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I sigh and glance at my watch. I really need to get up and get going, since the caretaking facility that I want to use to work with Mrs. Bortles is only on the human side of town, and they’re a little strict when it comes to time. I think their business hours for external folks like me are only in the morning, and only for a two-hour window, and it’s about a forty-minute drive…
Mentally, I calculate the time, then I shoot out of bed.
Ugh.
I shower, then dress, opting for a semi-professional-looking wrap dress that’s the same emerald color as my eyes. I like how it accentuates my curves too, and when I see my reflection, I smile.
Will always acted like I was trying to pick up guys when I dressed like this. I wasn’t, of course, and I ended up wearing a lot of baggy stuff at his request.
But I like how this looks.
So, I’m going to wear it.
I’m just grabbing my keys when there’s a knock at the door. Unsure of who it could be this early in the morning, I open it, purse on my shoulder.
“Briony,” the alpha’s voice rumbles. “Glad we caught you.”
I blink. “We?”
Then, from behind him, Evander steps out.
Ugh.
I need to leave, but unfortunately, one can’t say no to one’s alpha. “Come in. Can I get you coffee or anything?” I say, gesturing to my dining room table.
Thorne and Evander trail in. “Coffee would be marvelous,” Thorne rumbles.
I nod and get out my little instant coffee machine with three cups. I need some as well, so this is actually fine, as long as I can still get out the door at a relatively good time.
For some reason, having Evander in my house feels… invasive. I can practically feel his eyes looking over all my things, and the thought makes me shudder.
It makes me nervous, like I’m afraid of what he’s going to say.
I straighten.
Evander Alderwood is not going to make me nervous. Especially not in my own home.
“What can I help you with today, Alpha?”
Thorne settles into a chair. I hand him the coffee, and he sips. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I don’t push Evander’s cup to him, but it is in the middle of the table.
He raises an eyebrow at me, and I narrow my eyes at him.
Oh, you wanted me to serve it to you? No way, asshole. Grab it yourself.
“Let me know if this is something I should task someone else with,” Thorne says, looking between Evander and me with interest. “But I’d like to consult with you on a potential refugee case that I’m willing to take on.”
“Refugee?”
He nods. “There’s a small group of fox shifters from New Mexico who have reached out. Their territory was taken over by lions, and they lost the battle for their home.”
“Oh, that’s terrible,” I murmur. Turf wars happen fairly frequently among shifters. It’s a process that’s regulated by the Shifter Bureau, but regulations among groups of animals are… tough. They often result in physical violence, and they’re usually pretty bad if the groups are physically the sizes of foxes and mountain lions. On top of that, lions can be really nasty when they’ve set their mind to it.
My heart is automatically with the fox shifters. “Did they… is everyone coming?”
