After catching a ride with Monica into town, Deacon met Garrett Justice at a little bar not too far from the Aspen Valley-Cross City border. Ever since that first night when Deacon had changed into his wolf form since coming back to Aspen Valley, all his wolf wanted to do was roam in wolf form. He didn't have to lug around bags of cash any longer, so he obliged the wolf.

"What's going on with the Pack down in Tunica?" Garrett asked, grabbing a handful of peanuts from the small bucket in the center of the table and shelling a few before throwing them in his mouth.

Garrett was one of the Alpha's older brothers. He acted as an Enforcer for the Pack, but word on the street was that Garrett also acted as the Beta.

"Nothing newsworthy," Deacon replied. "They call themselves the Wild Horseshoe Wolf Pack. They're not even as half as big as the Aspen Valley Pack. I think they like it that way."

"They certainly keep to themselves, but that's probably why they don't run into these crazy problems like the rest of us."

"The Alpha over Wild Horseshoe is nearly fifty years old. He's a no nonsense type of guy. Plus they thrive off the casino business rather than the real estate business," Deacon offered.

"Yeah. Real estate is Dane's thing. He says you've been going around the town paying folks back for all those debts your grandpa racked up."

Deacon nodded. "My family racked up the debt, and yes…I came back to pay them."

"Well, you don't owe the Magnus or Justice family any money. No grievances or hard feelings. Everything's good and we hope it stays that way."

"I didn't exactly leave the Pack on good terms. I'm not pledged and I want to be. I want to rejoin the Aspen Valley Wolf Pack."

Garrett leaned back in his chair, assessing Deacon carefully from across the table.

"You're not bringing any heat with you, are you?"

"No, of course not. I have a record here though—a long list of misdemeanors and arrests from my younger days, but I stayed out of trouble when I left Aspen Valley. I did, however, get into an altercation Friday night with a guy."

"Judge Evan Marshal II's son, Evan III?"

Deacon sat up straight and frowned. "How…?"

"We may be a big community, but word gets around fast. That kid has become a nutcase. I'm embarrassed for Judge Marshal. He's set to step down this year and I'm almost certain he's trying to pave the way for his son somehow. Looks like Evan III has other plans though."

"I wanted his hands off my mate, so I threw his ass across the club."

"Yeah, trust me, I get it. You don't need to explain yourself, bro," Garrett said. "About rejoining us, we still hold initiation meetings every full moon. Do you know where the old Justice family home used to be?"

"Yes, it's not too far from where I'm staying."

"Dane wants you to be there when the time comes." Garrett held out his hand and they shook on their agreement. "Welcome back to the Pack, Remy," he said. "You're already making a new name for yourself and that's all that matters."

Deacon smiled, happy that he'd gone ahead with the meeting in the first place. Neither the Alpha nor his brother had cast stones at him. That was a huge relief.

"Also, Remy, if you've got time, will you do me a favor?" Garrett asked.

"Anything…" He was kind of flattered that someone of Garrett's stature was asking him a favor.

"I'm in the market for a new ride. An SUV. Something used. My mate, Autumn, will be driving back and forth with our baby between the new diner and home and all that. I'm buying local, but I was wondering if you can look under the hood before I lay down the cash. I know you've got an eye for that stuff and I could really use some help."

"Yeah. I'll do it. You can give me a ring anytime. Or you can just stop by my rental. Right now I'm staying on the Landers property in one of the bunkhouses."

"I'll do that. I appreciate that. You still got that repair shop up there?"

"Yeah, actually I held onto it but I'm not in business at the moment. The shops a mess." He paused momentarily and then said, "Give me about six months and I should be up and running again."

"I'll hold you to it. Another beer?"

They talked for another half hour until Garrett finally mentioned that his mate, Autumn, was expecting him for dinner. Talks of mates and wives made Deacon realize that he wanted that. He would give anything to go home to Monica's smile every evening. One day, if he worked hard enough, he'd have Monica, the farm he'd always dreamed about buying, and a home big enough to make her happy. He wanted to hear her voice again, but he figured she'd be getting ready for bed since she had to be at work early the next morning. He hoped that he hadn't taken too much of her energy, but last night and earlier this morning, he couldn't help himself. He couldn't get enough of her. Even now, he still wanted her. He didn't know if he'd be able to make it to Friday when she planned to spend the entire weekend with him. But he'd just have to.

After saying goodbye to Garrett, Deacon decided that he'd take a shortcut through Aspen Valley to get back to the mountains. The terrain was harsh for a man, but as a wolf, he could navigate it quicker than taking the normal route.

What Deacon didn't expect was to be pursued by two madmen with hunting rifles. When active shots rang out in the air, one bullet flew past his ear and the other hit him square in the shoulder. Fire burned down his legs and a sick feeling churned in his gut. The never-ending pain wretched through him, and he knew he was a dead wolf.

All he could think about was Monica. If he died out here all alone in his wolf form, she'd never forgive him for leaving, even in death. He couldn't die now. He wanted to keep his promise to her. A promise to never leave her. He didn't want to die a rogue. He wanted to live a happy life with his mate.

But he was in so much pain. He could smell his own blood as it ran down his left shoulder and down his front leg. Yet, he urged his wolf to keep moving, to keep going. His human conscious and wolf mind were confused. All he could do was put one foot in front of the other. By sight and scent, he escaped the gunmen. Thank God, they'd lost track of him.

With what he calculated to be only an ounce of willpower left within him, his wolf scaled the seven foot fence to reach what he knew to be the Collins mansion. He dragged himself in wolf form up the steps and tried to shift so he could ring the doorbell. It was a lost cause. He was too weak. He used his paws—or maybe it was his hands—to claw at the front door. He must have clawed the door for hours, it seemed.

The door opened, and he found some strength to rise on all fours, but he didn't expect to see Dr. Collins staring down at him in hospital scrubs, horrified.

Deacon's wolf body convulsed uncontrollably and transformed into human form. He couldn't stop himself from shifting in front of Monica's dad, even if he wanted to. It was the most painful shift of his entire life.

"What the…?" Dr. Collins looked on in disbelief. "Son, are you alright?"

Deacon swayed. His visions became hazy. He thought he saw someone reaching out for him.

"Dr. Collins…" he panted. "Will you…tell…"

Dr. Collins was asking him what had happened.

"Tell Monica…I tried to…I want what's…best for her. I didn't want to leave her. I'm sorry."

"Remy, is that you?"

Deacon's head was so heavy all he could managed was a single nod before his knees buckled under him, causing him to slump on the doorstep.

"No, no…Stay with me…"

A man was dragging him from the dark and into the light. His scent was strange, but familiar. Almost like Monica. Not quite Monica.

"Monica…" Deacon rasped.

"Stay with me, okay? You're gonna be okay. I'm a doctor, remember? I'll help you."

He must have been fading in and out of consciousness. He couldn't make heads out of tails. The man was tending to his wounds. Pain shot through his body when the bullet lodged in his shoulder came out. The man had plucked it out. Deacon smelled blood again. Lots of it this time. Alcohol was poured over the bullet wound, shocking the fuck out of him. More pain. Immense pressure was applied to the source of his pain.

"Goddammit, stay awake!"

"Monica…"

That was the last thing Deacon said before he passed out cold on the floor in Dr. Collin's foyer.