Page 28 of Midnight Whispers
It was then Cass knew the alpha expected him to admit to something as if he were a teenager caught partying on a Saturday night. Cass wouldn’t explain himself. “Who I choose to spend time with is none of your business. Alpha.”
But Iven wasn’t backing down. It seemed he would make an enemy of the alpha, which was a bad idea, but it was bound to happen with the evidence they had against Krieger.
“You don’t have an interest in my kid. Am I making myself clear?” Iven had a lot of clout, too. As sheriff, he could make Miller’s life difficult.
Alpha Miller’s expression hardened. It was the first time Cass had ever seen him lose his charming exterior. But it was back in seconds. “I only came to ask about the investigation, sheriff.”
Iven took a step back. The flame in his hand disappeared. “When we’re ready to question you, we’ll let you know.”
“Are you close to catching the person who killed my pack member?” Miller wasn’t very subtle. He couldn’t keep the concern out of his expression. Cass had his doubts it was concern for the victims and their families. He strongly suspected Miller feared they were close to proving he ordered the killing.
Instead of answering, Iven said, “Go home, Miller.”
Cass followed Iven inside.
As soon as they entered the kitchen, Riley hugged Iven. “I went outside to see how it was going, and he was just standing there. And then he kept trying to get closer to me.”
Cass tried to keep the growl at bay but failed. “I told you to stay inside.”
It wasn’t the growl that pissed Riley off but the words themselves. Cass could tell by his icy expression. “I don’t have to answer to you.”
“He’s right, Riley. You should have stayed inside.” Iven had kept Riley tucked against his side, but Riley moved away, crossing his arms over his chest.
“I’m not a child anymore. And I don’t appreciate you treating me like one.”
Iven sighed and shook his head. He clearly didn’t know how to respond.
It left Cass to defend his position. “Alpha Miller is at the top of our suspect list, Riley. We think he ordered his beta to kidnap our victims. We think he did it to control the victims’ mating. That makes him the most dangerous person in Forbidden Falls right now.” What Cass didn’t say but what he hoped Riley would pick up on was that the alpha was dangerous to Riley.
“I can handle myself.” Riley huffed.
“I’m glad. And I know your dad is happy about that, too. As a warlock, you have a lot of power.”
“But you don’t know how to use it yet,” Iven added.
“You could teach me.” The way Riley said it was as if he thought Iven wouldn’t.
“I intend to. I wanted to let you get settled in first. But it seems like you’re ready to learn now.”
“I am.” He seemed sure of himself.
“Every morning. Seven o’clock. Unless you have a class. And some evenings after dinner. You can work with Griffin then.” Iven would put him through his paces.
If it helped Riley protect himself, Cass was all for it. He might need all the magic he could get if Miller continued to sniff around Riley.
Cass just needed to keep Riley off the alpha’s radar.
Chapter Fourteen
Riley thought about how he snapped at Cass and his dad the whole way to Cass’s house. He felt bad because they didn’t earn it. For his dad, it was more about him dropping a bit of a bombshell onto Riley about being a warlock and not doing anything to help him. That was the real reason he’d been angry.
Dad wasn’t breaking his promises. In fact, the exact opposite was happening. It turned out Iven Palmer was a good dad. And Riley needed to stop treating him as though he wasn’t.
A fresh start meant the past was behind him. It seemed like a simple concept, except the past kept creeping up in small ways. He tried to forget about it. Survival mode had made him push down his emotions. It was how he’d coped. But he didn’t have to be in survival mode anymore. He could live, which meant he could feel again. And maybe that meant he had some lingering anger. And maybe it also meant it was okay to think his dad was a good person. And it was okay to want something substantial with Cass.
Riley knocked on Cass’s door. He had another paper sack with a muffin inside—this one was banana nut flavored. As apologygifts went, Riley wasn’t sure how the muffin measured up, but he had other ideas too.
His whole body was on board. He practically vibrated with anticipation.
