I do hate it.
But for the first time in forever, part of me is wondering...
What if I don’t have to spend it alone this year?
What if that curvy little storm from the DPCA—the Department of Paranormal Creatures & Activity, a secret government agency dedicated to the supernatural—is more than just a threat to my town?
What if she’s my mate?
I rake a hand through my hair and groan, resisting the urge to rip the calendar off the wall and torch it.
They say love makes fools of us all.
I wouldn’t know.
But I think I’m about to find out.
Prologue 2: Megan
Ican’t believe I’ve been sent to some godawful town in Texas.
Texas, of all places.
Like, what do I know about tumbleweeds and cactuses—wait, is it cacti?Whatever.
I’m not here to debate grammar.I’m here because some suit at the Division of Paranormal Creatures & Activity decided I was the lucky winner of this week’s“Congratulations, you’re disposable!”assignment.
Arrhythmia, Texas.
The name alone makes it sound like a heart attack waiting to happen.
I’m a Jersey girl, born and raised.I like diners, decent bagels, and people who say what they mean—preferably while double-parked with their hazards on.
I’m not exactly cut out for small-town charm or wide open skies.Give me a good strong espresso and a street full of honking cars any day.
But here I am.
On a mission.
And yeah, okay, I’ve always had a thing for the supernatural.It’s why I took this job.
No, I’m not a Shifter or a Mage or anything with claws or wings or sparkly powers.I do have the Sight—capital S—and I’m pretty damn handy with a sidearm, thank you very much.
But this?
This feels like exile.
Apparently, I’m supposed to evaluate this town and assess its long-term viability within the DPCA framework, which is code fordecide if we pull the plug on this supernatural sandbox.
What I expected?A dusty, half-abandoned ghost town filled with magical burnouts and Werecreatures in dirty flannel.
What I got?Chaos, attitude, and one dangerously attractive Sheriff with a badge, a beard, and the kind of shoulders that could make a girl rethink her whole five-year plan.
Sheriff Owen Randall.
Lumberjack-core with a voice like gravel and eyes that could melt Kevlar.
The second I laid eyes on him, my hormones tried to stage a coup.Traitors.
