Kurt cleared his throat. Yeah, that sounded like a damn good idea.
Savannah was doing her best to pay attention to what her friend was saying but just couldn’t pull her gaze away from the attractive dark-haired man in front of her.
“Kurt Moore,” he greeted and held out his hand.
She slipped her hand into his and felt a jolt of something throughout her body. He gave her hand a squeeze before he released her, and she had to curl her hands to keep herself from reaching back for him. He had a sparkle of amusement in his gaze but she didn’t mind. They were obviously checking one another out.
The man next to Kurt said something and Savannah had to shake herself out of her appreciation and respond. “I’m sorry?”
Clint, she remembered Sara’s boyfriend’s name, grinned. “So you made it back to town okay?”
“Yes, it’s actually really good to be home.”
“How do you know Sara?” Kurt questioned in that deep voice.
Mmm, she liked the sound of him talking. Goosebumps broke out on her arms. She was pretty sure his lifted brow was an indication that he knew what she was thinking.
“Oh!” Savannah waved a hand. “I met Sara when we both wanted to play with the same building blocks in kindergarten. All of the other girls wanted to play with the dolls. But not us.” She grinned at Sara. “We fought about who got the best Legos.”
Sara and the two men laughed along with her.
“And Savannah always ended up with them,” Sara complained good-naturedly.
“That’s because I always cheated,” Savannah told her with a wink.
Sara rolled her eyes while Clint wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “I’ll buy you the best Legos out there. As many as you want,” he promised. Sara beamed up at him and the love between Sara and Clint was so obvious that she felt like a voyeur.
“Why don’t we let these love birds get all mushy together?” Kurt joked. “Can I get you a drink?”
“Yes, please.” She wrapped her hand around Kurt’s arm and let him lead her towards the patio door.
It had been almost five years since she’d been back in Lovington. On her last visit, Sara had just returned to town from school and was still staying with her dad. Sara had moved into this house after Savannah had gone back to Arizona, so she’d never been here before. As Kurt escorted her into the large kitchen she had to grin. The counter to the right of the sink held not one, not two or three, but four different styles of coffee maker.
Kurt noticed where her gaze had landed and he chuckled. “Girl likes her coffee.”
“Yes,” Savannah agreed. “She does indeed.” Savannah leaned against a bar stool as Kurt strolled over to the large stainless-steel fridge.
“Beer, wine, water or soda?” he asked.
“Beer, please.”
He grabbed two bottles and slowly turned back to her. She let her eyes travel down his body, taking in his wide shoulders and muscular chest. His legs were long and if the bulge behind his zipper was any indication he was stacked in every way. She licked her lips as he returned to her side.
He twisted off the top of her beer before handing it to her. Their fingers touched around the cold glass and her breath caught. She had no idea why her attraction to Kurt had hit her so hard, but she really wanted to get more than just their fingers touching.
She hadn’t been seeing anyone when she’d moved back to town. In fact, it had been over a year since she’d even been on a date. After graduating the police academy, she had concentrated on her job. She’d enjoyed patrolling her district, getting to know the residents, and was always happy when she was able to help.
If it hadn’t been for Sheriff Webb calling her and telling her about the problems back here she wouldn’t have ever considered leaving. But when she’d found out about the Church and the threat to Sara and her boyfriend, she’d known she needed to come home. She’d given her notice, accepted the position of deputy and made the long drive back to town.
She hadn’t had to deal with shifters yet and hadn’t run into any that she knew of. Sara had told her that Clint was a wolf shifter so she was almost certain that Kurt was also.
Both of their hands were still grasping the bottle. She moved closer and had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze. There was power there. She shivered in arousal. He grinned and leaned closer.
Her eyes flittered closed as his mouth lowered towards hers.
“Food’s ready!” Sara called, walking into the kitchen.
Savannah jumped away from Kurt and looked over to her friend.
Sara’s eyes were wide. “Oh shit! Sorry!”
Kurt just chuckled and backed away farther. “Shall we get something to eat?”
Disappointed, Savannah followed him out back. Hopefully she’d get another chance to feel his lips against hers.
Chapter One
Kurt had the latest reports spread out in front of him covering every inch of his desk.
“Five chapters,” Clint murmured.
Kurt glanced up at him before darting a look over to the map they’d placed on one wall. The five locations of the Church for Humanity were marked with a big red X.
Kurt was certain the entire Church was still up to no good, and with law enforcement’s hands being tied, Kurt had to watch out for his own people. Police couldn’t go after anyone else without proof, but Kurt didn’t have the same restrictions. His entire mission was to end the Church’s threat to the shifters.
“California, Arizona, Texas, Missouri and Louisiana.” Clint stood to start pacing in front of the map. “Why those states? What are they up to?”
Kurt knew his friend was frustrated. Hell, they all were. He leant back in his chair. “Those are the states with the biggest public Packs,” he supplied.
Clint shook his head. “Even so… There’s something…”
The shifters around the world had worked with their governments and leaders to announce their existence. The purpose for this was to ensure that even in their animal forms, they were protected. Too many shifters lost their lives each year after being hunted.
No Pack was made to go public. Each Alpha had the choice—become public or stay hidden. About sixty-five per cent had chosen to become public. The others were still being protected, just not to anyone else’s knowledge.
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.