Page 7 of Wolf at the Door

The wind picks up, rustling the leaves at the edge of the compound, and I feel the weight of the night settle over me. Protecting Bella wasn’t just about keeping Dylan away. It was about showing her that not all wolves were the same. Some of us were dangerous, sure, but only to those who threatened what we cared about.

And right now, whether she knew it or not, she was part of my pack.

***

A knock at the door startles me, and I freeze, my pulse racing. “Bella,” Wolf’s voice calls from the other side, low and steady. “You good?”

I exhale, letting the tension ease out of my shoulders. “Yeah,” I answer, my voice shaky but loud enough for him to hear. “Just…processing.”

There was a pause, and then his voice came again, softer this time. “You don’t have to worry. I’ve got Finn keeping an eye on things. He won’t let that prick get close.”

I bite my lip, unsure how to respond. Part of me wanted to open the door, to thank him for stepping in when no one else ever had. But another part of me—the part that still had Dylan’s voice echoing in my ears—warned me to be careful. Wolves were wolves, no matter how protective they seemed.

“Thanks,” I reply finally, my words barely above a whisper.

Another pause. “Get some rest,” he states, and I hear his boots retreat down the hall.

I sit on the edge of the bed, staring at the door. Rest. Like that was going to happen with Dylan parked outside, probably thinking of a million ways to make my life hell. But the thought of Wolf out there, barking orders and keeping everyone on high alert, gave me a strange sense of calm.

***

The next morning, the clubhouse is alive with activity. I’d barely slept, my nerves keeping me up long after the sounds of motorcycles and voices had faded into the night. When I finally ventured out of the room, I found myself face-to-face with a world I’d only ever seen in movies.

The main room was crowded with men in leather kutts, their conversations loud and unapologetic. The smell of coffee and cigarettes hung heavy in the air, mingling with the faint scent of motor oil. A couple of guys were playing pool in the corner, their laughter echoing off the walls, while others sat around the bar, nursing cups of coffee that looked as strong as jet fuel.

I hesitate at the edge of the room, unsure where to go or what to do. It wasn’t like I could just walk up to someone and say, “Hey, I’m the girl Wolf dragged in last night. What’s for breakfast?”

“Morning.” The voice came from a woman behind the bar, her dark hair pulled back into a loose ponytail. She has a sharp face and a quick smile, her eyes sizing me up in a way that makes me feel both welcome and on edge. “You must be Bella.”

I nod, stepping closer. “Yeah. That obvious?”

She chuckles, pouring coffee into a chipped mug and sliding it across the bar toward me. “New face. Deer-in-headlights look. Kind of gives it away.”

I manage a small smile and take the mug, wrapping my hands around it for warmth. “Thanks. And you are?”

“Lena,” she replies, leaning on the bar. “I handle things around here. Coffee, booze, food—basically, if it keeps these guys moving, I’m in charge of it.”

I nod again, feeling a little more at ease. “Nice to meet you.”

Her gaze flickers toward the other end of the room, where Wolf is standing with a group of men, his arms crossed as he listens to whatever they were discussing. Even in a room full of people, he stands out, his presence commanding attention without him even trying.

“He’s a good guy, you know,” Lena reveals, her voice softer now. “Wolf. Doesn’t let a lot of people in, but when he does, he doesn’t half-ass it.”

I glance at her, surprised by her candour. “I…don’t know what to think yet.”

She smiles knowingly. “You will.”

Before I can respond, Wolf’s voice cuts through the room, calling my name. Heads turn, and I feel the heat rise to my cheeks as I look up to see him motioning for me to join him. I set the coffeedown and walk over, feeling the weight of every set of eyes in the room.

“This is Bella,” Wolf introduces me to the group as I approach, his tone leaving no room for argument. “She’s staying here for now. That means she’s under our protection. If anyone’s got a problem with that, they can take it up with me.”

The men exchange glances but say nothing. One of them—a tall guy with a shaved head and a scar running down his cheek—grins and gives me a nod. “Welcome to the pack,” he states, his voice rough but not unkind.

“Thanks,” I say awkwardly, unsure of what else to say.

Wolf turns back to the group, his attention already shifting to the matter at hand. But as the conversation picks up again, he shoots me a quick glance, his eyes meeting mine for just a second. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to remind me that I wasn’t completely alone in this.

For the first time in a long time, I felt like I might actually be safe. Wolf's hand squeezed my shoulder gently before he called out, "Lena!"

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