"And what's the threat level?" I asked. It felt like fate was transpiring against me going home.

"Green," Holden said, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

I leaned back into the seat, letting my shoulders relax. "That doesn't constitute a threat."

"I know this, but seeing as how you're going to be out of town, I thought it best to let you know there is movement."

"There is always movement," I said, skepticism dripped from each word. "And if you're worried, rest easy; there is always the Moon Valley safe house. It is operational, is it not?"

"Yes, but--" Holden huffed as he twitched in his seat.

"No buts," I said with a smile. "Where's Daisy?"

"Right here." Her sweet voice echoed through the car's speakers as I watched her shove Holden out of view and took his place in front of the camera.

"Will you please keep him under control?" I asked. "I don't need to be answering every phone call if it's not important."

"Of course," Daisy said. It's hard to take her seriously with her lavender hair and tattoos. "You focus on your family. We'll hold down the fort here."

"Thanks," I said as I noticed the red Mustang parked on the side of the road. My heart skipped the moment I saw it.

"I have to go. I'll check in when I can."

"Be safe," Daisy said as Holden grumbled in the background before the call dropped. I pulled over quickly, cutting through lanes of traffic to snag the open spot in front of the quaint coffee shop. The moment I cut the engine, I double-checked my wig and glasses.

With everything in place, I scanned the sidewalk for the owner of the Mustang with glee. Gracefully, I pushed open the door and slipped out of the car. Head swiveling, I made my way to the coffee shop on the corner of the street. The alluring scent of freshly roasted coffee poured through the door, no doubt to lure people in.

A light jingle of a bell overhead announced my entrance, and only a few people standing in line looked back. My lips curled at the corner as my eyes locked in on the handsome, broad-shouldered man at the front of the line. I caught his gaze through the reflection on the back mirror. He flashed me a crooked grin as he slipped the cashier the money and turned.

My gaze lingered on him as he wove through the crowd toward me.

"Hello there," he said, his voice smooth as silk. Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I tucked my hair behind my ear.

"Hey, Cyrus," I answered, feeling like a fourteen-year-old schoolgirl running into her crush in the hallway.

"Fancy meeting you here," he said.

"Just need a pick-me-up," I answered, keeping my excitement in check.

"Oh, right," he said, his smile fading. "The funeral."

I bobbed my head and forced a frown. "Yeah."

"You know, Sia, you don't have to go alone. I could come with you. Be a shoulder to cry on if you need one."

"It's all right. I'll be fine."

He ran his fingers over my jawline, sending little bumps racing over my skin.

"You sure?" Cyrus tilted his head, trying to catch my eye.

"Yes," I said a bit too sternly. His face contorted, and he dropped his hand. The heat from his fingertips lingered on my skin. A small part of me wished I could blow off my family and stay.

The jingle of the small bell attached to the door rand like church bells in my ears. I pulled in a deep breath. My nose wrinkled as I caught a whiff of pine mingled with wet dog flowing in from outside. I glanced to the door as panic rippled through me. If I smelled them, they would undoubtedly smell me. A woman in a sundress stood in the back of the line, checking her phone. I took another quick sniff of the air as I smiled at my boyfriend, Cyrus . The pressure in my chest eased a bit, but I knew the moment I stepped out of the coffee shop, the Las Vegas pack would be there waiting.

"You know what? I don't need coffee. It's not that far away, and I should probably get on the road."

Cyrus snatched my wrist and held me in place. Concern flooded his eyes as he licked his drying lips. Worry mingled with dread as I glanced over his shoulder. The last thing I needed was for the Vegas pack to come barreling in here and corralling me in front of Cyrus. The poor guy wouldn't have a clue what was going on, and I certainly didn't want Cyrus finding out what I was. There's no telling how he, a human, would react to me being a shifter.

"You know I don't care where you come from, right? So what if your family doesn't have money and lives in a trailer home out in the middle of the boonies? I can handle that. You can trust me."

God, I wish that were true.

"It's not that. It's just... It's family, and I haven't seen them in a while. I really should go. I'll talk to you later." I said, pulling out of his grasp. "I'll call you when I get back," I said with a wave.

"Wait--" He pushed through the door and snatched my shoulder. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the blue SUV rolling down the street. Taking a deep lungful of air, I tasted the air.

Shit, time's up.

Every instinct in my gut screamed at me to go as the hint of a sickly-sweet pine and musk assaulted my senses. There was only one thing that gave off such a repulsive smell--other wolves. And I was a sitting duck without my pills to mask my scent from them.

"Here, take my coffee. I know you like caramel lattes."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, and just know I'll be thinking of you." His smile reached his eyes, and I leaned into him, pressing my lips to his cheek.