PROLOGUE
CARLA
When I find my sister, if she’s not already dead, I’m going to kill her myself.
I pull my SUV into the gravel parking lot of Murphy’s General Store, dust swirling in my wake as I cut the engine.
Beth disappeared abruptly, leaving behind the wreckage of Toby’s escape from custody and my reputation ruined. The pack has finally cleared my name. No thanks to her attempts to pin the blame squarely on me, but the damage is done.
Beth is still out there somewhere, and I’m determined to find her, to understand why she helped a killer escape and make me take the fall. And to see if I can convince her to come home and face up to what she’s done before she ends up dead, too.
The trail has led me here, to Anderson territory, Toby’s former pack.
A few carefully placed calls and some digging through old contacts, and I’ve learned that Beth was spotted in this area shortly after Toby’s escape. With him supposedly dead, the only people she has left are his staunch supporters, the people who still think he did nothing wrong.
If anyone knows where my sister went, it’ll be them.
The bell above the store door chimes as I enter, the familiar scent of packaged goods and coffee greeting me. I miss the cafe. I miss home. But I can’t return without at least trying to find her.
I might be beyond angry with her, but she’s my sister. And she’s always been easily led.
A short human woman looks up from behind the counter, offering a tight smile.
“Help you with something, dear?” She’s polite but cautious, glancing out the window at my rental car, and sizing me up with a look over the top of her glasses.
“I hope so.” As I approach the counter, I pull out my phone to show a photo of Beth. “I’m looking for my sister. Blonde, about my height, green eyes. Goes by Beth.”
The woman studies the photo, her expression carefully neutral. “Can’t say I recall anyone by that description. And you’re so pretty. If she looks like you, I think I’d remember.”
The response is too quick, too practiced. My wolf stirs restlessly. The woman is lying, hoping to distract me with flattery.
“Are you sure? Take your time.” My tone is saccharine sweet. I hold the photo out again, but she doesn’t even glance at it this time.
“Like I said, dear, I don’t recall.” The woman’s tone cools considerably. “Was there anything else you needed?”
She doesn’t saybefore you leave, but it’s implied.
I force a smile. “No, thank you.”
I step outside, blinking against the strong sun, and take a deep, calming breath. It’s just what small towns are like. It’s not personal.
I try the gas station across the street, then the small diner on Main Street. Each inquiry is met with the same polite but firm denial. Too polite. Too firm. My intuition is telling me there’s something very wrong here, more than a town recovering fromthe scandal of their soon to be alpha trying to swindle their neighbors out of millions and then attempting to kidnap their daughter.
As I walk back toward my car, frustration building, a voice calls out behind me.
“Miss?”
I turn to see a young man, maybe early twenties, emerging from the alley beside the diner. He looks up and down the street nervously and stuffs his hands into his pockets.
“You’re asking about that blonde woman,” he says, glancing around to make sure no one is watching. “The one who used to hang around with Toby?”
My heartrate picks up. “You saw her?”
“Maybe.” He fidgets with the hem of his jacket. “But I shouldn’t be talking to you. Luna made it clear…”
“Luna Anderson?” I step closer, keeping my voice low. “Please. Beth is my sister. I just need to know if she’s safe. I’m not here to cause any trouble.”
The young man’s resolve wavers. “She was here. Just for one night, but Luna... she wasn’t happy about it. Told her she wasn’t welcome.”
