Page 34 of Howling Night

I spent the rest of the day pacing, cleaning already clean surfaces, and obsessively checking my phone. By late afternoon, the walls felt like they were closing in on me. The windows had darkened with the setting sun, turning my supposed sanctuary into something more sinister.

“This is ridiculous,” I muttered, pulling back the curtain to peer outside for the hundredth time.

No sign of Ryder. No sign of anyone. Not even a wolf… at least not one that I could see.

I put the books back on my shelf, although I wasn’t sure why I was bothering, if I was going to head back to the city once I got my SUV back. At least it gave me something to do.

By evening, my anxiety had reached a breaking point. Where was he? Had something happened?

The business card he’d given me sat on my coffee table, its edges slightly bent from how many times I’d picked it up and put it down throughout the day. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore.

I snatched up the card and dialed the number.

He answered after one ring, as if he’d been waiting with the phone in his hand.

“Ryder?” I breathed out.

“Yeah.” His voice was low, distracted.

“Where are you?” I demanded, my relief quickly morphing into irritation. “I thought you’d come back.”

Through the phone, I heard rustling, muffled voices in the background. It sounded like some kind of heated discussion.

He let out a sharp breath. “Can’t talk.”

I barely had a chance to set the phone down when it immediately rang again, making me jolt. Glancing at the caller ID, my brows lifted in surprise at Steven’s name.

“Hello?” I answered cautiously.

“Hey, glad I caught you,” Steven said, as if he were doing seven other things at the same time. “So Donna told me what a great job you did on Friday at the bar.”

“Oh, great,” I said, somewhat taken aback.

“She was really saying we could use something a bit more permanent,” he said, pausing to clearly do something else. “I trust her call since she basically runs the place these days. I was wondering if you could help out again this coming weekend.”

I hesitated. The idea of doing that all over again felt a bit… tiring, but the money was more than great. And now with everything happening, I wasn’t even sure if I’d be around, and if I was, would I even be able to leave the house?

“Yeah, I’m not sure,” I said slowly. “My car is in the shop and I don’t know when I’ll get it back.”

“That’s not a problem,” Steven replied quickly. “I could pick you up, and I’m sure Donna wouldn’t mind dropping you off after close. I’ll check with her, but I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”

I shifted from foot to foot. There was a good chance that Trevor would have my car fixed by then, so I’d have to think of another excuse if that’s what I wanted instead of accepting his offer.

“Can I think about it?” I asked, freezing at the sound of something outside. It sounded like someone had stepped up onto the porch, but no one was knocking.

“Yeah, of course,” Steven said, his voice fading. “Just let me know as soon as possible so I can plan accordingly.”

A knock at the door made me jump. I held my breath, clutching the phone harder as my eyes darted to the door.

“Okay,” I said, keeping my voice low.

“Great! Looking forward to hearing?—”

“I have to go,” I whispered, keeping my feet rooted as I instantly clicked to end the call.

Carefully, I walked to the window, doing my best not to make a sound. I pulled back the edge of the curtain just enough to peek out.

My heart thudded so hard my whole body jerked.

---