedacrossthefloodedlivingroom,
shovingasidewoodandpiecesofwallboardtogettothem.Oncetheywerefree,
Tigerstoodoverthem,staringdownwithintenseyelloweyes.

Breewascoughing,butunhurt.Seamusfeltastingonhisfaceandwiped

awayblood,butitwasonlyfromcutsfromtheexplodingpiecesofwallboard
andplaster.

“We’reallright,”Seamussaid.

Tigerturnedfromthemandleaptupthestairs.DylanandSeanhademerged

afterTigerandhadalreadystartedfortheattic.Rederwascloseontheirheels,
slippingonthenowsoakedrugsandfloorboards.Oneoftheuniformsfollowed,
hisweapondrawn,Nadinecomingbehind.Whathadhappenedtothesecond
uniformcopwasunclear.

“Youwon’twanttogoupthere.”NadinecalledafterthemasRederandthe

copheadedupstairs.“It’sdangerous.”

“Whoeverisupthereiscomingdown,”DetectiveRederdeclared.

“It’smyson,”Nadinesaid.She’dstoppedatthefootofthestairs,restingher

handsonthenewelpost.

Rederglareddownather.“Thenyoutellhimtocomeoutquietly.”

“Can’t.He’spassed.Killedinaction.Imeanit’shisghost.He’swatching

overus.”

Reder’sfacewasamixtureofsympathyandanger.“I’msorrytohearabout

yourson,ma’am.Butwhoeverisupthereisnoghost.”

SheturnedawayleavingSeamus,Bree,andNadinealone.

“Mom.”Breesignaledhermotheroverandspokeinarapidwhisper.“We

needtogo.MeandSeamus.Hehasthingshehastodo.”

Seamusbrusheddebrisfromhisshirt.“Breedoesn’twanttoleaveyou

behind.Comewithus.”

Nadinelookedhimoverinsurprise,thenshegaveasnort,hershortcurls

bouncing.“LikeI’mgoingtogorunningthroughemptylotsorhidinginthe
backofRemy’spickup.Youdowhatyouneedto,but—”Shestucktwofingers
againstSeamus’schest.“Youlookaftermydaughter.Bringherhomeinone
piece.Yougotme?Iknowyoudidn’tkillthosemen,soyouproveit.Nowgo.”
Nadineglancedattheceilingandsmiled.“Youknowwhytheirradiosare
jammed?It’sRemy,messingwiththesignals.Thatwashisjobinthearmy,
remember?”

Sheturnedandstartedupthestairs.Above,theShifterswerescrambling

intotheattic,Rederdemandingtoknowwhattheysaw.

SeamustookBree’shand,ledherthroughthekitchen,andoutthebackdoor.

***

Breealreadyknewthatgoingforthepickupwouldbeimpossible.Remy’s

truckwasparkedinfrontandcurrentlysurroundedbycops.Theuniformwho
hadn’tcomeoutofthekitchenwasouttherewiththeothertwo,explainingwhat
wasgoingon.

Breehadgrabbedherpursefromthekitchencounterasthey’dspedout,and

nowshetuckedthebulkythingunderherarm.“Well,youwantedadistraction,”
shesaidtoSeamus.“Thisway.”

Sheledhimoutoftheirsmallyardandacrossafieldtoastrandofliveoaks

growingthicklyalongacreek.Thecreekwaslow,onlyatrickleinit,butthe
dampbedandthetreesgavethemcover.Breewasgladshehadn’tputonspike
heelstocompletehergroupiecostume.She’dgrabbedplainflatsinstead,
needingtohurrythroughthehouse.

Sheworriedaboutleavinghermotherbehind,butonethingBreeknew

aboutNadineFayettewasthatshecouldholdherown.She’draisedtwokidsby
herselfaftertheirdaddied,haddealtwithahellofalotofstuff.AShifterlike
Dylanmightbepowerful,butBreedoubtedhe’dhadtodealwithanyonelike
hermother.

Afterthey’dhikedabouthalfamile,Breeinthelead,shesaid,“Allright,

Seamus.Wehavealittletimeaswerunforourlives.Tellmewhatthisisall
about.Yousaidyoudidn’tknowifyoukilledthehunters.Howcouldyounot
know?”

Seamusdidn’tspeakforamomentandwassoquietBreefearedhe’d

slippedawayandlefther.Shequicklyturnedaround,buthewasastepbehind
her,sunlighttouchinghisdarkhairandglitteringinhiseyes.

“Everythingisablur,”hesaid,hisvoicealowgrowl.“Iwasbeingchased,I

thoughtbythehunters.Butwhensomeoneattackedme,IthoughtitwasShifter,
andIdidn’tholdback.Icouldn’tseeclearly,andscentwasonemassof
confusion.Ineverwouldhavekilledhumanslikethat.Icouldonlyhavedone
thatifI’dgoneferal.”

“OryoureallywerefightingaShifter,andhekilledthehunters.”

“I’veconsideredthattoo.”Seamusletoutaheavysigh.“ButIdon’t

remember.”Hisvoicewentevenmoregrowling,asthoughhelongedtoshift
intohisanimalform.“Thingswereflickinginandoutallnight.Ichangedsafe
houses,becauseIsworewewerebeingstalked.Iwentbacktothefirstsafe
housetoambushtheattacker,todrawhimtofollowme.Everythingafterthat...
Ican’tbesure.UntilIsawthehuntersweredead,andIran,gettingshotalong
theway.Isawyousittinginyourtruckandheadedforit.”

“Andthenwhat?”Breejumpedasmalltrickleofwater,gratefulforSeamus

steadyingheronthemuddybank.“Everythingsuddenlyclearedup?”

“No.”Seamusgaveashortlaugh.“Iwasbeingchasedbyhuntersandinthe

carwithacrazywoman.”

“Notcrazy...well,notmuchcrazy.”

“Iwashalfpassedoutwithpain,”Seamussaid.“ButeverythingsinceImet

you,Iremember.Ihaven’tfadedoutagain.”

“That’sgood.Whereisthissafehouse?Isthatwherewe’regoing?”

“Onlyifwecanmakesurewearen’tfollowed.”Seamuspausedtopusha

branchoutofherway.Itwasquietbackhere,andhumid,Bree’shairalready
damp.“Ihavetogetthere,checkonit,butIcan’triskleadinganyonethere.It’s
veryimportant.”

“I’llmakesure,”Breesaid.“Ididn’texactlyhaveanangelicchildhood.”

Seamusdidn’trespondtothat,andBreeglancedbehindher.Seamuswas

followingclosely,andagain,heputoutahandtohelpherkeepherbalance.

“Sowhatdoyouthinkhappenedinmyattic?”sheaskedastheytrudged

along.“Waterpipebursting?Aleakwouldexplaintheshortinglightyousaw.”

“Idon’tknow.”Seamussoundedtroubled.“Ididn’tlikethesmell.”

“Yeah?Ihaveafeelingyoudon’tmeanlikeananimalthatcrawledinthere

anddied.”

“No,itwassharper,”Seamussaid.“AscentnoShifterwantstosmellinhis

lifetime.Ifyourhouseisonaleyline,itcouldbeagateintotheFaelands.The
scentwasn’tstrong,sotheopeningmightbeweak.Butifyourhouseisonaley
line,Iwantyoutomove.”

“Oh,right.Idon’tthinkmymomwillgoforthat.Thehouseispaidfor.”

Breenavigatedoveraboulder,clingingtoSeamus’sstronghand.“I’veheard
ShifterstalkabouttheFae.Theymadeyoualongtimeago,right?Andnowyou
hatethem?”

“ShiftershavealwayshatedFae.It’snothingnew.”

Seamuspulledhertoahalt.Standingwithhim,Breefeltright,nomatter

thattheywerehurryingthroughacreekbedevadingcopsandShifterswith
Collarsorwhoever.Shebelongedhere,leaningagainsthim.

“Idon’thearanyonefollowing,”Seamussaid.“Weneedtostopandthink.

Whereareyoutryingtotakeme?”

Breeshrugged,likingthewarmthofhisshirtagainsthershoulder.“Tofinda

car,onethatwon’tbemissedforawhile.”Onethatwouldn’tlandonapolice
reportuntiltheywerelonggone.“Remytaughtmehowtohotwire.”

“Youmisshim,”Seamussaid.

“Yeah.”Breeblinkedsuddenlymoisteyes.“Ido.Healwayshadtimeforhis

peskylittlesister.Losinghimputabigholeinmylife,youknow?”

Seamusdrewhishanddownherback.“Idoknow.Ilostmybrotherand

sister,mymom.ItwasbeforeShifterswereroundedup.Whentheystarted
comingafterShifters,planningtoshuttheminShiftertowns,Iranandhidout.I
rantoalotofplacesbeforeIfoundsomeShifterstostaywith.I’dbeenalonea
longtime,butI’mnotanymore.Theytookmein.”

Seamusclosedhismouthtoathinlineasthoughhewantedtosaymorebut

stoppedhimself.

Oneday,Breevowed,she’dmakehimtellhertheentirestory.Rightnow,

though,theycouldn’tstaydowninthiscreekbedforever.

“Thisway,”shesaid,pointingdownasidetrail.“Itwilltakeustoamore

populatedarea,wherewecanfindanoldcar.”

Seamuspressedakisstothetopofherhead.“Howdoyouknowyourway

aroundhere?Ithoughthumansstucktosidewalks.”

Breegavehimalaugh.“Igrewupinthebayous.Learnedtoexplorethe

backwoodswhenIwastiny.WhenImovedhere,thefirstthingIdidwasfigure
outwherealltheselittlepathsoutherewent.Easierthanthebayous,trustme.
ThereareplentyofsnakesinthispartofTexas,butnoalligators.That’saplus.”

Seamusdidn’tlaugh,onlylistenedasthoughsheimpartedimportant

information.Hegaveheranotherkissonthehead,thenpulledawayasthough
worriedhewouldn’tletgoifhedidn’tmakehimself.

WhileBreewasnothappytheyhadtowalkon,puttingdistancebetween

themselvesandherhouse,sheknewnowwasnotthetimeandplacetoindulge
inhergrowingdesiresforSeamus.Inmovies,peoplestoppedandhadsexinthe
middleofrunningawayorfighting,butthatwasthemovies.Thiswasreallife,
anddangerous.

Breeheadeddownanovergrownpath,thetwoofthemduckingunderlow-

hangingbranches.Abouthalfamilelater,theyemergedinaweed-chokedditch
thatwasbridgedoverfortheroadaboveit.

TheywereonthesouthwesternoutskirtsofAustin,whichhadbuiltupso

muchinthelasttenyears,peoplehadtoldBree,thatitwasrunningintothe
townsaroundit.Bree,newtothearea,onlysawstripmalls,housing
developments,restaurants,andgianthardwarestores.

Attheendofastringofstoressellingfarmequipment,buildingequipment,

andlumber,Breefoundcarssittingemptyandforlorninaparkinglot.Thedirt
onthemandthegroundaroundthemtoldherthey’dbeenthereforsometime.
Possiblybecausetheydidn’twork,ormaybetheownersjustdidn’tknowhowto
haulthemoff.

Onlyonewaytofindout.Breewenttothemostwhole-lookingofthemand

openedtheunlockeddoor.

SeamuscroucheddownnexttoherasBreepriedopenthepanelunderthe

steeringwheelandtuggedoutthewiring.Oldcarswereeasiertohotwirethan
newones,whichwerecomputerizedandmighthavefailsafestokeepthecar
fromworkingifthesteeringcolumnwasbroken.Aprocarthiefcouldget
aroundit;anamateurlikeBreecouldnot.

Thiscarwasoldenoughfortheirneeds.Bree’shandsgrewmoist,her

fingersshakingasshestrovetorememberwhatwiresRemyhadtaughtherto
touchtogether.

There.Asparkjumpedfromwiretowire.Thecarsputteredtolife,andthen

died.Breetappedthewiresagain,gettingsparks,buttheenginedidn’tmakea
sound.

“Damnit.”

Seamussaidnothing,onlyroseandhelpedherup.ThenextoneBreetried

hadthesameresult.Theblastedthingshadbeenheretoolong.

Seamus,whocouldhavebeenyellingathertohurryorberatingherfornot

beingabletodowhatsheclaimedshecould,onlypatientlyescortedhertothe
nextcar.Nooneelsewasinthelot,thoughthesunwaswellupnow;noone
seemedtospotthemflittingfromvehicletovehicle.

ThefourthcarBreetriedfinallystruggledtolife.Sherevvedtheengine,

rewardedbyasteadyhum,notgurglingdeaththroes.Sheletoutherbreath.
“Finally.”

Thetankwasalmostempty,andBreewouldhavetofillit.Shewasgrateful

she’dhadsenseenoughtobringherpurse,whichheldalittlebitofcash.Credit
cardsorbankcardswouldbeofflimits—thosewereeasilytraced.Goodthing
therewereenoughpeopleinTexas—ashadbeeninthebayous—whodidn’t
trustcreditcardsandbanks,soBreemakingcashpurchaseswouldn’tbe
regardedasunusualandmemorable.

First,togetthere.

“Allright,”BreesaidasSeamusslidintothepassengerseat.“Wehave

transportation.Wherearewegoing?”

“North,”Seamussaid.

“Canyoubemorespecific?”Breeputthecaringearandcarefullydroveout

ofthelot.Nooneyelled,noonecamerunning,nooneseemedtonotice.

BreeglancedatSeamus,sittingsocasuallynexttoherashehadinhertruck

lastnight,butwashedandnearlyrecoveredthismorning.Hewaswatchingthe
surroundingareaandothercars,sunglintingonthefakeCollarrestingagainst
histhroat.

“I’mnotsurefromhere,”heansweredafteratime.“Gonorth,towardthe

city.”

Breewasn’tasfamiliarwiththisareaasshewantedtobe,butshepickeda

large,high-traffickedroadandturnedthedirectionshethoughtwasnorth.A
greensignwith“Austin”onitplusanarrowpointingthewaydidn’thurt.

“OfalltheShiftersinalltheworldwhocouldjumpintomytruck,”Bree

muttered,“Igotonewho’sdirectionallychallenged.”

Seamusslantedheralookfromhisgoldeneyes.“AndIgotaShiftergroupie

withsmearedmakeup.”Heranagentlefingerdownhercheek.

Breewenthot.“SmearedbecauseIwassavingyourass.”

“Iknow.Byshowingoffyoursweetass.”

Breewenthotterstill.“Oh,youlikeit,doyou?”

“Yes.Andwhatyoufeltlikeunderyoursleepshirt,whenIkissedyoulast

night.”Heskimmedhistouchtohershoulder.“Ilikedit.”

“Yeah?”Breesoftenedherbanter.“Well,sodidI.”

“Good.”Seamuslookedaroundagain,butshesawtheflushonhisface,the

needinhiseyes.“Irememberthisnow.Takethatroad.”

ThatroadwasMopac,whichledrightthroughtheheartofAustin.Seamus

wassearching,searchingastheyspedupthehighway—andthensloweddown
foratonoftraffic.Itwaseightinthemorning,andMopacwasclogged.

Seamuskeptquietuntilthey’dcrossedtheriver.Thenhecamealert,

pointingtoasigntheywerefastapproaching.“Enfield,thatwasit.”

Breepulledhurriedlyacrosstwolanes,earninghonks,yells,andfingers,

divingfortheexit.Seamusdirectedhereast,andtheydroveonagain.Enfield
wasaquieter,ifnarrowstreet,headingupahillbeforeitdescendedagaintoward
thetallbuildingsofdowntown.

Seamuswaspeeringcarefullyaroundagain,directingherdownasidestreet

andthentoanotherlittlearterythatseemedtogonowhere.

“Youknow,we’realmostoutofgas,”Breepointedout.

“Notfarnow,”Seamussaidabsently.

TheyendedupatLamar.Seamusdirectedhersouthonthisstreet,thenintoa

smallerneighborhood.Thehousesherewerenearlyobscuredwithovergrown
treesandbushes.Oldhousesperchedonrisesabovethestreet,stonestairs
leadinguptothem.

“Areyousurethisisright?”Breeasked.“Thisislikethemiddleof

downtownAustin.Well,veryclose,anyway.Youknow,withpolicestationsand
everything.”

“Iknow,”Seamussaid.“Here.”Hepointed.

Breeguidedtheoldcartothecurb,orrather,thesideoftheroad.There

werenosidewalks,justthenarrowstreethiddenamongtreesandbehindacurve
ofhillthatfollowedtheColoradoRiver.Breeknewthattheywereinthemiddle
ofthecity—withpeopleincarsrushingeverywhere—butinthislittlearea,
hiddenfromalleyes,theymighthavebeeninthequietcountryside.

“NotwhatIexpected,”Breesaidinahushedvoice.

Seamusclimbedoutofthecarandcarefullyshutitsdoor—noslamming.

Breejoinedhim,takingthesameamountofcare.

Seamusgaveherahalfsmileashewaitedforher.“DidyouthinkI’dbring

youtoaburned-outshackinthemiddleofnowhere?EvenrogueShifterslike
runningwaterandelectricity.”

“Funny.”Breewrinkledhernose.“Leadon.”

Seamustookhertoaflightofstepsthatwentupthehill,eachindividual

stepnestledintotheearth.Theyclimbedaboutfifteenofthese,treesclosing
aroundthemtoshieldthemfrompassers-byontheroad.NotthatBreesawor
heardanyone.

SeamuspulledoffhisfakeCollarastheywalked,theendsunfusingathis

touchaseasilyasthey’djoined.BreewonderedhowonearthSeanhadmadeit
todothat.Hetrulywasanartist.

Attheendofthestepslayanarrowdirtpath,attheendofthepathahouse.

Thehousewassmall,white,andneedingpaint,withawideporchofthe
bungalowstyle.Thewindowswereframedbyblackshutters,alsoneedingpaint.
Theyardaroundithadseenbetterdays,thegrassyellownowwithcoming
winter.Atonetime,though,Breecouldtell,flowerbedshadlinedthepathand
theperimeterofthehouse.Thewholeplacewasquaint,tiny,andthekindof
placeBreewouldlovetolive.

Seamuswalkeduptothefrontporch,tookakeyfromhispocketatthesame

timehestuffedtheCollarintoit,andunlockedandopenedthedoor.Heentered
thehousefirsttomakesureallwaswellwithin,asShiftersdid.

“Allright,Francesca?”hecalledsoftlyinside.

Francesca?Whothehellwas...

Mustbethetallwomanwithamassofbrownhaircomingdownthestairs,

herrangylooktellingBreeshewasLupine.

TheShifterwhocamegallopingfromthebackatthesoundofSeamus’s

voicewasn’tLupine—orFelineeither.Itwasabear,abrownone,andvery,very
small.He,orshe,barreledtowardSeamusonshortlegswithoversizedpaws,
andransmackintohim.

ChapterTen

Seamusrockedalittleasthecubslammedintohislegs,thenhepausedtolet

himselffeelvastrelief.Katiewasallright.

Bree,behindhim,stoppedinastonishment.Seamusfeltthewavesofher

confusionandwonderrolloffher.

“Andwhoisthis?”Breeaskedwitheagerinterest.

ThelittlebearwasclingingtoSeamus’sleg,clawscomingthroughhisjeans,

asBree’scat’shaddonethismorning.

“ThisisKatie,”Seamussaid,hisvoicealowrumble.“I’mlookingafter

her.”

Katielookedupathername.Thecubwasabouttwoyearsoldinhuman

terms,whichwasbarelyborninShifter.Sheneededconstantcare.

“Butwhatisshedoinghere?”Breeasked,amazed.“She’sShifter,right?

Whathappenedtoherparents?Orareyou...?”Shebrokeoff,lookingat
Francesca.Crossspeciesmatingdidhappen.

Francescaunbentenoughtobarkalaugh.“Notmine.Seamusfoundher.”

“Foundher?”BreeswungherfocustoSeamus.

“Moreorless,”Seamussaid.

Hedidn’twanttodescribehowhe’dcomeacrossKatie’sbearShifter

mother,deadfrombringingKatiein.He’dfoundthemallaloneinthewildsin
northernManitoba,nearHudsonBay.Katie’smotherhadbeenCollared—all
SeamuscouldfigurewasthatshehadescapedherShiftertownforwhatever
reasontohaveherchildalone.

SeamushadfetchedKendrick,who’dsentthemothertodustwithhisSword

oftheGuardianthentakenthecubtofosterwithothers.Kendrick’sShiftershad
manyfostercubs,rescuedfromsimilarsituations.Thecubsweresplitupamong
theShifterswhohadtheabilitytotakecareofthem.

Seamuswasn’tfosteringKatie—Francescawas.WhenKendrick’s

compoundhadbeenraidedanddestroyed,theprotocolwasthatcertaintrackers
wereputinchargeofmakingsurecubsandtheirmothers,naturalandfoster,
weretakencareof.Seamuswasoneofthosetrackers,hisassignment,Katieand

Francesca.

“Anytrouble?”Seamusasked.

Francescashookherhead.“Notapeep.Katie’sgettingrestless,though.She

wantstorun.”

Breecroucheddown,andKatiegamboledovertoher.ShesniffedBreeover,

whileBreewatched,enraptured,thenBreeputoutatentativehandtopether.
KatiegaveababygrowlandrubbedherheadagainstBree’shand.

ThenKatiereacheduponepawandpluckedthecat’sears,forgottenby

Bree,fromherhead.Thecubadjustedtheheadbandonherownheadwithgreat
dexterity,thenreturnedtofourpawsandstartedlopingaroundtheroom.Bree
satback,astunnedlookonherface.

“IfyoutakeheroutrunninginZilkerPark,peoplewillnotice,”shesaid,her

voicefaint.“You’llbeinundatedwithquestions.Andpossiblyarrested.”

Francescabrokein.“Allright,Seamus,whoisthiswoman,andwhydidyou

bringahumantoasafehouse?”

SeamusreturnedFrancesca’slookwithacalmone.“ThisisBreeFayette.

Shesavedmylifelastnight.Bree,Francesca.”

“Mmm.”Francescadidn’tlookhappy,butshegaveBreeanod.“Nowthat

sheknowsaboutus,youknowyoucan’tlethergo.”

“Iwon’tkeepherprisoner,”Seamussaid.Francesca,unfortunatelywasone

ofthoseall-or-nothingShifters.Shiftersshouldkeeptothemselves,nohumans
trusted,unlesstheywerebroughtinandconfined.

BreegaveFrancescaalookofannoyancewithhercat-outlinedeyes.

“Seriously?Ihelpedpickbulletsoutofhimandgothimawayfromabunchof
cops—youreallythinkI’llratyououtnow?”

“You’reoneofthosegroupies,”Francescasaid,hernostrilspinching.

“WhichmeansIlikeShiftersandwantwhat’sbestforthem,”Breereturned.

ShelookedupatSeamusfromthefloor.“Yousurewe’resafehere?”

“Prettysure,”Seamussaid.“AssoonasIditchthecar.”

Bree’seyeswidened.“Leavinguswithnotransportation?”

“Wewon’tneedit,”Seamussaid.“We’lllielowhereforawhile.”Until

Kendrickcontactedthem.Thoseweretheorders.

“I’llditchit,”Francescasaid.“Keys?”

“Nokeys,”Breesaid.“It’swired.Ishoulddoit.”

“Icandealwiththat.”Francescawasalreadyonherwayoutthedoor.“I’ll

hideitsomewherewecangettoitifweneeditagain.”

Thescreendoorbanged.Katiestoppedherrunningandlookedoutthe

screenafterFrancesca,thencametoBreeandclimbeddecidedlyontoherlap.
Breeclosedherarmsaroundbearfur,andKatieleanedintoher.

“Poorlittlething,”Breesaid.“Francescaseems...intense.Areyousureyou

trusther?”

Seamusfoldedhimselfdownnexttothem.“She’satracker.OurShifter

leaderbelievesfemalesareasgoodattrackingasmales.Francescaisnaturally
suspiciousofanyoutsider,withgoodreason.”Heletouthisbreath.“Bree,I
don’tknowwhatthehellisgoingtohappen.It’salwaysbeensosimplebefore.”

BreescratchedthetopofKatie’shead.“Whyisitcomplicatednow?”

“Becauseofyou.”Seamusgaveheranopenlook.“Idon’tknowhowmuch

Icanrisktellingyou.Idon’tknowifthingswillplayoutformyShifterslike
theydidbefore.Idon’tknowifI’mgoingferalorifit’satemporarything.I
don’tknowifIkilledthosehunters.Idon’tknowifI’llhavetodisappearand
neverseeyouagain.”HetouchedBree’shair.“That’skillingmemostofall.”

***

Breestaredupathim,lipsparted.Herentirebodysqueezedintoonetight,

painfulpoint.Embracingthebearcubsentawarm,soothingtricklethroughher,
butSeamus’sdeclarationhadherheartaching.

Hiseyes,intentonher,weregoldenandwarm,histouchelectric.Herethey

were,sittinginarundownhouseinthemiddleoftown,strandedinthisislandof
calm—withabearcubandaLupinewomanwho’dcomebackinsideanytime.
AndBreeknewrightthenshewasfallinginlovewithaShifter.

Shebarelyknewhim,andafterSeamusgothimselfandKatiesafe,she

mightneverseehimagain.Thiscouldbeoneofthoseencountersshe’d
remembertherestofherlife,somethingtoreliveinthemiddleofalonelynight.
Thegreatlovethatwasn’tmeanttobe.

Katie,restlessagain,slidoutofBree’slapandwaddledaway,thecat’sears

stillonherhead.Shesatdownonherbottom,tookthemoff,andstudiedthem
everywhichway.Thenshecurleduparoundthemandclosedhereyes.Inafew
moments,sheemittedababysnore.

SeamuscamedowntoBree,foldinghisbodyaroundher,armscradlingher.

HislipsbrushedBree’sneck,movingupunderherear,hisbreathhot.Bree
turnedherheadandcaughthismouthwithhers.

Thekissbeganslowly,asavoring,alearning.Seamussmelledofthewet

greenstreamthey’drunalong,sweat,himself.Hecuppedherneckinhisstrong
hand,hislipspartinghers,thekissdeepening.

ThecornersofBree’sheart,emptyandsad,begantofill.Thewarmthinside

herchangedtoheatthatflaredandstartedtoconsumeher.

ShewoundherhandbehindSeamus’sneck,pullinghimcloser.Seamus

camereadily,hisarmsenfoldingher,hismouthafineplace.

Theykissedwithoutfrenzy,desirealeisurelyburnbetweenthem.Thefew

days’growthofSeamus’swhiskersscrapedBree’slips,hismouthintoxicating.
Seamusspreadhishandonthebackofherneck,cradlingherintohim.Hischest
washardunderBree’stouch,hisheartbeatingrapidly.Armsandlegsaroundher
heldhersecurely,hisbodyshieldingherfromtheworld.

ThedoorbangedopenandFrancescastrodebackinside.Breeexpected

Seamustojumpaway,buthedidn’t.HekepthisarmsaroundBree,slowly
finishingthekissbeforeheraisedhishead.

Katiedidn’twake.Thecubseemedtounderstandthatshewassafewith

Seamushere,hersidesrisingandfallingindeep,evenbreaths.

Francescapausedinthedoorway,hersharpgazetakinginSeamusandBree

onthefloor.SeamuskepthisarmaroundBreeasthoughitwasthemostnatural
thingintheworld.

Francescaletthedoorclose.“Yourtimingsucks,Seamus,”shesaid.

Seamusmovedoneshoulderinashrug.“Thingshappenwhentheyhappen.”

“Howmuchdoessheknow?”Francescaasked.

“Sheissittingrighthere,”Breesaid.“Iknowyou’rehidingoutfromthe

entireworld,becauseyou’reun-CollaredandI’mguessingyouwanttostaythat
way.Howyouare,Ihaven’tfiguredout.Idon’tthinkyoupulledyourCollars
off.”LikeSeamus,Francescahadnoredlinearoundhernecktoindicateshe’d
rippedaCollaroutofherskin.ThesmallindentationthefakeCollarhadlefton
SeamuswasnothingtowhatarealCollarwouldhavedone.

Francescascowled,herLupinegrayeyesfiery.“Youdon’tneedtoknow

that.”

“Doesn’tmatter,”Breesaid.“You’restuckhere,andyouhavetotakecareof

Katie.What’sgoingtohappenwhenyouneedfood?You’lldriveastolencarto
thegrocerystoredownthestreet?NoteveryhumanrecognizesShifters,butyou
bothwillstandout.Youhavealook.”

EvenmorethanmostCollaredShiftersBreehadknown,evenmorethanthe

Shiftersshe’dmetthismorning,FrancescaandSeamushadawildnessabout
themthatotherShifterslacked.

“Well,wehaveyounow,”Francescasaidtoher.“Youcanshopforus.”

“Right,”Breecountered.“IjustsneakedaShifterawayfromabunchof

cops.TheyprobablyputoutanAPBonme.Everystoreclerkwillbeonthe
lookout,hopingforareward.”

“Enough.”Seamus’sonegrowledworddidn’thavetobeloud.Heroseto

hisfeet—straightupfromasittingposition,noscrambling.Francescasnapped
hermouthclosed,thoughhereyesshowedherfury.“Breeisoneofus,nota
hostage.Shesavedmylife—twice.Ioweher.”

Francescagrowled.“Isawyougivingheralittlepayback.”

AlionsnarlcamefromSeamus’sthroat.HetookonesteptowardFrancesca,

whodancedafewpacesbackonquickfeet.

Francescawasn’tasdominantasSeamus,Breerealized,watchingthem.

She’dseenenoughdominanceskirmishesattheShifterbarsinNewOrleansto
understandwhatwasgoingonhere.

ButFrancescawasn’tlessdominantsimplybecauseshewasfemale.Plenty

offemaleswerehigherthanmalesinthehierarchy.Shewassimplynotashigh
asSeamus.Shewastestinghim,maybetryingtoseeifhe’dmuscleherinto
obedienceoverBree.

FromSeamus’ssoftgrowls,hewasgoingtoprotectBree.Francescasaw

thatandstartedbackingoff,hershouldersrounding,herheaddroopingasshe
conceded.

SeamuswenttoFrancesca,stoodsilentlyinfrontofherforafewseconds,

thenpulledherintoanembrace.Notasensualone,notlikethetenderway
SeamushadheldBree.Thiswasreassurance,likeafathergivinghiscubalick.

Seamusdidn’texactlylickFrancesca,buthepressedherintothehug,

holdinghertight.Francesca’sarmscamearoundhim,hugginghimback,the
tensiongoingoutofher.

Whenhereleasedher,hetouchedhershoulder,thenreturnedtoBree.

Dominancereestablished,SeamuswasshowingFrancescahe’dtakecareofher.
Allwaswell.

Throughitall,Katieslept.Thebearcubwasbonelessonthecarpet,her

smallsnoresbothadorableandcomforting.Completetrust.

FrancescacametoBree,andwhenshespoke,hertonewasmuchmore

respectful.“Katielikesyou,”Francescasaid.“Shedoesn’ttaketoeveryone.”

“Isithardtolookafterabear?”Breeaskedintruecuriosity.“Beinga

wolf?”

“Hell,yeah,”Francescasaid.“Inthewild,I’dneverhavedreamedit.But

Katieisjustso...well,cute.”

Francescastillwasn’thappywithSeamusbringingBreehere,Breecould

see,butFrancescasaidnothingmoreaboutit.Breehadsomesympathy—forall
Francescaknew,BreewassomekindofundercoverspyforShifterBureau,who
wouldwormtheirsecretsoutofthemandturnthemin.Bureaupolicewould
comeoutwithnetsandtranqgunsandroundupSeamus,Francesca,andKatieto
stuffthemintocagesanddecidewhattodowiththem.

“Iknowyoudon’ttrustme,”Breesaid.“Butreally,I’mnotfromShifter

Bureauoranythinglikethat—Idon’tevenknowwheretheirofficesare.I’m
BreeFayette,fromatowninLouisianayou’veneverheardof,Imovedouthere
withmymomwhenweinheritedahousefrommygreat-uncle,andtherewasn’t
anythingleftforusathome.I’maShiftergroupie,ofasort.IloveShiftersand
everythingaboutthem.I’dneverhurtyou,orhelpanyonehurtyou,nomatter
howbitchyyouget,andI’dcertainlyneverdoanythingtoharmacublikeKatie.
Youdon’thavetobelieveme,butthat’sthenakedtruth.”

Francescalistened,browsrising.Seamuswasn’texactlysmiling,buthis

eyeswerefullofwarmth.

“Yeah,well,”Francescasaid.“Don’tsaynaked.Seamusmightgointo

matingfrenzywithyourighthereonthecarpet,andIsodon’tneedtoseethat.”

***

Katieslepton.AtSeamus’ssuggestion,Breecarriedherintoanupstairs

bedroomandlaydownwithher.Francescaletthemgo,sayingnothing.

SeamusknewFrancescahadsnarledathimtoseehowfarhe’dlethergo,to

discoverwhatBreewastohim.He’dtoldher,allright.

FrancescahadwatchedwithcautiouseyesasSeamusescortedBreeand

Katieupstairs,butdidn’ttrytointerfere.Shewastrustinghim.

SeamuskissedBreebrieflyonthelipsaftershesettledonthebedwith

Katie.HepulledablanketoverBreeandwentoutintotheupstairshall,wherea
windowlethimkeepwatchonthefrontperimeter.Francescaprowledrestlessly
downstairs.

NowtosettleinandwaitforKendrick.

Seamushadnodoubthisleaderwouldbeintouch,tellingthemwhereto

regroup—itwasjustamatteroftime.Thiswasthetoughestpartofall,though,
thewaiting.Seamushadbeentrainedtosittightandwaitfororders,butthat
timecouldbebrutal.

WhenKendrickfinallyrevealedwherehisShifterswouldmeetagain,

SeamuswouldaskBreetocomewithhim.Hewasprettysureshe’dsayno,
becauseaccompanyinghimwouldmeangoingintohidingwithhimsomewhere
intheworld,leavinghermotherandeverythingsheknewbehind.Breewould
havetomakethatchoice,andtherewasnoreasonshewouldchoosehim.
Seamuswouldloseher,whenhe’donlyjustfoundher.

Thatthoughthurt.Waitinghereinthishousewasgoingtobehard—leaving

wouldbeharder.

Thedayworeon.BreeandKatiesleptsoundly.Francescaceasedher

prowlingandtookanap,leavingSeamustostandguard.

Ataboutfiveintheafternoon,Seamussawmovementintheshadowsunder

thetreesthatlinedthefrontyard.

Hestiffenedastheshadowslippedfromthetreesaroundtothesideofthe

house.Seamusransilentlydownthestairs,imaginingthepaththeintrudermust
havetaken.Hegothimselfbehindthebackdoorjustasafloorboardonthe
porchcreaked.Theintrudertookonestep,thentwo,thenreachedthedoor.

Seamusflungitopen,grabbedtheShifterontheothersideofit,andhauled

himinside.ItwasaLupine,theonehe’dseenatBree’shousethismorning—
Broderick.

JustasSeamusregisteredthatfact,thelockonthefrontdoorbrokewithout

fanfare,andthedoorbangedopen.TheBengaltigerShifterwalkedinside.

“Breeishere,”Tigerannouncedinhisslowvoice.“Andacub.”

ChapterEleven

Francescacameoffthesofa,snarling,andattackedTiger.Tigerturnedhis

head,putoutonemassivearm,andshoved.Francescasoaredstraightback
throughtheair,landingheavilyonthesofa,andstartedtoshift.

SeamusgotbetweenherandTiger.“Stop!”hecommanded.

Francesca’seyesnarrowed.“Wecantakehim,”shesaid,hervoiceclogged

withthechange.“He’sCollared.”

Broderickansweredfromthekitchendoorway.“Notreally.Tiger’skindof

...special.”

TigergaveBroderickaflatyellowstare,thenFrancesca,thenSeamus.

Francescadrewabreath,droppedbacktothesofa,andstayedhuman.“Whatthe
hellishe?”sheaskedSeamus.

“We’renotsure,”BrodericksaidbeforeSeamuscouldspeak.“Okay,I’mnot

sure.Hismatethinkshe’sallsweetandcuddly,butCarly’sabouttobringinhis
cub,soshe’sgushyrightnow.Therestofusknowhe’sjustcrazy.”Broderick’s
sharpgazewenttoSeamus.TheLupinemightseemnonchalantandasmartass,
buthewasn’tstupid.“Where’sBree?”

“Here.”Breestoodonthestairs.“Whatdoyouwant?”

Seamusgrowled.“Iknowwhattheywant.Howdidyoufindus?”heasked

Broderick.“Nowayyoutrackedus.”

Broderickshrugged.“NowaymostShifterscouldhavetrackedyou.You

wenttogroundfastandprettygood.Buttherearetrackers,andthenthere’s
Tiger.”

Tigerstoodquietly,offeringnoexplanation.“Thereisacubhere.”

“Seamus,whothehellarethey?”Francescademanded,scared.Shewas

afraidforKatie,terrifiedthecubwouldbetaken.Hermission,andSeamus’s,
wastokeepthecubsfree.TigershouldnothaveknownKatiewashere.Seamus
hadn’tbetrayedherexistencewithwordordeed.Hehadn’teventoldBree,as
muchashe’dbeentemptedtotrusther,untilhe’dbroughtherhere.

Broderickhadn’tknown—helookedsurprised.“Tigerjustseemstoknow

wherecubsareandwhenthey’reintrouble.Hehasthisthissearch-and-rescue
thinggoingon.”

Tigerstartedforthestairs.Seamusgrabbedforhimtostophim,butfound

himselfholdingemptyair.

BreegotinfrontofTigerandblockedthewayupthestairs.“Youleaveher

alone!”

SeamuswentforTigeragain,landingonthebiggerman’sback.He

rememberedthecopsshootingTigeratthehouse,andTigerjuststaringatthem.
Seamusknewitwasameanthingtodo,buthejabbedhishandwherehe
rememberedthebulletwoundhadbeen.

Tigersnarled.Heswungaround—fast—thenrapidlybecameatiger,his

clothessplittingandfallingaway.Francescacameoffthesofaagainandtriedto
tacklehim.SeamusendedupontopofherasTigerthrewthembothoff.

Breewasyelling.Tigersimplybumpedheroutofthewayasheflowedup

thestairs.Breegrabbedhistailashepassed,butTigerkeptgoing,pullingBree
alongwithhim.

Seamuswasupandafterthem,Francescarightbehindhim.Broderick

leisurelybroughtuptherear.“She’sgotTigerbythetail,”hesaid.“Notagreat
placetobe.”

SeamusreachedthesecondfloortoseeTigermovingunerringlyintothe

bedroomwherethey’dleftKatie,Breeclinginggrimlyontohistail.

Seamusmadeittothedoor.Inside,Katiewasstandinguponthebed,her

beareyeswide.Whentheenormoustigerstoppedatthebedside,Katiereached
outandputonepawonhisnose.

Tigerrumbledlowinhisthroat.HeclosedhiseyesandletKatiesniffhim

thengivehishugefaceaninquisitivelick.BreeletgoofTiger’stail,staying
verystillasshewatched.

Seamusheldhisbreath.HefeltnodistressatallfromKatie.Curiosity,

wonder,trust.AmazementthatTigerwassobig,butnoworriesatall.

Tigersankdownonhisbellywithahuffofbreath.Hewassobigthat,lying

down,hisbackwasinlinewiththetopofthemattress.Katiekeptsniffinghim,
thensheclimbedonhisback,clingingwithherlittlebearclaws,andrestedher
chinontopofhishead.Tigerhuffedagainandsettleddown,doingnothingthat
woulddisturbKatie.

“SeewhatImean?”Brodericksaidbehindthem.“Thecubs,theylovehim.

It’ssomeprogram,orsomegeneticwhatever-the-hell-they-did-to-his-headkind
ofshitinthelabwheretheyraisedhim.Anyway,letmecuttothechase.”He

leanedhisbigLupinebodyagainstthedoor,tattsmovingonhisupperarmsas
hefoldedthem.“Tigerwassenttotrackyoudown,metotalk—Tigersometimes
talksandsometimesdoesn’t.Dylanwantsyoutocomein.ToShiftertown,I
mean.We’llfixyouupwithfakeCollars,andSeanwillputyouinthedatabase
soitwilllooklikeyou’vealwaysbeenthere.He’sprobablyalreadydoneit.You
stoprunning,thecubissafe.”

Francescagrowledathim,glaringwithgraywolfeyes,testinghis

dominance.Broderickreturnedherlookwithoutconcern.Seamuscouldtell
Broderickwasprettyhighinthedominancechainhimself,aboutlevelwith
Seamus.NotashighasSeanMorrissey,definitelynotinthesameclassas
Dylan.

“LikehellI’mtakingKatietoaShiftertown,”Francescasnarled.“She’sonly

twoyearsold.I’mnotlettingyouputaCollaronher—ever.She’snotlivingin
captivity.She’sawildbear,andshe’sstayingthatway.”

AngerflashedinBroderick’seyes—aShifterwhodidn’tlikebacktalk.Well,

he’dalwaysgetitfromFrancesca.She’dacknowledgeherplaceinthehierarchy,
butifshethoughtsomeoneaboveherwasanasshole,she’dsayso.

“YouthinkI’dstickarealCollaronababy?”Broderickasked,voiceharsh.

“NoCollarsforcubs.DylanandLiamwon’tletithappen.She’llgetafakewhen
she’saroundfiveorsix,tokeepthehumansfooled.YouandSeamusherewill
havetowearfakestoo.Wecan’tletonthatyou’veneverbeenCollared.”

“Howaboutthis?”Seamuscountered,hiscalmervoiceacontrastto

Francesca’sfierceone.“Yougiveusaridesomewherefarfromhere,where
Katiewillbesafe.Thenturnaroundandleaveusalone.Wehavethingstodo.”

HefeltBreewatchinghim.Nowwasthetimeforchoice.WouldBreecome

withhimifheasked?Orrefuse?AndthenwhatwouldSeamusdo?Runwith
FrancescaandkeepKatieprotected,orstaywithBree,whowasbondingwith
hisheart?

Hecouldn’tleaveKatie,ahelplesscub,buttakingBreewiththemwould

putherindangeraswell.Breealsohadalife,amom,friends,ahome.She’dbe
secureandhappyinhernormalexistence—aslongasshestayedawayfrom
Shifters.

Katieisn’tyours,avoiceinhisheadwhispered.She’snotevenaFeline.You

havenoreasontotakecareofher.Breeisyourmate.Grabheranddon’tlether
go.

IfSeamuslistenedtothevoices,he’dtrulygoferal.

Katiemadeasmall,happynoise.SeamusrememberedcominguponKatie’s

mother,deadandcold,hertinycubcryingoutindistress.Katiehadclungonto
Seamuswhenhe’dpickedherup,hermouthseekingfoodfromhisshirt.She’d
becomeSeamus’srightthenandthere.Hecouldn’tabandonher,andheknewit.

“TakeBreetosafety,”SeamussaidtoBroderick.“Andletusgo.Thoseare

myterms.”

“Screwthat.”BreefacedBroderick,handsonhips.“Goawayandleave

themthehellalone,allright?Whycan’tyoupeskyShiftersmindyourown
business?”

Broderickdidn’tlookintimidated.“What,areyougoingtoslapmeonthe

nose,likeyoudidDylan?”Theairvibratedwithhischuckle.“I’dhavepaidto
seethat.”HisgazereturnedtoSeamus.“There’snochoice,myfriend.Iknow
you’rewaitingtojoinupwithKendrickagain,buthe’snotcomingback.Notfor
awhile.Dylandidsomethingwithhim—wedon’tknowwhat.We’retryingto
rounduphisShifters,makesurethey’reallright.Thatmeansyouthree—unless
there’smoreofyouhidinginthebasement?”

Seamus’smouthwentdry,Broderick’slastwordsfadingintogarbled

syllables.DylanhadcapturedKendrick?When?How?Kendrickwasashard-ass
anddominantasDylanwas—hewouldn’tsimplylaydownhisswordandbow
hishead,noteventoDylan.Kendrickwasagoodleader.He’dneverleavehis
Shifterstofendforthemselves.

Francescawasfurious.“Youseriouslywantustobelievethat?”

Broderickgaveheranod.“I’vegotoneoftheun-Collaredonesfromyour

bunkerlivinginmyhousealready.”Hegrimaced.“Mateofmygirlfriend’s
sister.Well,maybeshe’smygirlfriend.ThisShifter,he’shalfferal,andwe’re
nursinghimbacktohealth.He’sdrivingmebatshitcrazy,andIcan’twaituntil
he’sbetterandoutofthere.Butwhatdoyoudo?MygirlfriendwouldkillmeifI
tossedhimoutwhilehe’sstillnuts.”

SeamusknewexactlywhichShifterhewastalkingabout.AFelinecalled

Aleckhadstartedtodeteriorateintotheferalstatetheyallfeared.He’dhooked
upwithagroupieonenight—Nancy,Seamusthoughthernamewas.She’d
stayedwithhim,helpinghim.AleckhaddisappearedthenightKendrick’s
compoundhadbeenraided.

NowBroderickwassayingAleckwasathishouse.InaShiftertown.

“Howishe?”Seamuscouldn’tstopthequestion.

“Aleck?”Broderickconsidered.“Better.BeingwithNancyhelpshim.We’re

hopingwewon’thavetoputarealCollaronhim—Seanthinksitmightmake
himworse.Butwe’reworkingonit.”

SeamusfelttheweightofFrancesca’sgaze.Shewaswaitingforhimto

makethedecision,tochoosewhetherthey’dlettheseShifterstakethemorfight
itout.

Shite.TherewasKatietoconsider.IfSeamuslettheCollaredShiftershave

her,she’dbestuckinaShiftertowntherestofherlife.She’dneverbeallowedto
leave.Katie’smotherhadfledherShiftertowntohaveKatie,presumablyhoping
Katiewouldbeforeverfree.CouldSeamusbreakthesilentpromisehe’dgiven
tothedeadwomantomakesureKatiewasunharmedandhappy?

Ontheotherhand,wherewouldSeamustakeKatienow?IfBroderickspoke

thetruth,andKendrickwasn’tcomingforthem,atleastnotrightnow,then
Seamusneededtofindanotherplaceforher.Buthesureashelldidn’tknow
where.

He’dputtogetherthesafehouseswhilehe’dbeenlivinginthecompound,

againstthedaythey’dhavetoflee.He’dbeencareful,findingplacesthatwere
abandonedorsecluded,makingcashdealsunderthetablewiththeownerswhen
heneededto.

Allhishidingplaceswereburnednow.Bree’shouselikewisewas

compromised.SeamuscouldtakeFrancescaandKatieandrunforit,butthey’d
havetogetpastBroderickandTiger.Seamuswaswillingtobetthereweremore
Shiftersoutside,likeSpikeandRonan,waitingtosweepthemupiftheyran.

Theindecision—orthefutilityofhischoices—nudgedtheferalinhimto

life.Seamusfeltthesurgeofadrenaline,hisfight-or-flightinstinctrisingtotake
over.Hecouldfight,kill,run.HeturnedslowlytoBroderick,feelinghisbody
ripple,wantingtochange,hissightshiftingtohislion’s.

Theworldtookoncurvededges,slightlyfuzzy.Withthatcurvingvision,

SeamussawBroderickstraightening,comingalert,hiswolf’seyestingedwith
red.Fight,crush,break,kill...

Atouchjerkedhimawayfromthespinningthoughts.Seamuslookeddown

toseeBreenexttohim.Theonlythingleftofhercatmakeupwassmudges
aroundhereyes,abitofblackonthetipofhernose.

Herscentwaswarm.Violets,he’dthoughtlastnight.Nowshewasmore

honey-like,tingedwithlemon.

Bree’sblueeyesheldhim,pullinghimin.Hecoulddrowninthatblue.

“Seamus,”shewassaying,hervoicesoft.“I’vehungoutwithalotof

Shifters.Istalkthem,remember?”Herlittlesmiletoreathim.“OnethingI’ve
learnedisthatnomatterhowwildtheyget,orhowbadasstheypretendtobe,
Shiftersdon’thurtthecubs.Theyprotectthemagainsttheentireworld.Humans,
ShifterBureau,otherShifters.Ifthere’sasafeplaceforKatietobe,it’sa
Shiftertown.”

Seamus’smouthwasstiff,buthemadehimselfanswer.Hewassurprisedhe

couldstilltalk.“Onceshegoesin,she’llneverbeletout.”

“Hey,we’reworkingonthat,”Brodericksaid.Hespokecalmly,buthiswary

stancehadn’tchanged,andhewasn’ttakinghiseyesoffSeamus.“Shifterswon’t
becaptivesforever.Atleast,that’swhattheMorrisseysarealwaysspouting.I
knowyoualllikedlivinginyourcrazy-assundergroundbunkerwithno
windows,butsomeday,we’regoingtowalkaroundinthelightwithoutCollars.
Youwanttobearoundwhenthathappens?”

“Soundslikeaspeechyou’vemadebefore,”Seamussaid.

“Yeah,well,yougotme.I’mnotgoodwithwords.Andyoushouldhearmy

girlfriendcomplainaboutthat.Anyway,itsoundsbetterthanComewithusor
wetranqyouandtakeyouanyway.Doesn’tit?Youdon’thaveachoice,my
friend.”

“IthinkTigeralreadydecided,”Breebrokein.“AndIthinkKatielikes

him.”

Tigerhadclimbedsilentlytohisfeetandwasmakingforthedoor.Katie

clungtoTiger’sback,herdarkeyessparklingwithexcitement.

Tigerdidn’twaitforanyonetogetoutofhisway.Hejustwent.Breeand

Francescahadtoscuttleaside,andBrodericksteppedquicklyintothehallas
Tigermovedthroughthedoor.Broderickdidn’ttrytostopTigeroreventalkto
him.

BroderickdidtrytostopSeamusgoingafterTiger,steppinginfrontofhim

asSeamuslefttheroom.SeamusabruptlyshovedtheLupineagainstthenearest
wall.HesawtheflareoffightingrageinBroderick’sgrayeyes,andthen
Broderick’sdeliberatedecisionnottodobattle,notrightnow.

Seamusreleasedhimandskimmeddownthestairs,Breebehindhim.Tiger

wasalreadyinthekitchen,makinghissilent,swiftwayoutofthehouse,Katie

hangingontohisback.

Seamuschargedoutofthehouse...andstraightintoaringofwaiting

Shifters.Ronan,SeantheGuardian,Spikeofthemanytattoos,anotherLupine
dressedlikeacowboy.SeamussensedmoreShiftersinthefrontofthehouse,
othershiddenallaroundtheproperty.Theyweretakingnochances.

Tigersimplywalkedpastthem,carryingKatieaway.Ronan,thebear

Shifter,liftedatranqrifleandpointeditatSeamus.

Breebarreledoutofthehousebehindhim.“Wait!Don’tshoothim!”

SeangaveRonananodandspokeinhisdark,Irish-accentedvoice.“Stand

down,Ronan.Idon’tthinkwe’llbeneedingthat.”

“No,”Seamussaid.Thewordheldfinality,andalsogreatsadness.“You

won’t.”

ChapterTwelve

TheyrodetoShiftertowninaseriesofvehicles.Thecowboy,Ellison,who

introducedhimselftoBreewiththetipofhishatandabigsmile,droveablack
pickupwithTigerhunkeredintheback,coveredbyatarp.Katiewasunderthere
withhim,withFrancesca,whorefusedtogounlessshecouldstaywithKatie.

SeanhadSeamusandBreerideinasmallwhitepickupwithhim.Theothers

cameonmotorcyclesortrucks,noneofthempullingoutoftheneighborhoodat
thesametime.Theydispersed,ratherthanridinginaconvoy.

“We’llhavetofigureoutwheretoputyouall,”Seansaid,soundingcheerful

asheturnedontoastreetthatheadeddowntown.Itwasn’tamainstreet,and
Breewasn’tsurewheretheywere.

“KatiewillprobablygoinwithRonanandthebears,”Seanwenton.“Ronan

andRebeccafosterorphanedcubs,andtheyknowhowtotakecareoflittle
bears,whocanbeahandful,Idon’tmindtellingyou.Wemighthaveroomfor
you,Seamus,atourplace,butyou’dhavetolivewithDylan,andevenscarier,
Glory.Youhaven’tliveduntilyou’vestumbledintoGloryfirstthinginthe
morningbeforeshe’shadhercoffee.Mybrother,Liam,mightbeabletosqueeze
youin,butTigerlivesinhishouse,andsodoesTiger’smate,who’sexpecting.
Butdon’tworry,we’llfindsomewhere.”Seanrelayedallthiswhilezipping
expertlythroughthenarrowstreets,headingevereastward.“You,Bree,already
haveahome.UnlessyouwanttostaywithSeamus...”

Heleftithanging.BreeknewSeanhadsensedsomethingbetweenherand

Seamus—allright,they’dmadeitprettydamnobvious.Shehadnoideahowfar
itwouldgo.WouldSeamusfleeonceKatiewassafe?Whatroomwouldhehave
inhislifeforBree?

“Whathappenedatmyhouse?”sheaskedSeanaroundSeamus.“Whenwe

left,thecopswerereadytotakeyouin.Apparently,theydidn’t.Ismymomall
right?”

“Thatsheis,”Seansaid.“Dylanwenttothestationwiththepolice—his

suggestion.He’sgoodattalkingpeople’round,isDad.Butwe’lldiscussitwhen
wegethome.”SeanshotBreealook.“Yourmum’salmostasscaryasGlory,
youknow?IdrovehertoShiftertown.”

Bree’seyeswidened.“YoutookmymothertoShiftertown?”Shegavea

mockshudder,hidingherreliefthatfornow,hermomwasokay.“You’reright;
thatisscary.”

“Shewouldn’tstayhomeuntilweguaranteedthatyouwerewell.SoDylan

madethecall,andwetookherwithustoShiftertown.She’sfine,onlyalittleput
outthatshecan’tsmoke.”

“Oh.”Breerubbedthebridgeofhernose.“Inthatcase,shemightexplode.”

“She’swaitingforyouatLiam’shouse.Yourmumwasabitmoreobliging

aboutthesmokingwhenshesawthatTiger’smatewaspregnant,andthatLiam
hasaweeoneunderfoot.ShedecidedthesmokewouldbebadforCarlyandthe
cubs—butshedecided,mind.IfyourmumwasaShifter,Ibetshe’dgiveevery
alphaarunfortheirmoney.”

Breehadtoagree.ShesqueezedSeamus’sthighwherehesatbetweenher

andSean.Heputhishandonhers,andBreedidn’tpullaway.Theyrodeinto
Shiftertown,fingersentwined.

***

SeamushadneverbeentoaShiftertown.He’davoidedthemwithevery

breath,makingsurehenevercamewithinmilesofthem.Nowhewasheading
rapidlytowardone.

ThisShiftertownwastotheeastofthe35,neartheoldairport.While

Muellerwasnowbeingbuiltupwithhousesandoffices,largestretchesofitstill
remainedemptyorhalfdemolished.TheShiftertownwasnorthofthat,in
neighborhoodsashiddenastheonethey’djustleft.

TheypassedabarSeansaidwasafavoritehangoutandturnedintothe

streetsoftheneighborhood.Seamus’sbreathstuckinhischest.Hecouldn’t
move,couldn’tthink.Ahazerosebeforehiseyes,whichobscuredthetrees,
bungalows,andShifters.

Itwasdusk,thesunsettingearlyinthewinter.Lightswereoninwindows

andporches,Shifterscomingoutside—mostFelinesandLupineswere
nocturnal.

AllstoppedtowatchSean’swhitetruck,andEllison’sblackone,whichhad

caughtuptothem,comingslowlydowntheroad.Theyknew.Thewholetown.

Shiftercommunitieswerelikethat.Seamusneverunderstoodhowit

worked,butnewsflashedfromoneShiftertoanotherwithastonishingspeed.A
growlhere,alookthere,andrumorcouldflowfasterthanaShiftercouldrun.

Thestreetswerequiet,notrafficatall,thoughvehicleswereparkedatcurbs

orindriveways.Thehouseswereoldbungalowswithdeepporches,neatlykept
yards,nofences.Largetreesoverhungthehouses,trimmed,butthickenoughto
hidewhateverFelineShifterinbigcatformmighthaveclimbedintoonetorest
onabranch.

Seanpulledtoahaltinfrontofatwo-storybungalowwithconcretestrips

thatservedasadriveway.Treestoweredintheyard,obscuringthetopofthe
house.Kids’toyslitteredtheporch,Seamussawasheclimbedthesteps,
followingSean,hisheartpounding,thoughanattempthadbeenmadetoorder
theminthecorner.AShiftercublivedhere.

BreewasdirectlyagainstSeamus’sback,butshelookedaroundwith

interest.HerpresencewastheonlythingkeepingSeamuscalm.Everyfearhe’d
everhadinhislifewasswampinghim,tellinghimtorun,tofighthiswayfree.
OnlyBree’stouchandhisconcernforKatiekepthiminplace.

Tigerwasoutoftheblacktruckassoonasitstopped.Francescaclimbedout

afterhim,rubbingherarmsandlookingaroundinsuspicionandfear.

KatiebarreledoutfromunderthetarpandlandedonTiger’sback.Seamus

startedforthem,worriedaboutwhatTigerwoulddowhenthesmallmissile
landedonhim,butallTigerdidwasglanceonceatKatieasthoughmakingsure
shewassecure.Hethenwalkedupthestepsofthebungalow,ignoringSeamus.

Thefrontdooropened,lettingoutawarmsquareoflight,andatallShifter

lookedoutatthem.Tiger,withoutwaitingforinvitation,walkedrightinside.

“Comeonin,”theFelineShifterinthedoorwaysaid,hisIrishaccent

mirroringSean’s.“I’mLiam.You’rewelcomeinmyhouse.”

I’mopeningmyterritorytoyou,hemeant.Butyou’rehereonmysufferance

untilIknowyoubetter.Becareful.

Seamusacknowledgedthiswithanod.Yourterritory.Yourrules.

Liamreturnedtheacknowledgmentwithouthavingtospeakorevenmakea

gesture.Seamusfounditveryeasytounderstandthisman,ashehadwithSean
andDylan.Butthen,theywerealllionstogether.Thetigerandthetattooed
Spikewerestillenigmas.

Seamussteppedintothehouse,followingLiam,drawingBreewithhim.The

housewasfull,andSeamus’sshynesskickedin.Hewasn’tusedtobeingaround
somanystrangers.

Heknewhe’dneverrememberalltheirnamesrightaway,sofornowhe

didn’tbothertotry.TheimportantoneswereLiam;hismate,Kim,whowas
human;atallblondfemaleShifter—Glory—whowasDylan’smate;andCarly,
humanandverypregnant.

ThetwohumanwomenconvergedonBree.“Hey,”Carlysaid.Shehad

honey-coloredhair,awidesmile,andanabdomenthatannouncedhercubwas
growinglarge.“Welcometotheneighborhood,honey.IbettheseShiftershave
beenrunningyouragged,notevenofferingyouaglassofsomething.Comeon.
KimandIwillfixyouup.”

Tigerslidbetweenthethreeofthem,hisbigheadrubbingonCarly’s

extendedbelly.Carlyrumpledhisfurandplayedwithhisear,somethingSeamus
couldn’timagineasanepersondoing.Shewashismate,allright.

“Aw,lookwhatTiger’sbroughtus,”Carlysaid,hergazeonKatie.“Acutie,

cutiecub.”

Anotherlittlegirlwithblackcurlyhairshotoutfromthekitchen.“Tigger!”

shecried,herarmsoutstretched.Shestoppedshortandstaredatthebearcub.
“Who’sthat?”

Breeansweredher.“ThisisKatie.Isn’tshethesweetestthing?Whoare

you?”

“K’triona,”thesmallgirlanswered.“I’mgoingtobealion.Likehim.”She

pointedafingeratSeamus.

FrancescahadhaltedatSeamus’sside.Sheshivered,herterrorand

uncertaintypalpable.Seamusputanarmaroundher,rubbinghershoulderand
coaxinghertorelax.Difficultto,whenhisownawarenesswasoneofcrackling
tension.

Thenexthourwaschaotic.Nadinewasthere,motheranddaughter

embracingthentalkingatthesametime.Seamuscouldn’thearwhattheysaid,
theirwordsdrownedoutbythevoicesofthemaleShifterssurroundingSeamus
andFrancesca.

Liam,wholookedlaid-backanduninterestedintheworld,provedtobe

anythingbut.ThegleaminhisblueeyestoldSeamushewaseverybitas
formidableasDylan.IfSeamuswantedtoescapeShiftertown,itwouldbethis
manhe’dhavetogetpast,didn’tmatterhowbigTiger,Ronan,andtheothers
were.

BreeandhermomwerenowdrinkingwinewithKim,Carlystickingto

water.Breehadbeenabsorbedintothegroup,alreadylaughingandtalkingas

thoughsheandthesewomenwho’dmatedwithShiftershadbeenfriends
forever.Humanfemalescoulddothat.Shifterfemales,likeFrancesca,were
goingtoneedmoretime.

SeamusknewFrancescawantedtoshift,tofight,toflee.Shewasholding

herselfback,onlybecausesheknewshe’dneverwin,andshe’ddonothingto
jeopardizeKatie.Asitwas,shewouldnotstrayastepfromSeamus.

ThatchangedwhenRonanarrivedwithmorewomen,twoofwhomwere

human—hismateandhersister.Mateandsisterjoinedtheladiesinwineand
laughter.Thesister,whohadhairstreakedhotpinkandorange,wasalready
hangingontoBree.

“Oh,sweetie,yourtopisdarling.IwishI’dknownyoulikedShifterbars;I

couldhavegonewithyou.You’dhavehadagreattime.Someofthosegirlscan
berealbitches,butonceyougetpastthem,it’sfun.”

Hersister,Elizabeth,gaveheraseverelook.“Mabel,whatdidwetalkabout

yougoingtotheroadhouses?”

Mabelrolledhereyes.“Please,I’magrownwoman.”Barely,Seamus

thought.“Besides,IgowithConnor,andeverything’sfine.”

ThetallnephewofLiamandSean,wholookedtobeafewyearsyounger

thanTransitionage,joinedthegroup.“Now,don’tgotellingtalesonme,”
Connorsaid.“UncleLiamandUncleSeanwillbeputtingmeinacage.”

Thethirdfemalewho’dcomewithRonanwasdefinitelyShifter.Abear,

Seamusfigured,abigone.ShewasofRonan’sclan,hesensedbythewaythey
weretogether,butshewasmatedtothehumanmaleinblackfatiguesatherside.

ThisShiftertownwascrazy.

“Tellyouwhat,”theshe-bear,Rebecca,saidtoSeamusandFrancesca.“I’ll

takeyouovertoourplace.We’llintroduceKatietoourfamily,andfixuprooms
foryou.Katie’sgoingtogettooupsetwithallthisruckus.”

Francescafoldedherarms,tryingtohunkerinonherself.“What’stosay

Katiewon’tgetupsetbeingwithyou?”

“Becausewehavebearcubstoo,”Rebeccasaid.“She’llfitrightin.Wehave

thebestandbiggestbearhouseinShiftertown.”

Rebecca’sdominancewasclear.Butthoughthemanwithhermightbe

human,hewasn’thersecond.Hewasquietbecausehechosetobe.

“Whoareyou?”Seamusaskedhim.

Theman,WalkerDanielson,withhispale,buzzedhairandlightblueeyes,

metSeamus’sgazewithastrongone.“ShifterBureau.”

Seamus’sferalinstinctsroseagain,thehaze,whichhadclearedabitwhen

meetingShifterswhoseemedfriendlyifwary,returned.HeturnedtoSean.“You
broughtinShifterBureau?Whatthehellhaveyoudonetome?”

“Nothing,”WalkersaidbeforeSeancouldanswer.“Butweneedtotalk.”

***

Bree’snewbestfriendsandhermothertriedtogethertostayatLiamand

Kim’shousewhileSeamustookKatieawaywiththebears.Breesaidafirm
—“Sorry,wanttomakesureeverything’scool,”andwalkedawayfromthem.

Theyoungwomenshe’djustmetweremuchlikethegirlfriendsBreehad

leftbehindinNewOrleans.Awarmthbeganbehindherbreastbone.Itwasnice
tofindlike-mindedladiestotalktoafterbeinglonelyforsolong.

However,Breedidn’twanttostaythereandlosesightofSeamusandKatie.

SheknewtheseShifterswouldbegoodtothecub,despiteFrancesca’sand
Seamus’sfears,butshewasworriedaboutSeamus.Shecouldn’tshakethe
feelingthatifshelethimwalkaway,she’dneverseehimagain.

Carlyhadsaidthattheman,Walker,wasShifterBureau,thoughshesaidit

withoutconcern.“He’llleaveyoualone,sweetie,”Carlyreassuredher.“Just
mentionducttape.”

Theotherswentoffintolaughter,tellingBreetherewasastorythere,but

shedidn’thavetimetohearitnow.

TigeraccompaniedSeamusandBreetothebear’shome,Katieridingonhis

backagain.Rebeccaledthewaywithherlongstride,hervoiceandWalker’s
entwining.Theybantered,theylaughed—well,Rebeccalaughedloudlywhile
Walker’slaughterwasquieterandmoresubdued.

Atruecouple,Breethoughtwistfully.Withoutdoubt.

Thehousetheyapproachedwaslarge,square,two-story,setwellbackfrom

thestreet,andsurroundedbytrees.MoreShifterscameoutsideasthey
approached,butthesewereyounger,eagerandhangingbackatthesametime.
Cubs,threeofthem.

Onewasayoungmanwhowaswellbuiltandmoreconfidentthanthe

others.AfulladultinShifterterms,butnotbymuch,Breeguessed,maybejust
pastwhattheycalledtheTransition.TheyoungwomanwasaboutMabel’sage,

earlytwenties,butinShifterterms,shewasstillatruecub.Theboywithwhite
hairlookedtobeabouttenoreleven.

Francescahungback,butKatiehadnouncertainty.SheslidoffofTiger,

landedheavily,rolledtoherfeet,andboundeduptotheporch.

Thelittleboyleaneddowntoher.Breesensedtheotherstense,asthough

waitingtoseewhathe’ddo.

Theboystudiedthebearcub,porchlightsshiningonwhitehairandblack

eyesthatwerelikepiecesofthenight.Katiesatdownonherhindquartersand
staredrightbackathim.

“What’shername?”theboyaskedwithoutlookingawayfromher.

Francescaclearedherthroat.“She’sKatie.She’sanorphan.”

“Likeme,”theboysaid.“Hello,Katie.I’mOlaf.”

Katieblinkedsomemore,thenshegottoherfeetandbumpedherheadinto

theboy’sthinlegs.OlafputhisarmsaroundKatieandhuggedher.

Katiemadeoneofhercontented,growlynoisesandhuggedhimback.Bree

sensedtheotherShiftersrelax,asthoughsomethingimportanthadjust
happened.

Olafstraightenedandlookedaroundatthewaitingadults.“She’svery

little,”hesaid.“CanItakecareofher?”

“Ofcourseyoucan,sweetie,”Rebeccasaid,hervoicewarmingasshe

movedtotheporch.“Let’stakeherinside,allright?”

***

“Timeforsomeserioustalk,”Walkersaid.

BreeseatedherselfatthelongtableinRonan’shouse,foldedherhands,and

proceededtolisten.ShedidtrusttheseShifters—atleast,morethanSeamusdid
—butiftheyevenmentionedputtingaCollaronSeamusorcaginghim,they
weregoingtohearitfromher.Shewasn’tquitesurewhatshecoulddoagainst
them,ifanything,butshewouldn’tletthemhurtSeamus—orKatieorFrancesca
—withoutafight.

WalkerDanielsonremindedBreestronglyofherbrother,thoughWalkerwas

quieter.Remy,whileahardpartier,hadpossessedthesamecompetentstrength,
thesameairofself-assurancethatledotherstofollowhim.Sadnesstouchedher,
butatthesametime,thinkingaboutherbrothergaveherconfidence.

WalkerhadtriedtosuggestthatBreegobacktotheMorrisseys,oratleast

retiredtotheroomupstairsshe’dbeengiven,togetsomerest.Breerefused.
TheyweregoingtotalkaboutwhattodoaboutSeamus,andshewasn’tgoing
anywhere.

Seamusdidn’tsitdownbutwanderedtheroom,restless.Rebeccahadtaken

FrancescaandthecubstowhatshecalledtheDen,theconvertedgaragewhere
sheandWalkerlived.Walkerhadremainedbehind,andRonanhadreturned
withouthismatebutwithDylan.

Dylanhadspenttheafternoonwiththepolice,Walkertoldthem,convincing

themthathisShiftershadnothingtodowiththedeathsofthehunters.Walker
hadmethimtheretohelp,thepolicemoretrustingofahumanwhoworkedfor
ShifterBureau.

Nowthethree,Walker,Dylan,andRonan,facedSeamus.

“Theonlywaytoclearthisup,”Walkersaid,“istofindoutwhodidkill

thosehunters.IfitwasaShifter,heneedstobestopped.”

Seamusceasedhispacing.Breesawhisdistressinhistightbackand

shoulders,thehauntedlookinhisgoldeneyes.“Itmighthavebeenme,”hesaid.
Painfilledhisvoice.“Ijustdon’tknow.IthinkI’mgoingferal.”

“Fightingfrenzyhappens,”Dylansaid,hisblueeyesintentuponSeamus.

“WhetheryouwearaCollarornot.Collarsjustmakeithurtmore.”

“No,”Seamussaidtightly.“ImeanIthinkI’mgoingferal,rightnow.”

ChapterThirteen

Seamuscouldbarelysee,barelythink.ThepresenceofRonan,Walker,and

Dylan—abear,ahuman,andanalphaFeline—wasmakinghiminsane.

Breesataloneatthetable,abrightsmudgeoflightinthemiddleof

darkness.Thethreemales,enemiestokeepfromhismate.

SeamuswenttoBree’schairandsliditbackwithherinit,puttinghimself

betweenherandtheothers.DylanandWalkerwatchedhim,theirstances
betrayingtheirtension.

Onlythebear,Ronan,remainedcomfortableandunworried.“Yousureit’s

fightingfrenzythat’swrongwithhim?”heaskedinhisdeepvoice.

“Feral.”Seamusheardthesnarlinhisvoice.“Ican’tkeepitcontained.Lock

meupsomewhere.Don’tletmehurtBree.”

Breewasupandoutofthechair,hercoolhandsonSeamus’shotskin.

“Seamus,I’mnotgoingtoletthemdoanythingtoyou.”

Seamussuppressedashudder,Bree’stouchtheonlythinganchoringhimto

thepresent.“Bree,love.”Heturnedhertohim,brushedshakingfingersoverher
cheek.“Imighthavekilledthosemen.Iwasattacked,Iresponded.Thenext
thingIknewtheyweretornapart.Idon’twanttowakeupandfindoutI’vedone
thattoyou.”

Breewassupposedtolookathiminterror,runfromhim,gofarawaywhere

he’dneverfindher.That’swhathumanwomendidwhenShiftersfrightened
them.NomatterhowmuchgroupiespretendedtobefascinatedbyShifters,at
somepointtheexcitementwasover,andtruedangerbegan.

BreeclosedherhandsaroundSeamus’sforearmsanddrewherselfcloserto

him.“Iknowyoudidn’tkillthem.Youdon’thaveitinyou.”

Seamusknewheshouldjerkaway,putthedistanceoftheroombetween

them,demandWalkertohurryupandtakeheroutofthere.Instead,hestepped
toher,lettingtheirbodiestouch.

“Howdoyouknow?”heaskedinafiercevoice.“Youonlymetmelast

night.Iwasbloodyandshotup,andIforcedyoutohelpmegetaway.Howcan
yousayIdon’thaveitinme?”

Bree’slookwasfartoocalm.“BecauseIknow.Listen,everyonethoughtmy

brotherwasatotalfuck-up.Thathewasdangerous,nothingbuttrouble.They
saiditsomuchthatRemystartedtobelieveithimself.That’swhyhejoinedthe
army,toprovehewasagoodguyatheart.ButIknewitalready.Remyalways
wentoutofhiswaytomakesureIwasallright,thatmymomwas.Mydaddied
whenIwasfive—Ibarelyrememberhim.ButRemywasalwaysthere,taking
careofus.Shithappenedaroundhim,andpeopleblameditonhim,butitwasn’t
himstartingfiresorwreckingcars—hewasthebestdriverIevermet.Hestarted
drivingatthirteen,becausehowelsewerewegoingtogetgrocerieswhenmy
momhadtoworktwelve-hourshifts?Hetookcareofus.”

Shepaused,butshedidn’tletgo.“Ilookatyou,andseethesamethingin

you,”Breewenton.“Everythingyou’vedone,you’vedonetotakecareof
FrancescaandKatie.You’restilldoingit.Andnowyou’retakingcareofmeas
well.”

Hedidn’tsomuchhearBree’sindividualwordsasthesoundofhervoice.It

flowedoverhim,herscentandtouchcalminghim.

“It’sdifferentforShifters,”Seamussaid,wordscomingwithdifficulty.

“We’renothuman.We’reanimalfirst.Thatanimalalwayswantstotakeover.
It’showwewerebred.Wewanttofight,tokill.It’sournature.Wefightitsowe
cansurvive,havecubs,andcontinue.”

Breeshookherhead.“Itdoesn’tmatter.”Sheranherhandsuphimarms.

“You’reafighter,sure,andyou’regoodatsneakingaround,butyou’renota
killer.IdoknowaboutShifters—myfriendinLouisianahadablogIcontributed
to,weresearched,wehadchatswithpeopleallovertheworldaboutShifters,
peoplewhoknewalotofstuff.Heck,everythingthathappenedlastnightand
todaywouldhavemadeagreatpost,butIwon’twriteitbecauseitwouldput
youindanger,somethingI’dneverdo.MypointisthatI’velearnedaboutall
kindsofShiftersforyears.Theferalonesaren’tlikeyou.Youareexhausted,
worried,livingonadrenaline,whileyoutrytomakesureeveryone’sallright.
Thesearebadcircumstances.Iknowthat—”

“Bree.”Seamusputhisfingertipstoherlips.“Whatyouandyourgroupie

friendsknowaboutShiftersisthetipoftheiceberg.”

“Idon’tknow,”Ronansaid.“I’vereadsomeofthoseblogs.They’repretty

good.HelpingmakeShifterslookfun.’Cause,youknow,weare.”

Seamusignoredhim.“Iblankedout—myinstincttoprotectKatiekickedin

andwipedouteverything.Idon’tknowwhathappenedexactly.ButifIdidkill
thosemen,Ican’tknowifitwon’thappenagain.ImighthurtotherShifters.

Cubs.You.”

Bree’sholdtightened.“No,youwon’t.Whenyoujumpedintomytruckand

toldmetogetyouaway,youcouldhavehurtme.Youcouldhavepushedme
out,stolenthetruck,leftmetofendformyself.Youcouldhaveforcedmeto
driveoffintoafield,killedme,takenoff.Youdidn’tdoanyofthosethings.You
cametomyhouse,putupwithmymother,forheaven’ssake,protectedus.
Whenmymompickedthosebulletsoutofyou,yousatthere.I’dthinkthatpain
wouldhavemadeyougoferalifyouwereheadingthatway.AndFuzzlesliked
you.”

Seamustriedtoclearhishead.“Fuzzles?”

“Ourcat.Shedoesn’tlikejustanyone.Shewasalloveryouthesecondshe

laideyesonyou.”Breeranherhandsuphisarmsagain,whichwerewhole,if
scarred.“Can’tsayIblameher.”

Therestoftheworld,theShifters,Walker,thethreats,Seamus’sfears,

abruptlyspunaway.SeamussawonlyBree,herblueeyes,herroundfaceand
wispsofgoldenhair,herplumplipsthatcurvedwithhersmile.

Seamusslidhishandstoherwaist,thetightskirtbeckoninghistouch.He

movedhispalmsdownherspinetocupherbackside,softthroughtheleather.

Bree’sbreathquickened,warmonhislips.Seamus,stillintheworldwhere

nothingexistedbuther,leaneddownandkissedher.

Aslowkiss,takinghistime.Itwasakissofneed,andalsoofpossession,

tellingtheotherShiftersintheroomthatBreewashis.

Breekissedhimback,herarmscomingaroundhimassheopenedtohim

thoroughly,makingalownoiseinherthroat.Shescoopedherselftohim,breasts
andhipsfittingtohischestandthighs.

Thekissturnedfierce,Breepullinghimcloser.Heatskimmeddown

Seamus’sbodyandrestedinhiscock.

Hewantedtoexploreher,gettoknowher,findouteverythingabouther.

Everycurve,everycorner,everypartofher.HewantedtolayBreedownand
feelherbeneathhim,slideinsideher,lethermakehimwholeagain.

“Youcouldberight,Ronan,”cameWalker’sslowdrawl.“Maybenot

fightingfrenzy.”

Theyweren’twrong.Seamuswantedthemalltovanishintotheblueand

leavehimalonewithBree.Sotheycouldbetogether,onthetable,onthecarpet,

onthatbigcouchoverthere...

“I’mtakingyoubacktothescene,”Dylanannounced,hisvoicelikea

glacier.“Thesoonerwefigureoutwhathappened,thesoonerIcanmakethe
policehappy.Afterthat,youcandealwithyourmatingneed.”

“EvenDylanhastorespondtomatingneed,”Ronanputin.“Glorymakes

surehedoes.”

Forthefirsttime,SeamusheardDylan’stonesoften.“Shutit,Ronan.”

BreepressedherhandsflatagainstSeamus’schestandpushed.Seamus

reluctantlybrokethekiss.Hedidn’tlethergo,though,pullinghercloser.
Shiftersneededtouch,andSeamusneededitrightthissecond.

“Yes,let’sgofigureoutwhathappened,”Breesaid.Sheroseontiptoesand

whisperedintoSeamus’sear.“Andthenyoucanteachmeallaboutmating
frenzy.”

***

Seamusdidnotwanttobeinthecabofthewhitepickuponemoretime,

headingsouthinthedark,outofAustinandtotheareaaroundtheroadhouse.
Walkerdrove,whileRonanandDylanrodeinthebed,loungingeasily.

WhileDylanhadassuredSeamusthatthehumanshadfinishedwiththe

sceneofthekillingsfornowandwouldn’tbeanywherenear,thatwasn’tthe
point.Seamusworriedthatsimplybeinginthevicinityofthefightwouldtrigger
hisferalstate,makehimthecrazedfightingbeasthe’dbecome.

HehadthefeelingthatthiswasexactlywhatDylanwanted.Whatbetter

waytoproveSeamuswasgoingferalthantotrytotriggerit?

BreewasnexttoSeamus,holdinghishand.They’dbeendoingsoalmost

sincethey’dmet,Seamusmused.Asthoughthey’dinstinctivelyknowntheyhad
toholdontoeachother,nomatterwhat.

Notlettinggo,Seamusvowed.Neverlettinggo.

Theypassedtheroadhouse,whichwasalreadygoingforthenight,lights

floodingtheparkinglot.Shiftersandhumansmilledinandoutofthelitopen
doorway.

Walkerdroveon,takingaturnoffatSeamus’sdirectiontoheadtoward

Seamus’ssafehouse.Seamushadbeenattackedsomewherebetweenthesafe
houseandthebar,thoughhewasn’tquitecertainwhere.Darknessand
disorientationhadaddedtohisconfusion.

Walkerturnedoffonadirtroad,goingdownaslightrisethatwouldhide

themfromthemainhighway.Attheveryendofthisroadwasanother,narrower
roadthatledtothehouse,abandonedlongago.Thefarmthathadlainaroundit
wasnowfieldsofdust.

DylantoldWalkertostopthepickupsomewaybeforetheymadethehouse.

Walkerpulledtoahalt,shuttingofftheengineandlights.

Thesilenceoutherewasbreathtaking.Nocars,people,dogs,notevenair

trafficpassingoverheadinterruptedthepeace.Theskyabovewasthickwith
stars,asthoughnothingblockedthewaytothosedistantsuns.Hereyoucould
seestarsbetweenthestars.

Seamushadselectedthehouseforitsisolation.He’dhearanyonecominga

longwayoff,soonenoughforthemtogotogroundifnecessary.

Andyettherehadbeensomethingwrong.They’dspentseveralweeksthere,

SeamusandFrancescatakingturnsuneasilywalkingtheperimeterwhileKatie
sleptorplayed.

Finally,onemorningSeamushaddecidedtomovethem.Francescahadn’t

argued.He’dsensedthathidingoutinthemiddleofthecitywouldbemore
effectivethansittingherealone,waitingforanattack.

“Ihadapickupstashedaboutamileaway,”Seamussaid,breakingthe

stillness,thoughnoonehadaskedhimaquestion.“IdroveFrancescaandKatie
tothehouseinAustin,thenIcamebackalone.IwantedtomakesureIhadn’t
ledwhoeveritwasstraighttothem.IditchedthetruckontheoutskirtsofAustin
andreturnedtothehouseacrosscountry.Iprowledaround,actinglikewewere
stillstayingthere.”

Alightflared,Dylanflickingonapowerfulflashlight.ThoughShifters

couldseeinthedark,thetwohumanscouldnotverywell,plusDylanwas
lookingforminuteevidence.

“Thebodieswerehere,”Dylansaid,shiningthelightoverthearea.“The

policebroughtmeouthereearlier,hopingIcouldsolvetheriddleforthem.
Shotgunstornapart,aswerethemen.”

Dylanspokeclinically,butSeamuscouldn’tforgetthestenchofdeath,the

horrorofbloodandentrails,thekickoffeelingthathewasn’talone.

“Thissmellswrong,”Seamussaidabruptly.“Thisisn’twhereIfoundthem.”

Theothersliftedtheirheadsfromstudyingtheground.Breehadn’tleft

Seamus’sside,andshelookedupathimnow.“Whatdoyoumean?”sheasked.

Seamus’sheartbeatfaster.“Nothinginthisexactspottriggersmy

memories.EvenifIneverremember,I’datleastcatchmyownscent.Thebodies
weremovedhereafterIranfromthehunters.”

Dylangaveanod.“That’swhatIthoughttoo—thatthey’dbeenkilled

elsewhere.Ilookedforatrail,evidencethattheyweredraggedorcarriedina
vehicle,butfoundnothing.Itwasplentybloodyhere,sowhoeverbroughtthem
torethemupalittlemorewhentheydumpedthemhere.”

“Butitwasn’tme.”Seamus’sbodyrelaxedsofasthefearedhiskneeswould

buckle.“Iwasneverhere.”

Walkerbrokein,hismatter-of-facttoneremindingSeamusthatthesolution

wasnotthatsimple.Seamusstillcouldhavedonetheoriginalmurder,with
anotherShifterdraggingthebodiesfromthescene.“Telluswhatyoudo
remember.”

Seamusranashakyhandoverhishair.“Otherhunterswerecoming—they’d

seenmestandingoverthebodies.Irantotheroadhouseparkinglot.Weshould
backtrackfromtheroadhouse,seeifwecanfindtheplacethemenwereactually
killed.”

“Let’sdoitthen,”Dylansaid.Hesnappedoffthelightandmadeforthe

truck.

Walkerdrovethempasttheroadhouseagainandturnedoffontoadirtroad

thatcircledit.Hecertainlyknewhiswayaroundbackhere,butmaybeShifter
Bureaumadehimpatrolthearea.

Walkerstoppedthetruck.Theywerefarenoughfromtheroadhousethatthe

parkinglot’slightswouldn’treachthembutcloseenoughsoSeamuscould
searchouthisroute.

Seamus’sheartwassqueezingasheclimbedoutofthetruck,beatingsohard

itfeltlikeitwastryingtojumpuphisgullet.Sensationsrushedbackathim—
scents,thesoundsofscreaming,shouting,blood,darkness,pain.Ragesovastit
couldnotbehis.

“Therewassomethinginthedarkwithme,”hesaid,histhroatraw.Hestill

hadholdofBree’shand—heshouldreleaseherandnotmakehergothrough
this,buthecouldn’tseemtoletgo.Hewalkedwithherunerringlydownadry
ditch,whichwasthickwithdustatthebottom.“Here,”hesaid.

Thebloodsmellwasacrid,cloying.Ronanletoutawhistle.“Goddess,that’s

ripe.”

WalkerandBree,thoughtheydidn’thaveShiftersensitivitytosmell,both

backedupapace,Breewrinklinghernose.

“Iagree,thisiswhereitmusthavehappened.”Dylanseemedtheonlyone

notaffectedbythesmell.“Thescentsareright.Thehunterswerekilledinthis
ditchthencarriedaway,notdragged.Someoneverystrongdidthat.Thekiller
didn’tbothertocomebackandcleanupthescene.Buzzardshavebeenhere,just
becauseoftheblood.”

They’dhaveleftdisappointed,Seamusthought.Nobonestopick.

Thedizzinessthathadbeenbotheringhimreturnedwithawhack.Seamus

clampeddownonBree’shand,hisbreathingshallow.

“No,don’tletme...”

“You’renotgoinganywhere,”Breesaidquickly.Shesqueezedhishand.

“I’mrighthere.I’mnotlettingyougoferal,orbetakentoShifterprison,or
anythingelse.Iknowyoudidn’tkillthehunters.”

“Therewasanger,”Seamussaid.“Despair.Somuchofit.Killingrage.It

cameatme,sweptmeupinit.Ifought.”Theimpactoftheattackcamebackto
him,thenoiseandfury.“Ifoughthard,shifted—itwasinbetween-beastform.It
threwmeaside,beatmedownagainandagain.Icouldn’tprotectthem...”

Bree’stouchwastheonlythingthatkepthimconnectedtothepresent.

Withoutit,Seamuswouldhaveswirledinsidehismemoriesandnotcomeout.
Hisawarenessofher,likeabeaconathisside,groundedhim,allowinghimto
speakofitandnotreliveit.

“Itriedtoprotectthem,andthentheyweredead.”

“Protectwho?”Breeaskedinhersoftvoice.“Thehunters?”

“Yes.”Seamusgazeddownather,hereyesinthestarlighttheonlything

worthlookingat.“Stupidhumans.StalkingaShifter,tryingtokillit.Notme.
TheywerestalkingtheotherShifter,whowasafterme.Hewasferal.Whatever
isferalinmetriedtobecomelikehim.Itwassoreal,sovivid,Icouldn’ttell
whereheleftoffandIbegan.Itwastootemptingtogiveintothewildness.For
amoment,Iwascompletelygone.Feral.Nevercomingback.DearGoddess,it
wasoneoftheworstmomentsofmylife.ToknowIwasinsane,dangerous,a
killer...andnottocare.”

ChapterFourteen

“Butyouweren’t.”Bree’shandtightenedonhis.“Youdidn’tkillthosemen.

Youmadeittofindme.Ihelpedyou,andyouhelpedme.Youcamebackfrom
it.”

Seamusdraggedinalongbreath,findingthecoolsweetnessofthenight

beyondtheblood.“Yes.Icameback.Buttheotherhuntersthoughtthekiller
wasme.IthoughtIwas.”

Andsothey’dchasedhim,shooting,readytobringhimdown.

“Well,that’sarelief,”Ronanbrokein,cuttingthroughSeamus’shorror.

“Won’thavetokillyouthen.Ikindoflikeyou,Feline.”

Seamusreachedforgrimhumor.“Goodthing.I’msleepinginyourhouse

tonight.”

“Bree,”Dylansaidabruptly.“Howlongwereyouwereintheroadhouse?”

“Um.”Breepursedherlipsasshethought.Red,sweet-tastinglips.Nowthat

Seamusknew—ormostlyknew—whathadhappened,histhoughtswereturning
tohisotherpull.TheneedforBree.

“I’dsayalittleoveranhour.”Breesaid.“Iorderedonedrinkandlookedfor

someonetotalkto.Shifterswerestandoffishthere.”

Ronannodded.“Theydon’tmuchlikestrangers.CometoLiam’sbar.We’re

muchmorefriendly.I’mthebouncer—Imakesureeveryone’smorefriendly.”

SeamuspicturedBreeinthesmallbarthey’dpassedonthewayto

Shiftertown,swayingtomusicinhertightskirt,whileShiftersviedtogetnextto
her.Hegrowledandtightenedhisholdonher.

Breedidn’tseemtomind.SheansweredDylan,“Ifyou’reaskingmeifI

sawanyShiftersinthebarwhomighthavekilledthehunters,Idon’tthinkso.
NoneoftheShifterstherelookedinsane—well,notobviously,anyway.They
wereallCollaredandcomfortablewitheachother,asmuchasShiftersof
differentspeciesfromdifferentShiftertownscanbe.Ifonewasferal,I’msure
theywouldhavenoticed.”

Dylanonlygruntedandgaveheranodofthanks.

“Whichleavesuswhere?”Walkerasked.He’dbeenquiet,waitingand

listening.Seamuslikedtodothattoo.“Areyousayingthere’sanunknown,feral
Shifterontheloose?”

“Iwanttogobacktothesafehouse,”Seamussaid.“Theoneouthere.When

Iwasthere,Iknewsomethingwaswrong.IbetIwassensingtheferalwatching
us.Watchingme.”

Noonesuggestedthatitwasfutilerunningaroundinthedarkness.They

wentbacktothetruck,gotin,andWalkerdroveaway,followingSeamus’s
directionsagain.

Ideas,thoughts,worries,swaminSeamus’sbrain.Hetriedtokeephimself

calm,triedtosortthroughthem.Theferalbeastwho’dattackedhimhadtouched
somethingferalinsidehim.BreehadtoldSeamushewasn’takiller,andSeamus
wasstartingtobelieveit.Butsomethingferalinsidehimhadawakened,a
disturbingwildnesshecouldn’tignore.Somethingwasgoingonwithhim,and
heneededtofigureoutwhat.

Bree’sscentwrappedaroundhimasWalker’struckbumpeditswaydown

thewashboardroad.Shewasrightinaworldthatwaswrong.Alightinthe
darkness.Breeunderstoodaboutgrief,butshewaslivingherlife.Theholein
thatlife,leftbyherbrother’sdeath,wasn’tstoppingher.

Seamus’sneedforhercriedouttohim,acravingsostronghecouldseize

hernow,leapoutofthetruck,andrunoffwithhertosomeplacewherethey
couldbetogether.Alone.NotsurroundedbyShifters,hunters,killers,andaguy
fromShifterBureau.

Breeleanedagainsthim,hersleekhairbrushinghischin.Seamusslidhis

armsaroundherandrestedhischeekonherhead.

Thesafehousewasdifficulttoseeinthedarkness,whichwaswhySeamus

hadchosenit.Itwasasmallhouse,abandoned,thatmusthavestoodherefor
fiftyorsixtyyears.Seamushadshoreditupandputinnewwindowsand
plumbingwhenhe’dstilllivedinKendrick’scompound,fortifyingitagainsta
dayhe’dneedit.

Othertrackershaddonesimilarthingswiththehousestheyused,buteven

thetrackersdidn’tknowwhereeachother’ssafehouseswere.Kendrickliked
compartmentalization.Ifonetrackerwascompromised,hecouldn’tcompromise
themall.

WalkerstoppedwhereSeamusdirected.DylantookSeamus’skeyfromhim

andledthewayintothehouse,leavingRonantocircletheplace,lookingfor

signsofintrusion.They’dfoundnonesofar.Theplacelookedempty.

Evenso,Dylanwantedtogofirst,hisdutyasstrongestShifterintheparty

toleadtheway.Walkerinsistedonbringinguptherear,drawingadark,thick-
barreledpistol.Humanslikedtodothat,protectingfrombehind,whichdidmake
sense,especiallywithBreebetweenthem.

Thehouse,whichconsistedoftworoomsandanattic,wasempty.Seamus

caughtawhiffofhisownscent—damn,hemusthavebeennervous—Francesca,
equallyasnervous,andtherathersoothingscentofbabyKatie.

TheauraofKatie’spresencecalmedSeamus.Shewassuchahappycub,in

spiteofherbeginnings.Butthen,she’dbeensnatchedawayfromdeath,cared
for,loved.Katieenjoyedthehelloutofherlife.ShewaswithFrancescanow,in
Shiftertown,assafeasshecouldbeunderthecircumstances.

Overthescentsofhimself,Francesca,andKatie,Seamusdetectedthescent

ofanotherShifter.Theferal.Notstrong—theferalwasn’ttherenow—but
Seamus’sskincrawled.Hefelthiseyeschangetohiswildcat’s,tensionscraping
hisnervesraw.

Theycheckedouttheentiretyofthesmallhouse,butfoundnothing.The

Shifterhadn’tleftevidenceofhimselfbehind,nothinghelpfullikeanotewith
directionstowherehe’dgone.Theferalhadcomehere,lookedaround,and
departed.

TheyfoundnosignsthatSeamusandhischargeshadbeenlivinghereeither.

Seamushadn’tleftanythingtobetraytheirpresence.He’dlearnedlongagothe
importanceofbeingthorough.

Ronancameinthefrontdoor.“Hey,comeseewhatIfound,”hesaid.

Withoutanotherword,heturnedaroundandfadedbackoutside.

Seamusledthewaythistime,tooimpatienttowaitforDylantoplayalpha.

Ronantookthemaroundthehousetothebackthenmovedsomeboardsaway
fromthefoundationtoshowthemadark,gapinghole.

Thescentthatpouredoutofitwasstrong,fetid,disgusting.Seamusclapped

hishandoverhisnoseandmouth,andRonanturnedaway,hisfacegray.Even
Dylanbackedasteportwo,growlscomingfromhisthroat.

Noonewasthere.Walkervolunteeredtogoinsideandlookaround,since

hissenseofsmellwasn’tasstrongastheShifters’,andnoonearguedwithhim.
ThescentwasmakingSeamuswanttoshiftandgetthehelloutofthere,andhe
knewRonanhadtobefeelingthesameway.

Walkerflashedalightaroundinsidethencamebackandhoistedhimselfout

oftheopening.“Heusedthisspacetoaccesstheinsideofthehousebypopping
outthefloorboardsabovehim,”Walkerannouncedasheclimbedtohisfeetand
dustedhimselfoff.“Thenreplacedthemwhenheleftagain.That’swhythedoor
wasstilllocked,windowsunbroken.”

“Whatwashelookingfor?”Ronanasked.Hisvoicesoundednasallyashe

triedtobreatheonlythroughhismouth.“Seamus?Orjustaplacetostay?”

“Idon’tknow,”Seamussaid.“UnlesshewasoneofKendrick’sShifters,and

wentferalwhenwehadtogotoground.That’swhatIthoughtwashappeningto
me.Hemighthavebeenlookingformetohelphim,butbeentoocrazytolet
me.”

DylangaveSeamusathoughtfullook.“I’mthinkingthere’smoretothis

thanweunderstand,”hesaid.“Butnowthatweknowthere’sarogueferalout
there,I’llroundupmytrackers,andwe’llhunthim.We’llfindhim.”

“Letmejoinyou,”Seamussaid.“IfitisoneofKendrick’sShiftersgonebad

—I’llknowhim.Hemightrespondtome.”Seamuswouldtrytohelphim—
goingferalwasnoShifter’sfault—buttheguyhadtobestopped.Theferalwas
outofcontrol,hadmurderedthosemen,andhadtriedtokillSeamus,notto
mentionleavinghimtobeblamedforthekillings.Seamusdidn’thavealotof
sympathyforhumanswhohuntedShiftersforsport,buttheyhadn’tdeserved
suchadeath.

“Ofcourseyou’recomingwithus,”Dylansaid.“You’llknowhimwhenyou

encounterhim,andIwanttokeepaneyeonyou.”

DylanandhistrackerswouldhunttheShifter,figureoutwhohewasand

whathewas,andtrytobringhimbacktosanityiftheycould.

Iftheycouldn’t,thenthey’ddowhatShiftershadtowithferals—endhislife

andsendhimtotheSummerland.Afterthat,Seamuswouldbefreetodiscover
whathehadwithBree,tobewithher.

Maybe.HisfearthathemighthurtBreehadn’tentirelygone.Theferal

shouldnothavebeenabletodragSeamusintothemadnesswithhim.

SeamusalsoneededtofigureoutwhathadhappenedtoKendrick,whatto

dowithFrancescaandKatie,andwhetherBreewantedaCollarlessrogue
Shiftertofallinlovewithher.

IfhestayedinShiftertown,whatwouldhappentohim?Ifhemanagedto

escape,whataboutBree?AndFrancescaandKatie?

Toomanythings.Seamuswasafighter,asoldier.Hefollowedordersand

leftbigdecisionsuptoShifterslikeKendrickorDylan.

Seamushadthefeeling,though,thatthistime,thedecisionshadtocome

fromhim.AndBree.Thiswashislife,notsimplycarryingouttheordersofa
leader.Hisbrainhurt.

“Youallright?”Breeasked,takinghishandastheywalkedbacktothe

truck.

“No,”hesaid.Hedrewherclose,hisarmstealingaroundherwaist.“Butit’s

betterwhenI’mwithyou.”

***

BackinShiftertown,BreefilledFrancescainonwhathadhappened,while

DylanhadaquickconferenceinRonan’slivingroomwithalltheShifters.

BreeheardDylanandWalkerrelatingwhatthey’dfoundoutatSeamus’s

safehouse,thenDylancalledthehunttostartinthemorning,afterthey’drested.
MostferalShiftersrevertedtobeingentirelynocturnal,Dylansaid,andthey
wouldlikelycatchtheShifternapping—literally.TrackersfromSanAntoniohad
beenrecruitedaswell,Dylanfinished,towatchthesafehousetonighttosee
whethertheferalreturned.Dylanwouldbeonalert,aswouldLiamandSean.

Afterthat,thetrackersscattered,andSeamusnearlycrashedtothefloor.

Breecouldn’tconvincehimtogotobed,though,untilhewasone-hundred

percentcertainthatKatiewouldbeallright.She’dbeengivenabedintheroom
withCherie,agrizzlywhowasabouttwenty-oneinhumanyears,butstillacub
inShifterterms.Francescawouldsharetheroomaswell,andOlafinsistedthey
setupacotinitforhim.HewasdeterminedtolookafterKatie.Seamuschecked
theroom,thehouse,theDen,theyard,andtheperimeteroftheyardbeforehe
confessedhimselfsatisfied,fornow.

Finally,BreedraggedSeamustobed.

NoonequestionedthatSeamusandBreewouldshareabedroom.Theother

Shiftersonlysaidgood-nightandtrundledtotheirroomstosleep,andWalker
andRebeccaretiredtotheDen.

Breehadalow-voicedconversationwithhermotheraftershemarched

Seamusupstairs—shehadtouseRonan’slandlineinthekitchen,sinceSean
stillhadn’treturnedhercellphone.

“Really,Mom,I’mfine.Yousoundlikeyou’rehavingagoodtimewithKim

andCarly.We’llgohometomorrow.Tonight,IneedtomakesureSeamusis
okay.”

“Sureyoudo.”Nadineskepticismfloatedoverthephone.“Youknow,I

neverthoughtmygrandchildrenwouldbeShifter,butifthisistheonlywayIget
any...”

Breemadeanoiseofexasperation.“Mom,youaresoaheadofyourself.

Goodnight.”

“I’mjustsaying.Becarefuloverthere.”

“I’lltalktoyoutomorrow,”Breesaidfirmly.“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,honey.Loveyou.”

“Loveyoutoo.”Breesaiditinallsincerity.Sheandhermomhadtheirups

anddowns,butthey’dsurvivedalottogether,hadmadeitbecauseunderneath
theirbanter,theyhadalovethatcouldn’tbebroken.

Breehungupthephoneandwalkedupstairsandintothebedroomthey’d

beengiven,asmallonethathadbelongedtoRebecca.

Seamuslayfacedownonthebed,soundasleep.

Breeclosedthedoorandstoodattheendofthebed,lookingathim.Seamus

wasstretchedoutinexhaustion,onehandflungacrossthecovers,theother
hangingoverthesideofthemattress.He’dmanagedtogethisbootsandsocks
off,andhisstrongbarefeetdangledoffthebottomofthebed.

Breehadbeenabletowashupandbrushherteethwithatoothbrush

Ronan’smatehadpurchasedforher,andnowshestrippedoutofherclothes,
slidingunderthesheetinherbraandpanties.Shesnappedoffthelightonthe
bedsidetableandsnuggleddown.

Seamusdidn’tmove.Afaintsnoretrickledintotheroom.Moonlight

touchedSeamus’stannedskinanddancedinthedarknessofhishair.

Breehadneverseenhimsorelaxed.Sinceshe’dmethim,Seamushadbeen

tense,woundtoonefocusedpoint.He’dbeenafraidandtryingtobottleuphis
feartoprotectnotonlyKatieandFrancesca,butBreeaswell.Andhermom.
Eventhecat.

Breeleanedacrossthebedandkissedhischeek.Shesavoredthewarmthof

hisskin,theroughburnofhiswhiskers.

Seamus’seyespoppedopen.Theyglitteredgoldinthedark,aShifter

comingfullyawakeandalert.

BeforeBreecouldsayword,Seamusroseoverherandboreherbackinto

thebed.Breefoundherarmsfullofstrong-bodiedShifter,whocoveredher
mouthwithaslowbutforcefulkiss.

Seamus’smouthwasahotplace,hislipsbothleisurelyandintense,as

thoughheplannedtokissherallnight.Breesurrendereddownintothemattress,
readytolethim.

ShetuggedathisT-shirt,draggingitupsoshecouldtouchhim.Seamus

impatientlybrokethekissandshruggedtheshirtoff,thennearlyrippedherbra’s
hookstoopenitandflingitaside.Herunderwearquicklyfollowed.

Barechesttobarechest,theycametogether,Seamus’sheartbeatinghard

abovehers.BreedrewherfingersdownSeamus’ssmoothbackandslidthem
underthewaistband,findingthetautmoundofhisbuttocksbeneath.No
underwear.She’dthoughtasmuch.

“Needyou,”Seamussaid.“Needyou,mymate.Can’tstopmyself.”

Breedidn’twanthimto.Sheworkedherfingersaroundtothefrontofhis

jeansandpoppedopenthebutton.Thezipperhissed,andBreeplungedherhand
insidetocloseitaroundhisveryhardcock.

Seamusfroze.Hiseyesbecamealightgoldencolor,asthoughhewantedto

shift,andbarelycontainedit.Ormaybehesimplylikedwhatshewasdoing.
Breestrokedhimonce,enjoyinghowlargehewas.Itwouldbeatightsqueeze
whenhecameinsideher,butshewouldn’tletthatstopthem.

Sheshovedathisjeans,whichhegothimselfoutof.Seamuskissedhisway

downherthroattoherbreasts,hiswarmmouthtricklingheatacrossherflesh.
Breearched,wantinghim.

“Thewholeofyou,”hesaid.Helickedbetweenherbreasts.“Youcalledout

tomefromthefirst.Ibelong...withyou.”

“I’mnotmindingthat,”Breewhispered.

Seamusliftedaway,repositioninghimselftofithisbodytohers.Hiscock

brushedheropening,thealreadysensitiveplaceshootingfiresalongevery
nerve.

So.ThiswasbeingwithaShifter.

No,thiswasbeingwithamanwhowasextraordinary,beautifulwithout

knowingit,gentleandcaringandatthesametime,withanedgeof
unpredictability.Hiseyestookherin,thedownwardsweepofhisgazetelling

herhelikedwhathesaw.

Breesmiledathim,likinghimtoo.Seamusdraggedinabreath,raisedhis

hips,andslidinsideher.

Large?Yes.Breegaspedashefilledher,openingpiecesofhershehadn’t

realizedwereclosed.

Seamusemittedasoftmoan,hiseyesflickingtoShifter,thegoldofthem

vivid.Thenheclosedhiseyes,hisfacerelaxingevenmoreashebeganasweet
rhythm.

Breewrappedherarmsaroundhim,twiningherlegswithhisashethrust

intoher,hisfirstmovementsslowandsensual.Theroomwascool,November
windtappingatthewindow,butwarmthswathedthem.Breepushedthesheet
away.

Baretothenight,theylovedeachother,Seamusincreasinghisthrusts,Bree

risingtomeethim.Heneededthis;sheneededit.Emptinesswasflowingaway,
herhearthealingforthefirsttimeinalong,longtime.

Slowsensationsfledasdesperationcameuponthem,Seamusmovingfaster,

Breeslidinghandstohisbuttocks,urginghimon.Seamus’sbicepsbunchedas
heheldhimselffromcrushingher;Breeclunghardtohim.

Madnesswascomingoverher,adarkwashofclimax—blissful,hotwaves

shegladlydrownedin.Sheheardhervoicerising,buteverythingwentaway,
everyworry,fear,andcaution.AllsheknewwasSeamusjoiningwithher,
spiralingherintoaplaceofbrightdelight,onehotpointofpleasure.

Itlastedsolong,bothofthemmeetinginthatplaceoffire,hisshouts

blendingwithhers.JustwhenBreethoughtshe’dneverenduremore—but
damn,shedidnotwantittoend—theycrashedtogetheronthebed,gasping,
kissing,sealedtogether.

Afterawhile,theyeasedintoquietude,catchingtheirbreaths.Seamus

smiledather—thefirsttimehe’ddoneso.Itwasawickedsmile,oneofboth
triumphandjoy.

“Beautiful,”hewhisperedashecamedowntoher.“I’veneverseenanything

asbeautifulasyou.”

“You’renotbadyourself,”Breemumbled,exhaustionstealingherpowersof

speech.“Infact,you’reprettyhot.”

Seamus’slowlaughtershookthebed,andtothisagreeablelullaby,Bree

droppedintosleep.

***

Awildscreambrokethedarkness.Breejumpedawake,herheartbanging.

Thesoundwasmorelikeawail,ahorriblenoisethatwoundhigh,boring

throughBree’sbrain.Thesoundcamefromoutside,butaninstantlater,itwas
echoedbySeamus,whothrewbackhisheadandroaredasthoughallthepainin
theworldhadgatheredwithinhim.

Breerolledawayandscrambledtoherfeetinsheerpanic.Seamuscameoff

thebed,hishandsoneithersideofhishead,hiseyessolightgoldtheywere
nearlywhite.

“Hurts,”hemoaned.“Hurts.”

Fromoutsidecameshouts,morescreams,animalcries.Breedidn’twantto

takehergazeoffSeamus,butsherantothewindowandlookedout.

Somethingcrashedpastthetreesthatlinedtheyard,abulkrunningstraight

forthehouse.TheDenwaslitup,Walkeroutside.Sheheardthesoundofa
pistolshot,andanother.

Seamusscreamedagain.Downbelow,BreesawtheglintofswordasSean

sprintedintotheyard,withwhatlookedlikeeverymaleinShiftertownbehind
him.TheywerechasingthegiantanimalthatbrokethroughRonan’sfrontdoor,
splinteringit,andchargedintothehouse.

ChapterFifteen

Pain.Emptiness.Rage.

AllpouredthroughSeamusastheferalcameupthestairs,heading

unerringlytowhatitneeded.

Thecub.

Screamssoundedintheroomwherethey’dputKatie—Cherieand

Francesca,Olafcryingout.SeamuswasbarelyawareofBreesnatchinguphisT-
shirttothrowonherownbodyasheslammedhimselfoutoftheroomand
acrossthehall.

ThedoortoKatie’sroomhadbeentornoffitshinges.SeamussawCherie

pressedintoafarcorner,herterrorsohighitcutthroughtherestoftheemotions
churningthroughSeamus’shead.

Thatclarityallowedhimtoseethesituationwithoutthehazeofmadness—

Francesca,hernightshirtflutteringtothefloorassheshiftedtowolf.Olaf,as
smallashewas,puttinghimselfinfrontofKatie’sbed,hishandsout
protectively.

Olaffacedanotherbear,itsbrownfurmattedwithmudandblood,giant

pawssportingbrokenclaws,itsdarkeyesfilledwithmadness.Thebearwas
male,Shifter,andferal.NoCollaradorneditsneck,Seamussawinthemoment
thebearturnedandcameforhim.

Seamuswasalreadyshiftingtolion.Thebear’sattackcaughthimmid-shift,

athismostvulnerable,whichhenowrealizedwashowthebearhadtakenhim
bysurpriseoutinthedark.Seamusspunbackintothehall,hislion’shindlegs
scrabblingforpurchase.Bree,wide-eyed,gotoutoftheway.

Seamusgainedhisfeet,fullylionnow,andwentforthebear.Thebear

hurtledoutofthebedroom,andtheyslammedtogetherinthehall.

ThestinknearlyknockedSeamusover,asdidtheferal’soutpouringofgrief,

anger,andhatred.Thebearstruck,andstruckagain,itsraggedclawsraking
Seamus’sside.ThescentofbloodwokeSeamus’sfrenzy,andthennothingwas
clear.

Teeth,claws,blows.Seamusrolled,withthebearonhim,thenhecameup

ontopofthebeartobethrownasidelikenothing.Francescaleapt,herwolf

landingfullforceonthebear’sback.AtthesametimeBreedartedinsidethe
room,headingtohelpthecubs.

SeamuswasawareofotherShiftersontheirwayupthestairs,Rebecca

included,Walkerbehindher.Ronanhadalreadychargedoutofhisownroom,
buttherewasnospaceforhimtoshiftintotheKodiakbearhewas.

Anotherlionjoinedthefray.Seamusheardaswordclattertothefloor,and

knewthiswasSean.Seanhitthebear,drivingitfromSeamus,whorolledout
fromunderit.Francescaranatthebear’shugebackfeet,herwolfsnappingand
clawing.

Seamussawtherageinthebear’seyeschangetodesperation.Itknewitwas

outnumbered,wouldnevergetaway.ItflungoffSeamusandSeanwithrenewed
strengthandburstintothebedroom.

Katiewasstandingonthebed,roaringinfearandsurprise.Onthefloornext

toherwasapolarbearcub.Hewasuponhishindlegs,hisblackeyessparkling,
histoo-smallmouthopeninawarningroar.Cheriehadturnedgrizzly,shetoo
risingonbackfeet.Herbearwasalittlemoreformidablethanthoseofthecubs,
butshewasstilltooyoungtotakeonthefull-grownferal.

TheferalbeardrewbackhishugepawsandsweptthemdownatOlafand

Katie.Seamusknewhe’dneverbeabletoreachthemintime.

ButBreewasthere,risingfromtheothersideofthebedlikeanavenging

angel.ShegrabbedKatieandyankedhertosafety,justasthebear’sblow
landed.Themattressrippedintwo,andthewoodenbedsteadclatteredapart,
strikingtheferalbutalsoOlafashescamperedoutoftheway.

ThebearturnedforKatie,andSeamustoreintohim.Theybothwentdown,

Seamusatlastgettinghisteethinthebear’sthroat.Heclampeddown,and
ripped.

Theferalbearroaredhispainandslammedhimselfdown,flailinguntilhe

dislodgedSeamus.Seamus,thebear’sbloodfoulinhismouth,rolledinthe
smallspace,smackingintopiecesofthebrokenbed.

Breewasup,holdingontoKatie,standingagainstCherieforprotection.

Cherie’sCollarwassparkinghard,aswasSean’sasheranin,thoughSean’s
didn’tslowhimdown.HeleaptoverSeamustograbthebearandhaulhimback.

Seamus,gaininghisfeet,joinedhim.Ashedid,Tigerbarreledintothe

room,plantedhispawsonthebear’sbackanddraggedhimtothefloor.

Thebearfoughtawhilelonger,weakernow,thencollapsedandlaystill,

panting.Thetwolionswerebloody,andbloodgushedfromthebear’sthickneck
andthroatwhereSeamushadgothim.Tigerkepthisimmensepawsonthebear,
holdinghiminplace.

Walkerwasinsidenow,sightingoverthebarrelofarifle.“Tranq,”hesaid.

“Getoutoftheway.”

BeforeSeamusorTigercouldmove,theferalbeneaththemshiftedto

human.

Seangotoffhimandbackedaway.Tigerremainedbutsatdownonhis

haunches,asthoughconcedingthatitwasSeamus’svictory.Seamus,stilllion,
heldthemaninplace.

TheShifterwasaboutSeamus’sageinbothhumanandShifterterms.His

shaggy,unwashedhairandlinesonhisfacemadehimlookolder,asdidthe
hauntedlightinhiseyes.MostofwhatSeamussawwascraziness,amindthat
hadlostsanity,thoughasparkoftheoriginalmanremained.

“My...cub.”

Thevoicewascracked,barelyunderstandable.KatiemovedinBree’sarms,

andBreedrewasharpbreath.“HemeansKatie.”

ThebearglaredupatSeamus,angry,maddened,andgrief-stricken.“Mine.”

Seamusslowlyshiftedbacktohuman.Hekeptafirmholdoftheman,

preparedtofightagainifhehadto.Francesca,stillwolf,tookupastanceat
Seamus’sside,alsoready.

Katiewasstrugglingtogetdown.Bree,afterexchangingalookwith

Seamus,setKatieonherfeet.

ThelittlebearclosedthesmalldistancebetweenherselfandtheShifter.She

lookeddownathimashelayonthefloor,hermouthcomingopeninalittle
growlofbothgreetinganddistress.

“Mycub.”Theman’svoicewasweakerbutclearer.“Ifound...”Heputout

onescarred,broken-nailedhandandtouchedherhead.“My...daughter.”

Katielaydownonherstomachandrestedherchinontheman’sshoulder.

Therewasnowayshecouldrecognizehim,Seamusthoughtdimly.They’d
foundKatiewhenshewasonlyadayortwoold,andshe’dknownnoparents
butFrancescaandtheotherShiftersinKendrick’sgroup.

Butsheseemedtoknow,withoutwords,withoutbeingoldenoughevento

shifttohumanyet,thatthisShifterwasherfather.

Hewascompletelyferal.He’dnearlykilledKatietryingtogettoher,had

rippedapartthehumanhunterswithoutremorse,haddonehisbesttokill
Seamus.Savinghim,iftheycould,wouldbetricky.

Somesanityflickeredinthebear’seyes.HecaughtSeamus’shand.“Take

careofher.Promiseme.”

Seamusnodded,claspingthehandthatwasscarredandbloody.“Likeshe

wasourown.”

“Thank...”

Thenreasoninhiseyesdied,andtheredglarereturned.Themansnarled,

thebearcomingback.

KatiescamperedawayinalarmandhidbehindCherie’sgrizzlybearlegs.A

whitestreakbuzzedbehindSeamus,OlafrushingtojointhebearsandBree.Not
fromfear,Seamussensedinamazement.Olafhadflunghimselfinfrontofthem,
thelittlepolarbearreadytoprotectthefemales.

“Sean!”Seamuscalled.

Seanwasthereatonce,inhumanform,thehugeswordoftheGuardianin

hishands.TheferalstruckoutatSeamus,hishandsbearclaws,thenhefell
back,spent,bloodgushingfromhistornthroat.

Seanraisedtheswordhighandbroughtitdown,straightintothebear’s

heart.

Theferalcriedout,akeeningthatshatteredtheair.Thenthebearshuddered

once,whispered,“Thankyou,”letoutalittlesigh,anddied.

Hisbodyshimmeredlikedustmotesinsunshine,andthenwithahiss,he

disintegratedtonothing.Abreathofwindstirredthedustandashes,andallwas
silence.

KatiecameoutfromunderCherie,satdownonherhaunches,andhowled.

Hernoseliftedtothesky,hergriefclawingatSeamus’sheart.

Francesca’showltwinedwithKatie’s,Francescamourningthelossofa

fellowShifter.TheShiftersinsideandoutsideofthehousejoinedthecry,a
sharedsoundofgriefthatonehadbeentakenfromthemtoosoon.

Seanbenthisheadoverthesword,hischestmovingwithhisdistressed

breath.Seamusflowedbackintohislion,androared.

Seamusabsorbedthegriefofthemall—Katie,Francesca,Sean,allthe

Shifters—pouringitbackoutinhisownvoice,feelinghimselfbreakingapart.

Awarmthstolethroughtheterriblepain,thefeelingofarmsaroundhim.

Breehadcometohissideandwrappedherselfaroundhislion’sbody,burying
herfaceinhismane.

Thetouchofamate.Theweightofheragainsthim,hernearness,soothed

thepain,grief,andmadness.AnythingferalinSeamusflowedawayandwas
gone.

Seamusshiftedbacktohishumanform,closedBreeintohisarms,andheld

ontight.

***

Nooneknewthebear’sname,wherehecamefrom,orwhathisclanwas.

Thenextmorning,BreesawthecompassionoftheShiftersastheygavethis
crazed,unnamed,wildbearasend-offtotheGoddess.

AllofShiftertowngatheredinthegreenbehindtheMorrisseys’bungalow,

formingconcentriccirclesaroundthebrazierinthemiddle.SeamusheldKatie
whileFrancescaplacedthewoodenboxthatcontainedthebearShifter’sashes
ontotheflames.

“GodandGoddess,receivethychild,”LiamMorrisseysaid,hisvoice

hushed,hisfacesober.

Anothercollectivehowlwentup,thisonemoresubduedthanhadbeenthe

criesofgrieflastnight.Theferalbearhadfoughtforhiscubandfoughtwell.
Nowhedeservedhisrest.

SeamuswalkedbacktoRonan’shousewithBree,thetwoofthemhandin

hand.BreehadborrowedclothesfromCarlythismorning,agraytopandpencil-
thinblackpantsthatCarlycouldn’twearatthemoment.Bree’sShifter-groupie
lookwasgone.

SeamushadsetKatiedowntowalkonherown.Shewasaccompaniedby

hernow-faithfulOlaf,ashispolarbearcub.Francescawasnevermorethana
stepawayfromthem,andRebeccaandWalkerkeptnearaswell.Katiewouldbe
wellcaredforhere,Breeconcluded.

SeamuswasmuchmoreateasewithhimselftodaythanBreehadseenhim

besofar.Lastnightafterthecleanupfromthefight,sheandSeamushadfallen
backintobed,touching,kissing,anddriftingintohardslumber.

They’dwokencurledaroundeachother,awareandwanting,butRonanhad

bangedonthedoorandtoldthemtheritualtosendthebeartotheGoddess
wouldstartimmediately.

Notimetotalk,tokissverymuch,ortomakewildloveasBreewantedto.

Andwhoknewifthey’deverhavetime?NowthatthethreattoKatiewas

gone,whatwouldSeamusdo?WouldBreehaveanypartofhisdecision?His
life?

Orwouldshegobacktobeingnewgirlintown,tryingtofindajobata

mechanicsshopwheretheymightletherdomorethanjustthepaperworkand
makingthecoffee?Tryingtotakecareofhermom,grieveforherbrother,and
forgetshe’devermetthehot-bodiedmanwithlioneyes.

Nope,forgettingSeamuswasoutofthequestion.

Seamus’shandtightenedonhersastheynearedRonan’shouse.Heknew

thiswasjourney’sendasmuchasshedid,andthatdecisionswouldhavetobe
made.

Dylanwaswaitingfortheminthebigdiningroom.SowasTiger,with

Carly.Tigerwashumannow,hiseyesasgoldenasSeamus’s.He’dpulledhis
chairnexttoCarly’sandhadhisarmaroundher,asthoughdaringanyonetotry
tokeepthemapart.

“Hey,sweetie,”CarlysaidtoBreeasshedroppedintothechairSeamus

pulledoutforher.“Youallright?”

“Tired.”BreetriednottofeelemptywhenSeamusleftherandwenttoSean,

who’daccompaniedthemhere.

Rebecca,Bree’smother,andRonan’smate,Elizabeth,cameoutofthe

kitchenwithplatespiledwithmuffins,scones,andothergoodthings.Theyset
themout,Nadinefussingalittle,whichBreeknewmeantshewasjonesingfora
cigarette.Shewouldn’tsmokearoundthecubsorCarly,butherfingerskept
twitching.

NadinestoppedtosmoothBree’shairandkissthetopofherhead.“Don’t

worry,honey.We’llgohome,andyoucanhaveahotbathandsleepallday.At
least,untilthehammeringstarts.ThatDylansaidhe’dsendhisShiftersoverto
fixtheatticandtheceiling.Isn’tthatniceofhim?”Sheploppedintothechair
nexttoBree.“Ofcourse,I’llbelieveitwhenIseeit.Repairmenalwayssay
they’llshowup,andthenyouwaitthreedays.”

“Ithinkthey’llcome,”Breesaid.Shifterskepttheirword.

“Well,I’mjustgladRemywastheretohelpout.Itoldyouhewas.”

Breehidasigh.“Itwasabrokenwaterpipe,Mom.”Orhaditbeen?Ifso,it

hadbrokenataveryconvenientmoment.Breedecideditwouldbeniceto
believe,withhermother,thatRemywasstillwatchingoverthem.Oneday,
she’dtakeSeamusuptotheatticwithhertoinvestigate—askhimabouthis
theorythatthehousewasonaleylinewithagatetotheFaelands...Thatis,if
hewasaroundforhertoask.

Nadineshrugged,reachingforasconeandtearingitopenononeofthelittle

platesElizabethwashandingaround.“Youseeityourway;Iseeitmine.”

Breedecidednottoarguewithher.She’dlethermotherbecomfortedby

Remy’spresence—realorimagined.Andwiththeweirdnessthey’dexperienced
thelastcoupledays…well,whoknew?

Dylanclearedhisthroat.Hebarelymadeasound,andyetallconversation

ceasedandalleyesturnedtohim.

“Sean,”Dylansaidtohisson.“Whatdidyoufindout?”

“ThatSeamusisourclan,”Seansaid.Prideranginhisvoice.“Acousin—

verydistant—andfromScotland,butwecanforgivehimforthatintime.”He
grinned.“TheGuardiannetworkdoesn’tlie.”

Seamussaidnothing.Hedidn’tlookhappytobeincludedintheMorrissey

family,butnotunhappyeither.Bewilderedandinshockwasabetterwayof
puttingit,Breedecided.

“Whataboutthebear?”Dylanasked.

“Hecouldhavebeenoneofmany,unfortunately,”Seansaid.“Thosewho

didn’ttaketheCollarandwerelefttothemselvesoftenwentferal.ButKatie’s
mum,shewasabearfromaclanupinManitoba,fromaShiftertown.She’drun
offwiththisun-Collaredbear,andtheShiftertowndidn’tknowwhere.Poorlass
obviouslydidn’tmakeitinthewild,andKatie’sfatheralreadymusthavebeen
onhiswaytoferal,orthemumwouldn’thavediedalone.SeamusfoundKatie
...andtherestwecanguess.ThefatherwentlookingforKatie,couldn’tfind
her,sinceKendrick’sShiftersweresogoodathiding.Buthecouldn’tgiveup,
nomatterhowlongittook.”

SeamusdriftedfromhimtostandbehindBree.Hiswarmthcushionedher,

thechairmovedwithhisstrengthasherestedhishandsonitsback.

“Notallun-CollaredShiftersgoferal,”Seamussaidinaquietvoice.

“Weknowthat,”Seansaid.“Imean,we’relearningthat.Knowingmore

aboutyouwouldhelpusalot.”

Seamus’shandstightenedonthechair.“I’mnotalabrat.That’sonereason

werefusedtocomeintwentyyearsago—theexperiments.Dissections.”
Francescamadeanoiseofagreement.

“No,no,”Seansaidquickly.“Shiftersdon’tdothattootherShifters.You’re

familynow.AndFrancescaandKatie,ourguests.You’rewelcomein
Shiftertownaslongasyouwanttobehere.NoCollars.Noneedles.Nodrugs.”

TigergaveSeanagrowl,asthoughremindinghim,Yougotthatright.

Broderick,who’dcomeinwithDylan,askedthequestionBreewantedto.

“WhataboutSeamusthinkinghewasgoingferal?Hewasreallyworriedabout
it.Iwastoo,ifyouwanttoknow.”

“Notferal,”Tigersaidatonce.“Morelikeme.”

“Oh,great,”Broderickgrimaced.“Youmeanhe’sanothercrazy?”

Tigergrowledagain,butmoreinamock-threateningway,asthoughthetwo

wentbackandforthlikethisallthetime.

“I’mnotsure,”Dylansaid,hisblueeyesonSeamus.“I’venevermetone,

andImightbewrong.”Hisgazesharpened.“Ithinkyou,son,areaShifter
empath.”

Seamuswentcompletelystill.“WhatthehellisaShifterempath?”

Dylandidn’tlookaway.“YoupickuptheemotionsofotherShifters.Use

themtohelptheotherShifter—eitherbydrawingitoff,oratleastunderstanding
whatthey’regoingthrough.Youweren’tbecomingferal.Youwereperfectly
finewhenyouwereinBreeandNadine’shousewithus.Youknewtherewas
somethingwrongatyoursafehouseinthemiddleofnowherewhenyournormal
Shifterinstinctsaidyouweresafe.Francescadidn’tnoticetheproblem,did
she?”

Francescashookherhead.ShewatchedSeamus,graygazewarybut

interested.“IthoughtSeamuswasbeingoverlycautions,thoughIdidn’t
disagreewithhim.”

“YoufoundKatie,”Dylanwenton.“Intheentirewilderness,youjust

happenedtofindherintimetosaveherlife.Ithinkyouhomedinonher
distress.”

Seamus’sholdonthechairtightenedevenmoreuntilBreewassurprisedthe

wooddidn’tsplinter.“Ifthat’strue,whyhaven’tInoticeditallthistime?Ithink
Iwouldhaveatsomepoint,don’tyou?”

Dylanshrugged.“MaybeitonlyflareswhentheanguishoftheShifteris

greatenoughtopullyouin.Maybeothertimes,it’ssubtleenoughthatyouthink
itonlynaturalcompassion.Inoticeyouhaven’tbeenabletostayawayfrom
Bree.Youfoundherandyou’rehangingontoher.”

Seamussaidnothing.HebenttoBree,touchinghislipstoherneck,and

didn’tanswer.

“Whatdoesallthismean?”BreewasgettingalittletiredofDylan’s

profoundannouncements.“Thatyou’regoingtomakeSeamusstayherewhile
youwatchhimandseewhathecando?Hespentallthistimesuccessfullynot
beingtrapped,andnowyouwanthimtolockhimselfinwithyousoyoucan
studythisempathicability?Orareyougoingtolethimgo?Ithinkyouneedto
answer,Mr.DylanMorrissey.Rightnow.”

ChapterSixteen

SeamusfeltBree’sanxiousnessandanger.Feltit,forreal,comingupinto

him.Healsofeltherdesire,bothphysicalandemotional.Forhim.

Empathy?OraShifterknowinghistruemate?

“Mydaughteraskedyouagoodquestion,”Nadinesaid,pluckinganother

sconetopieces.“Well?What’sitgoingtobe?”

SeanandDylanlookedonlyatSeamus,nooneelse.“Wediscussedit,”Sean

saidslowly.“MeandDadandLiam.Andwedecided...”Heletouthisbreath.
“Thatwe’dbesorryexcusesforShiftersifwemadeSeamusstay.You’refreeto
go,lad.Anywhereyouwish.We’dliketohangontoKatie,butonlyforherown
protectionuntilshe’sofanagetodecideforherself,butyou...”Seanliftedhis
hands.“It’swhateveryouwant.Francesca,youtoo.”

NoweveryonewasstaringatSeamus.Themanypairsofeyesonhim—the

intenseblueonesoftheMorrisseys,darkonesofRonanandRebecca,thelight
blueofWalker,interestedonesofCarlyandBree’smother,grayofBroderick
andalsoofFrancesca—madeSeamusalittlecagey.Theywerewaitingtosee
whathe’ddo.Accept?Orrun?

Francescasaid,afterdrawingabreath,“I’mstayingwithKatie.”

Seamusfiguredshewould.Katiewashersnow.

Theonlypersonwhodidn’tlookathimwasBree.Seamusdidn’twantto

havetheconversationheneededwithherinfrontofallthosestares,sohelifted
hertoherfeetandstilledherstartledquestionsbypullingheroutoftheroom.

Noneoftheothersfollowedorcalledafterthem.Theyknew.

SeamustookBreeupthestairstotheroomtheyweresharing.Behindthem,

heheardtheShiftersandtheirhumanmatesburstouttalkingatonce,thecrowd
makingenoughnoisetodrownoutanarmy.Allthebetter.

SeamusledBreeintothebedroomandclosedthedoor.Shefacedhiminthe

middleofthefloor,herlake-blueeyesenormous.

“Whatareyougoingtodo?”Breeaskedhim.

Seamusstrippedoffhisshirt.“Rightnow?MakelovetoyoulikeIcan’t

stop.LikeI’vewantedtosinceImetyou.LikeIwouldhaveifwehadn’tkept

gettinginterrupted.”

Hegrowledthelastwordsashekickedoutofhisjeans.He’dputon

underweartodayindeferencetotheceremony,andthatcameofftoo.

Breedidn’tsnaphergazeaway,orscream,ortrytorun.Shelookedhimup

anddown.“Nice.”

“Gladyoulikeit.Joinmeifyouwant.Yourchoice.Iwouldneverforce

you.”Seamustookasteptowardher,tendernesssweepingthroughhimalong
withneed.“Iwouldneverhurtyou.”HebrushedBree’shairfromherface,
revelinginthesilkentouchofherhair,herskin.“Never.”

Breeranherfingersuphischesttothehollowofhisthroat.“Andafter?”

Shestudiedhiscollarbone,notmeetinghiseyes.“Areyougoingtodisappear
forever?”

“Ihaven’tdecided.”Seamus’sheartbeatsped,thewarmthinhimbecoming

surgingheat.“WhateverIdecide,Iwantittobewithyou.Ican’tofferyoua
damnthing—lifeinabedroominShiftertown,orhidingoutinasafehouse...
somewhere.Itwouldsuck.”

“Thatalldepends.Ireallylikedthatbungalowyoufounddowntown.It’s

cute.Orwillbeafterwefixitup.”AsparklelitBree’seyes,thendimmed.
“WhatIdon’twantisforyoutobecaughtbecauseyoustuckaroundtobewith
me.Idon’twanttowatchyouberoundedup,orwhateverit’scalled,arrested
becauseyoudon’thaveaCollar,forcedtowearone,orkilled.”Shepushed
againsthischestandsteppedaway.“Iwon’tbethecauseofthat.I’dratherknow
youwereoutthere—free—evenifitmeansyoucan’tbewithme.”

Tearsbeadedonhereyelashes,andBreeclosedhermouth,asthoughfearing

tosaytoomuch.

Seamusputhishandsonhershouldersanddrewhertohimagain.Not

enough.Heputhisarmsallthewayaroundher,sinkingintoherwarmth,kissing
thecurveofherneck.

“Iknowwhatfreedomisnow.”SeamuskissedBree’sthroatandthenlifted

hisheadtolookintohereyes.“Truefreedomisbeingwiththeoneyoulove,no
matterwhat.It’snotaplaceoratime,orrunningthroughfieldslookingfor
somewheretohide.”Hebrushedakisstohermouth.“It’slovingwhoyouneed
tolove.”

Bree’slipsparted.“Areyousayingyouloveme,SeamusMcGuire?After

knowingmetwodays?Mostofthoseontherun?”

Seamusgaveherashrug.“Itcanhappenfast.Whenit’sright,itshoutsto

you.I’manempath;youknowI’mright.”

Breeputherhandsonherhips.“Isthatgoingtomakeyoufullofyourself?

Becausewe’llhavetoworkonthat.”

“Maybe.Noneofthatmatters,though,untilyouanswer.Doyouwanttobe

withme,love?”

Breelosthercockysmile.Sheroseontiptoesandheldhim,hertears

wettinghischeek.“Craponacrutch,Seamus.OfcourseIwanttobewithyou.
Always.Tohellwithusonlyknowingeachothertwodays—whogetstosetthe
time-limitrule?Iloveyou.Iknowthisbetterthananything.”

“Good.”Seamusletoutthebreathhe’dbeenholding,thedizzinessofit

smackinghim.Hestartedtofallandswungthembotharoundsotheylandedon
thebed,SeamusontopofBree.Hepressedherwristsintothemattress,andshe
smiledupathim.“BecauseI’vedecidedtostayinShiftertown.Idon’twantto
leaveKatie,andSean’sright.Icanhelpthem.”

Seanhadtoldhimtodayaboutafewthingstheywereworkingonwiththe

Collars,tryingtogetthemremovedfromallShifters.Goingferalwasadanger,
andSeamus’sabilitytosurvivewithoutonecouldmakeadifference.

“ButI’monlystayingifyou’llcomevisitme,”Seamussaid.“Anddothis

...”

Hekissedher.Breewrappedherselfaroundhim,openingtohim,deepening

thekiss.Thefabricofherpantsbrushedhisskinandliteveryfireinsidehim.

“I’lldomorethanvisit,”Breesaidwhenthekissended.“I’llshackupwith

you.I’maShiftergroupie,remember?Oratleast,Iusedtobe.That’swhatwe
groupiesdreamofdoing,youknow,movinginwithaShifter.NowthatI’vegot
aShifterofmyown,though,Iwon’tneedtodressupandhangoutanymore.”

“Idon’tknow.”Seamustracedaroundhereyeswherethecatmakeuphad

been.“Maybeyoucanwearthemakeupandcostumesometimes.Thecat’sears
aredamnsexy.”

“Ooh,kinky,areyou?Thissoundslikefun.”

Seamusdrewhisfingersdownherwhiteblouse,achingforher.“You’re

wearingtoomanyclothesrightnow.”

“They’reCarly’s.Cute,aren’tthey?Shehasgoodtaste.”

“You’llhavetobuyhermore,”Seamusgrowled.

Shifterscouldripintoclothesswiftlyandprecisely.Intheworkofafew

moments,theshirtandpantsandherunderwearlayinshredsaroundthem,Bree
squealingindelightedsurprise.

Hercriessoftenedtothoseofpleasure,andthenagroanasSeamusslid

insideher.

ThebedcreakedasBreedrewherhandsdownhisback.Seamusforgot

aboutpain,sorrow,grief,hurt,emptiness,andfilledhimselfwithBree.Her
generouslove,hersmiles,herbeauty,hersensuallittlegrowlashestartedto
move.

Seamuswasonewithhismate,feelingherjoy,herlovesurroundinghim

andmakinghimwhole.Everythingheneeded.

End

Readonforanexcerptof

WhiteTiger

ShiftersUnbound,Book8

ChapterOne

Itwasalmosttime.AddisonPriceslidthecoffeepotbackontheheater,

unabletokeephereyefromtheclock.Thedinerclosedatmidnight.Everynight
atelevenfifty-fiveonthedot,hecamein.

Tonight,though,elevenfifty-fivecameandwent.Andelevenfifty-six,fifty-

seven.

She’dhavetocloseup.Theownerlikedeverythingshutdownrightat

midnight.He’dcomeinaboutfifteenminuteslaterandstartgoingthroughthe
accountsfortheday.

Elevenfifty-eight.Thelastcustomer,afarmerinaJohnDeerecaphemust

havepickedupfortyyearsagofromallthegrimeonit,grinnedatherandsaid,
“Night,Addie.Timetogohometothewife.”

Hesaidthateverynight.Addieonlysmiledathimandwavedgood-bye.

Elevenfifty-nine.Inoneminute,she’dhavetolockthedoor,turntheOpen

signaroundtoClosed,helpwiththecleanup,andthengohome.Hersisterand
threekidswouldbeasleep,schooldaytomorrow.Addiewouldcreepinasusual,
takeasoothingshower,playontheInternetalittletounwind,andthenfall
asleep.Herunwaveringroutine.

Tonight,though,shewouldn’tbeabletoanalyzeeverysinglethingthe

white-and-black-hairedmansaidtoheranddecidewhetherhelikedherorwas
justmakingconversation.

Thesecondhandontheanalogclockabovethepasstothekitchenswept

downfromthetwelvetowardthesix.Eleven-fiftynineandthirtyseconds.Forty.
Forty-five.

Addiesighedandmovedtotheglassfrontdoor.

Whichopenedassheapproachedit,bringinginwarmthofaTexasnight,

andtheman.

Addiequicklychangedreachingforthedoor’slocktoyankingthedoor

openwideandgivinghimhersunniestsmile.“Hello,there.Y’allcomeonin.
Youmadeitjustintime.”

Thebigmangaveherhispolitenodandwalkedpastherwithanevenstride,

theblackdenimcoathealwaysworebrushingjeansthathuggedthemost
gorgeousbuttAddiehadseeninallherdays.Becausethisdiner’sclientelehad
plentyoffarmers,utilityworkers,andbikersjustpassingthrough,she’dseenher
fairshareofnot-so-goodbacksidesinjeans…orslippinginappropriatelyabove
waistbands.

Hermanwasdifferent.Hisbehindwasworthasecond,third,andfourth

look.Hewastallbutnotlanky,hisbuildthatofalinebackerinfinetraining,his
shouldersandcheststretchinghisblackT-shirt.Thefootwearundertheblue
jeanswasalwayseithergraycowboybootsorblackmotorcycleboots.Tonight,
itwasthemotorcycleboots,suppleleatherhugginghisankles.

And,asalways,Addie’smancarriedthesword.Hekeptitwrappedindark

cloth,alongbundleheheldinhishandandtuckedbesidehisseatwhenhesat
downandordered.AtfirstAddiehadthoughtthebundleheldagun—arifleor
shotgun—andshe’dhadtotellhimthattheowner,Bo,didn’tallowfirearmsof
anykindinhisdiner.She’dlockitupforhimifhewantedwhileheate.They
hadaspeciallockerforthehunterswhowereregulars.

Themanhadshotheraquizzicallookfromhisincrediblysexygreeneyes,

pulledbackthecloth,andrevealedthehiltofasword.

Asword,forcrap’ssake.Abigone,withasilverhilt.Addiehadswallowed

hardandsaidthatmaybeitwasokayifhekeptitdownbesidehischair.He’d
givenheracurtnodandcoveredthehiltbackup.

Butthatwasjusthim.HewaslikenomanAddiehadevermetinherlife.

Hiseyeswereanincrediblegreenshecouldn’tlookawayfromoncehecaught
herwithagaze.Theeyeswentwithhishardface,whichhadbeenknocked
aroundinhislife,buthestillmanagedtobehandsomeenoughtoturnthehead
ofwhateverwomanhappenedtobeinthislate.Which,mostnights,wasonly
Addie.

Hishair,though,wastheweirdestthing.Itwaswhite,likeaScandinavian

white-blond,butstripedwithblack.Asthoughhe’dgoneinforadyejobone
dayandleftithalffinished.Ormaybehesimplylikedthelook.

Except,Addiewouldswearitwasnatural.Dyesleftanunusualsheenor

lookedbrittleafterawhile.Hishairglistenedunderthelights,eachstrandsoft,
weavingwiththeothersinashortcutthatsuitedhisface.Addieoftenstudied
hisheadashebentoverhispie,andshe’dclutchheraprontokeepfrom
reachingoutandrunningherfingersthroughhisinterestinghair.

Insum—thismanwashotterthanaTexaswindonadrysummerday.Addie

couldfeelthesultryheatwhenshewasaroundhim.Atleast,shesurestartedto
sweatwhenevershelookedathim.

Forthelastmonthorso,he’dcomeineverynightneartoclosingtime,order

thelastpiecesofbananacreampieandtheapplepiewithstreuselandeatwhile
Addielockedthedoorandwentthroughherritualsforthenight.WhenBo
arrivedthroughthebackdoor,themanwouldgooutthefront,takinghissword
…andtheotherthingshealwaysbrought.

Theycameinnow,walkingbehindhim—threelittleboys,theoldestone

followingthetwoyoungerones.Theoldestone’snamewasRobbie,andhe
broughtuptherear,lookingaroundasthoughguardinghistwolittlebrothers
withhislife.

“Hello,Robbie,”Addiesaid.“Brett,Zane.Howareyoutonight?”

ThetwolittlestwouldchorusFine,butRobbieonlygaveherapolitenod,

mimickinghisfather.IfhewasRobbie’sfather.Theyoungestonesdidhavethe
man’sgreeneyesandwhite-and-blackhair,butRobbiedidn’tlooklikeanyof
them.Hehaddarkbrownhairandeyesthatweregray—astriking-lookingkid,
butAddiefiguredhewasn’trelatedtotheothers.Adoptedmaybe,oranephew.
Whatever,theguylookedafterallthreewithprotectivefierceness,notletting
anyonenearthem.

Theytookfourstoolsatthecounter,asusual.Robbiesatontheseatfarthest

fromthedoor,ZaneandBrettperchedinthenexttwoseats,withtheirdadnext
tothem,hisbulkbetweenthemandwhoevermightenterthediner.Theseseats
werealsonotinfrontofthediner’swindows,butattheveryendofthecounter,
almostinthehalltothebathrooms.

Addietookupthecoffeepotandpouredacupoffullycaffeinatedbrewfor

black-and-whiteguyandthreeicewatersfortheboys.She’dofferedthemcokes
whentheyfirstcamein,buttheirdaddidn’tlikethemhavingsugareddrinks.

Consideringhowmuchpietheyputaway,Addiedidn’tblamehim.Sweet

sodasontopofthatwouldhavethemwiredtothegillsallnight.

“Youalmostmissedthepie,”Addiesaidtotheboysasshesetthedripping

glassesofwateronthecounter.“Wehadarunonittoday.ButIsavedyouback
afewpiecesinthefridge.”Shewinkedatthem.“I’lljustrunandgetthem.
That’sthreebananacreamsandanapplestreusel,right?”

Shelookedintothefather’sgreeneyes,andstopped.

She’dneverseenhimlookatherlikethat.Therewasahungerinhisgaze,

powerfulandintense.Heskeweredherwithit,andAddielookedbackathim,
hermouthopen,herheartconstrictingbeforeitstartedpounding.

Menhadlookedatherwithsuggestionbefore,butthey’dalways

accompanieditwithahalf-amusedsmileasthoughlaughingatthemselvesor
tellingAddieshe’dhaveagreattimeifsheconceded.

Thiswasdifferent.Black-and-whitemanstudiedherwithawantingthatwas

palpable,asthoughanysecondhe’dclimboverthecounterandcomeather.

Afterasecond,heblinked,andthelookwasgone.Hehadn’tintendedherto

catchhim.

TheblinkshowedAddiesomethingelse.Behindtheinterest,hiseyesheld

greatdistractionanddeepworry.

Somethinghadhappenedtonight,somereasonhe’dcomeheregoingonfive

minuteslate.

Addieknewbetterthantoaskhimifeverythingwasallright.Hewouldn’t

answer.Themanwasnotoneforcasualconversation.Theboystalked,butkept
theiranswersgeneral.Theyhadnotbetrayedwithonewordwheretheywere
from,wheretheywenttoschool,whattheylikedtodoforfun,orwhytheirdad
keptthemupthislateeverynight.

Addiesimplygavethemallhersmile,said,“I’llberightback,”andducked

intothekitchentofetchthepieshe’dheldbackforthem.

Shetookoutpieces,alreadyslicedontheirplates,andsprinkledalittleextra

cocoapowderonthebananacreamonesfromthedentedshakerontheshelf.

Theguywhowasheddishes—Bowentthroughanewoneabouteverytwo

weeks—wasn’tthere.Helikedtoduckedoutforasmokerightatclosingtime,
comingbackinwhenBogottheretofinishthecleanup.Addiehummed,alone
inthekitchen,herpulsestillhighfromthatlookblack-and-whitemanhadgiven
her.

IfAddiemarchedoutthereandsaidtohim,sure,shewasinterested—ina

discreetwayinfrontofhiskids—wouldhebreakdownandtellherhisname?

Orwouldhetakehersomewhereandmakelovetoherwithsilentstrength,

thesamewayhewalkedandate?WouldAddiemindthat?

Shepicturedhimaboveherinthedark,hisgreeneyesonherwhilesheran

herhandsalloverhistight,beautifulbody.

Nope,shewouldn’tmindthatatall.

Shepickeduptwopiecesofpie,stillhumming.Atthesametime,sheheard

ascratchingatthebackdoor.

Bo?Addiesetdownthepieandwalkedover.Boalwaysusedhiskeytoget

in—theykeptthebackdoorlocked.Eveninthissmalltownthatwasprettysafe,
robberspassingthroughmightseizeanopportunity.

Booftencouldn’tgethiskeyintothelock—hishandsshookwithapalsy

thatraninhisfamily.Thedishwasheroftenhadtohelphim,orAddiewould
openthedoorforhim.

Bowasabitearly,buthewassometimes.Addiereachedforthedoor,justas

somethingbangedintoit.

“Bo?Youokay?”Addieunlockedthedeadbolt,carefullypulledthedoor

open,andpeekedout.

Thedoorfellinward,aheavyweightonit.Addielookeddown.

Acuriousdetachmentcameoverherasshesawthedishwasher,aguyof

aboutthirtywithgreasybrownhairandbeardstubble.Hewasdead,hisbrown
eyesstaringsightlessly.Sheknewhewasdeadbecausehehadagapingredhole
wherehisheartusedtobe.

Ifthishadbeenamovie,Addiewouldbescreaming,fainting,sobbing,

sayingOh,myGod,orrunningoutsidecrying,Somebody,help!

Instead,shestoodthere,asthoughcaughtintreacle,unabletomove,think,

talk,orevenbreathe.

Afaintnoisesoundedoutside,andAddieraisedherhead.Shesawtheround

muzzleofagun,oneoftheautomaticonesthatshothowevermanyroundsa
minute.Herbreathpouredbackintoherlungs,burning,andsheknewshewas
lookingatherowndeath.

Arushofairpassedher,andthedoorslammedclosed.Atthesametimea

pairofstrongarmsclosedaroundher,propellinghertothefloor,themanwith
black-and-whitehairlandingontopofher.

Inthefrontofthediner,everywindowshatteredasbulletsfiredthroughit.

Glassflewthroughtheopenpassbetweenkitchenanddiningarea,asdidbullets,
shardsofcupsandplates,tattersofnapkins.

Thekids,Addiethoughtinpanic.Whereweretheboys?

Theretheywere,huddledagainstthedoortothefreezer.Howthemanhad

gottentheminheresofastandoutofsightandthencomeforAddie.shedidn’t
know,butherbodywentlimpwithrelieftoseethem.

“Who’sdoingthis?”Addiesqueaked.“What—”

Themanclampedhishandoverhermouth.“Shh,”hesaid,hisvoicealow

rumble.“Ineedtoyoutobeveryquiet,allright?”

EndofExcerpt

BooksbyJenniferAshley

ShiftersUnboundSeries

(shortstory"prequel")

Andmoretocome!

RidingHard

Adam

Grant

Carter

Tyler

Ross
Kyle

Ray

ImmortalsSeries

(byJenniferAshley)

(byRobinPopp)

(byJoyNash)

(byJenniferAshley)

(byJenniferAshley)

(byJoyNash)

(byRobinPopp)

(byJoyNash)

(byJenniferAshley)

Andmoretocome!

StormwalkerSeries

(w/aAllysonJames)

Dreamwalker(forthcoming)

“ALittleNightMagic”

inHotfortheHolidays

(shortstory“prequel”—JamisonandNaomi’sstory)

AbouttheAuthor

NewYorkTimesbestsellingandaward-winningauthorJenniferAshleyhas
writtenmorethan75publishednovelsandnovellasinromance,urbanfantasy,
andmysteryunderthenamesJenniferAshley,AllysonJames,andAshley
Gardner.HerbookshavebeennominatedforandwonRomanceWritersof
America'sRITA(givenforthebestromancenovelsandnovellasoftheyear),
severalRTBookReviewsReviewersChoiceawards(includingBestUrban
Fantasy,BestHistoricalMystery,andCareerAchievementinHistorical
Romance),andPrismawardsforherparanormalromances.Jennifer'sbooks
havebeentranslatedintomorethanadozenlanguagesandhaveearnedstarred
reviewsinBooklist.
MoreaboutJennifer’sbooksandseriescanbefoundat

http://www.jenniferashley.com

OremailJenniferat

jenniferashley@cox.net

Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Thenames,characters,places,andincidents

areproductsofthewriter'simaginationorhavebeenusedfictitiouslyandarenot
tobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetopersons,livingordead,actual
events,localesororganizationsisentirelycoincidental.

AllRightsareReserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybeusedorreproducedin

anymannerwhatsoeverwithoutwrittenpermissionfromtheauthor.

JenniferAshley

CoverdesignbyKimKillion

Document Outline

Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
White Tiger Excerpt
Books by Jennifer Ashley on Kindle
About the Author
Copyright

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