She crosses her arms over her chest. “Reid.”
“Riley.”
“I need to be out there.” I study her beautiful but tired face.
“You’re tired,” I point out. She starts to argue, but I continue. “You looked like you were fading, so I gave you a way out. If you want to go back out, go for it. It's your party.”
She glances outside, and I can tell, she’s going to cave. “Thanks, Reid.” She makes her way into the kitchen, and I follow, knowing she’s probably going to help clean up. She throws her hair into a bun on top of her head and starts filling the sink with hot water.
My heart rate picks up when I take in her exposed, slender neck, and I turn away quickly. “I’ll start bringing you dishes.”
I head back outside and start consolidating food trays and dishes on the food tables. “Reid, are you starting to pick up?” Evie asks. At my nod, she starts gathering dishes as well.
“Riley’s in the kitchen,” I tell her, and she heads inside. Tessa joins us a minute later. I take several trips inside and then seeZane and Slate in deep discussion. I head over there, knowing they’re probably talking about all the events of the evening.
Zane gets quiet when I join them, and I decide to deal with him now. I look him dead in the eye. “Your sister’s my mate. I’ve known since the day I turned eighteen. I didn’t tell you because she was fourteen, and I like having my head attached to my body. My dad told me not to tell anybody, and I didn’t. If anybody figured it out along the way, that was on them. I never told a soul except for my dad.”
“Dude, how did you not know?” Quint asks, joining our group and dropping an arm around Zane’s shoulder, that Zane promptly shrugs off. “He was so obvious about it.”
I scowl at Quint, but Slate nods. “It really was painfully obvious.”
“Yeah, well, she didn’t find out,” I point out and turn back to Zane. “You’re my friend, and I don’t want to lose you. But I will choose your sister every time.” I need him to know that.
He gives me a hard look and then finally caves. “I just wish you would have said something, so I wasn’t blindsided tonight.”
“I couldn’t. You would have told Riley.”
I can tell he wants to deny it, but we both know he would have, even if just under the guise of protecting her. They’re close; they always have been. He finally puts his hand out, and I meet it with my own. He pulls me in for a hug and slaps me on the back, much harder than it needs to be. He pulls back with my hand still in his. “If you hurt her,” his eyes are fierce.
“I know.”
“So, what are we going to do about the skinwalkers?” he asks. And just like that, we’re back to where we were with our friendship.
“Why? What happened?” Quint asks.
Zane fills him in on what he missed, and I let him do the talking. I reach out to see if I can feel anything from Riley, butthere’s not much there. I think, with time, I’ll be able to feel more, even before we complete the bond. Zane and Slate both were able to, and their mates are human. I go back to carrying dishes into the kitchen. On one of my trips, Zane pulls me aside. “Listen, Man, I just want to give you a heads up.” I stay silent. “Riley’s hurt about you pulling away three years ago. I think that’s why she turned to Peter.” I take in his words and try not to react. “I think his death is going to bother her more than it’s going to bother any of us.”
A heaviness settles in my gut. “Thanks for letting me know.”
“Yeah.” He eyes me again. “I know I didn’t respond the way I should have, but if I could pick a mate for Riley, it would be you.” His words surprise me. “Just,” he pauses. “Be gentle with her. I know she’s your mate, but she’s my baby sister.”
“I know, Zane. I have nothing but respect for your sister. I’ll take good care of her.”
He nods. “I know you will.”
We go back to picking up. I carry in more dishes, but the kitchen is full with Evie and Tessa and Riley’s mom all in there now. The guys and I end up cleaning up outside instead. Finally, after midnight, things look like they’re back to normal. “Thanks, everybody,” Alpha Blackwood says to all of us. “Now get out of here, so we can sleep. Riley, a word please.” She turns to her father. “I think you should sleep here,” he starts.
I watch the look come over her face, the look that means she’s digging in her heels and ready for a fight. I don’t want that for her. None of this is her fault, and she shouldn’t have to pay the price for it. “I’m planning on keeping watch tonight,” I tell him, inserting myself into the conversation.
Riley shoots me a look that I ignore. If she’s going to fight with me, she’ll end up spending the night here with her parents. Alpha Blackwood doesn’t look happy, but he finally caves. “You let me know if there are any problems.”
“I will.”
He walks over to Riley and pulls her into a hug. She's stiff at first, but then she caves and hugs him back. “I love you, Riley.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
I watch as Riley gathers her things, looking dead on her feet, as I wait for her at the front door. I open the door, and she steps out. “Can I drive you back to campus?” I ask as we walk down the front steps.
