Reid
I close the basement door and lean against the wall, just next to the door. I am very aware that there is still a party in full swing, a party for my mate. Frustration burns through me at just how sideways the night has gone. None of this was how tonight was supposed to go. Slater comes in from outside and walks over to stand next to me. “You holding up the wall?”
“They’re having a family meeting,” I tell him, trying to keep the irritation out of my voice.
He takes that in. He looks like he’s going to say something about it but thinks better of it. “Peter?”
“Dead.”
He looks at me in surprise, and I realize word hasn’t passed through the pack yet about what went down tonight. I know Joe and a few of his enforcers already took care of the creature. I didn’t see what they did, but I’m assuming they loaded it into the back of Joe’s truck to take home and burn. “Wow. You weren’t messing around.”
He was a skinwalker.I send the message directly to him through our pack link, so that no one will overhear and panic.
His eyes narrow.Really? How does this keep happening? How are they getting past our defenses? Half the pack was here tonight!
I know.
Did he want to hurt Riley?
Anger rushes through me swiftly.I didn’t stop to ask him after he transformed.
If Slate catches my sarcasm, he doesn’t say anything. Tessa comes inside and walks over to us. He wraps an arm around her, and she leans against him. I look away, wondering if Riley and I are ever going to get to that stage. I love what Zane and Slate have with their mates; I’m happy for them. But I'll be the first to admit, it’s definitely made waiting for Riley harder. But I know it will be worth it. “Hey, Reid,” Tessa says with a smile.
“Hey, Tessa,” I say in return.
I hear steps on the stairs and open the door. Riley comes running up the steps. “Riley.” She pushes past me. “Hey, wait.” I snag her arm before she can disappear.
“What?” she asks, and I suck in a breath when I see her eyes are wet. She pulls her arm from my grasp. I let her go, and she flees to her room.
Zane comes up next, and I spin around. “Riley,” he calls out and tries to follow her. I step into his path. I don’t know what he did, but Riley’s obviously upset. He cracks his neck. “Reid, I swear to—”
“Just let her be,” I say, not wanting to hear whatever he’s going to say.
“You’ve already gotten in my way once tonight when I was trying to get to my sister.”
Before I can say anything, Riley’s door opens. She steps out, looking perfect once again, not that she didn’t look perfect before. But her eyes are clear now. She looks between Zane and I. “I’m not sure what’s going on here, but I’ve got to get back to the party.”
“Riley,” Zane starts, but she puts her hand up.
“I have to get out there.” Her eyes meet mine. “I need to head back out there and announce that I found my mate. Do you want to go with me?”
Like I would turn that opportunity down.She steps past Zane and moves over towards the back door. I follow her,keeping an eye on the people around us. When we get to the door, she stops and looks up at me. I can see the uncertainty in her eyes, and it guts me. I reach out and take her hand, wrapping my fingers around hers. “Let’s do this.”
As if the words give her confidence, she nods and steps outside with me right behind her. I am very aware of the eyes on us and know immediately that word has spread through the pack that Riley and I are mates. More and more people turn towards us. “Hey, everybody,” Riley calls out, and people immediately start to quiet down. “Thank you so much for showing up for this special night. I’m so glad I was able to spend tonight with the people I love most, and that pack run was amazing.” A few people whistle and cheer, and she continues. “And as you might have guessed, Reid and I are mates.”
“Well, hallelujah!” My mom calls out, earning a laugh from everyone. Riley shocks me by putting her arm around me and laying her head against my chest. Her scent wraps around me, and I have a hard time focusing. I’ve wanted to be able to touch her for so long. To have her wrapped around me is equal parts amazing and torture. I slip an arm around her back, anchoring her soft body to mine.
“We’re so pleased that Reid is Riley’s mate,” Riley’s father says, stepping up beside us. Her mom beams at us and then the crowd, but I don’t miss the tension in either of them. My parents come to stand beside us as well, all smiles. I know how much they love Riley; they probably love her more than they love me. Riley disengages herself from me, and I miss her warmth immediately. Thankfully, she stays close; and we greet all the well-wishers who want to pass on their congratulations to us. My mom is the first to hug us. “Oh, Riley, Honey, I am so happy it’s you for our boy. We couldn’t have picked a better mate for Reid. We just love you so much.” She nearly crushes Riley in a hug.
“Okay, Mom. I think she gets it,” I say after a moment. Riley steps back and graciously smiles at my parents.
The night drags on until the party finally starts to die down. I glance over at Riley. We’d gotten separated over the last hour or so. While she still has a bright smile on her face, I can tell she’s dragging. I make my way over to her side and put my hand on her back.
“Thanks so much for coming out tonight,” I tell the rest of the people still gathered around her and then turn her away and start towards the back door.
“Reid,” she whisper hisses, but I urge her forward until we’re inside. “There are still people out there,” she says as soon as we’re inside.
“There are.”
