by Breezy Jones
“Uh-huh,” I said, not convinced. “So, then you’re here because…”
“Truth? I overheard him and Pops in the office talking about how things went down between you two today.” She rolled her eyes, sliding onto the bar stool next to mine. “He’s such a guy sometimes. I figured I’d come and explain a few things to you. You know, woman to woman.”
“Right,” I said, drawing the word out slowly while I considered her.
Woman to woman was fine. But I assumed we weren’t going to talk werewolf to werewolf—so how could she possibly help?
“I know it’s a lot to take in,” Lexi said. She wasn’t wrong there. “If it helps at all, it’s just as difficult for the pack to accept and understand that you happened as it is for you to accept their help.”
Lexi rushed on, a sudden horrified expression on her face. “I don’t mean ‘that you happened’ exactly,” she said, wringing her hands nervously. “Just that, you know… That it’s even possible. I mean a woman werewolf!”
“It’s okay,” I say, trying to calm her. “I know what you mean. Or at least I think I do.”
Her chest rose and fell with a sigh of relief.
“I’m just a bit overwhelmed. Like I told Ryker, I need some time to wrap my head around it all.”
Her lips switched up at the corners as she wrapped her hands around the mug. “I get that,” she said. “It must be pretty exciting though, right?”
My brows shot up. Exciting wasn’t the word I would have used. “What do you mean?”
“You get to be a part of the pack. Be a part of the action. Facing down vampires and protecting the town.”
I leaned back against my chair, glancing at her. “Is that what werewolves do?”
“Definitely,” Lexi said, her eyes wide with enthusiasm.
“But you don’t get to do that stuff,” I surmised. “Because you’re not a werewolf.”
Lexi shook her head. “No, but it’s cool. I still have everyone which has its perks.”
I took a sip of my coffee, curious now. “What’s it like being around the pack all the time?”
“It’s like having a really big family. Which can be totally annoying at times, but mostly I know no matter what someone has my back. I always have a friend to talk to or complain to.” Lexi set down her cup.
I thought about what that would be like having a family again. I couldn’t help but ask.
“So, you’re happy just being a part of it. Even though you’re not in the group?”
“Definitely. I’ve got a great job at Pops’ café which lets me be involved in all the meetings.”
I smiled, raising my mug as I added, “Plus free coffee.”
Lexi grinned at that. “Yeah, and there’s that,” she paused looking down into her mug. “Of course, being Ryker’s baby sister can be tough though.”
“Is he overprotective?” I asked, and she pinned me with a narrow-eyed stare that made the answer obvious.
“He’s ridiculous,” she groaned, and I grinned. “He’s not the only one. All the others are just as protective too. It’s great having a big family, but sometimes I’d like to be seen as more than just a sister to some of them.” She huffed.
I raised an eyebrow. “I’m sure they don’t all see you that way.” Not that I would really know.
Lexi shrugged. “Maybe,” she said, though she didn’t look convinced.
“Is he always so serious?” I asked, hoping the question sounded more natural than it felt.
“Ryker? Serious? No.” Lexi laughed. “I mean he has to be tough as the leader, but when he relaxes, he can actually be a lot of fun.”
“I have a hard time imagining Ryker relaxed and having fun,” I admitted.
Lexi tilted her head. “I know he seems intense, but Ryker just really believes in the work they do. He’s always been a protector even when we were kids and my dad was alpha. It’s just who he is. I think it makes him seem hard sometimes, but he has saved this town more than once because of that protectiveness.”
I sipped my coffee and wondered what it would be like to be intimate with Ryker. Would he be just as intense and passionate as he was in alpha mode?
“Why?” The question slipped out before I could catch it.
Lexi blinked. “Why what?”
“Why save people? Why put yourselves at risk to save others?”
“Because that’s what wolves do,” she said in a belittling tone. “And that’s what our family does for each other. Once you’re in the pack, you’ll see.”
“It sounds nice,” I conceded, my chest aching for what I no longer had. It had been a long time since I lost my family. The pack as a replacement for what I no longer have seemed like a beacon of hope.
“What about your family?” Lexi asked, jarring me out of my wistful thoughts. “Are they protective?”
Reality crashed down around me, cold and hard. “Uh, no. It was just me and my mom and she was more obsessed with her dating life than her kid. I spent a lot of time alone.”
“Oh.” Lexi bit her lip. “I’m sorry.”
I blew air through my cheeks and dismissed it, refusing to get caught up in memories. “Lexi, what you’re saying… It sounds great, but I don’t even know how to be in a family as large as the pack.”
“You’ll feel right at home before long, I’m sure of it,” Lexi said, brushing the red curls back behind her ear. “I swear, Ryker is more welcoming than he seems,” Lexi said, and my brows rose at that. “And if not, well, we can just beat him up until he is.”
She laughed at her own joke and a second later, I joined in, laughing right along with her. Mostly at the idea of anyone beating up Ryker. I decided not to tell her she wasn’t the first person to offer to beat him up for me today.
Lexi’s eyes met mine, and hers twinkled with shared humor. In that instant, we weren’t complete strangers anymore. For that moment, we were two people sharing a joke. Maybe even becoming friends.
Suddenly I felt a longing for my long lost bestie Lindsey. It hit me so deep and so hard my body trembled from the hollowness.
There was another knock on my door, and I jumped up, hoping it was my pizza and glad for the excuse to get my bearings. Dabbing at my eyes, I paused at the peephole and checked to be sure I wasn’t getting a second unexpected visitor then yanked open the door. Immediately, I was greeted with the wonderful smell of the hot oven-baked food. The delivery guy handed me the box. I mumbled a quick thanks and paid him, including a tip, then closed the door behind me.
Instead of returning to the kitchen, I headed for the living room couch and deposited the food on the coffee table. Then I went to the kitchen for a couple of plates.
Lexi watched me with a quizzical look on her face.
“You like pizza?” I asked, removing two plates out of the cabinet.
Her face lit up. “I love pizza.”
I tossed her a roll of paper towels and motioned for her to follow. “Come on. Let’s eat before it gets cold.”
Lexi hurried after me. “You don’t have to tell me twice.”
Chapter Five
My calf muscles burned in protest as Ryker and I slowed from a run to a walk. After nearly two miles, we were once again nearing my apartment, and I squinted through the early morning rays of sun at the sight of the finish line so close now. The freshly fallen snow glinted back at me. My mind ran over Lexi’s words from last night. She seemed to want to be friends and for me to join the pack. Briefly, I wondered if I should say something to Ryker, but then I remembered that she hadn’t, and I didn’t want to break girl code or something. Slowing down, I pressed a hand to my side against the slow ache stabbing my ribcage.
“So, tell me again why we’re running every day?” I asked, blowing out the words in a huff, the air so cold around us that I could see my own breath. At least the run warmed me up.
Befo
re speaking, Ryker’s gaze swept over me. I squirmed under his inspection, fully aware of what a sweaty mess I was.
Finally, he said, “To maintain your wolf.”
“What does that even mean?” I asked, placing my hands on my hips.
Ryker quirked his lips to the side in a teasing gesture and said, “Wolves need more physical upkeep than humans. We need to run, to exercise, or we waste away.”
“I don’t feel like I’m wasting away.” I touched my stomach self-consciously.
“No, you wouldn’t, not yet. I’m sure you’ve noticed a difference in yourself—your stamina and strength—though.”
“I guess so,” I said, running a finger through my tangled ponytail. “But what about protecting myself and all that? You claim I’m in danger here, and you think distance running will save me?”
“Once you’re where you need to be then we can start your training.”
“If I join the pack,” I said.
“Speaking of which, what time do you get off work?”
“Five,” I replied, climbing the few steps to my apartment door. “Why?”
“I thought I’d arrange for you to talk to everyone again. Smooth out everything that went down yesterday.” He pulled the hair band from his hair and ran a hand through the waves.
I found myself watching his movements, my fingers itching to mimic Ryker’s actions. Lexi’s words about how Ryker could be fun and light played back in my mind. Right now, all I wanted was his intensity. And to touch him.
He continued, “Now that everyone’s had a chance to digest everything, I’m hoping we can give you a better picture of what pack life would be like for you.”
I pushed the images of my fingers tangled in Ryker’s locks out of my mind. Hesitating, I thought about the ramifications of his offer. “I don’t know.”
“Lexi said you guys talked it out a little last night. So, I thought it’d be a good idea.”
“Yeah,” I said, surprised to realize she told him after all. Maybe having Lexi on my side would make a difference. “Okay, I’ll do it, but keep Eric on a leash this time.”
Ryker snorted, an almost smile playing across his lips as he said, “No worries there.”
“Then I’ll see you after work.”
Ryker turned to leave with that happy expression plastered on his face. I watched him disappear down the street. With a light laugh, I let myself into my apartment with thoughts of a shower on my mind—and the image of Ryker’s soap-slicked body filling my imagination.
At exactly five o’clock Ryker showed up as promised. I gathered my things and threw a quick goodbye to Joe over my shoulder, wishing I’d had more time to ask him my questions today. The store had been busy, which was a nice reprieve from my constant thinking, but it didn’t leave much time for talk about the sudden appearance of Joe’s family.
A little nervous about facing everyone again, I followed Ryker outside, and we made our way to Hot Shots. Before we reached the square, Ryker veered in the opposite direction, and we walked into a neighborhood.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“My house.” Ryker pointed toward one of the side streets ahead of us. I glanced up as he continued, “I invited everyone over for dinner.”
“Oh,” I replied not quite sure how I felt yet about sitting down to dinner with Ryker’s advisors again—especially on their own turf.
“I thought it would make you more comfortable. And I didn’t invite Eric,” he admitted.
“Thank God,” I said.
Ryker clasped his arms behind his back and slowed as we came upon a gorgeous, rustic red Victorian house—a common style in this little town. It was rather small, compared to the others on the street, but it gleamed in the light of dusk.
I stared at the beautiful house in wonder, no longer caring that I stood in the freezing cold or that the snow on the sidewalk had turned to a yucky brown mess of slush coating my boots.
Ryker, however, wasn’t nearly so distracted. A second later, he doubled back and grabbed my hand, tugging me toward the front door. “Come on,” he said, leading me up the steps and across the porch.
Inside, warm air wrapped around me like a soft blanket as I studied my surroundings. Across the room, a large fireplace dominated the space decorated with cozy furnishings that held a distinct country charm. It felt exactly how I’d imagined Ryker’s home would, and I smiled just as Lexi popped her head around a doorway and spotted me.
“Oh, you’re here!” She bounded toward me and embraced me.
Ryker chuckled as she moved to hug him next. Pops appeared followed by Seth and Mason.
“Glad you made it,” Pops said warmly, creasing the already deep lines around his mouth.
“Thanks for having me,” I said. “Sorry for running out on you guys before.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he said, taking my coat and scarf. “I hope you’re hungry. Lexi and I have prepared quite the feast.”
Mason rubbed his stomach in anticipation.
“Well, let’s not keep it waiting,” Ryker said, waving us back the way they’d come.
We made our way into the dining room. It was formal but still held the homey feel that the rest of the house did. Ryker headed past me toward the large kitchen island separating the two rooms.
“What can I get you to drink?” Ryker asked, pulling open the fridge and holding up bottles of wine and beer.
“Wine,” I said, gazing toward the French doors straight across from me. In the darkness I couldn’t see much beyond the glass, but I had a feeling the yard was just as cute as the rest of the house.
“I’ll take the beer, man,” Seth said, coming up behind Ryker.
Ryker handed it over then went to work uncorking the wine.
“You want wine, Lexi?” Ryker asked.
“Of course,” she replied.
Pops held out a chair and gestured for me to sit at the table.
“Thank you,” I said quietly as I took the seat. A moment later, Ryker brought two glasses of wine over as Lexi sat next to me.
“I hope you’re hungry,” she said. “We don’t know how to cook small amounts around here.”
Pops and Ryker disappeared into the kitchen and brought the food to the table with Mason bringing plates and silverware. Seth grabbed more beer for the men, and each of them took a seat. Ryker took the chair on my left at the head of the table. He filled his plate and then passed me the dish.
They weren’t lying when they said there was a small feast. I placed chicken and potatoes on my plate as dishes of fresh rolls and green beans were passed around. My stomach growled as I waited for others to load their plates.
Did they eat like this all the time?
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten a dinner I hadn’t ordered or microwaved.
For the first few minutes, everyone just ate in silence, and I was more than happy to do the same. When the men had gone back for seconds, Seth spoke up first.
“So, Nina, you didn’t grow up here?” Seth asked from across the table.
I took a quick sip of wine to clear my throat. “No,” I confirmed. “I grew up in Donner Valley, which is only a few hours from here.”
Pops asked, “What made you come to Pinefall?”
I thought for a moment before shrugging and said, “I wanted a fresh start. And I’d visited here when I was little. I guess it stuck with me.”
“Do you like it here?” Seth asked as I took a bite of chicken.
“Can we wait until after dinner to grill her,” Lexi teased with a laugh before I could answer.
I smiled at her, thankful for the reprieve—this was still miles better than yesterday’s meeting.
“Well, what about you, Lexi?” Mason said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“What about me?” she retorted, with a chall
enge behind her eyes. I glanced between the two and wondered if Mason was one of the brothers Lexi had wished saw her as more.
“What do you think of Pinefall?”
Lexi’s eyes and nose crinkled. “I love this little town.”
“I really like it here, too,” I admitted from behind my wineglass. “I mean, it’s beautiful.”
“That it is,” Ryker said. He laid his hand gently on top of mine, his thumb rubbing small circles against the skin as he continued, “I love the mountains.”
My eyes focused on his hand as my heart raced. Before I could get used to his touch, he let go and concentrated on his food. My cheeks blazed as I stared down at my own plate.
What the hell was that?
“Hmm…” Seth agreed, shoveling in a spoonful of mashed potatoes.
“Especially in the snow,” Lexi added.
“Speaking of snow, we’ve gotten a lot lately,” Pops said, before downing a sip of beer.
The rest of the meal was filled with easy conversation and playful banter. I found myself wishing for this kind of family-style gathering on a normal basis. The idea warmed me from the inside out.
After dinner, we ended up in the living room, and I was strangely disappointed when Ryker sat on the chair across from me rather than joining me on the couch. Instead, Lexi sat next to me. Seth brought out fresh drinks for everyone while Pops started a fire in the hearth. Mason sat on Lexi’s other side. The way he inched closer to her made me suspect there might be something between them.
“I know all this is a lot for you, Nina,” Pops began, turning from the fire to lean casually against the doorframe. I gazed around the room that practically glowed from the burning wood. “We’re glad you came back.”
“What he means is that we’re here for you,” Seth supplied, plopping down onto the arm of the couch next to Mason. “We can be your family if you let us.”
“Not everyone feels that way,” I said, thinking of Eric.
“Eric is just looking out for the pack. That’s his job as my second.” Ryker paused for a beat or two. “But it’s already been agreed that if you want to be part of the pack, you’re in. And my word as alpha is law, which means Eric has to obey.”