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“ B ear! It’s always a pleasure to see my favorite chef in Storybook.” I smiled at the big burly man behind the bar.

He wiped his hands on his work apron before bowing his head, then gave a tight-lipped smile. “What can I do for you, Councilwoman?”

“Where’s Calvin?”

“Mercy doesn’t think it’s good for him to be here every day, so she makes him stay home at least once a month. The rest of us fill in serving drinks.” He crossed his arms on the bar. “I also get paid extra and earn tips.”

I eased up to the bar and batted my eyelashes. “You wouldn’t happen to have any leftovers from lunch in the back, would you?”

“Yes, ma’am. Can I fix you something?”

“I actually dropped by to speak to Calvin about a problem customer he had last week, but I’ll get back to him. I’m on my way home and too exhausted to cook. Would it be a bother to put it in one of those little containers?”

“No trouble.”

“What was on the menu?”

“Meat loaf, bacon mac ’n’ cheese, green beans, and buttermilk biscuits.”

“Sounds delicious.”

He waved at Mercy and motioned for her to come over. “Is Lucian still working at your place? I can fix him a plate too.”

“Yes. In fact, do you have enough for three plates?”

“You bet. Back in a wink.” Bear exited the bar by the kitchen, and when Mercy approached, he kissed her on the head. “Can you take over the bar for a few minutes?”

She gave him a pat on the behind. “As long as I can sit my tushy down when you’re done. I need a break.”

I enjoyed seeing those two. They were not only opposite in physical size but also personality. She was petite and spicy, and Bear was on the quiet side.

After he disappeared behind the swing doors, I leaned against the saddle barstool. “Calvin should get regular barstools,” I suggested. “It’s impossible for a lady to sit on these in a skirt.”

She poured herself a glass of water. “You ain’t lyin’, but he’s married to those hideous things. Maybe I can talk him into switching one out for the girls. How’s Lucian coming along with the job?”

“Great, I think. We’re like two ships passing in the night most days, but I trust him. I’ve been busy with work and mating ceremonies. Everyone loves to get mated in the spring.”

She fluffed up her silver hair and then set her empty glass in the sink. “Bear and I have been thinking about another vacation, but it’s hard to get away from the responsibilities here. This place would fall apart without us.”

I chuckled when I thought of how much the two had changed this bar for the better. “It certainly might be chaotic, but Calvin would survive. You deserve a vacation, and it’s nice to see a newly mated couple enjoying their lives together.”

When the jukebox switched over to a country song, a few men in the back hollered.

“Lucian told me about the new baby in the pack. I can’t wait to meet him.”

Mercy gave a megawatt smile. “Little Jasper’s as sweet as a pot of honey.

But he’s a hungry little man! Already keeping them up all night with the feedings, but Tak’s in charge of the night shift so Hope can sleep.

Sometimes I find him passed out in the living room with the baby sleeping on his chest. One time, he laid out a thick blanket on the floor for Jasper and him to lie on.

I walked in the next morning and found his wolf curled up around the baby like a wall of fur. He’s so protective.”

“Whenever they’re ready to officially put him in our books, give me a call. Some people bring the babies up to the jailhouse, but that’s no place for a newborn. I’ll come by and do the paperwork there.”

“I’ll let him know.”

While Mercy filled a few drink orders, I drowned myself in my thoughts.

Lucian and I hadn’t been intimate since that first night, and I was beginning to wonder if that might be the end of our affair.

I’d been so busy with work, and by the time I got home, he was either gone or working out on the property.

Though I’d given Lucian a key, he hadn’t abused that privilege by staying late or stopping in at unexpected hours. Completely respectful.

And yet… I wanted nothing more than to feel him again. To smell his skin and taste his mouth on mine. It felt like we’d made a connection.

Maybe it’s all in my head. He probably just wanted a one-night stand.

That’s what they all want. Chitahs are about kindred spirits, and I’m sure he regrets having sex with a Council member.

It might hurt his reputation. He’s right.

It could. Lucian’s smart—I’m sure he decided his job was more important than his dick.

Or maybe he’s not as attracted to me as I am to him. But we had such good chemistry.

I closed my eyes.

If only he knew how much I crave his touch.

“Here you go!” Bear set down a plastic sack in front of me, and I counted four Styrofoam containers.

“I only needed three.”

“Those are extra biscuits. It’s all cold, so you’ll have to heat it up when you get home.”

“You’re a lifesaver. Just put it on my tab.”

“It’s on the house.”

“Now Bear, I don’t want special treatment just because I work for the Council. Supporting the community is important to me, so I insist that you put all these goodies on my tab. I’ll settle it at the end of the week.”

He gave a curt nod. “Yes, ma’am.”

“I need to head out, but I’ll see you at the peace party!”

Mercy clapped her hands. “I cannot wait! I’ll be looking for you, and thanks so much for the RSVP. It helps us figure out how much food and drinks to buy in advance. It’s gonna be one huge party.”

“Is that right? It’s been a long while since someone’s had one of those around here. It’s a chance to bring the community together.” So long as nobody gets into a fight , I thought to myself. “See you soon, and thanks again for the chow.”

I strutted out the door into the dark parking lot, my large plastic bag in hand, and wondered if Lucian would still be at the house.

If not, I’ll just leave his container in the fridge for tomorrow. At least he’ll have lunch.

In the past week since our night of passion, he’d installed new doors. I wasn’t sure what he was working on now, but he’d been up in the attic, and I’d found a box of wires in the kitchen that morning.

When I reached the passenger door, I set the food inside and then rounded the car.

“Miss Thompson?”

As I turned, someone grabbed my arm. I shrieked at the excruciating jolt, which paralyzed me until I dropped to the ground.

“You stupid fucking Shifter.”

I recognized the country accent but couldn’t immediately place it.

Marcus Seaborn, the prisoner I’d recently released, hovered over me. I screamed and scratched my attacker’s face. He cursed and pinned my wrists to the ground. “You Shifters think you run this town. I’m a Mage, goddammit, and you animals ain’t got no authority locking me up.”

“You juiced two Shifters after breaking into their homes, so yes, it falls within our jurisdiction,” I fired back. “Take your hands off me while you still have them, because if my animal comes out, she’ll use your bones for a chew toy.”

When he tried to open my closed fist to juice me, I went batshit crazy and unleashed hell on him.

I writhed until he lost grip of my hand, and then I clawed him over and over until I drew blood.

My tiger viciously pushed at my skin, but I forced her down.

With a powerful thrust, I shoved Marcus against the truck beside us, and his head struck the door.

Then I grabbed a handful of gravel and pelted him.

Stumbling to my feet, I shouted for help so I’d have a witness.

Marcus seized my ankle. Just as he threw a burst of energy into me, I grabbed the bed of the truck and kicked him in the face. With lightning speed, he sprang to his feet and reached into his back pocket. Light glinted on a sharp blade.

I raised my arm in self-defense, and the knife sliced through my skin.

“What the fuck is going on out here!” a man boomed. His feet crashed against the gravel as he ran toward us.

When Marcus saw him, he flashed away into the dark.

The stranger shifted into a wolf and took off after him.

When I felt the warm blood trickling down my arm, I stripped off my blouse and secured it around my left forearm to stanch the bleeding.

I got inside my car and called Connor. “Hey, it’s me. Marcus Seaborn attacked me in the Rabbit Lounge parking lot.”

“Are you hurt?”

I took a deep breath to slow my heart. “I think he was trying to juice me.”

“For feck’s sake.”

Facts were invaluable to us, so we shared information to make decisions. It established trust and helped us appropriately handle each incident.

“It escalated when I fought back and kicked him in the face,” I continued, the wound in my arm throbbing. “He pulled out a knife and cut my forearm. Then he fled the scene. A witness ran after him, but he’s a Shifter, so he’ll never catch up.”

Connor remained silent for a few seconds. “You won’t be seeing any more of him around here, that’s for sure.”

“Do you think he’ll run?”

“If he doesn’t, he’s a damn fool. I’ll ring the Breed motels in the area and have them alert me if he tries getting a room.

He’s been renting at the usual places, so they’re familiar with his face.

Once we catch him, I’ll ring the Mageri, and their Enforcers can haul him off for good.

The guards had trouble with him too, so we’ve got more than enough to show he’s not stable to live in the community.

” Connor huffed and sounded more upset than usual.

He normally had a mellow temperament even in the craziest situations. “Do you need a Relic?”

“No, no—nothing like that. But if I get bloodstains in my car, I want five minutes alone with him before he goes with the Enforcers. What an idiot. All he had to do was leave town. The Mageri won’t be lenient on him for attacking an official.

” I switched on the interior light to see how much blood was soaking through the fabric.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”