I bite back a smile. “Yes, Mom.” And then, they finally drive away. I stand in the driveway, watching them until they’re out of sight. A glance at the sky shows there’s still nearly an hour before Riley shifts and joins the pack run. Restlessness runs through me, and I resist the urge to shift. I know that’s the last thing I should do; my wolf will just run straight for his mate. For over three years, I’ve kept him in check. But he knows tonight is the night, and I’ve barely been able to keep him contained. For now, I head back into the house, knowing I need to stay indoors and not risk a chance of shifting. My wolf lets me know his irritation at coming back inside, but I ignore him. There are no other options right now. I remind him that this is about what’s bestfor our mate, but I don’t think he’s listening. I get it; I’m having a hard time staying here as well. I glance at the clock and scowl and will the time to speed up. I finally give up just waiting and head downstairs to my dad’s workout area. If I can’t let my wolf run, I’ll exercise to burn off some of the extra energy. An hour and a half later, I head back upstairs, drenched in sweat. I take a shower and change into the polo shirt and khaki shorts I brought with. I look at the clock for at least the hundredth time tonight and figure the run should be done by now, and the party should be in full swing. I’m just about ready to head out the door when my dad reaches out to me.
Son, do you know a Peter?
His words cause instant anger. That was the punk kid that was Riley’s study partner last year; only he wanted so much more than just to study with Riley. I put a stop to his plans more than once. Some times, he knew about it; others, he had no idea. Like the time he got a flat tire before he was supposed to leave to pick up Riley. Shame, really. He hadn’t been able to meet with Riley that night. I hated that kid.Yes. Why?My words are clipped.
Just...there seems to be some sort of confusion.
What confusion?
His next question hits me so hard, I physically feel it.How sure are you that Riley is your mate?
I go still. Absolutely still.Riley is my mate.I’m sure my father can feel my aggression coming through the bond, but I don’t really care. Nobody gets to question whether Riley is my mate or not. I throw my bag over my shoulder, pocket my phone, and head outside.Why are you asking me that?I practically snarl the words at him, but I don’t feel an ounce of regret.
Are you coming here?
Yes. I’m walking there now.
Okay. I’ll meet you outside.
My steps don’t slow; if anything, I walk faster.You’d better explain what’s going on.
Don’t threaten me, Son. I will meet you outside when you get here.
He cuts off the connection for now. And while I know I could reach back out, I don’t. I’m in a foul mood now. The fact that this Peter kid is showing up to a wolf shifter party is not good, and I will throw him out just as soon as I get there. But what really is fueling my anger is my father asking me how sure I am that Riley is my mate. A growl rumbles in my chest, and I don’t bother trying to suppress it. I’m just as angry as my wolf is. When I get close to the Blackwood’s house, I can hear the music thumping and the sound of voices in the backyard. I take a deep whiff, hoping...no, needing to smell my mate’s scent. But I can’t catch it; there are too many other scents. That just makes my already riled-up wolf even more on edge. My father steps out onto the sidewalk. I respect him enough that I stop but just for a moment. “I’m going inside,” I tell him, hoping he gets the clue to get out of my way.
“Son.” There’s something in his face and his tone that has my wolf sitting up and taking notice. I glance towards the house and back at him.
“What’s wrong? Is Riley okay? Did she not shift? Is her wolf okay?” The questions rush from my lips, each one more urgent than the last.
He puts a hand on my shoulder. “Riley is safe. She shifted and ran with the pack. Her wolf is beautiful.” I knew it would be. I’m glad he doesn’t tell me what her wolf looks like; I want to see for myself. My wolf urges me forward, trying to get us to go inside. But before I can, my father takes a breath and then gives me a look of regret. There’s a tightening in my gut because I know something is really wrong. “Son, I’m going to tell you something;but you have to keep control of your wolf.” His eyes harden. “Do you understand me? Promise me you will control your wolf.”
He knows my word is my bond. I don’t want to agree because I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know what the threat is, but I need to get in there. So, I will say and do whatever it is I need to do to make that happen. “I promise.” I wait to hear what he has to say, keeping a tight leash on my wolf. He stares at me, like he can’t figure out what to say; and I struggle to hang on to what little patience I have left.
“Reid.”
I turn to see Slate walking towards us. I’m not sure where he came from, but it doesn’t surprise me. He’s part shadow, I swear. He stops next to my father and crosses his arms over his chest. He levels a look at me, and I clock the apprehension in his eyes. Nothing makes Slate nervous, and he looks just that now. And just like that, I snap. “You both are going to tell me right now what is going on. I swear, if something happened to Riley, I—”
“Nothing happened to Riley,” Slate says, but there’s no reassurance in his voice.
“Slate,” I warn.
And then he tells me.
“Peter, that kid that studied with Riley all last year, is here. He's claiming to be Riley’s mate.”
I expect rage to consume me, but it’s not rage that fills me. It’s ice. “And Riley?”
I study the two of them, and I swear I stop breathing. Slate gives me a look, unlike anything I’ve ever seen from him. It’s a soft look that he only usually reserves for Tessa. “She says he’s her mate.” His words bounce through my head with the force of a sledgehammer. Slate takes a tiny step back, dropping just the slightest bit in his stance, anticipating when I shift and rush inside. But I don’t do that. I try to think through the roar in my head, the one demanding blood. I’m not sure right now howmuch is from my wolf, and how much is coming from me. It doesn’t really matter. There is only one way tonight ends, and that is the blood of this kid coating my wolf’s tongue. He and I are both in agreement on that.
“Before you go in,” Slate says. “Alpha wants a word with you.”
Chapter 8
Riley
The pack run was everything I thought it was going to be and more. Surprisingly, my wolf kept up with my dad, but I’m also pretty sure he kept his pace slower than usual to accommodate her. When we get back to the house, I make my way to my room to shift back. I have a hard time getting her to relinquish her control, but she finally does. When I shift back, it’s more painful this time; but I figure that’s because we’re more tired. I close my eyes a moment as a wave of dizziness followed by exhaustion flows over me. But after a moment, the dizziness passes. I figure I probably need to eat. I burned through a lot of calories on that run. Minutes later, I’m back in my yellow dress and sandals, and my hair is down. I smile into the mirror. No amount of exhaustion can keep the pure joy I feel buried. I finally shifted, and it was incredible.
I open my door and head back out, ready to join in the fun. I don’t make it all the way out when my mom stops me. There’s a look on her face that has me taking notice. “What’s wrong?” I ask.
