Liv drove around the back of the hotel and parked beside Lawson’s truck. Cassie’s car was parked a few spots over, and Liv wondered how much time her friend was spending with Ryan. She smiled, thinking Cassie deserved to be happy.

She hopped out of her Jeep and looked at the hotel. It was her first time back since the night of the Halloween party, and she wasn’t sure how she would feel seeing it again. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths, trying to calm the butterflies in her stomach.

A door slammed, startling Liv, and she opened her eyes to see Lawson walking her way. He was by far the sexiest man alive, especially when wearing her favorite jeans and boots. The vintage denim hugged his hips and thighs. Her mouth watered and her arousal went wild as she recalled several times when she couldn’t get them off fast enough. His light blue sweater hugged his broad chest and shoulders. He was a magnificent specimen, and she drank in his sexy demeanor.

Stop it, she chastised. Make Lawson earn your attention. Don’t fall over with your legs spread for the sexy beast. Liv shook her head, clearing her thoughts. Her conscience was right. She couldn’t fall prey to his charm so easily. The pain he caused was still fresh, and she needed to remember that.

“Hello, Miss Kimbro,” he said with a smile. “I see you didn’t follow the guidelines for today,” he added, perusing her from head to toe.

“Oh, whatever. I followed your rules. Well, except for the potato sack. Mine was dirty,” Liv replied with a smirk and looked down at her ensemble.

Her dark gray sweatpants were tucked inside black snow boots. A black dry-fit turtleneck and quilted vest covered every square inch of flesh, so Lawson couldn’t accuse her of showing too much skin. Her hair fell in loose waves since he complained about the usual ponytail. However, she did take an extra few minutes to apply some makeup. After all, she wanted him to know what he was missing.

He stopped in front of her, rubbing his chin. “No, something’s missing.”

Liv opened her vest, trying to figure out what he was referring to and heard a groan escape his mouth. “Damn,” he commented as he shook his head.

“What? Don't you like my shirt? It keeps me warm, thank you very much,” she replied, but couldn’t help smiling at his approving gaze.

“I like it, alright. But that’s not what I meant,” Lawson countered as he continued staring at her.

“I’m lost,” Liv admitted.

He reached into his front pocket and pulled out a leather cord. A pendant dangled from the end. It was a necklace, but Liv didn’t recognize it as one of hers. Lawson stepped closer and slipped it over her neck.

“There, that’s much better,” he said as he reached behind her neck and fixed her hair so that the necklace was lying flat. His warm hands brushed against her cheek when he pulled away, and her breath caught. His touch still ignited her like no other.

Liv glanced down to the steel pendant around her neck. It was an image of a howling wolf. She fingered the smooth object, awed by the craftsmanship.

“Did you make this?” she asked and met his gaze. He nodded, and Liv's eyes drew to his hypnotic stare. Lawson’s steel gray eyes were identical to the color of the metal wolf around her neck.

“It’s beautiful, but I can’t accept this,” she confessed and reached up to slip it over her head.

Lawson grabbed her hands, stilling her movement. “Liv, I want you to have it. It’s for protection, and I’ll feel better knowing you’re wearing it,” he explained.

“How will this protect me?”

“You see this?” he asked and reached for the pendant. “The snout is extremely sharp. I did that on purpose. You stab someone in the jugular with this bad boy, and I promise you, they’ll bleed out.”

“Am I in some danger?” she asked as she felt the wolf. Sure enough, the tip was sharp enough to do some damage. In fact, she would need to be careful, or she might cut herself.

“Nothing specific, but since you’re living somewhere else…” he acknowledged and paused. Liv could see him struggling with his emotions. He looked away briefly then met her gaze again. “I need to know you’re safe at all times. Promise me you’ll wear it.”

“Okay, I promise.”

“Good. Now come inside and say hi to Ashley. She’s making food for us to take to Clarksville,” he shared.

It reminded her of the many times Ashley had made food for them over the months and was a poignant reminder she was now an outsider at Safe Haven.

Liv followed Lawson into the large kitchen and smiled when she saw Ashley. She liked her a lot. Not to mention, she missed the woman’s cooking.

“Hola, señora,” Ashley greeted as she filled a cooler with containers of food. Liv had no idea what she made for them, but she couldn’t wait to find out.

“Hola, chica. How have you been?” Liv asked as she made her way to Ashley’s side and embraced her.

“Can’t complain, although I miss seeing your smiling face. When are you coming back?” Ashley asked.

“I don’t think that I am. But I’ll still visit. After all, I can’t go too long without eating your enchiladas,” Liv admitted with a wink then chanced a glance at Lawson. He was staring at her, and she could tell he didn’t like her comment.

“You belong here, Liv. I think you know it deep down. Do not let one mistake decide your future,” Ashley encouraged in a hushed voice. Liv nodded but didn’t respond.

She knew what Ashley was trying to tell her, but this wasn’t about what happened with Kristi. How could it ever work between them when he was a shifter, and she was human?

Then again, there was Ashley and Knox. They seemed to be making it work. And now Cassie and Ryan were dating each other. Still, Lawson was the Alpha, and his responsibilities were much more significant. He had to lead their pack and needed a partner that complimented his wolf. She would never be that person.

“We should hit the road,” Lawson suggested, and Liv shook off her rumination. Regardless of their situation, she was determined to continue her research and wanted an amicable relationship with Lawson.

“Let’s do it,” barked Ryan as he and Cassie entered the kitchen, holding hands. Liv smiled at her friend who looked like she’d just experienced the best orgasm of her life. At least somebody was getting laid.

The four of them made their way to the van and filed inside. It would be a couple of hours before they arrived in Clarksville. Lawson was driving, and Liv sat in the passenger seat. Ryan and Cassie spent most of the time making out in the back seat which only added more tension to Liv’s taut nerves. She tried to focus on the beautiful scenery, but hearing the moans and groans in the rear brought memories of her and Lawson to the fore.

She glanced over at Lawson and could tell he was uncomfortable, as well. She wondered if he was thinking about the time they took the van one morning to pick up supplies for the shop and ended up having sex in the back. That sexcapade was in her top five of all time. She squirmed in her seat as she recalled their sweaty bodies grinding against one another. Damn, it was getting warm in the van. Liv tugged on her turtleneck, trying to cool her ardor. She should’ve worn less clothing.

Eventually, they made it to the small town. Liv looked over her shoulder to see Cassie buttoning her top and shook her head. No wonder the back window fogged up. She met Lawson’s gaze and rolled her eyes.

He chuckled and nodded. “We put them to shame,” he commented, and Liv smiled. He was thinking the same thing. And, he was right. They did put them to shame.

Liv looked out the passenger window to the ramshackle building as Lawson pulled into the parking lot. “Are you sure this is the right place?” she asked, shaking her head in disbelief. She couldn’t imagine this was a scientific laboratory, given its rundown state.

“This is it,” Lawson replied as he pulled the van into a parking spot far away from the entrance. “My contact said it was a shithole. I thought he was kidding, but apparently not,” he added.

“Let me through. I need to piss,” Ryan stated as he pushed past Cassie and slid open the van’s side door. He walked to a nearby grouping of trees and turned his back to them.

“I envy the penis. I mean, I need to go, too, but women can’t just whip it out and take a leak wherever they want. No, we have to drop our pants to our ankles and crouch right so that we don’t pee all over ourselves. Shit ain’t right,” Cassie grumbled as she watched Ryan from her perch in the van.

“I hear ya. And let’s not get into how there’s always a line at the women’s restroom while men never need to wait,” Liv added.

“All this talk about piss has me needing to drain the lizard,” Lawson interjected and hopped out of the van.

“Oh, great. And what am I supposed to do? Squat in the bushes and get thorns up my ass? Peeing sucks outdoors,” Cassie complained and sighed loudly.

As soon as Lawson closed the door, Liv turned to her friend and glared daggers. “Thanks, by the way. Why didn’t you have sex on the way here? Geez, Cass. Did you not think that might be a little awkward for Lawson and me?” Liv snapped.

“I’m sorry. I can’t help myself. Ryan’s insanely sexy, and whenever he’s near, I lose my fucking mind. I didn’t mean to make you feel weird,” she explained as she pulled out a hair tie and secured her long locks.

Liv understood. She was the same way around Lawson. “Ugh, don’t worry about it. It’s not your fault we’re not together,” Liv sighed.

“He still wants to work it out. I’m not supposed to say anything, but he told me that earlier this morning. Dude’s got it bad for you,” Cassie shared, and Liv turned and met her gaze. Cassie nodded her head then added, “Shh, they’re coming.”

Lawson and Ryan climbed back in the van and Lawson reached over and opened the glove compartment. His hand brushed between Liv’s knees, and an electrical current zapped through her system. She needed to get a grip on her libido or Cassie, and Ryan might get a lesson on the proper way to make out in a van.

He pulled out a pair of binoculars and looked toward the building. “What are you looking for?” Liv asked.

“Just trying to get a feel for the security level. My contact said there’s a guard at every entrance. We need to know how many exits there are and which will be our best point of entry. Ryan, let’s take a look. You two stay here and don’t leave the van. We’ll be back in a bit,” he instructed and grabbed Liv’s hand, giving it a light kiss before he climbed out of the van. Liv watched as he and Ryan disappeared into the trees.

“Yep, like I said. Man’s got a total hard-on for you,” Cassie muttered.

“Can we change the subject? Tell me what’s going on between you and brother wolf,” Liv inquired.

“Not much to tell. Ryan is super-hot and great in bed. We’ll see how it goes. No expectations on my part,” her friend admitted.

Liv had a hard time understanding how Cassie could keep it casual. She couldn’t keep her feelings out of a relationship. Liv believed if the sex was phenomenal, it was because there was a deeper connection. Sex on its own was nothing but a physical release. If that was all she wanted, then her BOB (battery-operated boyfriend) filled that need. No, when it was off the charts mind-blowing sex, it went much deeper than having an orgasm. It touched her soul. That was what she shared with Lawson.

Liv sat in her seat, shocked by her revelation. What she felt with Lawson touched her in ways she never dreamed possible. He ignited every cell in her body with a mere touch or look. That was why she risked everything to help him escape his prison cell at PRL. She loved him to her core, simple as that. In analyzing Cassie and Ryan, her connection with Lawson became crystal clear. She loved him unconditionally.

Could they work through their differences? Was love enough? She wished she knew the answer because she didn’t want to go down that road again only to be disappointed and broken-hearted.

“You never know, Cass. Ryan might be the one,” she pointed out, and her friend wrinkled her nose in disgust.

“Please. More like the one right now. Don’t burst my bubble with pipe dreams and fantasies. Ryan and I work for now and eventually one of us will get bored and move on. I’m okay with that,” she declared, but Liv didn’t buy her façade. Cassie was a giggling schoolgirl with Ryan, which was a side of Cassie that Liv had never seen.

“Hey, I’ve meant to ask you something,” Cassie said and leaned forward so that she was right next to Liv.

“What is it?”

“Well, I’ve noticed the last few times I’ve had sex with Ryan that he seems close to shifting. Did that happen to you and Lawson?” she asked.

“No, not really. There were a few times I felt his wolf looking at me through Lawson’s eyes. Is that what you mean?” Liv asked, suddenly concerned. Lawson said more than once it was dangerous for their wolves to be around humans.

“No, I’m talking claws extending from his hands and his face morphing. He always gets it under control, but it’s a little creepy. The last time he scratched the shit out of my back before he realized what he was doing. Do I need a tetanus shot?” Cassie inquired, and Liv couldn’t help but giggle.

“Let me see it,” Liv said. Cassie nodded then turned around and lifted her shirt. Several scratches marred her skin, but they weren’t too bad. In fact, they were now scabs and nearly healed.

Liv recalled Lawson voicing concerns about Ryan. He said his brother might be close to turning Ravin. “There’s no sign of infection, but you need to be very careful. Lawson said Ryan is near the age where some shifters lose control of their animal and go mad. They call them Ravins. Apparently, they spotted one on the property at Safe Haven,” she explained.

“Yeah, Ryan mentioned a Ravin on the property, but he didn’t say anything about the age when it happens. Is there any way to prevent it?” Cassie asked.

“They don’t turn Ravin if they share their life force with someone, but from what Lawson said, once they share their life force with another, the two are bound until death. And since shifters live for a very long time, some take the chance of turning,” Liv divulged as she leaned against the seat, thinking about Ryan.

Lawson was right to be concerned. Now she knew why it was critical to capture the Ravin and run some blood tests.

Liv looked up to see Lawson and Ryan cross the tree line into the open parking lot. She couldn’t decipher their expressions to know if they found anything useful, but her heart raced at the thought of them breaking into another facility. Part of her hoped Lawson decided it was too great a risk and head back to Hollow Rock. The last thing she wanted was a repeat of their last escape. A security guard pulled a gun and shot Lawson as they tried to leave the facility and Lawson was forced to kill the guy in defense.

Lawson opened the driver door and plopped down on the worn upholstery. Liv’s heart raced as she gazed at him. Should Liv confess her feelings to him? Tell him she wanted to try and make it work?

“What?” he asked and tilted his head.

“I’ll tell you later,” she said and smiled, thinking it best to wait until they were alone. “So, did you find anything?”

He narrowed his eyes and opened his mouth as if to say something then shook his head. “This place is heavily guarded. If Jim is here, then getting to him won’t be easy. It also tells me there’s some heavy shit going down inside that building. Either he’s discovered a breakthrough, or he’s got another Ravin in captivity. My guess is the latter,” Lawson reported as he continued to stare at her. It sent a shiver down her spine to see his raw need.

“So now what?” Liv asked as she reached for the pendant around her neck, needing a distraction. It was cool to the touch, and the smooth surface felt good against her skin.

“We’ve got to get inside, but we’re going to need reinforcement. We’ll go back to Safe Haven and regroup. If I can get Knox, Tyler, and Devin involved, we can attack all entrances at once. And if we’re lucky, get Jim’s ass on a platter,” Lawson professed and reached over to start the van. “I guess this was a wasted trip. Can’t say that I’m sorry though. I got to spend time with you,” he said with a wink.

She smiled at him then looked out the passenger window. “Wait!” Liv blurted and reached over, grabbing Lawson’s sleeve. “Look,” she said and pointed to a white BMW pulling into the parking lot.

It was Jim Jensen’s vehicle.