Pack Security (Were Chronicles) by Crissy Smith Page A

again. “That is truly beautiful.”
    “Thank you.”
    James knocked on the open door and stuck his head in. “Hey.”
    “Hi.” She waved him forward. “James this is Max, who is here as security. Max, my assistant James.”
    “Security?” James looked between the two of them.
    “After the break-in, Alex thought we needed to be more careful. Max is going to help get the house and studio better covered and is staying until the person is caught.”
    “Wow!” James stuck his hands in his pockets.
    He was young, still attending college, and a very talented artist himself. They’d met at the gallery and she had been taken with his enthusiasm for art. “I didn’t realize it was such a big deal.”
    Cassie frowned. “Of course it is. Someone broke into my home and the studio. Months of work was destroyed!”
    James nodded. “Yeah, it’s just no one was hurt and Canyon is usually such a safe place.”
    “I’m here to make sure it stays that way,” Max said.
    Cassie noticed he was watching James closely. She knew that he had to be suspicious of everyone who had access to the studio, but there was no way she would believe that James had been involved.
    “I guess I was just hoping it was a mistake or something. It’s scary.”
    “It’ll be okay, hon,” she assured him while wrapping an arm around his shoulders.
    His bleached, spiked hair tickled her cheek when she embraced him.
    “Wow!” James noticed the canvas of the black wolf and broke away. “This is so awesome!”
    She met Max’s gaze and smiled. She thought the man was pretty awesome himself.
    “I’m going to get started,” Max stated, “so don’t leave the house without letting me know.”
    “No problem,” she assured Max. “We’re going to go through the inventory list from the gallery to see just how many more pieces I need. I don’t want Alex to cancel the show if he doesn’t have to.”
    Max glanced over his shoulder to where James was admiring the painting from different angles. Max’s hand brushed against hers as he strolled from the room. The tingle that followed his touch gave Cassie something to look forward to.
     
    Max turned the screw to secure the last additional camera Alex had purchased and sighed with relief. He’d been at it for hours. He was finally comfortable about the new security around the entire Wilson ranch.
    “Hey, man.”
    Max looked over at Alex who had joined him on the porch. The man held out a beer and Max almost moaned in gratitude. It was damn hot out today and he was tired. He climbed down from the stool he was using for mounting the camera above the front door and accepted the cold bottle.
    He rubbed it over his forehead before taking a long pull. “Thanks, I needed that.”
    Alex nodded. “Looks like you got the last one up.”
    “Yeah, I also put new locks on all the windows and installed a chain on the front door. Cassie seems to use the balcony doors a lot and I want to get some better locks for that.”
    “She likes to smell the fresh air,” Alex said.
    Max noted that Alex seemed a little uneasy. He took another long drink and lifted an eyebrow. “Everything okay?”
    Alex shook his head. “Let’s sit.”
    Max followed him to the wooden porch chairs then settled down with his beer. “What’s up?”
    “You’ve heard about the Church for Humanity?”
    “Sure, they are the ones who are trying to get the government to make shifters register.”
    “They’re also the reason that the wolf Council worked so hard in setting up the new shifter Coalition. The main guy was arrested in Nevada for kidnapping and all sorts of other crimes against the wolves.”
    “I remember reading about it right after I got home,” Max told him.
    “I received another letter today at the gallery that they want the showing canceled due to the nature of the show pieces.”
    “Cassie’s work?” Max guessed.
    Alex leaned forward and rubbed his hand over his face. “Yeah. I called and left a message for Alpha