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whether he had gotten the shifter gene. She knew that Robert and Eric would be thrilled if he did, her mother less so. Thea didn’t know yet how she was going to react. She was more focused on trying to create a normal life for Alex despite everything in their family that pointed to the contrary.
    She bit her lower lip as her eyes came to rest on an alley almost directly across the street from where she stood. She knew it ran the length of the city block between her and her destination and came up next to the building that was next door to the club. It was a shortcut that would save her feet and some time. But the sun was already low on the horizon, and long shadows fell inside the alley. Even during the day, it would be dim in there. Now it looked like the doorway into the pit of darkness.
    Thea stood there for another moment and then stood up straight and threw her shoulders back. There was nothing to worry about. It wasn’t even full dark yet. She’d keep a good clip and be back on the sidewalk on the other side in no time flat.
    Having convinced herself that this was the right plan, she strode across the street narrowly avoiding the front fender of three cars that were trying to advance in their lanes despite the traffic. Ignoring the cursing from the interior of the cars, she stepped up onto the sidewalk and plunged into the alley before she could talk herself out of it.
    The air temperature seemed to drop ten degrees once inside the alley. She was tempted to pull out her phone and use the flashlight app, but she gave herself another stern talking to. She could see the light from the end of the alley in the distance. It wasn’t that far.
    She made out the silhouettes of large garbage bins, and she gave them a wide berth. Still, the odors emanating from them made her nose wrinkle. She hoped that the smell wouldn’t cling to her clothes. Her heels made a tapping noise on the concrete as she walked, and it seemed as if the sounds echoed loudly at her from all the walls. She quickened her pace.
    Thea felt her heart begin to race when she heard a thud of metal hitting the ground behind her. She whirled around but didn’t see anyone there. Then she felt something small and furry scurry across her foot. She let out an unladylike squeal and turned to dash toward the exit of the alley.
    She stumbled when the heel of her shoe broke, and as she pitched forward, she heard a harsh laugh behind her. She landed hard on her hands and knees and felt the abrasions across her skin as the asphalt tore through the flimsy material of her jeans. She flipped over onto her butt and looked up at two men standing there over her. She could smell the stench of alcohol wafting off of them.
    “Well, look what we have here, Kurt. A pretty little gal,” the shorter of the two said peering down at her. He knelt down toward her. “You need some help, girlie?”
    Thea heard the slur of his words. Even in the dim light of the alley, she could tell that his eyes were bloodshot. In addition to being drunk, he was probably hyped up on some drug.
    “Hello, darlin’,” Kurt said. “Don’t mind my friend, Ollie. He’s rude. Let me help you up.” Kurt offered her his hand.
    Thea started to scoot backward as she regained her footing. The only thing she could think in her head was that she had to get out of the alley and out into the open. “Thanks, but I’m okay.” She managed to get to her feet but found the two men had stepped closer to her.
    “Looks like you might have hurt yourself,” Kurt said as he sniffed the air.
    Shit. They were shifters. Probably on their way to Urban Dwellers for the shifter match. It drew in a much less cultured crowd than the usual club clientele.
    “Just a scrape,” Thea said. She brushed herself off as she backed up. Her damaged shoe made her steps uneven and readily apparent that she was trying to make an exit. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m fine. I’ll just be on my way.” She turned around and ran