Page 35 of A Wolf's Wound
Chapter 20
Hannah
“Ryder?”Iaskuncertainly.“Are you okay?You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
He runs a hand over his pale face.“Yeah, sorry about that.This note…”
I nod.“It’s alarming, to say the least.”He nods, too, but still looks discomfited.And that makes me uncomfortable too.It occurs to me that while I don’t like Ryder’s unwavering insistence that we belong together, this unsure version of himself is its own kind of disorienting.
In fact, his reaction to the note was so extreme that I’m wondering if I should stay at his place tonight.I believe Ryder doesn’t know who left this or what it means.But seeing him so rattled is making me second-guess all of my decisions this evening, including staying at my own place.
What would have I done if Ryder hadn’t insisted on walking me home?The idea of coming into an empty apartment and being greeted with that envelope makes me shudder.I’m glad I let Ryder come with me.I might not admit it to him, but he does make me feel safer.
Ryder has placed the note on the table.I pick it up and read it again, not that the words make any more sense this time.But a new thought crosses my mind as I finish reading it.I pull out a chair and sit down next to Ryder.
“Ryder, I know you think someone’s been threatening me,” I say and he nods, still looking distant.“But I have to say, reading this makes me wonder if you’re really the target.”
He looks surprised.“Why?”
“I mean, this is addressed to you, and it seems very personal.”
“You think that thing that attacked you earlier was after me?”
“I have no idea,” I admit.“But I don’t think you can just shake this off.You should tell Gavin and the rest of the pack.”
“I guess.”He sighs.Then he looks at me and smiles slightly.“Although I’d rather have you be my bodyguard than any of those guys.”
“Oh yeah,” I joke, flexing my biceps.“I’m so tough I could take on an army with one hand tied behind my back.”
“You are tough,” he says softly, his smile fading and anxiety returning to his voice.“I think a lot of people would have left town after what happened with the councilman.”
“Maybe I’m just stubborn.That’s what my parents would say.”
“No, you’re strong,” he says.“You’re one of the strongest people I’ve ever met.”
“Thanks,” I say quietly.Then I grin.“But come on, you can take care of yourself.You’re the big, bad wolf, after all.”
He laughs at that, and I feel a jolt of happiness shoot through me that I was able to lift some of this weight from him.I smile, too, and we sit in companionable silence for a couple of minutes.
“If I’m the big, bad wolf,” Ryder finally says, “maybe you should reconsider not letting me protect you.”
“I thought you just said I could take care of myself.”
“You can, but more help never hurts.”
“I’ll be okay, Ryder.Really.”
“Hannah, you’ve been attacked twice in just a handful of days.Please,” he says, gazing at me.“Please let me help you.”
I feel my resolve start to weaken.What happened on the street was legitimately scary.And while I like to think I could have landed a few punches of my own, the truth is that I froze and Ryder didn’t.I don’t know what would have happened if he hadn’t been there.
“There’s something else to consider,” Ryder adds.“What will you do if your stepfather and mom find out what’s going on?”
“Why would they?I wasn’t planning on mentioning anything.”
“People talk.Wolves too,” he adds, and I smile.“It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Mason will hear something.You know how well-connected he is.”
“They don’t need to know about tonight,” I say.“Or the other night.”
