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I finally catch Ginger’s gaze and try to convey my concern without words. Thankfully, my sister understands my unspoken expression.

She puckers her mouth, pinching her lips together widening her eyes while microscopically tilting her head in Lottie’sdirection, then towards the stage where two females are destroying whatever song they’re singing.

I don’t understand her meaning.She doesn’t like the song?

I frown at Ginger, lost to her wordless communication. She tries again with the same move but more aggressive. It doesn’t make it any clearer.

Next to me, Lottie abruptly stands and stutters before blurting out, “I need some fresh air. I’ll be right back.”

No one has time to respond before she’s practically running out the door.

Ginger seat hops until she’s sitting next to me where Lottie just was. Leaning in, she whispers low in my ear so no one else can hear.

“That’s one ofher songs. You know,Alexandria.”

Lottie’s secret identity.

Fuck.

“Go after her,” Ginger hisses.

I don’t hesitate, I go after her. But when I burst out the front door, my panic increases when I don’t immediately see Lottie. She’s not here.

Chapter 17 – Hunter

Lottie isn’t here. Her sweet scent of gardenia and panic linger, but I don’t see her. I follow her scent as it crosses the street to the parking lot and continues. I finally spot Lottie halfway across the small park, heading toward the street that will lead her back to the cabin.

Picking up my pace, I jog until I catch up with her. She’s moving fast but not fast enough to escape me.

“Where are you going?”

Lottie jumps at the sound of my voice and halts, not noticing I had approached her.

“Oh. Hunter. Hi. Sorry, I just . . . don’t feel well. Thought I would walk it off and head back to the cabin.”

I know she’s lying. Firstly, because of her scent—it spikes when she lies. Secondly, I know it has to do with hearing her song at karaoke. But I can’t tell her that; she doesn’t know that I know. Probably doesn’t know Ginger knows either. And it seems she would like to remain as anonymous as possible while here. So, I don’t try to argue with her excuse.

She starts walking again and I easily keep pace.

“I’ll walk you. It’s dark out, and you shouldn’t be out here alone.”

“I thought Snowberry was a safe place?”

I smother a smile at her ferocity. She is a feisty one.

“It is. But it would make me feel better to walk you. It would ease my mind knowing you made it home safe.”

She doesn’t stop but slows to a normal pace. Her eyes stray to me, and I can see her processing my request. We cross the street, and I don’t allow her to get ahead of me.

“I guess that’s okay,” she finally relents when she realizes I’m not going anywhere but with her.

“Good. I would hate to have not walked you home and found out you got lost in the woods trying to find your way back.”

A small smile cracks her worried expression, and she seems to loosen a bit. Her scent shifts back to the gardenia clove I love so much. I take a deep inhale, and the scent calms the beast inside, who is raging to protect Lottie and destroy whatever made her so afraid.

When Lottie doesn’t offer any other conversation, I take the hint and walk beside her in comfortable silence. Just being near her and knowing I’m protecting her soothes my soul.

The night has fully set in now, and the sky is a dark, inky color. Stars sparkle overhead, and the waning moon casts a silver light over the dark street.