I wove my way through the happy, laughing people, my hands filled with sloshing plastic cups and couldn't hold back my grin. I inhaled the delicious aroma of barbecue with each breath. I chuckled to myself as I thought about how different my life was compared to the last neighborhood barbecue I attended.

"Alex, there you are." Rose's cheerful voice came from somewhere in the crowd.

I craned my neck and found her pushing her way through the throng. Her red hair was down around her shoulders, but looked a bit tousled, as if someone had dug their hands in the wavy strands.

She waved at me as she pulled Maddox through the crowd. His hair looked equally mussed up. I rose an eyebrow and gave them both a cheeky grin.

"Hey, Mrs. Shepherd. How are you and Mark here doing?" I smiled as I greeted her and Maddox, my eyes flickering playfully between them.

"You're being a butthead, Alex." She swatted my arm and grinned. "I knew I'd see you here."

"Oh, really? You knew knew or simply knew?"

"Well—"

"It's the neighborhood barbecue," Maddox interrupted with a wry look at his wife. "Of course Argus is here."

"Argus? Where'd you even pull that one from?"

Maddox shrugged. "You're forcing me to get creative. So, where's your better half?"

I nodded my head to the area full of picnic tables. "Guarding the table for us. It's even more packed than it was last year."

"I know! It's crazy. It feels like Fayoak is getting busier all the time. We planned to get here earlier, but we were, um . . . delayed." A blush crept over Rose's pale cheeks.

Maddox winked at me, which only made Rose's blush deepen.

"Don't be shy, Red. We're married. It's perfectly normal to—"

"Maddox! Let's go get some food." Rose took hold of Maddox's arm and dragged him away. He looked over his shoulder with a shrug and I shrugged back with a chuckle.

I navigated the maze of people to get back to my own lovely lady. It took me several minutes of careful dodging and weaving, but I finally pushed through the crowd and saw her. My heart gave a loud thump.

I still thought she was the most beautiful creature in existence. Not that I expected that would ever change. How could it? With her dark hair, pale skin, and red lips she was my Snow White, and I would forever do my best to be her Prince Charming.

Sophie suddenly tensed and her head whipped over in my direction. Her expression was wary until she met my gaze, then she gave me a smile.

"What was that?" I asked as soon as I got close enough that we could hear each other. There were so many people chatting, I wasn't sure she'd be able to hear me over everyone else, even with her super special cat hearing.

Her smile turned sheepish. "I felt someone looking at me."

My own smile dimmed. Her old pack was still out there and I knew it worried her from time to time.

"You still think they'll come someday?"

"I'm sure they will," she admitted freely, "but I'm not as worried about it anymore. When they come, they'll get more than they bargained for."

I frowned, but she reached up to push the corners of my mouth upward.

"You're supposed to be the happy, nice one, Alex. I'm too serious and my sister is too snarky. We need you to balance us out."

"Ah, my bad." I gave her a wide grin. "Better?"

"Much better." Sophie started taking the cups from my hands when a loud laugh boomed out from a nearby table, drawing my attention. I knew from the sound alone that it was Jack.

I twisted my head to get a look at Sophie's Alpha. "What's got Jack in stitches?"

Sophie shook her head, smiling wryly as she followed my gaze. "Who knows? Someone could drop their ice cream and he'd be howling for days."

"Cats, man. Although, whatever it was, Izzy apparently found it hilarious, too."

"Tell me about it."

I turned my attention back to Sophie and her wry smile grew into a grin as she watched Izzy giggle at Jack's table. The longer I looked at her, the more I felt temptation call me.

Without warning, I slid into the bench seat and pulled Sophie in for a kiss. Her arms went around my shoulders as she kissed me back. I was starting to get lost in the kiss, our surroundings fading away, when someone whacked me on the shoulder.

"Hey, you two, there are kids around. Go get a room if you're gonna suck face."

I reluctantly pulled away from Sophie and met Aly's amused expression. There was a stroller beside her with a tray of food precariously balanced on the handles. I leaned around Sophie to smile at Aly's baby, Ana, who gurgled and kicked her legs in response.

"How did you keep that tray from falling?" I asked.

Aly grinned. "Mom magic. I swear, it's like having a baby gave me superpowers."

I rose an eyebrow. "You technically kind of have superpowers already."

"Well, I have even more now. I'm a triple threat." Aly placed her hands on her hips and looked at the sky. "Shifter, mother, and . . . master of sarcasm."

"Sarcasm is a superpower now?" Sophie asked with an amused smile.

"I'd say so."

Aly placed two heaping plates of food for us to share in the middle of the table before she sat down. The smoky smell of barbecue made my mouth water. She set down an extra plate, and I briefly wondered if someone else was going to join us.

"Which one's mine?" Sophie asked with a glance at the cups I'd brought over.

"Doesn't matter. They're all soda."

"What? No booze?" Aly asked, aghast.

"You're nursing, Aly," Sophie said with a disappointed frown.

"Not for me. I just wanna see you and Alex get messy."

"Something tells me Alex doesn't want a repeat of the last barbecue," Sophie said with a teasing glint in her eye.

"I most definitely do not. My hangover from the last one nearly did me in."

Maddox and Rose wandered up and sat on the other side of the table, placing their heaping plates in front of them. Maddox set a small pile of extra plates in the middle of the table and I looked at them curiously. Aly was obviously expecting someone, but was Maddox as well?

I quickly glanced at Rose and saw her look at the empty seats at the table. She seemed to be counting. Had she seen, in one of her flashes of clairvoyance, that others would be joining us and told Maddox to grab extra plates?

"If I'd known you were gonna be here, I'd have grabbed some more meat," Aly said.

I eyed the two plates full of chicken and brisket dubiously. There was enough there to feed more than five people.

"I think there's plenty."

"Nah, trust me, there's not," Aly said with a laugh. "Someone's going to plow right through these plates."

"Who? You?"

Before she could answer, Charlie suddenly appeared and sat down next to Aly. I blinked when I recognized the shirt he wore, Life's a Peach, as one sold in the gift shop of The Honeyed Peach. He nodded at me, then immediately scooped some of the brisket and chicken onto the extra plate Aly had brought.

"Thanks for saving me a seat, Aly," he said with his characteristically cheerful grin.

Just then the squeal of speakers pierced the air and everyone around me, except Rose, winced and glared at the source of the sound. I wasn't bothered by it, really, but I wasn't a shifter. My hearing wasn't half as sensitive as all the cats surrounding us. I turned a bemused gaze at the people around us.

"You know," I said softly to Sophie, "it's taken me awhile to get used to constantly being surrounded by your pack. They're pretty much always nearby."

She smiled at me and shrugged. "They take the threat of my old pack seriously."

"Hey, I'm glad. Whatever it takes to keep you safe."

I grabbed a plate and joined in the carnivore's delight of a meal. Only Aly would've picked up nothing but beef and chicken.

"Aly, couldn't you have picked up some potato salad, or veggies, or anything other than just meat?" Sophie asked with a disapproving sigh.

Aly glared at her sister. "Look, if you don't like it, next time you can grab the food while I guard the table."

The corner of Sophie's mouth curved up and her eyes sparkled. "Happily."

"Oh God, no. I take it back. You'd come back with two plates full of veggies. I can't even think about it. I'd rather starve."

Sophie's shoulders shook with mirth. I grinned as I looked around the packed park. This was only my second barbecue in Fayoak, but the turnout still impressed me. It really was bigger than last time. My smile fell from my face when my eyes landed on a rigidly styled blond. Sophie glanced over at me, sensing my upset, then followed my gaze.

"Why is Heather here? She doesn't live anywhere nearby," Sophie grumbled. "And I doubt anybody invited her."

Heather's obnoxious laugh pierced the din surrounding us. The crowd parted, and I saw Heather and her cronies, Paige and Rachael, wandering through the crowd.

Rose spun a hand around in the air with a sigh. "Oh, y'know, word has gotten out about this event. Lots of people just show up. It's kinda open to everyone."

"Didn't you guys report Peroxide Polly to the sheriff or whatever?" Aly asked.

"We reported her," I said, "but she's not doing anything illegal, simply making potions."

"I'd think someone with a head that hollow would've slipped up by now," Aly mused. "It's weird."

"Yeah, you'd think that."

"But Sheriff Kobayashi did say he'd keep an eye on her," Sophie added. "So, we've got someone on our side if she ever does make a mistake."

I glanced back at the stage. "Hey, I'll be right back."

Sophie gave me a curious look as I brushed a kiss on her lips. I barely held back my grin as I slipped away. She was gonna love this.

* * *

Warmth flowed through me as Alex walked away. He never passed on an opportunity to show me how much he loved me. It was the little things—cooking my favorite breakfast, surprising me with chocolate at the clinic. It came so naturally to him. He was kind and sweet, and I adored that about him.

I watched as he headed through the crowd and caught another flash of that telltale blond hair. I didn't like that Heather was allowed to run around free, so to speak, but we didn't have much of a choice.

If she decided to make trouble for Alex, I'd make sure she paid for it. I still remembered the way she was going after his hair. There was no good explanation for that. I snarled inwardly. Witches.

A gurgle to my side drew my attention and I looked down at Anastasia. My niece waved her hands and feet randomly in the air. I leaned over to pick her up when music started and Alex's voice suddenly blared through the speaker.

"Shot through the heart, and you're to blame."

Shocked, I left Ana in her stroller and twisted around to look at the stage. He stood there by the karaoke machine holding a microphone. He had a giant grin on his face as he waved his arms and danced around the stage, acting out the words in an exaggerated fashion.

The crowd whooped and hollered, cheering him on, but his eyes were locked on me. Although there was a park full of people, I felt like he was performing his silly rendition only for me.

"Darlin' you give love, a bad name. An angel's smile is what you sell."

And then, as if they planned it, all the pack, including Maddox, sang the rest of the line together.

"You promised me heaven, but put me through hell."

Alex's grin as he performed for me was big enough to split his face. Although he hammed up his performance, I knew it meant something to him. The look in his eyes said it all. This was for me. He finished the song, then gave a huge bow before handing the microphone off to the next person.

"What brought on that?" I asked him when he rejoined our group.

"Well, I sang at the last barbecue, so I thought I'd sing to you this time."

"Oh, so I give love a bad name, do I?" I asked with a laugh.

Alex's eyes lit with fire and he stepped close to lean in and purred in my ear, "Oh yes, my darling Sophie. You give lovin' a bad name."

He was speaking nonsense, yet my body ignited, as it always did when he used that voice. I sucked in a sharp breath as his eyes met mine and a wicked smile curved his lips.

"That sure was some pretty singin'," a somewhat familiar voice chimed up.

Alex and I turned our heads in unison to see Emery, George, and Nadine walk up to our table. Alex slipped into his seat beside me as they reached us. Over the months of their community service in Fayoak, I'd seen them around doing odd tasks.

They'd finished their community service hours, but still came around pretty often. I had a feeling they found our magical community intriguing, especially Nadine. But right now her gaze was on Heather and Nadine looked like she had eaten a sour lemon.

Did anyone in this town like the woman? I wondered what prompted that reaction. Of course, Heather was a piece of work, so it could simply be her less than stellar personality.

"Stop flirting, George, he's obviously taken," Nadine said absently.

A flush crept up his cheeks and he suddenly avoided looking at Alex. I rose an eyebrow. Did he have a crush on my mate?

Mate. We'd been together for almost a year yet that word was still something that caught me by surprise. My primal side had known without question, always tugging me over to the orchard to see him, but it had taken my human side longer to admit it. My cat purred inside me, content.

"You guys mind if we join y'all?" Emery asked, completely ignoring the conversation between his siblings.

"Sure," Charlie paused between bites long enough to answer, "grab a plate. I'll go get us more food in a second."

The extra plates Maddox had set down were passed out. I noticed there was at least one more plate left, maybe two. I wondered who else may be coming.

I glanced up at Emery and he seemed to be surveying the area, looking for seats. Many of my packmates were sitting nearby, crowding the tables around us, but there were three seats at the next table over so he headed there.

As George sat down, I saw Raymond lean and purposefully bump George on the shoulder. When Ray shot a sharp look at Nadine, I tilted my head to listen, wondering what he was up to.

"I thought his singing was pretty, too," he said loudly. "Too bad he plays for the other team."

I turned my attention to the topic of their conversation. Alex raised his eyebrows as he caught my look.

"What? What did your super shifter-hearing catch?" He tilted his head toward George and Ray.

"Oh, Ray is unhappy you play for the other team. You pretty man, you."

Alex's eyes lit up with mischief. He opened his mouth to say something when a sharp voice cut through the conversation.

"Alexander Greenhaven, what were you doing?"

Alex winced and a resigned expression crossed his face. "What's that, Granny?"

"Don't you Granny me young man. Must you make a spectacle of yourself at every occasion?"

"He sang a song, Petunia, calm yourself," Peter said as he plucked Ana from her stroller. "Good job, by the way, I'm thinking I might just give it a go myself."

"Peter Greenhaven, don't you dare."

I bit back a laugh at the outraged look on Petunia's face as she looked at her husband. Alex wasn't so successful and a laugh burst out of him. When Petunia turned back to glare at Alex, Peter winked at me.

"C'mon, Petunia, wipe that scowl off your face," Peter chided. "I know you're not so keen on this whole barbecue thing, but you're going to scare Ana. You don't want that, do you?"

Petunia's expression softened ever so slightly, and she turned to take the baby from Peter. He grinned and patted me on the back as he stepped behind me. I glanced back and noticed he had started chatting with Aly. It warmed my heart that the family got along so well. Even prickly Petunia.

Petunia started quietly crooning to Ana, drawing my attention. Her expression was almost soft as she looked at the baby. I wasn't surprised anymore. Both Peter and Petunia had taken to Ana immediately and considered her their grandchild.

The karaoke still blared out of the speakers, so I leaned in to hear what Petunia was singing to my niece. I grinned when I recognized the tune.

". . . there were more types of animals than you'd ever seen. Cats and rats and elephants but sure as you're born, don't you forget my unicorn."

A brush of air beside me yanked my attention away as Aly jumped off the bench seat. Peter held up his truck keys and she snatched them from his hands as she dashed away.

Peter watched with an amused expression as she hurried away. I turned to ask him what was going on when Petunia stopped singing and cleared her throat.

"Alexander," Petunia said as she brushed a finger over Ana's button nose, "I need you to come to the orchard at the full moon next week."

Alex looked confused at the abrupt order. "Okay, Granny. Mind telling me why?"

"Must I explain myself?" She sighed. "I had lunch with Henrietta Bahl yesterday, and she told me the wind is changing."

Alex looked at me and my breath hitched in my throat. His expression was as worried as I felt. Rose's grandmother was a gifted clairvoyant. Unlike Rose, she could control her visions and her predictions. When she chose to share them, which was rare, they were always accurate.

"What does that mean?" Alex asked before I could.

Petunia pursed her lips. "Who knows? I love the old bat, but she's so secretive. It could mean a storm is coming for all I know. Perhaps change is upon us. Maybe winter will come early. It could be dire. What it means for you, my boy, is it is time for you to learn the secrets of my salve."

"And it has to be done at the full moon?" I couldn't help but ask.

A hint of a smile lit her eyes, but she didn't answer me.

Ana let out a wail in her arms, and Petunia glanced down at her. "I think this little one needs a changing. Peter, you take care of it."

"Me, why me?" Peter grumbled.

"It's your turn. I took care of it last time."

Peter mumbled under his breath, but he carefully took Ana from his wife and bent down to get the diaper bag from the stroller.

"Oh, by the way," Peter said over his shoulder, "we'll probably need to catch a ride home with you two."

"I saw you give Aly the keys. Where did she go?"

"She headed into town," Peter answered.

"Why? And why didn't she say something to us?"

"I don't think she thought about it. She asked to borrow my keys after I mentioned I saw a young fella in town earlier today."

"What are you talking about, Pappy?" Alex asked.

"Well, I remembered you mentioned it might be a good idea to keep an eye on things, right? Watch for any strange folk coming into town and whatnot."

I nodded and felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. We hadn't heard a peep from my old pack, but could this be the changing wind Henrietta spoke of?

"There was a young man in town, good looking one. Friendly, dark hair to his shoulders, and about yea high." He waved his hand a little above his head, indicating the man he spoke about was a little taller than he was.

My stomach relaxed. If our old pack had been looking for us, they would have sent the enforcers, not some young man.

"What made him so interesting to you?" Alex asked.

"He was asking around about her."

"About Aly and me, or just Aly?" I asked.

"Just Aly," Peter said. "He tried to be all casual-like, but he was paying too much attention to the answers he got. He even had a picture of Aly and him on his phone. He was showing it around. When I told Aly, she said she wanted to head to town and check it out. That's why she took my truck."

I didn't know what had made Aly react like that, but I had my suspicions, and they involved baby Ana. She could take care of herself, and if something came up she couldn't handle, I knew she'd call me or some of the pack members. I decided to put it out of my mind and enjoy the evening.

Sitting there at a table full of friends and family, I smiled. Perhaps the wind was changing, but I wasn't worried. Whatever came our way, I knew Alex and I could handle it together.