Nova watched her while she worked, inexplicably drawn to the grace with which she moved. She was a pro behind the bar, charming tips out of patrons, laughing easily with regulars and tourists alike. It was interesting how much of a people-person she could be at work, when he knew from his years of watching her that she had all but turned into a recluse since the attack.

She rarely had company over to her small apartment, save the weekly visits with her mom, and the occasional Chinese dinner and movie night with Mitch. Though he suspected the bar owner had feelings for Amara, he seemed to understand the only relationship she was interested in was friendship. For some reason, this pleased Nova to no end.

Not that he was interested. She was human, after all. The pack still had rules. And he still had to follow them.

The door to the bar opened, bringing with it the icy breeze of the season, and a dark-haired woman in a long fur coat. Stripping it off, she kissed Sam on the cheek and hung it on the hook behind him.

Zoe Hamilton.

Nova would have recognized her anywhere. Since the attack, she had stayed around Strathford, bringing one scandal after another to the attention of the town. From what he could tell, Zoe hadn’t walked away from the Valley Clan’s attack as unscathed as everyone wanted to believe. While it was true that she had little more than a few scars down her back, and one small one lining her chin, Nova had seen firsthand the toll the attack had taken on her. It was rare to find Zoe without a drink in her hand or alcohol on her breath. He had frequently witnessed Amara haul her out to her car to take her home after a heavy night of drinking at Murphy’s. And it was common knowledge that Zoe Hamilton went through men the way other women went through socks.

Not that he was surprised. Zoe was a knockout. Her long, dark hair and makeup were always pristine, her fit and toned body proudly on display. Looks, however, were unable to hide the fact that she was an emotional wreck.

Nova chuckled to himself as he watched her saunter across the bar in her skin-tight jeans and climb up on a stool, flashing Mitch her signature sexy smile. Mitch nearly dropped the bottle he held as she leaned forward in her low-cut shirt, showcasing her voluptuous rack. Nova couldn’t stop the grin from creeping across his face.

Amara followed his gaze. “Classy, huh?” she scoffed, filling a mug with beer. She turned the cup with an expert hand, keeping the foam to a minimum, and slid it down the bar to Ole. “I keep telling Mitch that one’s only going to end badly, but he refuses to listen to me.”

Nova raised a brow. “You don’t approve?”

“It’s not that,” she said, pursing her lips. “I just think Zoe is, well, Zoe. She’s a mess. And Mitchell could do so much better.” Stopping, she thought about it for a moment. “Okay, so maybe it is that.”

“Sounds like you’re jealous.”

“Hardly,” she replied with a laugh. “Another?” He nodded, taking the shot she handed him.

Nova knew he was pushing his luck, being this close to her, but he couldn’t help it. After ten years, he could still see her lying there on the pavement, blood gushing from her neck. He had hoped that after he made sure she was safe that he would be able to leave her alone, yet he had found himself drawn to her over the years. His visits to her home had become more and more frequent, even though he tried telling himself he was just keeping her safe. He even found himself thinking about her when he was out on patrol. Or in a Council Meeting with his pack.

He kept trying to tell himself that if he could just see her in person, talk to her as himself, that he could get over his infatuation with her. So far, no such luck.

“So, Cowboy,” she asked, leaning against the bar, “do you have a name to go with that grin? Or are you the strong silent type who’s just going to sit and stare at me?”

“Well, it’s working so well for me,” he said, tapping his fingers slowly on the bar, “why mess with success?” Her laugh was loud and boisterous, and he couldn’t help but want to hear it again. Snickering to himself, he held out a hand. “My name is Nova.”

Taking his outstretched hand, she shook it. “Amara. Have you been in town long?”

“I live a few miles out of Strathford, on my family’s estate.” Sort of.

The door opened again, and Nova’s blood froze in his veins. The man who walked in was tall, and broad shouldered. His hair was a rich, chestnut brown against his deeply tanned skin. He had an angular face with a sharp brow and tawny eyes. Snow dotted the shoulders of his leather jacket, his grin was fierce and cruel when he spotted Nova.

Kal.

Nova’s expression turned hard and stony as he watched the heir to the Valley Clan weave his way through the tables. Anger rose to the surface, and Nova clenched his fist. What the hell was Kal doing there? He shouldn’t even be in town, much less in this bar.

Kal leered at Nova as he sat down next to him. “Didn’t think you’d bother showing your face, Lowery,” he said, snaking Nova’s shot and downing it. Without a word, Amara filled another and handed it to Nova. The look on her face was carefully blank.

“It’s my town, Vann, in case you don’t remember. The border is twenty miles in the other direction.” Nova’s smile at Amara was quick and charming, but he knew it didn’t reach his eyes. He wondered if she noticed. “You know, in case you wanted to get the hell over it.”

Kal chuckled to himself for a moment, his shrewd gaze not missing a thing. He lowered his voice. “You sure watch this one a lot,” he murmured, barely nodding his head at the bartender. Luckily, she was serving a patron a few feet away. “Why is that, I wonder.”

Nova’s demeanor went hard as stone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” But he couldn’t help the way his gaze darted to her face and back again. It was just for a split second, but it was enough.

Grinning, Kal leaned forward, keeping his voice near a whisper. “Oh, I think you do. I think you’ve had a thing for this pretty little bartender for a while now. The only question now is, why?” He raised a brow. “I mean, she is attractive I guess. For a human. Dark hair, tiny frame, tight body. Ripe little prize for any man to win, I suppose. But a mate? My, my. What would your brother think? He is your Alpha now, is he not? Now that Daddy’s gone. Do you think he would approve of you fraternizing with the sheep you watch?”

Closing his eyes, Kal sniffed the air as Amara walked by. “She does smell am—“ His voice trailed off as his eyes opened wide, and he gaped at Nova. “No. She isn’t.” Catching the flash of fear from his adversary, Kal rubbed his hands together, glee lighting his face. “Well aren’t you just an old hound? She isn’t just some girl, is she? She’s the girl. The one that got away from both of us.” He sniffed again. “Mmm, and Lowery, does she smell delicious or what? Tell me you’re getting some action from her.”

Nova sat on the stool, as still as he could, willing himself to stay calm as his heart began to race and his blood boiled. The only outward sign that Kal Vann’s words had even gotten to him was his hands clenching into fists at his sides.

Kal noticed.

He chuckled. “You’re not. Well, that’s your loss, Lowery. Do you mind if I do?” Kal patted Nova on the shoulder. It took everything he had for Nova not to break his hand at the joint. “Once I get her home, I think I’d like to tear into that sweet skin again. You know. Finish what I started.”

Nova snapped. Before he could think about it or tell himself no, Nova was off the stool, sending it crashing to the ground behind him. He had Kal thrown against the bar, his forearm pressed against the other man’s throat. One clawed hand sank through shirt and skin like it was nothing as he tore into the fleshy part of Kal’s stomach, feeling the skin begin to knit back together as his body began to shift around Nova’s paw.

“Don’t you touch her,” Nova growled through gritted teeth, so low he was sure no one else could hear him. Kal merely grinned, though his face was tight with pain. “I’m not fucking kidding, Vann.” His voice held as much power as it did warning. “Stay away from her.”

“Hey!” From down the bar, Mitch was heading their way.

Nova retracted his claws before anybody could see. No point scaring anyone into thinking he was the real-life Wolverine.

Kal scrambled out from under him, a mixture of hate and fear writhing on his face. “This isn’t over, Lowery,” he snarled, backing away toward the door. Nova wasn’t sure which one he’d hurt more: Kal’s abs or his pride. By the door, the big bouncer stood up, ready to stop another incident before it started. Kal shrugged off the man’s hand as he attempted to pull him through the door and out of the bar. “You better watch your back, Nova. I always finish what I start.” Nova followed his gaze to Amara, trepidation dripping down his spine. Kal smirked. “That’s a promise.” Then he disappeared out the door.