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“You were behind a tree.” He narrowed one eye at her as if that proved his point.

Dammit, he had her there. “I was curious,” she replied, which wasn’t a lie. Then with a smirk, she added, “I’m sure you know how that is.”

“How what is?” The cat looked at her as if she were the hairball he’d coughed up that morning.

“You know, curiosity killed the cat.” Misty gave him a half grin. “Seems like a pretty risky saying for you.”

“Really?” He stared at her long and hard. “Wow. Talk about kicking a cat when he’s down.”

For a split second, Misty wondered if there was an actual saying about kicking a cat, but kept that thought to herself when she really looked at the pitiful furball standing in front of her. His ears drooped slightly, his tail no longer whipping around behind him, and even his fur seemed to have lost some of its fluff.

For the first time since finding him, Misty wondered if maybe he wasn’t just a testy-ass cat. Maybe the poor bastard was actually hurting.

“I’m Misty, by the way.” She leaned against the tree. “Sorry I interrupted you.”

“Bruce.” He still looked at her sideways. “And it’s fine. Just blowing off some steam.”

“You know, sometimes talking things out helps,” Misty offered, then grinned. “I’m also pretty good at coming up with revenge tactics for certain matted furry assholes.”

“Keep talkin’.” Bruce gave her another sideways glance, but this time there was a little more interest in it.

Misty grinned as she walked over and sat down against a nearby tree. Bruce seemed to relax a little more, apparently deciding she wasn’t going anywhere.

She’d come into the woods to get away from males, Crow Shifters and all the other bullshit currently going on in her life. She never imagined her first friend in Assjacket would be a foul-mouthed cat with a gold earring.

Then again, considering the way her life had been going lately, maybe she shouldn’t be surprised at all.

CHAPTER 2

Vin sat at the bar watching three Raccoon Shifters argue back and forth over whose turn it was to buy the next round. One of them fell off his barstool, still bitching the entire way down, then climbed right back up and continued the argument as if nothing had happened.

He’d been in Assjacket for about a week and had to admit, Shift Faced Bar was more entertainment than he’d had in quite a while.

Taking another drink, Vin glanced toward his friend’s Mate, Billie Ann, and grinned when she rolled her eyes and let out a huge sigh. His old friend Rafe had done well for himself when he found her. She was beautiful, but from what Vin had witnessed so far, she also had her hands full dealing with the craziness that seemed to be a normal part of life around here.

When Rafe had up and left Mexico, as well as their working relationship, Vin decided to make the trip to Assjacket to see exactly what his old friend was up to. Seeing Rafe arguing with three drunk Raccoons made him glad he’d done exactly that.

Chuckling, he took another drink and let his gaze wander around the bar. The place was packed with all kinds of Shifters. His eyes landed on the huge man sitting at one of the tables watching his Mate, Macy, who was working behind the bar. Kaelen Dorr was the first Werewolf Shifter Vin had ever met. Hell, he didn’t even know there were any left. Vin liked the man instantly. Actually, he liked everyone he’d met so far.

“What the hell are you laughing about?” Rafe walked up, glaring at him.

Vin raised his glass, pointing it toward the Raccoons. “Never thought I’d see the big, bad Rafe arguing with drunk Raccoons.”

“They’re definitely a pain in my ass,” Rafe said, but his eyes were on Billie Ann as she passed.

Also glancing at her, Vin grinned. “You are one lucky son of a bitch.”

“Why’s that?” Rafe asked, obviously distracted.

Vin nodded toward Billie Ann.

“Yeah, I am that.” Rafe grinned, leaning against the bar. “Isn’t it about time you settle down?”

Vin’s grin faded slightly as he looked away. “Hell, there isn’t a woman alive who’d put up with my shit.” He then plastered his easygoing smile back on his face. “I like my freedom too much.”

Rafe laughed with a nod. “Yeah, that’s what I thought too, and you see what happens when you find the right woman.”

“Yeah, you up and move, leaving your friend to pick up the slack.” Vin snorted, finishing his drink.