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“We’re still trying to figure all of that out,” Zoe said. “Another reason Luke is stressed. He’s got enough on his plate hunting his father’s killer and trying to step into the alpha role so young.”
I wasn’t sure I believed the high esteem Zoe had for Luke. They clearly had history and alphas had a way of being nice to those they liked. Nobody in their right mind would call my dad kind or good. He was respected by his pack, but he gained that respect through fear. What if I’d ended up trapped by another alpha just like him?
I bit down on the inside of my cheek to force myself to keep quiet. In my opinion, there was one prime suspect and his life was currently bound to mine.
ChapterTen
Morgan
Breakfast wasa foil wrapped burrito and a cup of coffee in a paper cup while Zoe and I sat at a metal table on the sidewalk in front of the cafe. I wasn’t in the mood to sit and let the other patrons inside the tiny café. It was small enough that everyone inside could stare at me, including the cooks making pancakes in the open kitchen.
As we sat and ate in silence, the town seemed to come to life around me. There were dozens of shifters going into and out of shops, often stopping to converse. I couldn’t help but notice all of them gave me a good look at some point while they were wandering the street.
Based on everything I heard, I knew outsiders were rare. I swallowed my last bite of burrito. “What were they told about me?”
“They were there at the fight, so they know what you know,” she said. “Don’t worry. None of them will hurt you. They know what that would cost us.”
I hated the reminder that my life was tied to this stranger. Someone who I now suspected might have offed his own father. A shudder ran through me and I quickly pretended I’d had a bug land on me to try to mask my reaction.
“Tell me about the friend back home,” Zoe said.
I set down the cup of coffee I’d just sipped. It wasn’t half bad. “My best friend, Jasmine. She lives in the bar I run. She’s…” I hesitated, wondering what I should share. But if I wanted someone to check on her, the basics would be helpful. “She’s not a shifter. She’s a witch.” That much was safe to share.
Zoe didn’t mask her surprise. “This friend… She’s not tall, thin, long black hair, creepy hollow eyes…”
“What? No. Why would you ask that?”
“No reason.” Zoe sipped her coffee. “I thought your pack didn’t do resident witches.”
“We don’t,” I said. “Jasmine was a runaway that my dad happened to let stay. I’m not sure how she got lucky enough for that, but I didn’t question it. Every so often, he would throw some kindness out, make a big deal about it, you know, show the pack how benevolent he is.”
“Got it.” Zoe sipped her own coffee. “Anyone else at home? Boyfriend? Siblings? Any other witches I should know about?”
I narrowed my eyes. “You seem keen on witches.”
“Your dad had one with him,” she admitted.
I recalled our previous conversation. She’d told me as much, but it hadn’t sunk in. “My dad hates witches. Jasmine’s the only one in town.”
“Well, maybe your friend isn’t your friend,” she said.
“There’s no way she’d turn on me.” I didn’t trust most people, but Jasmine had earned my trust.
“I’ll check on her, and if you’re right, she’s got nothing to worry about from me,” she said.
“My dad really had a witch with him?” I asked.
She nodded.
“I feel like I don’t know him at all.” I shouldn’t be surprised. I’d gone out of my way to avoid being around him, but how could he hide a witch? “I’d have heard if a witch was in town.”
“I believe you,” she said. “She wasn’t a strong witch. Newer to the art, but not young herself. Someone is working on tracking her and none of our leads point to Copper Springs.”
I wasn’t sure if that was reassuring or not.
“Any other friends you’re concerned about?” Zoe asked.
I considered her words. There wasn’t anyone I’d call a friend aside from Jasmine. But I was worried about Mary. The grumpy shifter couldn’t be called friendly, but she counted on me. “There’s a homeless shifter who lives in the alley near my bar. She has a key to my place, though. As long as my dad doesn’t change the locks or sell it to someone else, she’ll be okay.”
