A

he little café sits just down the street from Moonfang Construction, tucked between a bookstore and

day. I slide into the seat across from her, grateful for the familiar warmth of her presence. Som

ell the waitress who appears b

alia asks, rai

t on the back of my chair. The navy fabric is wrinkle

sity. "So what did you and Vincent talk about the ot

arrives, buying myself time. "No

iar note of exasperation. "I've know

go. "He wanted to know why I left.

"You said that to Vi

I say, my voice sha

I can't believe you spoke to him like that. Though knowing my brother, h

er in my stomach at her w

t the table. Mom's name flashes on the screen, a

today. Don't

head from the pillow, her skin gray and clammy. The new treatment isn't working. I

Our enhanced healing should protect us from this kind of thing, but apparently, the u

Talia asks, notic

ip the phone back into my purse, for

e lines, but she doesn't push. That's one of the things I'

this morning, and

appears beside me. The enclosed space amplifies everything-his scent, the heat

he distance. When our hands accidentally brush reaching for the same

olf whimpers, pressing against my ribs like she's trying to get

ce like he's oxygen and I'm drowning. Time apart should have been enough to b

very reaction, cataloguing each tell-tale sign of my attraction. By t

c. The same desperate omega wh

m," Talia observes, pulli

am

noyed." She taps her own chin. "Vincent

nothing

you're both st

tall man walks in, bringing with him a gust of cool air and something else-a scen

and sharp. Different from Vince

es that scan the café like he's looking for someone. He's wearing a leather jac

mutters unde

ha

nfield. Alpha of t

t, and the relationship between our packs has always been tense

s subtly-the sweet note of attraction evident even from where I sit. I don't blame her; objec

er in-it's the natural magnetism of an Alpha, th

er messages, but then I feel it-that prickle at th

e counter, coffee in hand, studying me with open interest. A slow smile spreads

straighten up, drawing myself to my full height-a pitiful def

oice friendly but with that underlying note

sk, keeping my voice

f silver in his piercing blue eyes. "I was hoping this table might be avai

e at least four empty tables with

ys, and it's like he just realizes who I was sitting with. No A

e turns away from her and ex

will take it. Talia beats me to it, slapping his h

res her, turning t

iful name you have," he says, smiling as he gazes

ld be impressed or ann

I say gently, uncertain how

the street-Bella's. They make an incredible risotto." He pauses, those blue eyes studying

verything I just said and Talia looking so clos

mmer, uncharacteri

. "No pressure. I know it can be... complica

sk me out then? I want to blurt

" I finally m

rns predatory. "It must be... challenging. Esp

skin crawl. There's something underneath

s," I say carefull

if you ever need... protection from the Lopez family's partic

osed to mean?" Talia snaps,

is fixed entirely on me, and there's something

is charming smile returning. "Think about

staring after him in complete conf

n in her voice. "I can't believe he had the balls to com

entire bizarre encounte

oats for decades. Border disputes, territory claims-the usual Alpha bullshit."

l Alpha." I shake my head, still trying to make sense of it all.

ty, maybe? "Who knows what goes through that psycho's head. Ma

m I really just a pawn in some territ

ing to escape this conversation. "Vincent's proba

"But Kaia? Be careful, okay? Somethi

w