Page 6 of Wolf at the Door

He nods, his eyes darting around the room like he wasn’t sure where to look. “Yeah, uh, I get that. It’s, uh…a lot.” He hesitates, then adds, “Wolf’s solid, though. He’ll take care of things.”

I wasn’t sure what to say to that, so I just nodded. The prospect lingered for a moment before backing out of the room, muttering something about being right outside if I needed him. The door closed again, and I exhaled slowly.

Wolf. Solid. I wanted to believe that, but it was hard to shake the doubts gnawing at me. He was still a biker, still part of a world I didn’t understand. And while he hadn’t given me any reason to think he’d hurt me, I’d learned the hard way that appearances could be deceiving. Dylan had been charming once, too.

But Wolf wasn’t Dylan. That much was clear. Dylan had been all bluster and bravado, his anger bubbling just under the surface, waiting for an excuse to boil over. Wolf, on the other hand, was calm, steady, like he’d seen it all and come out the other side stronger. And there was something else, too—something in the way he’d looked at me, like I was more than just some girl he’d picked up off the street.

I stand and cross to the window, peeking out at the compound below. The place is alive with activity, men milling around with beers in hand, laughter and conversation drifting up into the night. It should have felt chaotic, but it didn’t. It felt like a pack—like every person here had a role, a place they belonged.

And then there was Wolf, leaning against his bike, talking to a couple of the others. Even from up here, I could see the way theylooked at him—like he was someone they trusted, someone they respected. The wolf at the head of the pack.

A flicker of movement caught my eye, and my breath hitched. Down the block, just beyond the compound’s fence, a car was parked. Dylan’s car. He wasn’t stupid enough to come closer—not with all these bikers around—but the sight of him sent a fresh wave of fear coursing through me.

I step back from the window, my heart pounding. I don’t know what Wolf has planned, don’t know how far he was willing to go to protect me. But as I stare out at the shadows of the forest beyond the compound, I realize I don’t have much of a choice. For now, I must trust him.

I pace the room, trying to shake the unease that had settled in my chest. The sight of Dylan’s car parked just outside the compound was burned into my brain, a reminder that no matter how far I ran, he’d always find me. Always remind me that he wasn’t done with me yet.

But this time was different. This time, I wasn’t alone.

I glance at the window again, half expecting Dylan’s car to be gone, but it wasn’t. It sat there like a dark stain against the backdrop of the night, its headlights off but its presence blaring. A shiver runs through me as I think about what he might do if I ever step outside those gates.

My eyes shift downward, and that’s when I see him—Wolf. He was looking right at me, his gaze sharp and piercing even from this distance. The intensity of it made my breath catch, but whatstruck me more was the look on his face. It wasn’t just anger—it was something deeper, something almost primal. He’d seen me watching Dylan, seen the fear I couldn’t quite hide, and now his entire stance was different. Tensed, ready to strike.

I back away from the window, my heart hammering. There was something terrifying and reassuring about him at the same time. He was dangerous, no doubt about it. But he wasn’t dangerous to me. At least, I didn’t think so.

***

I’d stepped out front to clear my head, the cool night air biting against my skin. The brothers were milling around as usual, sharing beers and shooting the shit, but my mind was elsewhere. I lean back against my bike, staring up at the clubhouse window where I’d left Bella.

This was supposed to be a simple situation. Keep the girl safe, deal with the prick who couldn’t take no for an answer and move on. But as I watch the faint shadow of her silhouette behind the window, I can’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t going to be that simple. Something about Bella had gotten under my skin, and that wasn’t like me.

She moved closer to the window, and I caught a glimpse of her face. Her dark hair framed her features, her lips parted like she was breathing hard. I expected to see relief, maybe curiosity as she got used to her new surroundings. But instead, there was something else. Her body was tense, her shoulders tight, and her wide eyes weren’t looking at me—they were fixed on something beyond the compound.

A chill runs down my spine, and my jaw clenches as I follow her gaze. Beyond the fence, just far enough to stay out of immediate sight, was a car. My blood ran hot as recognition settles in. It was Dylan’s car. That little shit was braver—or stupider—than I’d thought.

I look back at Bella. She has stepped away from the window, retreating into the shadows like she didn’t want to be seen. Fear. That was what I’d seen in her eyes. Not the kind of fear that came from being in a new place, but the kind that ran deeper, the kind you carried in your bones. And that fear had my anger skyrocketing.

I push off my bike, my boots crunching against the gravel as I storm toward the nearest prospect. Finn was leaning against the clubhouse wall, his phone in hand, looking like he was seconds away from dozing off. Not on my watch.

“Finn,” I bark, and he snaps to attention, nearly dropping his phone. “You’re on perimeter duty now. There’s a car parked just outside the compound, and I want to know everything about it. Who’s in it, how long it’s been there, and why the hell it’s not moving. Go.”

“Yes, Wolf,” Finn says, his voice steady but his steps hurried as he jogs toward the gate.

I turn back to the clubhouse, my eyes narrowing as I stare up at the window. She was in there, probably pacing, probably trying to decide whether she could trust me—or anyone in this place. That was fine. She didn’t need to trust me yet. She just needed to stay alive long enough to figure it out.

I’d dealt with a lot of scumbags in my time, guys who thought they could get away with anything because they’d never been put in their place. Dylan was no different. He’d picked the wrong girl to mess with and the wrong club to step up against. If he thought he could rattle Bella by parking his ass outside the fence, he had another thing coming.

Razor’s words from earlier echoed in my head. “If this turns into club business, you handle it.” Damn right, I would. Dylan might not know it yet, but he was already standing on the edge of a cliff. And I was more than ready to give him the final push.

Finn came jogging back a few minutes later, his face pale under the glow of the compound’s lights. “I think it’s her Ex,” he said, panting slightly. “He’s just sitting there. No movement. Looks like he’s waiting for something—or someone.”

I nod sharply. “Good. Keep eyes on him, but don’t engage unless he makes a move. If he tries to get closer or does anything stupid, you call me immediately.”

Finn nods, clearly eager to prove himself. “Got it, Wolf.”

As he disappeared back toward the gate, I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm raging inside me. Anger was a tool—it could sharpen your instincts, give you an edge—but if you let it take control, it could also be your downfall. I couldn’t afford to lose focus, not now.

I glance up at the window again, my fists clenching at the thought of Bella sitting in there, afraid because of some asshole who didn’t know how to let go. She didn’t deserve this. Whateverhad happened between her and Dylan, it was over. He just didn’t seem to understand that.

---