I wonder what it would be like to date a shifter? Daisy thought about the conversation she’d had with Gerri the previous morning. Could she actually go through with it? Pacing around her living room contemplating the question was pointless and she knew it, but the truth was Gerri had sparked Daisy’s interest in dating—an interest she hadn’t felt in forever.

Gerri had reminded her that she was alone. She woke up alone. Ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner alone. Went to the movies alone. After her last relationship, Daisy had decided to take a break from dating. She had needed time to find her footing in the world again, and she did just that. Grabbing the bull by the horns, she packed up her shit and moved, taking the first job she was offered, far away from the tiny town in Wisconsin she had grown up in.

The relationship ended the day her boyfriend had said, “As soon as you lose some weight, I’ll take you home to meet my parents.” Yeah, that was enough for her to end it right there, on the spot. Afterwards she’d cried for weeks, vowing never to put herself in that position again.

She’d sworn off dating until she shed some pounds. And she had. She had gotten into the habit of walking daily, and eating healthier, but she was still curvy. Her confidence had risen, but was it enough to put herself out there again?

A few of the guys she worked with at the hospital had asked her out on dates. She smiled politely and turned each of them down, too afraid to feel the sting of rejection once again. But maybe this time would be different. Maybe Gerri was right. Maybe she needed to date a different kind of guy.

Before Daisy lost her nerve, she grabbed Gerri’s business card and her phone from her purse. Here goes nothing.

“Daisy, I’m so glad to hear from you.”

Daisy’s heart pounded. Butterflies—and not the good ones—danced in her belly. “Hi, Gerri. I—uhh… umm.” Daisy cleared her throat.

“Are you okay, dear?”

She sucked in a deep breath, hoping like hell it would calm her nerves. It didn’t. “Yes, just nervous.” Opting for honesty, she forged ahead. “I want to know more about your dating service.”

“Wonderful! I have just the person I’d like you to meet. You said you were on vacation from work, right?”

“Yes, but what does that have to do with anything?” Daisy asked, confused by Gerri’s line of questioning. What did being on vacation have to do with meeting someone? All she had asked for in the first place was more information. Talk about speedy service!

“The man who I think would be perfect for you is in a bit of a quandary. He’s the new Alpha of Twisted Tail pack, and he’s looking for someone to meet him there. You would spend a few days together, getting to know one another.”

“Umm, that’s a bit more than I had bargained for right off the bat. I was expecting maybe dinner or something easy like that. You know, a standard date.”

Gerri laughed. “Nothing is standard when it comes to dating a shifter, dear. Think of it this way. Lodging will be provided. You’ll have a chance to get out of town for a few days to clear your head. When’s the last time you got out of the city for a long weekend? And if you guys hit it off, great. If not, no big deal. You had some time away from everyone and everything in the fresh country air. If nothing else, you’ll be recharged and ready to go back to work when you get back.”

Daisy’s pacing resumed. Panic crept through her veins. A date was one thing. Going to spend several days with a complete stranger was something that she found scary as hell. “Is that safe to do? I don’t want to end up trapped in someone’s well in their basement or something.”

Gerri laughed at her response. “Sure it is, dear. All of my clients are thoroughly vetted. I run full background checks and contact each reference they provide, personally. Not only that, but shifters, especially wolves, are extremely protective of their women—annoyingly so, at times. Once you cross over into pack land, you’ll be safer than anywhere in the world.”

Without letting another thought pass through her mind, Daisy agreed. “I’ll do it.”

“Great! Do you have a pen? I’ll give you the address and directions.”

Daisy’s heart sped up as she grabbed a pen and paper. “Ready.”

I can’t believe I’m going to go through with this!

After the call, Daisy felt a sense of excitement—and a bit of fear—as she rushed around the house to pack a suitcase for her trip. She’d never done anything so crazy in all her well-thought-out, well-planned life.

Doubt began to creep into her mind with each outfit she selected and packed. What if she didn’t get along with Calder? What if he didn’t like her? What if he was as ugly as homemade sin?

She pushed back against the thoughts, refusing to give into her fears. She had committed to going. Come hell or high water, she was bound and determined to hold up her end of the bargain. Closing the lid on her suitcase, Daisy swallowed the nervousness dancing in her belly and headed for her car, knowing it was now or never.

The road trip to Twisted Tail gave her a lot of time to think about exactly what she was doing. Too much time. All the bad decisions Daisy had made in her previous relationships ran through her mind, reminding her exactly why she’d taken a hiatus from dating. She had been tempted to turn the car around several times, but she gritted her teeth and continued on. It was almost as if some unseen force urged her to continue on her journey toward the unknown.