Page 8 of Wolf at the Door

Lena approaches, her striking green eyes and dark hair streaked with purple appeared from behind the bar. She moved with a confident grace that spoke of someone completely at home in this rough environment.

"Get Bella some breakfast," Wolf orders, his voice carrying that tone of authority that seemed as natural to him as breathing. "Show her around."

Lena's smile was warm as she nods. "Come on, honey. Let's get some food in you while these boys handle their business."

I hesitated, glancing at Wolf, but his encouraging nod made me follow her into the kitchen. It was surprisingly clean and organized, with the smell of coffee already filling the air.

"You look like you could use this," Lena said, sliding a steaming mug in front of me before starting to cook. "I know that look in your eyes, you know. Had it myself when I first came here."

I wrapped my hands around the warm mug. "You weren't always part of the club?"

"God, no," she laughed, cracking eggs into a pan. "I was running from my own demons three years ago. Ex-husband who thought a restraining order was just a piece of paper. Found myself in this town with nothing but a broken-down car and empty pockets." She paused, flipping the eggs with practiced ease. "Razor found me sleeping in my car behind the bar where I'd picked up a shift. Instead of running me off, he offered me a job here at the clubhouse."

"Just like that?" I asked, scepticism creeping into my voice.

"Just like that," she confirmed, sliding a plate of eggs and toast in front of me. "These men... they're rough around the edges, sure. But they protect their own. And once they decide you'refamily, that's it. You're under their protection for life." She leaned against the counter, her expression serious. "I've seen Wolf with the others, seen how he is with the pack. The way he looks at you? That's different. Special."

"I'm scared," I admitted quietly, pushing the eggs around my plate. "Not of him, but..."

"Of letting yourself believe you're safe?" Lena finished, understanding in her eyes. "Been there. But here's the thing about this place, about these people – they don't just talk about loyalty and family. They live it. That man out there? He'd tear the world apart to keep you safe. And the rest of us? We've got your back too."

She reached across the counter and squeezed my hand. "You're not alone."

Looking into her eyes, I saw the truth there – the same sense of belonging I'd been searching for my whole life. Maybe she was right. Maybe I had found a safe place.

Chapter 6

The clubhouse had a rhythm to it, a steady pulse that carried us through the chaos of the world outside. For years, it had been my sanctuary, the one place where I didn’t have to justify who I was or what I’d done. But ever since Bella walked through those doors, the rhythm had changed. Every noise seemed sharper, every scent more potent. And her scent—it lingered in the air, clinging to me like a shadow, reminding me that she was here, vulnerable, and still scared.

I’d spent most of the morning keeping an ear on the perimeter. Finn had checked in, saying Dylan’s car was gone, but I wasn’t naive enough to think the asshole had given up. If anything, the quiet made me more anxious. Men like him didn’t just walk away. They waited, bided their time, and struck when you least expected it. That thought had my fists clenching and my wolf stirring beneath the surface, restless and ready to tear him apart.

Bella was sitting at the bar with Lena, her laughter soft but real. It was the first time I’d heard it, and it caught me off guard. It wasn’t forced or nervous—it was genuine, like she’d let her guard down just enough to forget about the weight she’d been carrying. It made something inside me twist, a feeling I wasn’t ready to name.

“Wolf.” Ironhead’s voice cut through my thoughts, and I turn to see him motioning for me to follow him toward the garage. Hisexpression is serious, his brows furrowed in that way they got when he had something important to say.

“What’s up?” I ask, keeping my tone casual as we step outside. The sun is high, the scent of motor oil and pine thick in the air.

“You tell her yet?” Ironhead asked, crossing his arms as he leans against the side of the garage.

I didn’t need to ask what he meant. My jaw tightens, and I shake my head. “No. And I don’t plan to. She’s got enough on her plate without throwing that into the mix.”

Ironhead snorts. “You think she won’t find out? You think Dylan’s just some regular asshole? The way he’s acting, it’s got their scent all over it.”

I didn’t respond right away, my gaze drifting toward the clubhouse. Ironhead wasn’t wrong. Dylan’s persistence wasn’t normal, and I’d been wondering if there was more to him than I’d first thought. But the idea of telling Bella the truth about us, about me—it made my stomach twist in a way I didn’t like.

“If she finds out,” Ironhead continues, his voice low, “you’re gonna have to make a choice. You know that, right? She’s either in or out. And if she’s out…”

“She’s not out,” I snap, the words coming out harsher than I intended. My wolf bristled at the thought, the very idea of her walking away. “She’s not going anywhere.”

Ironhead raises an eyebrow, but there is a flicker of understanding in his eyes. “You’re sure about that? Because if she’s your mate, this isn’t just about keeping her safe. It’s about making her part of the pack.”

The word hit me like a punch to the gut. Mate. I’d been avoiding it, ignoring the signs, but the truth had been staring me in the face from the moment I saw her. The pull I felt toward her wasn’t just attraction—it was instinct, raw and undeniable. She was mine.

“She doesn’t know,” I say quietly, more to myself than to him. “And I don’t know if she’s ready to.”

Ironhead claps a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm. “She’ll find out eventually. Better it comes from you than someone else. Just think about it.”

I nod, but my mind is already racing. How the hell was I supposed to tell Bella that the man protecting her wasn’t entirely human? That the pack she was staying with wasn’t just a metaphor?

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