This story was PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED in the SuMMer Heat Anthology in August of last year (which is now out of publication). This is a re-edited and lightly added to version of the same story and nothing in the story line has changed. Please do not purchase if you already own a copy of the anthology, thank you. Stone, an alpha wolf and tracker for the council, was on an unusual but easily completed job; all he had to do was pick up a runaway omega and return him to his home pack. It sounded simple enough when he took the assignment, but when Stone catches sight of Wyatt, living in a derelict cabin in the middle of nowhere, he knows his life is about to change. Wyatt, omega wolf, has been on the run from a forced mating for three years; living hand to mouth, doing his best to raise his four-year-old sister, Maddie. Always watching over his shoulder, scared to interact with anyone, he has no idea how much his life will change when a stranger knocks on his door during a summer storm. But Wyatt’s past isn’t about to let him go and when the council gets involved, Stone must do his best to protect the man who stole his heart and the sweet little girl who calls him Uncle. After all, if you can’t stand the heat…. This is a short standalone story in my Alpha and Omega universe. 21,700 words. References to intended rape (didn't happen and is off page) may be a trigger for some. M/M true mates shifter story.