The first half of the day flew by quickly for Monica, but that was the norm. She loved her job as a pediatric nurse. Just like her mom, she'd always had a passion to care for and work with kids. Seeing her patients when they were just newborns and watching them transform into toddlers was the best part of her life right now. She could always depend on a child to put a smile on her face. One day, she planned to have three or four of her own either by birth or adoption. In fact, Monica couldn't wait to start her life and do just that, but she also knew that rushing into marriage with a man she didn't love wouldn't be in her best interest, nor her future children's interests. With Evan out of her life, she was back at square one. But that was okay for now. One thing her past experiences had taught her was to recognize the things in life that weren't necessarily good for her.

When lunch rolled around, the break room was empty, except for Linda, the office receptionist. Linda was an intern who worked the morning shift and attended night classes at the local community college. She was also not a human, but no one could tell that about her from looking. Or at least Monica couldn't; Linda had offered that fact way before her first day on the job. Linda's shifter gene didn't change that she was a wonderful person all around.

"Hi Linda," Monica greeted, going over to the refrigerator and pulling out her lunch bag.

"Hi." Linda smiled and slid her tablet over to the side to make room for Monica at the table. "You're eating lunch early today, and I didn't see you at our staff meeting this morning."

Monica pulled out a chair and sat down. "Long night last night. My car broke down on the side of the road in the middle of that thunderstorm."

"Oh no. Can it be repaired?"

Monica shrugged. "I hope so. I had to call a driver to get me to work which is why I was late this morning for our meeting."

Linda frowned. "Ugh. I keep forgetting that you don't live near one of the bus stops. I don't know how I'd fight with the traffic if I had to drive around this town all day."

"Must be nice." Monica unwrapped her sandwich and took a bite. "Finding a place on the bus route will be my first priority when I look for an apartment next week."

Linda rolled her eyes and then said, “Things are getting so expensive around here. I’ve been trying to find a unit since last month. I found something affordable at the Westgate Apartment communities over the weekend. I had my deposit all ready to go down there and was ready to sign on the dotted line, and then I heard about how a murderer broke into that poor reporter's apartment and threatened to kill her. I think her name's Cassie Grey. Did you hear about that?"

Monica frowned. "I didn't hear about that at all. Aspen Valley is usually safe. When did this happen?"

"Safe on your side of town maybe, but there have been some strange things going on lately." She slid the tablet back across the table so that Monica could skim the story.

While stuffing her face with her sub sandwich, Monica read the story. "Oh my God. That's terrible."

"Yes," Linda agreed. "The reporter was doing research on the shifter murders when she received the death threat. I can't sign a contract there now knowing that those murderers are close by. I might as well continue staying with my aunt."

"I'm sorry, Linda. I wish it was safer. Since we're both looking, I'll let you know if I see anything on my search."

"I can't afford what you can," she mumbled.

"This girl's on a budget too," Monica told her. "I'm not looking for anything fancy. Just a good starter place. When my boyfriend and I split up, I moved out. We had a large three bedroom condo, but I don't think I ever want anything that big again. It was pretty much a waste of money."

"Well, at least you've got it made. Girls like me have to struggle a bit before we can crawl, let alone walk."

Monica sighed and put her sandwich back on the wrapper. "It's not always what it seems. I don't necessarily have everything I could ever want either. Money can't buy everything."

Linda frowned. "Are you still bummed about your split with your boyfriend?"

"Absolutely not. I'm so over that. I wanted to ask you something…" She tried to fight the urge to ask Linda about something that had been on her conscious the whole morning, but her willpower to find Deacon again was stronger.

"Oh oh. You've got that strange look on your face."

"It's nothing bad. It's just something that's been bugging me all day."

"Okay…what is it?"

"I met a guy yesterday on the side of the road."

Linda scrunched up her nose. "On the side of the road?"

"Well, yes. He's the one who found me broken down and stranded. Refused to leave me out in the storm by myself and then gave me a ride home. I never got the chance to thank him properly and I really want to do that. I was wondering if you could help me out."

Linda looked down at the table. "I don't know. Shifters from other Packs cross through here all the time. I probably don't even know him."

"He said he was raised here. I heard that members of a shifter pack are really close. Like family. Would you know if I gave you his last name?"

"I might."

"It's Remy."

"Remy…" She wrung her hands together on her lap. "There aren't any Remys in Aspen Valley anymore."

"He said he was visiting friends. His name is Deacon."

"Deacon Remy…" Linda whispered, her gaze shifting left and right in active thought.

"Do you know him?" Monica urged.

"I know of him," she confirmed.

"Please…what do you know of him?"

"He's a rogue," she stated.

Monica shook her head. "Rogue?"

"Yes, a rogue. He separated from the Pack on bad terms. Right before our current Alpha was named. Look, I don't really know anything other than that." Linda began stuffing uneaten lunch items back into her sack. "Like you said, he's probably just visiting. Solitary wolves rarely stick around that long. That's why we call them rogues…because they float about."

Monica placed her hand on Linda's forearm. "Is there anything else you can tell me about where he might be? I feel so bad about not thanking him and something happened that I need to apologize for."

Linda swallowed visibly and her nose flared as if she were trying to decipher Monica's scent. It was said that shifters could tell when someone was lying. At that moment, Monica was grateful Linda had that edge over her. That way Linda could tell that she was sincere and meant well about wanting to reconnect with Deacon.

"The Remys used to own a farm out over on the east side of town. His grandpa lost it because of debt. He was a gambler or something. I don't know." Linda shrugged. "After that, Deacon and his grandpa were homeless and living out of an auto body shop somewhere up near the mountains. I remember because that's where my papa got his truck fixed. Deacon used to work on cars out there during the day and then at night as a bouncer for LIVE nightclub. He went rogue and disappeared after his grandpa died."

"LIVE nightclub? I've heard of that club from somewhere." Monica tried to refresh her memory to find out why the name sounded so familiar.

"Yes, LIVE. It's where all the parties are happening. Shifters and humans blend and mingle for a good time. I'm surprised you haven't heard about it. That's the other big controversy everyone's talking about." Linda rolled her eyes. "My older sister worked as a server there with Deacon before she earned enough to move out to New York. She made a lot of money there in tips. I've been tempted to follow in her footsteps for the money, but I don't think I can work in an environment like that."

"So Deacon used to work at LIVE nightclub and also at this auto body shop somewhere up near the mountains?"

Linda nodded. "The shop is still there, but it's been deserted for over a year. I think at one point the County tried to claim using eminent domain laws, but then that attempt got shot down real quick after our new Alpha got involved. That's really the only thing Deacon left behind in Aspen Valley that was truly his. Like I said, there aren't anymore Remys here in Tellevue County."

"This has helped me out a lot," Monica said.

"You're not super infatuated with him or anything, right?" Linda giggled.

Monica shifted uncomfortably in her chair. "Of course not. I think that I really owe him a favor. I guess I'll have to Google the auto body shop to find him."

"I didn't think so. You don't seem like the type to throw yourself at all these rich single men around here either.”

"Nope. You couldn't pay me to throw myself at any of them."

They shared a laughed and then Linda said, "The Remy Shop isn't on a map, but shouldn't be too difficult to find. You'll take County Line Road out of the town. You'll drive a good thirty minutes until you pass through the valleys. And then you'll see the mountains. You'll take the road that leads you to the mountains. Pat's Grocery and Eatery is just off of the main highway right before the split. It's a pitstop, so anyone who works in the market can direct you to the shop." Linda shrugged. "They'll probably get suspicious and might not direct you at all. You're better off not going alone. Like I mentioned earlier, rogues don't stick around."

"Well, he mentioned he'll be in town for a couple weeks, so I'll take my chances," Monica said.