One month later …

Ana scanned the busy room. She clutched her drink to her chest as a couple pushed past. The cider was lukewarm by now, but she didn’t care. She wasn’t there to drink or to party. A group nearby broke out in laughter. The sound of music and insistent chatter filled the bar.

It was getting late. Too late. Soon people would start to leave. Most of them in pairs. The thought made her feel even lonelier. It was her own fault.

Where was he?

Where?

Maybe he hadn’t come to Sweetwater this time. The thought made her heart clench. Made her eyes fill with tears. No! There was no way she was crying. She’d cried enough over the last month. The time had come for action.

“Hi, honey.” A big man sidled up to her.

“I’m not interested.” Her voice was flat.

“Leave her alone.” The guy who had spoken was huge. He had dark hair and even darker eyes.

“Mind your own—”

The big shifter growled deeply. “Fuck off!” he snarled.

The guy moved on.

The shifter approached her. He was frowning. “Are you okay?”

She felt her shoulders sag. A sigh left her. “No.” She shook her head. “Have you seen Winston? Do you know him?”

The big guy shook his head. “He’s not here. I’m not sure he even came through this time round. Look,” the shifter looked at her pointedly, “I wouldn’t worry about Winston. You do know that shifters rarely spend the night with a female more than once? You should not have developed feelings for him.”

“It’s not like that. He’s my friend.”

The guy grinned. “Yeah, right. You look lovesick. You scent lovesick. Winston is not on the list.”

“I need to see him,” Ana blurted. She had to see him. Had to speak to him.

The guy chuckled. “Not going to happen, female.” He began to walk away.

“Wait.” She gripped his elbow.

He turned. “What?” He licked his lips. “Want me to help you forget him?” It was weird because he didn’t look in the least bit interested in her.

“No!” That came out a bit more harshly than she had intended. “I, um … have you seen Kane?”

The guy frowned. “Kane? Why the hell do you need to speak to Kane?” He folded his arms. “I thought you wanted Winston.”

“No, there’s nothing between Kane and me. I need to ask him something, that’s all.” What was this guy’s problem?

The shifter relaxed. “Oh, so you admit you have the hots for Winston?”

Ana rolled her eyes. “Yes, okay? I have the hots for Winston. I happen to be in love with him. Now, will you please tell me where Kane is?”

“You’re too late, Kane already left.”

* * *

Ana was thankful that the guards at the hotel knew her. They knew of her friendship with Winston and had let her in, no problem. It gave her hope that Winston was there. She went straight to his room and knocked on the door. There was no answer. She tried a couple of more times before giving up. Then she went to the room that Kane had stayed in last time.

Her cheeks heated at the prospect of seeing the shifter. She was mortified. The guy had seen her in the throes of a really bad attack. He would think she was a looney tune and she couldn’t blame him.

Ana sucked in a deep breath. It didn’t matter. She needed to fix things. She knocked twice. There was no answer so she tried again. Just when she was about to leave, the door opened.

Ana tried not to stare. He held a shirt in front of his man-bits, otherwise he was completely naked. Come to think of it, he looked sweaty and his hair was mussed.

Kane grinned. “Hi … um … hi …” He’d forgotten her name. “Ana,” he blurted, obviously suddenly remembering. Then he frowned. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Sorry to bother you.” His room was dark. Someone rustled the sheets of his bed. Shit! Just as she had suspected, Kane wasn’t alone.

“No problem.” He smiled.

“Kane.” The woman in the room didn’t sound very happy. “Tell her to go away.”

Kane looked over his shoulder. “I’ll be back in a minute.” He locked eyes with her.

Ana had better make this quick. “Do you know where Winston is? I can’t find him.”

Kane frowned. “He didn’t come with us this time. A couple of us tried to change his mind but he wouldn’t budge.”

Crap, she could feel her eyes fill with tears. Ana blinked hard a couple of times to try to keep herself from crying. “Oh.” The word sounded choked. “Okay.” She nodded, trying to swallow down the lump that had formed in her throat.

“I’m sorry, female. I know that the two of you are … close.”

“Kane,” a soft purr, “I’m getting lonely.”

The big shifter rolled his eyes. “I need to go. Duty calls.” He chuckled.

“Oh … of course. I’m sorry I bothered you. One last thing—” she quickly blurted before he could close the door.

“Yes?” He raised his brows.

“Please tell Winston that I need to speak to him. It’s really important.”

“Sure.” Kane nodded. “I’ll tell him. Good night.”

“Good night,” she said as the door closed.