Page 31 of Howling Night

I pressed my ear against the glass, straining to hear their conversation, but they were too far away. All I could make out was the deep rumble of Ryder’s voice and the occasional sharp gesture of his hands.

The wolf stood tall, ears alert, completely focused on Ryder. I watched as if waiting for it to shift back into human form so they could talk, but it didn’t happen.

When I saw them turning back toward the house, I hurried to the couch, sat down, and crossed my legs in an attempt to put myself in a casual pose. My heart was racing when the front door opened and Ryder stepped back inside, his jaw tight.

“Everything okay?” I asked, trying to sound nonchalant as I looked at my fingernails.

Ryder ran a hand through his hair. “The pack crossed into our territory again.”

I leaned forward. “Kellan’s pack?”

His eyes met mine, and he nodded. “Yeah, but I don’t know why I’m telling you this.”

“Is it bad that he crossed into your territory?”

“Yes,” Ryder said, pacing the floor. “I guess Kellan doesn’t think the rules apply to him anymore. He’s throwing it all out the window. I can’t trust anything he says.”

A chill ran through me. “I’m not safe then? What does he want?”

“Everything.”

I cocked my head. “What does that mean?”

“First, he convinced Paul to leave our pack,” Ryder said, his voice hardening. “But he didn’t stop there. He tried to lure Trevor away, too.”

“Trevor from the truck?” I asked.

Ryder nodded. “Trevor is loyal. Paul was...” He paused, searching for the right word. “Paul was weak. Easily influenced. He never wanted to be like us.”

“Doesn’t Kellan have his own pack?” I asked, chewing my lip. “There were a lot of wolves that night.”

“He’s growing his forces,” Ryder said, his blue eyes intense.

“Why?”

Ryder lowered himself into the recliner, his hands clasped between his legs. “He’s telling them he’ll protect them and keep them safe in ways I can’t. He wants to challenge me. He wants it all. Pushing and pushing to see how far he can go before I react.”

“So you’re not just one of them… you’re a pack… leader?” I scooted forward, leaning toward him.

“Why am I talking to you about this?” he asked, pushing himself out of the chair. “We have rules, Everly.”

“Wait, so how far are you going to let him push you?” I asked, getting to my feet.

Ryder stepped up to the door. “Not much further.”

“What happens if he keeps pushing?” I asked, though I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer.

“You ask a lot of questions.”

I smiled at him. “You’re a very interesting man.”

“You didn’t seem to think so before all this,” Ryder said, smirking.

“To be fair, you did try to run me over,” I said, tilting my head.

He sighed. “I did not. Anyway, I should get going.”

“You’re going to leave me alone?” I asked, grabbing his muscular arm. “You said he wouldn’t come but?—”

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