Page 33 of Howling Night

ChapterFifteen

“Everly?” a familiar female voice responded. “Finally!”

I pulled the phone away from my ear to check the caller ID. Annie… that made a lot more sense when I never gave Ryder my number.

“Hey, Annie,” I said, sitting up in the bed and covering a yawn.

“Everly Montana!” Annie’s voice was bright with excitement. “I thought you were avoiding me!”

I laughed, trying to sound casual. “No, of course not. Why would I avoid you? I’ve just been busy with the move and everything.”

“I thought you’d be all settled in by now,” Annie said with a snort. “It’s not like you had that much stuff.”

“Yeah, takes more time to settle into a new place, I guess,” I said, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. I got to my feet and made my way to the kitchen. “I finished unpacking everything, but I’m still working on decorating and settling in. It’s a process.”

I looked over at the work I would have to do when I panicked and started to repack my things. Wait. Was I going to stay here? No. I was still going to go back to the city where I’d be safer. Not that I was about to tell Annie any of that.

“I’m glad to hear it’s going well,” Annie said, sounding a bit distracted.

“Are you at work?”

She said something to someone I couldn’t quite make out. “Yeah, sorry. I’m glad it’s going well.”

“You said that already.” Had I been that annoying when I’d been working?

“Sorry, I meant to ask when I can come visit. I’m dying to see the place that pulled you away from me,” Annie said, typing vigorously on her keyboard.

“No!” The word burst out of me like a bolt of lightning, way too harsh and abrupt.

There was a pause on the other end of the line.

“I mean,” I backpedaled quickly, “not yet. The place is still a mess, and I... I need more time to get it ready for visitors.”

“Everly, what’s going on?” Annie’s voice had shifted from excited to concerned. “You sound weird. Are you okay?”

I leaned against the kitchen counter, closing my eyes. How could I possibly explain what was happening? Oh, nothing much. I just discovered werewolves are real, and now I’m being protected by one pack while possibly being hunted by another.

“I’m perfectly fine, Annie,” I said, drumming my fingers on the countertop. “Actually, it sounds to me as if you’re just really busy. I don’t want to keep you.”

“Sorry, we’re working on that big project,” Annie said with a heavy sigh. “I haven’t been sleeping much.”

“Me either,” I muttered.

She drew in a breath. “Well, I should get back to it, and you should rest. Isn’t that part of the reason you moved out to the middle of nowhere? To slow down and get away?”

“Yes, it is,” I said softly. “I promise I’ll invite you over. I just need to settle in properly.”

And make sure you won’t be murdered by angry wolves.

“Okay, well, don’t be a stranger,” Annie said. “Oh, and answer your texts once in a while, so I know you’re still alive.”

“The service isn’t the best.”

“Take care,” Annie said, already talking to whoever was in her office. “Bye.”

I opened my mouth to say goodbye, but the phone went dead. I had no idea when — or if — I’d be able to have friends visit without putting them in danger, too.

I stood in my silent kitchen, feeling more alone than ever. I got exactly what I’d wanted, and now I wasn’t sure if it was the right thing for me after all.

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