Page 37 of Wolf Bound

“Yes. There was a rogue wolf spotted not far from here, and since I’m the resident rogue killer, my assistance was asked for.” He shoves his fingers through his thick hair, making it stand all over the place.

“You’re leaving?” I try to conceal my panic at the thought of him leaving me, but I already know I did a horrible job.

“I’m not going anywhere.” As he reaches for me and pulls me to his side, I go willingly. “Let’s go back to the house and see what’s going on.”

* * *

“I’ll be right back.”Ryker gives me a quick kiss on my forehead before disappearing into the house. His shoulders are tight as he walks away. I’ve noticed Elias and Ryker don’t have the closest relationship, and they both appear to feel uneasy around each other. I hope with Ryker back, they’ll be able to fix whatever the problem is.

Resisting the urge to follow Ryker into the house, I go sit in one of the loungers by the pool. I need a minute to sort through my thoughts and figure out how I’m feeling about all of this.

I’m more worried about Addison than I am about the wholewolfthing right now. Addison refused to do treatment because it was going to make her feel sicker than she does now, and the odds of it even working were small. She told me her priority has always been keeping me safe, so getting me back to Montana was on the top of her list.

I feel guilty that she put my safety and happiness over her own heath. But Addison has always put me first. It took years of convincing to get her to open her first boutique because she was afraid she would be away from me too much if she did. But I saw how happy she was when she would show me her designs and I couldn’t keep her from that. And now, six years later, she has shops across the country and is very successful.

I make a mental note to ask Esme about possible things she could do to help Addison. If she’s as powerful as Ryker says, she should be able to do something. Right?

“Do you love him?” An unfamiliar voice breaks into my thoughts, and I turn to see Avery standing not far away. She’s completely naked and makes no move to cover herself up. She stands there, hands on her hips, completely okay with her nudity. Meanwhile, I’msonot.

I shake my head. “Wait—what? I’m sorry, would you like some clothes?” I stammer.

“No, I’m fine.” She glowers down at me. “I asked if you love him.”

“Ryker?”

“Yes, of course, I mean Ryker, who else would I be talking about?” she snaps. “Do you love Ryker?” She repeats, irritation written all over her face.

“I don’t see how that is any of your business,” I counter.

“He’s my friend, and he saved my life. I care about him, and I don’t want him to get hurt by somehuman.” She sneers at me like my existence alone offends her.

“Well, apparently, I’m not human.”

“As long as you can’t shift, you’re basically human, with some added bonuses sprinkled in.” Avery raises her chin. “And as long as you can’t shift, you can’t mate with him. And he’s running out of time.”

“What do you mean he’s running out of time?” I straighten in my seat, concerned. “Is he sick?”

Avery laughs. “No, it’s far worse than whatever is rotting your aunt’s body from the inside out.” Her harsh words hit me at full force, cutting deep. But I assume that was the point, to hurt me. “He’s going to turn rogue if he doesn’t mate soon.”

“How do you know that?” I question, raising from my seat. “Why should I believe you?”

“Because unlike you, I actually know Ryker.”

“I know him,” I say with a huff, offended she would insinuate otherwise.

“Okay, you think you know him? What’s his favorite color?” she fires at me.

“I—”

“It’s green.”

“What does he dream about?”

“I don’t—”

“He dreams about the little girl that died.”

“Well, surprise! I didn’t actually die.”

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