Page 225 of Secret Shifters Next Door

“When my first book became a bestseller. I was only a teenager. My publisher and my agent wanted to make sure I was safe when I went out for book signings and stuff. It didn’t last long. Once they saw what a homebody I was, it was pretty unnecessary. Authors get stalkers, but I only had a few weirdos way back in the day. But trust me, I’m fine with someone being on the lookout.”

“Okay, cool. That makes things a little easier.”

He went back to the stove to flip the burgers and pull the bacon off the pan. Not wanting to sit there like a bump on a log, I sliced tomatoes, onions, and lettuce. I saw that he had bleu cheese in his fridge, and my mouth started watering. “I knew there was a reason I liked you, Miles,” I said, showing him the container.

He laughed. “Best cheese for a burger.”

Fifteen minutes later, we sat side by side at his table, eating hamburgers and baked potatoes. It was one of the best meals I’d ever had. The food was good, yes, but it was the company that made it taste so much sweeter. I ate until I was stuffed and set my napkin on the plate. Miles finished his own meal and put an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close until my head was resting on his shoulder.

“You’re handling this really well,” he said.

“Thanks. If I do everything you asked, do you think it’ll keep me safe?” I wasn’t sure if I wanted the answer, but I had to hear it.

“I think it’s the best chance, yeah.”

“Well, if that’s the case, then it isn’t a hardship. At least I know I’m in danger. I’m fine giving up a few things to stay safe.”

Miles pulled me in and kissed me. Every kiss with him was like the first—passionate, hungry, and loving. My body relaxed, and I let him pull me close, when we were done, snuggling against him.

“I’m going to do everything I can to make you happy.”

I smiled to myself because I believed him.

TWENTY-TWO

MILES

My ear ached from being on the phone for so long. Hours had gone by, and I’d talked to at least a dozen different alphas from surrounding areas. The guys and I had decided to spread the word to everyone, and I was glad we did. Everyone we talked to had the same reaction—fear, shock, and outrage. Once we told them everything we’d found, they all understood that Antonio was a force to be reckoned with.

In the past, hunters had merely been heartbroken people desperate for revenge, those who’d lost loved ones to random feral or psychotic shifters. They came together in a loose group and did what they could to kill us. Sometimes they were successful, but more often than not, they’d piss their pants and run the first time they went head to head with a shifter. It had been that way for centuries.

This was different.

A leader with unlimited funds, resources, and power, was not someone to take lightly. The guy was crazy and all-in on trying to exterminate us. We knew it, and I was happy the other alphas understood it.

I’d saved my old pack for last. I dialed, and Donovan answered almost immediately. “Miles? Is that you?”

I sighed. “Yeah. Were you waiting for my call?”

“Got word from a bear clan about an hour ago. Word is spreading. By this time next week, every pack in North America is going to know about this Antonio guy.”

“Well, I’m glad I don’t have to go over the same information with you. I’ve made so many calls it feels like it’s getting redundant.”

“Yeah,” Donovan said. “I have to be honest. Since the attack, I’ve been pretty useless. I’d hoped this hunter thing would be an easy fix.”

I couldn’t blame him. The attack on them had been devastating. Donovan had lost his only child and heir to his pack. The guy had been retired when it went down. I imagined he hadn’t planned on any of this for his golden years.

“Son.” The alpha’s voice sounded hollow and worn out. “I keep coming back to the same thought. It has to do with you.”

“Me?” I asked, confused about where this was going.

“I wake up in the morning, and I keep waiting to see my boy. To hear his voice or hug him, and then I realize he’s never coming back. I keep wondering if this was what it felt like for your parents when you got banished.”

My back stiffened. I looked across the office and saw Blayne had noticed my reaction. He mouthed, “You good?”

I nodded and waited for the alpha to go on.

“Looking back now, I may have overreacted. I know you broke pack law. But my boy was at fault, too. He knew Liz was with you. Knew how much you loved her. Then for him to…Christ, I should have raised him better. He did mature as he got older. He and Liz even told me a few years ago they regretted how things went down.”

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