Page 18 of Wolf Bound

“Have you ever tried it?”

“A long time ago, someone convinced me to try it because that’s how her family always ate pancakes. I was never a fan.”

“Was it Grey?” I blurt, immediately kicking myself for asking. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked. It’s just… Remi told me you lost someone when you were young, and that’s why you haven’t been home in a long time. She said it’s hard for you to be here because it reminds you of her or something.” I bite my bottom lip. “I saw the tattoo on your arm that says ‘Grey,’ and I figured—that was her name, right? Grey?”

Now would be a great time for the floor to open up and swallow me whole.

The room is suddenly so quiet I swear I can hear a heart beating from across the room. Ranger still stands at the counter but isn’t looking at us anymore. Instead, his focus is on the contents of his coffee cup. Ransom, who had been sneaking a piece of bacon off my plate, holds it halfway to his mouth, his blue eyes now looking anywhere but directly at us.

“Crap. I’m sorry, it’s none of my business, and I don’t know why I asked. You hardly know me. I’m just some stranger asking questions that are way too personal,” I stammer, trying to smooth over the awkward moment I created.

I tell him I’m a stranger even though I feel like the farthest thing from it. Just like when I met Remi for the first time, there is a familiarity with Ryker that would be impossible to not notice.

“I—I’m sorry,” I repeat.

Calmly, Ryker puts his fork down and clears his throat. “Yes, it was Grey who tried to convince me to eat honey on my pancakes. It was how her mother liked to eat them when she was a child, and she passed it down to Grey. She used to have sleepovers with Remi, and in the morning, when my mother would make pancakes, Grey would always ask for some honey.” He smiles at the memory. “She convinced us to try it once, but we never liked it the way she did.”

“Sounds like she had good taste. I can see why you were friends with her.” To change the awkward atmosphere and subject, I reach across the table and swiftly swipe my bacon back from Ransom. “Keep your paws off my food,” I mumble around the large bite I take.

“Hey!” he whines in protest.

We are all laughing and joking when the girl I saw at the party yesterday walks in. Her raven-colored hair is pulled into a sleek ponytail, and her almond-shaped eyes are narrowed in my direction. Nothing about her is soft or friendly. Her face is all angles, and her mouth looks to be held in a permanent sneer.

She looks like she could be on the fashion runways in Europe with her tall, toned body and I’m suddenly self-conscious. I’m not short, but Ryker’s six foot five frame makes me appear smaller than I am. My head only comes to his shoulders when we’re standing.

“Ryker, we have a problem.” Her amber-colored eyes slide away from me and look at the man sitting across from me. Something about her makes me uneasy, but I’m sure it’s because I don’t know her.

“Can it wait?” Ryker gives her a pointed look. “We’re enjoying some breakfast. You’re welcome to join us.” He gestures to the empty seat to my right.

Oh, no, thank you.

“No, it can’t wait, it’s about ourguest.” I note her jaw is clenched, and her hands are held into tight fists.

Ryker and Ranger immediately make a beeline for the back door, not giving their food or me a second look. I sense a feeling of dread in the air as they rush out. I look at Ransom, who nervously cracks his knuckles as he watches his siblings leave.

“What’s going on? Did someone stay the night?”

“We’ll tell you soon,” is all Ransom says, similar to what Ryker said earlier.

“I’m getting really tired of that answer,” I growl and angrily push around a piece of pancake on my plate.

Ransom shrugs sheepishly before reaching for another piece of bacon. This time I let it slide, having lost my appetite.

8

Ryker

“What do you mean he got away?” I demand as I pace the boat shed the rogue had been held in all night. “You were supposed to be guarding him to make sure something like this didn’t happen!”

“I don’t know how he did it,” Avery insists as she stands at the entrance with her tanned arms crossed. “I’ve been outside the whole time since I relieved your beta this morning.”

I angrily kick a lawn chair at full force, sending it smashing into the far wall, breaking it into pieces. The growl that escapes my chest is more animal than human, but I can’t help it.

“I knew I should have been watching him,” I snarl at her, pissed she would allow something like this to happen. Instead, I spent most of the night watching my mate sleep, keeping a watchful eye on her to make sure the doctor hadn’t missed anything when she examined Grey after we got back last night.

Avery scoffs. “Yeah, right. Like you would have been able to pull yourself away fromher.” An irritated look flashes across Avery’s face.

“I’m sorry, Avery, does me spending time with my mate bother you for some reason?” I snap, annoyed with her for letting the rogue get away and her attitude toward Grey. I know my mate didn’t miss the way Avery looked at her in the kitchen. I certainly didn’t. She would have had to be blind to miss the bitter expression on Avery’s face.

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