Chapter One

Fear was a constant companion to a shifter like Silver Murdock.

It shouldn't even be in her vocabulary—fear—because of what her inner animal was capable of, and yet it was a daily sensation that filled her chest, and drew her fine hairs to attention on the back of her neck.

Once upon a time, she'd been a badass lioness and high-ranking in her Pride, but now?

So many things had changed.

The phone rang again, and she looked at the source of her chills. The caller ID said exactly what she'd known it would say. Rook Holland.

He was the King of the biggest lion shifter Pride in the world.

He was the one the lions looked to for leadership.

He was the one she'd been promised to.

He was the one who had dragged out the worst in her.

He was the one who controlled her entire life now.

Silver blew out a steadying breath, and answered his call. "Hello?"

"Are you there yet?"

She squinted at the Moosey's BBQ sign and at the droves of people filing in and out of the entry door under the Grand Opening sign.

"Yeah, I'm here. Just arrived a few minutes ago."

"Do you have eyes on him yet?"

She wiped her sweaty palm on the denim fabric of her jeans. "Are there any Fastlanders that are less dominant than Captain?"

"Captain is the mark."

"Okay, but I just don't understand why you want me to target a grizzly shifter, because—"

"Silver!" he snapped, his volume making her wince in the seat of her car. "Stop asking stupid questions. That's what landed you here in the first place. Remember? You questioned everything, and then you ran away, and then you were shunned? If you want a place in the Pride again, you will do your fucking job. Captain is the mark, get as much information as you can, I want to have a profile of everyone in Ace's Crew by the end of the week."

"They aren't just going to let me—"

"You're good at seducing men, aren't you?" he snarled low.

Chills, chills, chills.

And you're good at seducing women, aren't you? The retort sat there on the tip of her tongue. As much as he had desensitized her to poor treatment, she still had moments of defiance, and that was the real reason she was here. She was too defiant.

"Say yes sir," he gritted out.

It was a lash on her soul to say it, but she didn't have much pride left. The faster she did what he said, the faster he would want off the phone. "Yes sir," she said robotically.

"It's so hard to be attracted to you now," he said.

Silver closed her eyes against what he would say next. He always did this. Gotta break her down until she didn't want to fight anymore, right?

"I can sense the weakness in you," he told her. "This will fix parts of it for me. If you are successful, I will see some value in you again. Maybe someday you can earn your place back with me. Maybe someday I'll want to fuck you again."

"Why me?" she murmured softly.

"Why you for the job? Or why do I want you after everything you've done to me?"

"The job." The answer to the other was ‘control.' She'd learned that months ago.

"Because you can hide what you are so damn well now, Silver. That's a good trick. And you came in long after Ace and his father left the Pride. He won't know you. You're unregistered. All you have to do is play innocent, and you're the best at playing innocent, aren't you, Silver?"

She bit the corner of her lip and watched a tall man built like a brick house duck under the Grand Opening sign.

"Say yes sir again," he ground out.

"Yes sir," she said automatically.

"Good. Now go shove your tits in Captain's face. It's your talent. Just need you around the Crew for a couple of weeks, and feed me the information I need, and then you can come home to a hero's welcome. The shun will be lifted if you do well enough. This is your chance, Silver."

"My chance," she repeated softly.

"Your chance to prove you are no longer a traitor."

The line clicked and went blank, and she poked the icon that opened the tracking application on her phone. Rook was still in Pride territory. He could see her whereabouts too, so she didn't really know why he had asked if she was here yet. He had an eye on everything she did. She liked to check the tracking application to make sure he was far away from here still.

Okay, this was her chance. Maybe if she did this, people in the Pride would start talking to her again. Maybe she could eat with the others. Maybe people would hug her and settle the loneliness her animal had been struggling with.

Rook was right. This was her chance.

Silver flipped down the visor mirror and checked her make-up, careful to not look at the big scar down the side of her face that announced to the world that she had betrayed her people.

That scar was her biggest shame.

Silver cut the engine, pushed the door open and clutched her purse closer to her side as she strode across the freshly laid gravel of the parking lot.

Moosey's BBQ was a restaurant and gas station combination. Ace Holland, the true King of the Holland Pride, would be working on the gas station side, but he wasn't the reason she was here. She wasn't here to kill him. That time had not come. The Pride would exact their revenge on him eventually. She was here to do recon on his entire Crew, because to a King like Rook, it wasn't enough to kill for vengeance. He would make Ace watch everyone he loved die first.

Captain Walker was the brother of the Alpha of the Fastlanders, and a grizzly shifter. She had studied his online shifter registration, and gathered as much on him as she could. Grizzlies were intimidating for a couple of reasons. One, their animals were enormous and the aggression went to a level-ten as soon as they shifted. Two, most of them lacked the control of a lion shifter. Volatile shifters were just a dangerous beast to mess with, and here she was, on her way to grab one's attention.

Captain was the pit-master for the barbecue side of this new business.

She hated the way her hands shook as she reached for the door handle. She'd heard so many stories of the shifters of Damon's Mountains, and none of them encouraged trying to bring down one of them. Getting the attention of the Blue Dragon, Damon Daye, who protected these Crews was a horrible idea, so she would need to be very careful here.

Inside of Moosey's, she looked around, taking in her surroundings, making notes of all the exits.

The garage hangers were open, because it was a warm day, if a little cloudy. There were rows of picnic tables covered in checkered red and white table cloths. There was indoor seating, with an exit to a porch off the side of the building. Her stomach growled at the delicious scent of barbecue smoke, pork ribs, brisket, and buttered corn. The place was crowded, and she pushed up on her toes to see around the line of people that stood in front of a counter.

There were two women working at the cash registers, and a couple of men filling orders and stacking trays of barbecue next to the registers as the women entered in the orders. Farther in the back, a giant barbecue smoker was open but she couldn't see anyone there. Perhaps Captain was taking a break.

Silver had that spine-tingling feeling that someone was watching her, so she lowered back down off her tiptoes and glanced around, sure to keep her face soft and friendly.

There was a picnic table of people over in the corner and one of the women's bright green eyes were on her, but she was in the middle of talking to the person across from her, and she didn't seem to have her attention focused on Silver.

The woman looked back at her friend and belted out one of those throw-your-head-back laughs, and Silver found herself watching so intently. People really laughed like that—like they had no worries in the world.

How strange.

Her stomach growled again. Might as well get some food and check this place out while Captain was on his break, or whatever he was doing. What if he wasn't working today?

No, that wouldn't make sense. It was the first week of Moosey's being open, and the Fastlanders had a big hand in the business. He was the pitmaster. Even if they were training new hires, the pitmaster wouldn't miss the first week, surely.

She meandered to the back of the line, and gave a tight-lipped smile to a man who stood in front of her. He smiled back. Silver dropped her gaze and then pulled her phone out, just to avoid conversation.

"That's a shy-girl move," the man said.

"What?" she asked.

He pointed to the phone. "Are you addicted to your phone?"

"No," she uttered defensively, and put it back into her purse. "I'm just not…forget it."

"Now I'm curious. You're not what?"

Silver took a good look at him, and when she scented the air, she smelled like animal. Either he lived with animals in a barn, or he was a shifter. She was guessing he was the latter. He looked a little familiar too, which made her feel even more unsettled. He had blond hair that looked like he was one of those guys who spent time fixing it in the morning. He had blue eyes, and wore an easy, unassuming smile. Chiseled jawline, nose that had clearly been broken a time or two, and he felt heavy as if he was dominant. His hands were shoved deep into his pockets, and his arm muscles filled out the white, beer-logo t-shirt he wore. He was tan, like he spent a lot of time outdoors, which made sense because…shifter.

"I'm not good in crowds," she uttered honestly, now that she knew he was a shifter who would be able to sense a lie.

He lifted his chin higher into the air and nodded slightly. "That's fair. Well, you won't find any trouble in here. I've been here three times this week and it's all good mojo. People come here to hang out, fill their bellies, and leave with a smile. That's all.

She nodded, unsure of how to respond. He seemed to be comforting her? For what though? She was fine.

Silver fought the urge to pull her phone out and scroll through mindless stuff just to pass the time. Maybe this stranger was right. Perhaps she was addicted to the phone. No, not the phone, but the escape from real life that her phone could provide.

She left it right where it was in her purse, and stepped forward behind the man. She could do this—practice being social.

"It's risky," she said awkwardly, leaning forward slightly so he would know she was talking to him.

"What is?" he asked.

"Wearing a white t-shirt to eat barbecue in."

He looked down at his chest and let off a laugh. "You're right. This thing doesn't stand a chance. I eat like an animal."

She was out of practice, so she hesitated on the response and he turned back around in line just as she parted her lips to say something. God, she was so bad at this. Captain would never be interested in talking to her.

She cleared her throat softly, "I hear there are a lot of shifters around here," she said as nonchalantly as she could.

The man's shoulders tensed, but only for a moment. He turned to her and looked her up and down. He sniffed the air, but he wouldn't be able to tell. Rook had been right. This was what she was good at. She'd been treated just badly enough to be able to turn her shifter side off like a light switch.

"Are you a shifter-groupie?" he asked.

Be honest. "I do research on them."

"Reporter?"

She shrugged and shook her head. "Nothing like that. Just curious about some of them."

He was watching her face like a hawk, but he wouldn't hear a lie in her answer. He turned and moved up in line, and got quiet.

Crap. She'd pushed too far, too fast.

This is your chance.

She pulled a small notepad out of her purse and tapped him on the shoulder, and when he turned around, she showed it to him. "I'm visiting. It would be interesting to get some autographs."

"Shifter autographs?" he asked.

She nodded. "I even bought this dumb little pen," she said, pulling it from her purse. "It has a little bear as an eraser. I thought it would be funny. To bears. I guess." Geez, she was so awkward!

"Is that why you're visiting here?"

"Sure. That and I needed to get away." Truth.

"Are you staying near here?"

"Mmm hmm, I rented a cabin just up the way. I'm excited to do some exploring." She hadn't thought that part through before she blabbed it, but she was surprised at the pure honesty in the admission. She was a little excited.

"There's a couple river spots that are worth a trip," he said. "They have waterfalls, and you'll probably see some shifters along the way if you decide to float the river."

"Float the river? What does that mean?"

"Write down a name in your notebook."

She rested the tip of her pen to the first page of her little notepad. "I'm ready."

"Dart's Float Floats. You can find it in your maps. They rent the innertubes out and take you upriver in a van to a drop off point, then you just float the river back down to Dart's. If you want to see pretty scenery, it's the right season for that. There are a bunch of beach spots and you'll probably see some shifters hanging there. Also, there's a rodeo happening this week, and there are some bull shifters registered to be bucking. Tickets are cheap. Twenty bucks a ticket, and cash for beer and corn dogs will give you a fun night. You'll definitely see some shifters there."

"Thank you," she said softly. She lifted the notepad in the air. "I'll check into those."

He nodded and turned back around as the woman behind an open cash register called out, "Next."

And that was that. Silver watched him walk over to the register, lean on the counter, and talk with ease to the lady who wore a big smile like she knew him.

From here, she could see his muscular back through the thin T-shirt. He was hot. His charisma and charm were a breath of fresh air.

Distracted with watching him, she missed the other woman calling, "Next," the first time, clearly, because the man behind her tapped her shoulder and pointed to the open one with the cashier waving to her.

Embarrassed, Silver scurried over there and realized she had looked at the menu exactly zero times.

"Umm, what do you recommend for an out-of-towner?"

"First time here?" the lady said in a friendly manner.

"Give her the sampler," the guy from the line called over to them. "Pork ribs, chopped brisket, give her a side of Texas Toast and pickles, and a side of the barbecue sauce sampler too. Creamed corn, and that jalape?o mac and cheese for her sides."

The cashier arched her eyebrows at him and then dragged her gaze to Silver. "It would be the best way to try a lot of things. Would you like the sampler?"

"Yes, but can I add cornbread and a baked potato too? Loaded and maybe with some brisket in the potato? Extra cheese?"

"Yes, girl," the woman said with a grin as she entered her order.

"And she eats," the man said.

Oh shit. That was a huge order for a human. "I'll take leftovers back to my cabin if I have them," she rushed out.

"You won't have any," the guy assured her, and then stepped over to her and slid his credit card into the machine before she could get her cash out.

"Oh, you don't have to do that!" she said.

"Too late. Hey, Captain?" he called. "Give this nice lady the ribs that just came off the smoker."

A giant appeared around the corner with foiled slabs of meat stacked in his muscular arms. His eyes landed on her, and she froze. He looked her up and down, and said, "If it was just for you, I'd tell you to fuck off, but since it's for a lady, I'll hook you up."

"Do you…do you know each other?" she asked.

"Hate each other," Captain clarified over his shoulder as he unwrapped what looked like a fresh steaming brisket. He pulled a huge knife from a block and began expertly cutting it up.

Two other men were bustling around, gathering the food that was on her ticket, and stacking it all on a red tray on the counter beside Hallie.

The tray was filled fast, and Captain, true to his word, cut up fresh ribs and added them to the pile.

"Thank you very much," she called to Captain quickly as he turned to leave.

He hesitated and cocked his head at her, then glanced at the other guy, who was having his tray filled as well.

"Are you with him?" Captain asked.

"I met him in line."

He glanced at the other guy again, then back. "So, you're single?"

"Uhhh." Right, this was why she was here. Captain was her ticket into the Fastlanders. He was single and from the research Rook had done, he dated around a lot. "I'm not with anyone," she said. Not technically, and not anymore. Her rank in the Pride had been stripped from her.

"Sounds complicated. What's your number?" Captain asked, oozing with the confidence of a man who often got his way.

"Dude," the other guy said, his eyes flashing a brighter blue at Captain.

"Want to fight?" Captain asked, and why did he sound so hopeful?

Oh no, this was not part of the plan. "I should be going. I'm sorry if I've caused any tension," she murmured, grasping her tray, and turning to leave.

This is your chance.

She closed her eyes tightly, and then turned back around, and recited her phone number. "My name is Silver," she offered.

Captain's grin grew bigger and bigger, and then he nodded. "I'll text you after I'm off work tonight, Silver."

The blond guy was walking off in the opposite direction as her now, shaking his head.

She felt so grimy, but she couldn't understand why. She was here for a job. No more, no less.

Captain was the job, and now he had her number. Oh, he didn't need to write it down. He would remember it. Shifters remembered a helluva lot, and easily.

Still, she couldn't shake that unsettled feeling. That man had bought her dinner and been kind to her in line, and she felt like she'd done something to cause some tension between him and Captain that she didn't understand.

The inside dining tables were full, so she meandered out to the side porch, and for a moment was stunned as she took it in. It was covered by a dark-wood roof, with exposed rafters and strands of lights hanging everywhere. Only a few tables were occupied out here, so she picked one on the very edge, where she could still see Captain working through the open doors.

The food was absolutely delicious. She couldn't believe how tender all the meat was, and the jalape?o mac and cheese was possibly the best thing she'd ever put into her mouth. The baked potato was savory and buttery, and had a cheese-pull under that freshly chopped brisket that made her wish this meal would never end.

She lost track of watching Captain, and was startled out of her food trance by her phone vibrating in her purse with a text.

She checked it and her heart sank as she saw who it was. Rook had messaged, Have you met him yet?

She inhaled deeply and texted back, Just did. Send.

She put her phone away and looked up to see if Captain was still by the indoor smokers, but the other man was sitting directly in front of her, at her table, watching her.

She startled hard. "What the hell," she whispered, stifling the growl in her throat. Her lioness hadn't even sensed his approach.

"Jumpy little thing, aren't you?" he asked.

"Where's…" She blew out a breath and tried to calm down. "Where's your food?"

"I ate it already. I made it to the parking lot before I realized I forgot something."

"Oh, you want me to pay you back? I have cash."

"What? No. Why would I want you to pay me back?"

"I don't know. Because men keep tabs?"

"Whoa," he drawled out, leaning back on the bench seat like she'd taken a swing at him. "I don't know what kind of men you've been around, but no. A man isn't supposed to keep tabs. Can I see your notepad?"

"Oh. Uh, sure." Silver dug into her oversize purse and pulled it out.

"Pen too," he said, holding his hand out, palm up.

She placed them both in his hand, and then watched in confusion as he turned to the second page and scribbled onto it.

Was he giving her his number now?

He closed it and set it in front of her, and stood. "Captain is right. You are interesting. Float the river while you're here. Trust me, you'll like it."

"I will," she uttered softly as she watched him walk away.

He was tall and very handsome, and had an easy way that had her heartrate settling already. When he disappeared around the corner, Silver pulled the notebook toward her and opened it to the second page.

Owen Carson

Fastlanders

She jerked her gaze back to where he'd disappeared. Holy crap. He was one of the Fastlanders. He was Owen, the boar shifter. She hadn't recognized him from the picture on his registration, because his hair had been buzzed short in it, and the picture had been extremely grainy.

A breath huffed out of her lungs, and she stood, and jogged to the corner of the porch and looked out at the parking lot to try and flag him down, but there was a white pickup truck speeding out of the parking lot, trailing dust behind it.

She'd missed him.

He'd signed her notebook. He'd given her a shifter autograph, like she'd told him she was interested in.

She could've been eating with him and gathering information about his life, but she hadn't known!

This is your chance.

She walked back to her tray of mostly-eaten food shaking her head. That hadn't taken long. She'd met two of the Fastlanders already.

And now she would have to wait and see if Captain messaged her like he said he would, and pretend she didn't wish it was Owen Carson of the Fastlanders messaging her instead.

The nice man who bought her dinner and didn't keep tabs.

He'd said she was interesting, but she really wasn't.

He was.