Page 79 of Howling Night

I walked back to Ryder, my mind racing with questions. The couch was stained with blood, and there was a trail of blood on the floor where he’d walked. I stood there, wringing my hands, unsure where to even begin.

Ryder broke the silence first. “I’ll replace the couch and anything else that got... uh, messed up.”

“Whatever,” I said, waving a dismissive hand. “I don’t care about any of that. It’s just stuff. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

He patted the couch. “Sit with me.”

Silence fell between us as he slid his hand over mine, giving it a weak squeeze. I cleared my throat awkwardly.

“Um, so, that was the town dentist,” I said, looking down at our entwined fingers.

Ryder nodded, wincing slightly as he adjusted his position on the couch. It seemed as though he couldn’t get comfortable.

“He knows about you guys? Knows what you are?” I pressed further. “But he’s human, isn’t he?”

“He is,” Ryder confirmed, his voice rough with pain and exhaustion. “In the rules set many, many years ago, a pack can form a relationship with a doctor. We need medical help sometimes that we can’t provide ourselves.”

“So many rules,” I said, shaking my head. “And he just… helps you? Doesn’t that put him in danger?”

Ryder’s eyes met mine, and something dark flickered behind them. “Of course, if the doc talks... it won’t end up so well for him.”

“What about rival packs? Couldn’t they?—”

“He’s protected,” Ryder said, with a long blink. “Dean’s a good guy. Keeps his mouth shut and my pack healthy.”

“You’re tired,” I said, frowning. “I’ll get you a pillow. More blankets?”

Ryder held my hand tighter. “I’m fine.”

“Well, I’m glad he was here to patch you up,” I said, pressing my lips together. “I’m not sure I could have managed that. There was so much?—”

“Everly,” Ryder said, exhaling slowly. “Try not to worry so much. It’s done.”

“It’s not done,” I said, shaking my head. “He’ll come back.”

Ryder shook his head. “He’s in worse shape than I am.”

“This shouldn’t have happened to you… here at my house,” I said, my head falling back against the cushion.

“Kellan is the only one to blame,” Ryder said, his voice low.

I swallowed hard, a lump forming in my throat as I stared at Ryder’s wounded body. “It’s my fault,” I whispered, barely able to get the words out. “If I would have never found out... never seen you that night in the woods... none of this would have happened.”

Ryder’s eyes found mine. “This has nothing to do with you or what you saw. Kellan has been doing this for years. Long before you were in the picture.”

I shook my head, unconvinced. “I don’t want to be a distraction for you. I could tell just how much you care for your pack.” I swallowed again, forcing myself to say what I thought was right. “You should let me go... release me... find a way so that I can get out of your hair.”

“I don’t want that,” he said, his hand tightening around mine, with more strength than I would have thought he had left. “I want you to stay. It’s going to be okay now. He got the message.”

“But the pack?—”

“My pack will understand,” he interrupted, his gaze never leaving mine. “They want me to be happy. I have a pack that will want you to be a part of it, even if you are human.”

I drew in a slow breath. “How do you know he got the message?”

“He knew I was going to end him. Not only did he see it in my eyes, he could feel it,” Ryder said, his voice low. “There is one thing I know about Kellan. He doesn’t want to die. In fact, I’m pretty sure he’s afraid of it.”

I looked over at him, covered in bandages. The fierce protectiveness I’d witnessed when he faced Kellan had changed something between us. It wasn’t just that he’d fought for me… it was that he’d chosen me, even knowing the complications it would bring.

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