Page 72 of Howling Night

“Good,” Ryder said, placing his hand on the doorframe. “Do I need to tell you to lock it?”

I cocked my head. “Are you ordering me already?”

“Whoa,” Ryder said, taking a step back. “That night when you were in danger… I’d felt it. That’s part of the?—”

“Imprint,” I said, finishing his sentence.

His head bobbed. “Good. If it happens again, at least I’ll know what it means.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t,” I said, my shoulders dropping. “I never want to be near a vampire ever again.”

“Lock the door,” Ryder said, taking a step back. “Call if you need anything.”

“Please be careful,” I said as I closed the door.

I watched through the front window as Ryder’s truck kicked up dirt as he sped down the driveway. When he disappeared down the road, I let out a breath and pressed my forehead against the cool glass.

Imprinting. I’d just been imprinted on by a werewolf. Was this real life?

The pull I felt toward Ryder was undeniable — a strange magnetic connection that had happened days ago. And there wasn’t anything we could do about it? It was hard to make sense of it all.

I wandered through the empty house, the silence suddenly overwhelming. My footsteps echoed against the hardwood floors as I made my way to the kitchen. Without anything better to do, I poured a cup of coffee and curled up on the couch, wrapping myself in one of the throw blankets.

There wasn’t much I could do, other than wait for Ryder to take care of things. What did that even mean? Weren’t people going to wonder what happened to Paul when they didn’t see him or when he didn’t show up for work?

Oh shit. The Timber Tavern.

Paul wasn’t the only one who wasn’t going to be showing up. I grabbed my phone, staring at the screen for several minutes before typing out a message.

Hey Steven, I don’t think I’ll be able to make it in next weekend. Something’s come up. Sorry for the late notice.

I hit send and set my phone down. That money would have been nice, but something told me that Ryder would not allow it, at least not anytime soon. For all I knew, I wouldn’t ever be able to leave this house again.

Steven didn’t respond, but that was fine. Normal, even. He was probably busy with one of his many businesses.

The sun began to set, casting long shadows across the living room. I pulled the blanket tighter around my shoulders, suddenly aware of how vulnerable I felt. Every creak of the house settling made me jump. Every shadow seemed to hide a threat.

I used to enjoy being alone, but now it turned my stomach. I didn’t want to watch TV, and I didn’t want to read my book… all I could do was sit there and wonder and worry.

Around dinner time, my phone buzzed. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Ryder’s name flashing on the screen.

“Hey,” I said, trying to sound casual.

“How are you doing?” Ryder’s deep voice filled my ear, somehow making the empty house feel less vast.

I glanced around at the darkening rooms. Without thinking, I got to my feet and moved around the house, turning on the lights one by one.

“I’m fine. Just... feeling really alone here,” I said, wishing I didn’t sound so freaking pathetic.

“I know,” he said softly. “That’s why I called. I could feel it.”

I pressed my lips together. “I’m not sure how I feel about that.”

“Sorry,” Ryder said, his voice low. “I wasn’t trying to. It’s just inside me.”

I returned to the couch, sinking back into the cushions. “Having someone in my head, knowing what I’m feeling… it’s kind of… intrusive.”

“I can’t help it,” Ryder said. “If I could shut it off, I would. Maybe I’ll be able to control it better, eventually. This is all new for me.”

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