Dimitri pulled into the parking lot of the sheriff's department; still not sure this was the best course of action. While Josh and Alanna were on their way to Draven Falls to make sure Lainie got out of there safely, Dimitri decided to introduce himself to the local sheriff. Jed had told him that Sheriff Einstein was a little in the know about paranormals, but he never said how much that little actually was. However, if Lainie was going to work here, Dimitri needed to know she would be safe. With Bane still around and knowing how far the coyote alpha would go in his quest to make Bull Creek a shifters-only club, Dimitri needed to know the sheriff would have his sister's back.The sheriff's department was a one-story building made out of red brick and looked like it had been built and forgotten. Four sheriff's cars filled the side parking lot along with one blue Toyota. Tall pines lined the sides of the property with a couple of giant oaks in the back shading the building.Dimitri slid

Lainie took a deep breath as she stepped out of The Enchanted Spoon, her belly full and her nerves a little calmer. The day was slowly being swallowed by the night as evening cloaked the downtown area of Draven Falls. Lamps in the town center started to flicker to life, illuminating the paths of those not ready to call this Monday over. The nightlife was just beginning, and while Monday night may not be as rambunctious as Friday night or even Thursday, there were still plenty of people who would bounce from bar to bar and shop to shop, savoring the sights, smells, and companionship. Lainie could use some of that companionship right about now. She hadn't realized how much she hung around her brother and Josh until they were gone. She had no real friends of her own, most moved away or were busy with families of their own, such as Gavin and his family. Fitz was now married, and even though she knew Mandy in high school, that was years ago, and she didn't even know her that well back then.

Drink!" Alanna shouted just before the three of them lifted their shot glasses into the air and downed the tequila. Lainie felt the alcohol burn her throat as she swallowed, eyes clenched shut as her body shivered from the sharp taste, quickly following the shot with a long swallow of her ice-cold beer. When she opened her eyes, she noticed Josh and Alanna were doing the exact same thing. It was a universal reaction to tequila no matter how smooth."Perfect," Alanna said in a wheeze. "We should do another."Lainie just laughed. "Yeah, you sound like you're ready for another shot." She shook her head as she continued to laugh. This was definitely not the way she intended to spend her Wednesday night, but she was glad for the distraction. And the booze. Alanna surprised Lainie by being so accepting of her and even joining in on the jokes at Josh's expense. The redhead even sat by Lainie on the couch as opposed to choosing to be near Josh. It almost felt as if the other woman flirted wit

Dimitri finished stacking the pile of fallen branches into the firepit, his spirit not into the bonfire that night. One week ago, two people had died right there near the circle of stones he bought as a ring of protection around the giant blaze. Dimitri couldn't help but wonder if perhaps he was being silly having another bonfire so soon after the fight last week. He sighed as he tossed another log into the pile. Who would show up? Alanna was gone, helping Josh bring Lainie to Bull Creek, and last week, she was the driving force of bringing the others to his gathering, just in time to keep him from getting killed, actually. Now, who would help him bring people to the bonfire?He stood, stretching, his hands pressing on his lower back. He also needed Josh back to help him with all the heavy lifting. He chuckled to himself as he shook his head. When the hell did I start feeling older than I actually am?"You know, they say laughing to yourself is the first sign of senility," Nathan Landr

Dimitri paced outside of the cabin he had prepared for Lainie. They should have been here by now. Josh had called him when they crossed the state line, entering Florida from Georgia, which was almost three hours ago. Had they stopped for dinner and not told him? That would piss him off, since he hadn't eaten anything since lunch, waiting on them.He didn't want his sister to have the same feeling as Josh and he had when they first arrived and saw how overgrown the plant life was around the cabin. Instead, Dimitri spent the day clearing out the shrub around her place, cleaning the inside, and making sure everything sparkled for when she first arrived. He even put a rocking chair on her porch. At least Bull Creek would have a good first impression for her. Of course, with the way things had been lately, that impression could go downhill fast.Dimitri gave up his pacing and moved to the front porch and the rocker he had purchased for his sister. He had just sat down when he heard the rumb