by Vella Day
From the outside, it looked to be in good shape and was actually better than she’d expected. Apparently, the name McKinnon was well-known in the shifter community, since Rye McKinnon was the Alpha. His father before him had been one too.
A twinge of jealousy surfaced. Because there were so few white tigers in the world, she’d never even met her Alpha—assuming there was one for her Clan. Being surrounded by those like her would have been so comforting.
Move on. You can’t change your identity, her tiger said with a lot of distain.
Sheesh. Can’t a girl feel sorry for herself? she retorted.
No.
It was times like these that she wondered if the cons outweighed the pros of being a shifter, especially with an animal who was so opinionated. Not wanting to be late for her lunch date, she dashed inside. It was rather dark and took a moment for her eyes to adjust, despite her shifter ability. A long bar with a huge mirror above it sat opposite the entrance, and peanut shells littered the floor. She spotted another room straight off to the left that held pool tables. Nice. She might have to come here to practice.
A flash of Kelly green caught her attention, and Jillian twisted to her right. A rather short pregnant woman eased out of a booth at the far end of the bar and stood. Given she had long dark hair, Jillian bet that was Elana.
Smiling, Jillian headed toward her. The pregnant woman’s shifter signature was apparent, as were many others in the building. Hell, the whole place seemed to be swarming with them, and Jillian’s blood pressure immediately dropped. She’d never been surrounded by so many before, and it gave her a sense of family.
She might not have been this comfortable had Dalton not mentioned that except for one group of mutated shifters called Changelings, the Weres in Silver Lake were awesome.
When she reached the back booth, she held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Jillian.”
The young woman smiled and shook hers. “I’m Elana, Kalan’s…ah mate.” She whispered the last two words. There were some non-shifters in the bar, so she was smart to keep her voice low.
They both sat down. Seconds later, a waitress came over with a menu and handed it to Jillian. Not wanting to be rude, she offered hers to Elana. “You want to look first?”
Elana chuckled. “That’s not necessary. I always have the same thing.”
Normally, Jillian wasn’t picky about what she ate, but today she had been craving meat. “I’ll have a classic burger, medium rare, and an unsweetened iced tea.”
“You got it,” her server responded.
Elana readjusted herself in the seat. “Kalan told me what happened to your friend. I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine what you’re going through.” She visibly shook.
“Thank you. I still can’t believe it. Dalia and I roomed together in college. When I spoke with her parents, their grief made the horror all too real again.”
Her brows furrowed, and Elana seemed to think about Jillian’s situation. “Kalan mentioned you might know who did this and that he might come after you.” Jillian appreciated her concern. Kalan must have mentioned his offer for her to stay with Elana and why Dalton thought it was a bad idea.
“Yes, and I don’t know what I’m going to do. It’s not like I can rush back to California. I’d be looking over my shoulder twenty-four seven.”
“So what will you do?”
“I’ll hang around here for a while. Having my brother and your mate close by brings me a sense of security I’d never have in California.”
She nodded. “Can you get a job here?”
“I’ll have to check if Tennessee honors my license, but even if they do, I want to return to California eventually. I have some savings, but I fear if I withdraw anything from my bank in California that cop will find me.”
Elana hissed. “I know what it’s like to have a target on your back.” She explained about her parents being killed over a piece of stone. “When the Changelings thought I had what they wanted—which I did—they came after me. I was never so scared in my life. Fortunately, Kalan was assigned to protect me.” Her face glowed when she said his name.
“At least something good came of the tragedy.”
Elana smiled. “Totally true. I was this innocent human girl before I met Kalan, despite having had this mad crush on him for years. I sure did learn a lot in a short period of time.”
“Did it come as a shock to learn about our kind?”
She shook her head. “My best friend, Izzy, who’s mated to our Alpha, was a Wendayan. She told me all about shifters, but never let on that Kalan was one.”
Hearing the name Wendayan bolstered her spirits. “My mom is Wendayan, which in turn, makes me one too.”
“Really?” Elana looked like a kid in a candy store. “What can you do?”
She saw no reason to hide her talent from her. “I can move fast, whether I’m in my shifted or human form.”
“Fast, as in fast like an Olympic runner?”
Jillian leaned forward. “More like a speeding bullet fast.”
Her mouth dropped open. “That’s really cool. Even Izzy can’t do that, but she can control fire, wind, water, and earth. That’s even after her powers were cut in half when she mated with Rye.”
Jillian had never been around anyone that powerful before. “I’d love to meet her.”
“You can. Tomorrow, another Wendayan friend of mine Teagan Pompley is throwing a welcome home party for her brother who just retired from the military. You should come and meet her and the other Wendayans. The shifters are pretty cool too.”
Jillian was tempted. “I don’t want to party crash.”
Elana waved a hand. “Nonsense. Teagan would love to meet another one of her kind.”
“Is Dalton going?” She should know as he was her brother, but he hadn’t mentioned anything to her.
Her new friend looked off to the side. “I don’t think so. He’s not exactly open about being a shifter.”
That was sad to hear. Ten bucks it was because he still thought of himself as an outsider. “I’ll have to work on him.”
“Please do. Kalan has always known your brother was a shifter, but your brother has always avoided talking about what he was. It wasn’t until a newcomer—Ainsley Chancellor, who is part Wendayan and part wolf—told Kalan that Dalton was a white tiger shifter.”
So the secret was out. She wondered if her brother knew. “Does that bother anyone?”
Elana’s brows pinched. “Why would it?”
“Because we’re different?”
She reached out and clasped Jillian’s hand. “Absolutely not. I think the more diversity we have in Silver Lake the better.”
“That’s good to hear.” Maybe coming to Silver Lake had been a good thing for more than one reason.
Chapter Four
‡
Jillian tried on, and then discarded, almost every outfit she’d brought with her. Why she’d packed such dressy attire, she didn’t know. This was rural Tennessee, not the elite Los Angeles crowd she was used to. Elana said the party was casual, yet for some reason, Jillian wanted to impress those who were there.
That’s stupid, her tiger said in a tone that implied Jillian was being shallow.
You’re right, her human half said. I need to be myself. Only how?
Her tiger refused to answer. Now she shuts up? Sheesh.
In reality, it didn’t matter what anyone thought of her. Unless Dalton figured out a way for her to access her bank account, she’d be returning to California just as soon as her funds ran out.
To her surprise, her stomach clenched at the thought of leaving. In the few days she’d been in Silver Lake, she’d only met Kalan and Elana, but they were two of the most kind, sincere, and generous people she had ever met, and they made her feel at home. Who would have guessed?
Perhaps her dismay stemmed from the fact she’d be leaving Dalton too. Jillian let out a big sigh, disgusted at how wishy-washy she was. One minute she would pretend she’d be returning to LA
and pick up where she had left off, and the next she wanted to stay here and embrace them all.
In the end, Jillian tossed on a pair of jeans and a neon blue sweater. Because she looked washed out, she dabbed on some blush and let her long wavy hair do whatever it wanted since she didn’t have the energy to fuss with it. In LA, her firm expected her to use her looks to sway jurors, which meant smoldering eyeliner and full red lips. From the little interaction she’d had with Dalton’s friends, those tactics wouldn’t work here.
Her cell rang, and she jumped. Not only had she returned her car, Dalton had insisted she use a burner phone. She rushed to the living room where she’d tossed her purse and located the new cell. It was Dalton, of course, since he was the only one with her number. “What’s up?”
“I caught a case and won’t be able to make it to Teagan’s party tonight.” He had said he’d try, which she considered a victory.
“That sucks.” She couldn’t tell if that was the truth, but if he didn’t want to go to the party with her, she didn’t need to pressure him. “If you finish up early, stop by. The only people I’ll know are Elana and Kalan.”
“You’ll do fine. Just make sure to check your rear view mirror on the drive over.”
“Way to ruin my day.”
“Sorry. I can’t help it. You’re my sister, and I would blame myself for the rest of my life if anything happened to you.”
Was he sweet or what? “You’re the one who needs to be cautious. You have the dangerous job.”
“I’m good. There have been times when I’ve moved so fast, the criminal couldn’t even react quickly enough to run away.”
Really? That alone was dangerous if anyone said something. They didn’t need the world to know their talent. “Don’t you fear he’ll wonder how you suddenly appeared next to him?”
“I’m careful.”
That was what Dalton always said. “You better be. I’ll see you later tonight then.”
After bundling up against the February cold, she slipped into her rather ancient loaner—a 2006 Toyota Rav 4. While there wasn’t any snow on the ground this week, if it did precipitate, she’d be thankful for the four-wheel drive.
Elana had drawn a map for her and promised Jillian would only have to make two turns to reach Teagan Pompley’s fiancé’s house. They lived in a place called the Cove, and apparently, shifters and Wendayans knew that the area was strictly for the small group of witches, though how they kept others out was anyone’s guess.
Because Jillian was arriving an hour late, she wasn’t surprised to find a ton of cars lining the street. She parked behind the last one, locked her door, and hustled up to the party. Given the loud noise coming from the large two-story home, the festivities were in full swing. Good. Chances were many wouldn’t even notice her arrival. She rang the bell and waited, and when no one answered, she figured it was okay to head on in.
The moment she pushed open the door and stepped into the foyer, the blast of shifter signatures squeezed her heart and ignited other parts of her body with such a force that she nearly turned around and left. These new sensations really threw her for a loop. Holy hell. Her tiger sure had woken up.
The inside air smelled sweet, kind of like a forest after a hard rain, yet she’d never known this to happen in a house before. Something strange was going on in this town, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. Most likely it was because her nerves were frayed—so much so that she was having a hard time processing the events going on around her.
Inhale and let the tension go. She could hear her yoga instructor at her LA gym chanting that mantra.
Once her breathing calmed, she followed the laughs and cheers. About twenty people were either leaning against the island in the open concept kitchen or congregating in the living room. Most of the partygoers ranged in age from about thirty to early forties, but all were focused on the man in the middle of the living room.
Elana was seated on the sofa next to Kalan, and her gaze too was on a man in uniform who was tall and good-looking. In front of him stood a woman with long, red hair. Her eyes were open, but they seemed to be unfocused. Her pretty face suddenly relaxed.
“What do you see?” the man asked her.
She smiled. “A forest full of beautifully colored birds.” She reached out as if to touch one.
He snapped his fingers, and when her eyes widened, she clasped a hand on her chest as she glanced around. Everyone clapped. Jillian had no idea what kind of parlor trick he’d pulled, but she had to assume this was Sam, the guest of honor.
“Jillian!” Elana called to her and waved.
Smiling, she headed toward her friend. Even though the two had met only a few days ago, the baby seemed to have grown. “Don’t get up,” Jillian said.
Elana laughed. “Without Kalan’s help, I’m not sure I could if I wanted to.”
Jillian took the empty seat next to Elana. “Thanks for inviting me.” She leaned closer. “Is everyone here one of us?” Jillian had grown up cautious, rarely even saying the word shifter in public.
“Everyone except my brother Brian are shifters or Wendayans.” Elana nodded toward the kitchen, but Jillian didn’t know which one he was. It didn’t matter. She’d figure it out sooner or later.
“He knows about our kind though, right?”
Elana’s eyes widened. “No. He has no idea, though in a few years when Aiden learns to shift, he’ll figure it out.”
“Aiden?”
She patted her stomach. “Kalan and I decided to name our child after his grandfather.”
Kalan looked over at her. “Loved that man. I’m sorry he’s gone. He would have enjoyed having a great grandson.”
“I’m sure he would have.” She turned to Elana. “I know you said your brother had a trouble past. Is that why you’re waiting before you break the news?”
“Yes. I don’t want to be responsible for sending him back into therapy. I figure I’ll break the news to him slowly.”
“That makes semse.”
Kalan nodded toward the kitchen then stood. “Can I get you something to drink?”
She didn’t need to take up more of their time. Besides, her mission was to speak with as many people as possible since she didn’t know how long she’d be staying in Tennessee. From experience, she’d learned that friends grounded her. “I’ll grab something. May I ask if the woman in the middle of the room was Izzy?”
Elana smiled. “That was actually her sister, Missy.” She nodded to the taller redhead with the handsome man. “That’s Izzy with her mate, Rye. He’s our Alpha.”
So that was Rye. If she needed to stay for a prolonged period, she should ask about the Clan and their politics and whether they would consider letting her join them.
Ask him, her tiger urged.
For years, she’d promised her animal that she’d find a place to call home, where shifters were welcome, but somehow she’d never been willing to give up the glamorous life in LA.
Later, she responded.
Not wanting to think about the future, Jillian walked past several people who were engrossed in conversation. She headed toward the two coolers sitting on top of the kitchen island. Just as she reached in to grab a beer, an intriguing scent—musky and fresh—invaded her senses. Seconds later, her body was on fire from the rapid release of hormones. Holy hell. She glanced around. Some shifters were emitting waves of sexual vibes, and apparently, she’d been caught in the middle.
One man, who looked to be close to forty, was watching the group congregating around Sam, but from the way he was scraping the label off his beer bottle with his nail, he wasn’t having a very good time. He was a shifter that much she could tell, though for some reason, his signature had dampened. Perhaps he hadn’t shifted in a long time—kind of like her. A few feet away were two other men, but they weren’t shifters. So where the hell was the rich scent coming from?
Mate, mate! her tiger roared.
Jillian almost laughed out loud at that ridiculous th
ought. There were many in the room who seemed to be mated, and together, they must be sending lustful signals to each other. Made sense to her, but what did she know? Her shifter father hadn’t been alive long enough to explain the facts of shifter life to her, and it wasn’t a topic she felt comfortable asking her brother. Her mom was a Wendayan and had explained a few things to her, but it wasn’t enough to give her a clear picture. She did say that Jillian would experience some kind of blue glow when she was highly excited, but Jillian was pretty sure that was an old wives’ tale because she’d never seen a hint of color shoot off her body.
“Need help opening the bottle?” the man who was standing by himself asked.
She had been trying to twist off the cap, but all she’d managed for her efforts were red fingers. “Thanks.”
When she held out the beer, his fingers touched hers for a second before he lifted the bottle from her, and two blue sparks shot off her hand. Holy hell. “Did you see that?” she blurted.
“See what?” he said with total sincerity.
She wasn’t about to say that blue points of light had darted off her skin. Apparently, he wasn’t a Wendayan, meaning he wouldn’t be aware what that meant anyway. “I thought I saw something out the kitchen window.”
Lame, her tiger commented. Press up against him, her animal urged.
Jillian wasn’t sure what had gotten into the tiger. In California, she rarely said a peep. Maybe it was time to go home.
You can’t, her tiger reminded her. Remember who’s back there.
Thanks for the mood killer.
The twist of the cap released a whooshing sound, jerking her back to the moment. “Here ya go,” he said.
He handed her the beer, and she quickly took a long swig. “Thanks. Name’s Jillian. I’m Dalton Garner’s sister.”
When he didn’t react to the name, she guessed he didn’t know who that was. “Brian Stanley, the pregnant lady’s brother.”