I was partially right. It turns out that Seers minds can only link with Shifters when they are in wolf (or coyote) form. They can also link to the Alpha Female, no matter how far away she is.

“I guess you want to know what an Alpha Female is now?” Alex asked with a dramatic sigh.

“No, thanks. I already know what an Alpha Female is.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Would you mind enlightening me then?” He eyes were filled with little sparks of laughter.

I raised my chin and said with absolute certainty, “The Alpha Female is the wife of the Pack Leader.”

“Iʼm sorry. That answer is incorrect.”

What? No, it wasnʼt. I had read like a million books on werewolves in the past month. I knew what an Alpha Female was. “Iʼm wrong?”

“Youʼre wrong.” He seemed to take great pleasure in this fact.

“So, are you going to tell me what she is?”

“Are you going to ask nicely?”

He was so annoying. “Alex, darling, could you please explain to me exactly what an Alpha Female is?”

“Certainly, sweetheart.” The next ten minutes consisted of a lecture on Pack social structure conducted by Professor Alex Cole, Werewolf Extraordinaire. In simple terms, it breaks down like this: newer, weaker Shifters; older, stronger Shifters; Pack Seer; Pack Leader; Alpha Pack; and then the Alpha Male (a Shifter) and Alpha Female (a Seer) shared the top spot.

“So, where is Shifter HQ?” I asked once we came to the question and answer portion of the class. “Do the Alphas run their kingdom from the Bat Cave under 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?”

“Itʼs more like Wayne Manor, and itʼs in Romania.”

“Romania?”

“The Alphas control all the Shifters in the world, Scout. They have a house in almost every country with a Shifter population, but the main house is in Romania.”

“The werewolves have chosen the home of Dracula as their base of operations?” #

“The irony is not lost on me.”

“Well, at least they canʼt really have much influence on what happens here,” I said. “They probably donʼt even know that there are a bunch of Shifters running around Lake County, Kentucky. Heck, they probably donʼt even know Lake County exists.”

“They know where almost every Shifter and Seer in the world lives,” Alex said, face tight.

“The Alphas are all about micromanagement. For example, if Liam or I were to break our treaty with the Hagan Pack, they would have to file a petition with the Alpha Pack before they could seek recourse.”

“Seek recourse how? Like chase you out of town or fight you?” He hesitated before answering. “The Alphas set the terms. If it was a boundary dispute, they would set up a Challenge between the Pack Leaders. When a treaty is broken, the guilty party faces either banishment or death.”

Death? Alex and Liam would be killed for crossing a boundary line or hanging out with me?

“The Hagans arenʼt killers. They wouldnʼt do something like that.”

“The laws about this sort of thing are very clear, and Shifters have to follow the laws. If they didnʼt comply, they would face their own executions. The Alphas donʼt allow disobedience.

Anyone they view as insubordinate or a threat ends up dead or on the run for the rest of their lives.”

“Why did you come back here, then? Why risk it? Couldnʼt you find a place where you wouldnʼt have any other Packs to deal with?”

He cupped my face in his hands, his thumb gently brushing a snowflake from my eyelashes. “You know why I came back.”

My heart started beating against my ribcage as if it was trying to break free. “The fried chicken they serve at The Farmhouse?”

“I came back for you, Scout.”

I had to say something. Something clever. Something dazzling. Something to make this moment perfect.

“I hope the snow sticks.”

That was not it.

Alex laughed nervously. Or, maybe it was my ears that were nervous. Every other part of me was.

“Itʼs going to clear up soon,” he said. “Zero accumulation.”

“Thatʼs a pretty cool super-power. I didnʼt realize wolves were so in tune with the weather.”

“Oh, did I forget to mention the werewolfʼs natural born ability to watch the Weather Channel?” For the record, Alexʼs dimples were clearly visible when he smirked. “Itʼs our most prized talent.”

I am an idiot.

“Are you pouting?” he asked when I chose not to respond.

“No,” I lied. I couldnʼt bring myself to look at him, so I tilted my head back and watched as glittery white flakes tumbled down from a black sky. My eyes rested on a clump of greenery wound around a high limb just seconds before Alex asked, “What is that?”

“What is what?” I could feel every nerve in my body buzz to life and hoped he hadnʼt notice my hands were shaking. I felt ridiculous for letting a ball of weeds get me so riled up.

“That green stuff. Is it...”

“Phoradendron serotinum?”

“...mistletoe?”

“Yes. Mistletoe.” It was only two words, but it took all my mental facilities to get them out.

“Are you sure?”

I nodded my head in confirmation.

“Mistletoe on a snowy Christmas night.” Alex gently grabbed my chin and tilted it so I was looking at him. “It seems Iʼm under a certain obligation here.” I just sat there like a statue, too nervous to breathe. Alex leaned in slowly, pausing once our noses were in tickling distance. “Iʼm going to kiss you now, Scout, unless you do something to stop me.”

I leaned in.

His kiss was soft, tentative, and way too short for my liking. It sent electrical jolts through my body that left me wanting more. My lips reached out for a second kiss and his eagerly complied, moving against mine until I was lightheaded.

“Hi,” Alex said, his forehead resting against mine as his hands explored my face.

“Hey,” I replied before giving him a quick peck on his upper lip. “Iʼm glad youʼre back.” Chapter 11

The remainder of my Christmas vacation was uneventful and frustrating. I knew Jase had been made aware of the Colesʼ return when he became grouchy and sullen. Charlie spent a lot of time at our house, but I rarely saw him. He and Jase spent most of their time locked in Jaseʼs room. On more than one occasion I heard the undeniable sounds of a quiet argument through my bedroom wall. I tried to listen in, even attempting the old hold-a-glass-to-the-wall routine, but never heard anything of interest.