The Council had known there would be some outside resistance. But Dan Carter and the Church he’d started were more than just the usual threat. They were organised and wanted the shifters gone.

  Clint snapped his fingers. “Those five states are the ones that had the most opposition from their state representatives on shifters!”

  Kurt jerked in his seat and looked back at the map. He thought back to when they’d first come out. Damn, Clint was right.

  When the government had gone to the Senate and House about the reveal of the shifters, several members of those five states had opposed shifter protection laws. A few had even wanted the shifters gathered up and imprisoned.

  Kurt stood beside Clint. “They are getting help,” he stated in disbelief. “The Church has to have some powerful people behind them.”

  Clint nodded. “I think so.”

  “I need to call a meeting. I think we’re onto something.”

  Clint slapped his back. “Finally!”

  Kurt walked over to the phone on his desk and dialled Council Alpha Babcock’s number. Alpha Babcock was Kurt’s immediate boss—a good older Alpha, a man Kurt had really come to respect and admire. Thirty years ago he’d overseen a Pack in the wide plains of Oklahoma but had given his Pack over to his younger brother in order to join the Council.

  “Hello.”

  “Alpha Babcock,” Kurt greeted.

  “How many times have I told you to call me Tim?” Alpha Babcock asked with a laugh.

  “Sorry, sir.” It was ingrained in him to show respect to any Alpha. He just couldn’t help it.

  Alpha Babcock just sighed. “Fine. What have you got?”

  “I think Clint and I have found something. Is there any way you and Alpha Conrad could swing by my office?”

  “We were just breaking for dinner. Give us fifteen minutes and we’ll be there.”

  “That would be great. I’d like Tony to join us also,” he added.

  “I’ll see to it. See you soon.”

  The Alpha hung up the phone and Kurt glanced at Clint. “They’ll be here,” Kurt told his friend. “You gonna stick around?”

  Clint snorted.

  Kurt knew that Clint wasn’t always comfortable in a room full of Alphas. But over the last few months he’d got used to Alphas Babcock and Conrad.

  Tony, the face of the Packs, had been instrumental in the shifters coming out. He’d been staying at the Council compound since the issues had come up with the Church. Tony was also the contact between several shifter species and the Council. Kurt, Clint and Tony had become fast friends.

  “Was that a yes?” Kurt teased his friend. Clint didn’t enjoy being stuck inside in meetings all day. It was what made him such a great guard. That, and he was the best hunter Kurt had ever met.

  “I could stay. Then after we can go into town and see Sara,” Clint offered.

  “We can do that,” Kurt agreed.

  “Great!” Clint said before he smirked. “I think Deputy Conley was going to stop by.”

  Kurt flinched. He couldn’t control the action and Clint’s chuckle told him his friend hadn’t missed it.

  He’d sort of been avoiding Savannah… Okay, he was avoiding her. They’d connected the night they’d met but afterward he’d been spooked by such an intense link. She’d been receptive. Hell, they’d been ready for more than just the passionate kiss they’d almost shared.

  It was only after he’d left that night that his brain had caught up with his hard dick. He’d been feeling sorry for himself. Everyone around him had started to settle down and he’d been panicking. That did not mean he was ready to give up his freedoms as a single man. Sure, every time he thought about the sexy blonde Savannah Conley his cock filled and his wolf wanted to claim her.

  But, damn it, he wasn’t ready!

  So he’d been avoiding the woman for several weeks. Clint took way too much pleasure in teasing him about it.

  “I think I need to assign you more work if you’re still on that,” Kurt griped.

  “Uh-huh.” Clint just grinned, rocking back on the heels of his feet.

  “I don’t like you anymore.”

  Luckily, a knock on the door interrupted any further taunts Clint had in store for him.

  * * * *

  Savannah pushed open the door to the Blend and Brew coffee shop. The aroma of the strong beans that Sara used was mouthwatering. Her friend glanced up from behind the counter and smiled wide.

  Savannah nodded and greeted other customers as she made her way to the counter. Sara was wiping down the work surface when Savannah finally reached her.

  “Surprise me,” she told her friend.

  Sara’s entire face lit up. Savannah knew that Sara continually worked on blends and loved experimenting with flavours. The pleasure Sara showed from Savannah’s simple request was worth a pot of gold.

  Savannah had really missed her friend. She made it a point of stopping by every day so that she could reconnect with Sara. She was thrilled to see how happy Sara was. Sara had found the love of her life and owned the business she’d always wanted.

  Thinking of Sara’s boyfriend brought her thoughts to Kurt Moore. The handsome man she’d met at Sara’s house haunted her dreams at night. Okay, maybe not just at night. She found herself constantly looking for him when she was out on patrol, hoping to get another glance at him.

  Since that day, every time she’d seen Kurt, he’d practically run from her. She’d asked Sara about it, but her friend had been just confused as she was. If Clint knew anything, he was keeping it to himself. He just told Savannah that Kurt was interested and would come around.

  Sara was humming as she worked the espresso machine. Before long she handed Savannah a paper cup of the most tantalising brew.

  Savannah blew on the hot drink before taking a sip. Cinnamon exploded on her tongue and she moaned.

  Sara beamed at her.

  “This is amazing,” Savannah told her sincerely.

  “Thanks!” Sara responded happily. “It’s my holiday special blend.”

  Thanksgiving was less than a week away and Savannah thought Sara’s new coffee blend would go perfectly with a nice, traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

  “You’re still coming to our house Thursday, right?” Sara asked.

  Savannah nodded. “I’ll be there with my green bean casserole and cranberry sauce,” she promised.

  Savannah’s family had moved away after she had gone to college in Arizona. Her parents now lived in Florida and her brother in New York. She was grateful that Sara had thought to invite her to spend Thanksgiving Day with them.

  The front door of the shop opened and Savannah stepped away from the counter to give the new customers room. She sat at one of the tables to enjoy her hot drink. Her shift didn’t start for another thirty minutes so she would easily be able to make it to the station in time.

  A slight frost clung to the trees and sidewalks. Winter had arrived but was still considered mild. Savannah knew that wouldn’t last long. The entire Sheriff’s department was working these next few days to make sure that the residents and town were prepared for the winter storm headed their way down from Canada.

  Since she was scheduled to drive to the outskirts of town to make sure the residents knew about the storm and had everything they needed, she knew she would be feeling the chill all day. She’d have to take some of Sara’s new blend with her.

  She was still sipping her coffee, just enjoying the cosy interior of the shop, when the door opened once again. Her gaze lifted and locked on Kurt as he stepped through. His eyes darted around the room before landing on her.

  She smiled and lifted her cup to him in greeting. He nodded even as he took a step away. Clint, who was at Kurt’s back, kept him from moving more than a foot. Clint said something into Kurt’s ear before pushing Kurt in her direction.

  Savannah lifted a brow, amused by their interaction. Kurt shuffled slowly towards her. If Savannah didn’t truly believe he was interested in her she would be insulted. Instead she trusted her gut when it came to Kurt Moore. Attraction and interest showed plainly in the depth of his gaze. Whether he was relationship-shy or something else was yet to be seen.

  However, Savannah was not going to give up on him.

  “Hi,” he said softly when he reached her.

  She smiled up at him warmly. “Hey, Kurt, it’s good to see you.”

  He nodded and shifted his feet.

  “Will you join me?” she asked.

  He glanced over his shoulder towards the counter. Clint and Sara were both leaning over the wide barrier, kissing. “Clint’s supposed to be grabbing me a cup,” he said before sitting across from her.

  .

  Savannah laughed. “It might be a few minutes then.”

  Kurt snorted and rolled his eyes.

  “So how have you been? I haven’t seen you much.”

  Kurt pressed his lips together. “Yeah, I meant… I wanted to… I’ve been busy at work.”

  Savannah was intrigued by the man who sat in front of her stumbling over his words. He had been so confident before.

  Kurt shook his head and cursed. “I’ve been busy with a project.”

  “You’re still looking into the Church?” she questioned, keeping her voice low so they wouldn’t be overheard. She hadn’t been there when the Church had first arrived in town, but since she’d started working they got weekly updates about it. Sheriff Webb wanted to make sure that all his deputies were on constant guard for trouble.

  Not only was his daughter involved with the shifter the Church had kidnapped, but one of his own deputies had been implicated in the crime. It had hit Sheriff Webb hard. He wasn’t going to allow any more trouble in his town.

  “Yeah.” Kurt leant back in his chair and seemed more relaxed discussing the threat than anything personal between them.

  If that helped Kurt open up to her, she was all for that.

  “I think we might have a connection as to why the chapters are popping up where they are,” Kurt told her.

  “That’s great.”

  “I hope we can get to the bottom of this before there is any more danger to the Packs.”

  “We will,” Clint said confidently as he joined them. He passed Kurt a cup of coffee before he sat down.

  “That’s good news. I know Sheriff Webb has been uneasy not knowing what they’re up to.”

  “After we know more I’ll need to set up another meeting with him,” Kurt continued. “We have a few people gathering more intel, but I think we’re on the right track.”

  Savannah’s watch beeped and she glanced at it. She sighed, hating to have to leave in the middle of her conversation with Kurt when he’d finally settled.

  “I have to get to the station,” she told the guys before standing.

  Kurt looked disappointed for a minute before quickly clearing his features.

  “Oh! Kurt,” Clint said with a smile. “Sara wanted me to make sure you were still bringing the salad on Thursday,” he said as if he had just remembered.

  “I said I would,” Kurt replied with a frown.

  Clint discreetly winked at Savannah. She had to press her lips firmly together to keep from smiling. Clint had just to make sure she knew that she would see Kurt in a few days.

  “I’m going to get a refill and I’ll catch up with you boys later,” she told them.

  Kurt grunted suddenly right after she heard a sound under the table. She was pretty sure Clint had just kicked him. Kurt moved his coffee from one hand to the other before standing. “I’ll walk you out.”

  Pleased, she nodded.

  She passed the counter and Sara passed her another cup while taking the empty one from her hand. Sara must have been watching since she had one ready for her. Savannah thanked her friend, glad they wouldn’t have to wait and Kurt couldn’t sneak off again.

  Kurt placed his hand on the small of her back as they walked across the floor. Even through her uniform and the thickness of her coat, she could still feel the warmth of his touch.

  She had started to crave him, thinking about how his hands would feel caressing her body while they made love. Her face heated and she had to clear her suddenly dry throat.

  She thanked him softly when he opened the door for her, letting her slip out first. The cold blast of wind shocked her and her eyes began to water. Kurt wrapped his arm around her waist as he escorted her to the SUV she’d parked in front of the shop.

  “It was good to see you,” she said to him when they reached her vehicle.

  Kurt moved in front of her. “I’m sorry I’ve been acting so weird. I just didn’t expect…” He waved his hand between the two of them.

  Savannah wrapped her free hand around the lapel of Kurt’s jacket. “What’s changed?”

  Kurt grinned. “A buddy of mine said some things that made sense. I realised that if I kept my head up my ass I might lose the chance to get to know you better,” he admitted.

  Savannah rose to her toes and pressed her lips gently against his. “Tell this buddy I said thank you,” she told him.

  “Yeah, I’ll have to do that,” he replied before kissing her more deeply.

  Their tongues met in a desperate kiss and she moaned. Kurt tasted so good—coffee and something manly and wild. She had wondered about the kiss she’d missed before. And now she knew.

  Oh boy, did she know. He could kiss. His hold was firm but gentle. His mouth moved slowly, his tongue talented as he lapped at her. Her shiver was not from the cold.

  He licked at her lips before pulling back. “You better get to work.”

  She dropped her head back and groaned. “Damn it.”

  Kurt took a step back. “I’m guessing from Clint’s so obvious mention of Thanksgiving that I’ll see you at Sara and Clint’s on Thursday?”

  She laughed. “Caught that, did you? Yes, I’ll be there.”

  “Good.” He reached over and opened the car door and held onto it while she climbed inside. “See you soon.”

  Chapter Two

  Kurt rubbed his eyes, growing more and more tired. It had been two days since he’d started looking into Dan Carter and his Church’s connection to the politicians of the five key states. They had to have proof of wrongdoing and conspiracy against the shifters to take to the authorities. They couldn’t accuse high members of Congress without absolute evidence.

  He had pictures of the congressmen from Texas and Missouri meeting with Dan Carter. That might be explained away, but the fact that their meeting had been just days before the kidnapping in Riverwood was suspicious.

  The shifter who was currently undercover with the Church had also confirmed that he’d seen the Governor of Arizona at one of the gatherings before the Church had invaded Lovington.

  The pieces were starting to come together, but Kurt still worried about what plans Dan Carter and the others had. Dan Carter hadn’t been seen since the kidnapping in Riverwood had been foiled.

  Riverwood, Kurt’s home Pack, had been plagued with devastating fires that had almost destroyed the town. He and Clint and a few of their closest friends had gone to help.

  While rescuing his brother’s mate Todd, Kurt had got his first and only look at Dan Carter, when the man had visited the house where Todd had been held. Right after that, Dan Carter had disappeared.

  Even with everything Kurt had managed to put together, there was just no information on Dan Carter. Carter had sent his second-in-command Perry Costa up to Lovington but had never appeared himself. And Perry had been the person responsible for Clint’s kidnapping.

  When the shifters had announced their presence, the Council, through Tony, had also shared details with the public. Myths had been debunked for the protection of the shifters. You could not be bitten or scratched by a shifter and be turned into one. Shifters did not transform during the full moon. Shifters did not hunt down humans to eat them.

  Still, there were many people who did not understand, didn’t want to get to know the shifters. Friends he’d known for years had turned their backs on him and Clint as soon as they’d found out what they truly were.

  They’d been born different. And Kurt loved the ability to shift. He wouldn’t change it if he could. He didn’t know any shifter who would.

  Tony had been dealing with the questions longer than anyone. Tony had even confessed to Kurt that some of the more common questions were just foolish beliefs that had been passed down over the years. Tony’s main job back then had been to represent the wolves so that humans who were afraid could have someone to look at and understand that they were just human with a unique gift.

  Kurt still remembered watching Tony standing proud in front of the cameras answering one foolish question after another. If it had been him, he would have told the stupid reporters exactly what he thought of them and their inquiries. Tony, however, had handled it with class.

  Thinking about the man brought to mind the conversation the two of them had shared days ago. Clint had been teasing him once again about Savannah, and when his friend had gone to check on a few things, Tony had brought the subject up.

  Kurt had suspected that there was something going on between Tony and Colt, the shifter who was undercover with the Church. Whenever Colt called in information or Tony spoke about the other man, Tony’s entire demeanour changed. His face lit up and came alive at the mention of Colt.

  So when Tony had cornered Kurt, and asked why he was running from his possible mate, Kurt had confided in the man. He wasn’t sure if the instant longing for Savannah was because of her, or if it was a product of the people closest to him finding their own mates.

  He’d tried to convince himself he liked being a bachelor but it had been a lie. He didn’t—he wanted someone to come home to every night. He’d spent weeks talking himself into fighting what deep down he really knew. He wanted Savannah. He just wasn’t sure why.

  And that was what had really been bothering him.

  Tony had given him some sage advice. There was only one way to find out—man up and spend some time getting to know Savannah. If what he felt so strongly was still there then he needed to step up and decide what to do.

 

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