“Okay.”
He climbs out and moves the seat, so I can climb out next. Then he takes my hand and helps me down. Zane grabs my bag for me, and we start towards the house. “Are Mom and Dad even here? I don’t see their cars.”
“They’re supposed to meet us here,” Zane says. He starts up the steps and into the house ahead of us. He stops as soon as he’s inside and turns back to us, eyes flashing. “Keep Riley here,” he tells Reid. Without another word, he leaves us standing on the front porch. I glance up at Reid, but he’s actively looking around. His jaw and shoulders are tense, and I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I don’t smell anything unusual, but my nose isn’t as strong or as developed as some of the other shifters.
“Do you scent anything?” I ask Reid. He shakes his head but doesn’t lose any of his intensity.
My parents pull up in my dad’s truck, and my dad hops out a moment later, taking the stairs in one jump. Reid pulls me outof the way as my dad strides past us. My mom walks over and climbs the stairs to stand by us. “What is it?” I ask her.
“I don’t know yet.”
Suddenly, a massive growl nearly shakes the house. I turn to my mom with wide eyes, but she’s already pushing past us to enter the house. I start to follow her, but Reid wraps his arms around me, halting me. “Reid, they’re my family. I’m going in there.”
He doesn’t fight me. “Okay, but stay close to me.” I don’t argue with him; I just want to get in there and see what’s happening. We walk inside just as Zane walks into the living room from the back bedrooms.
“What is it?” I ask.
His eyes flash to those of his wolf, and Reid puts a hand at my back. But he doesn’t do anything other than that; he knows Zane would never hurt me. Before Zane can say anything, my father roars his rage from the back room. “How dare they threaten my mate and my daughter?”
I don’t wait any longer. I move away from Reid and dart towards the hallway. “Riley, wait,” Zane calls out, but I ignore him. I find my parents in my room, staring at my desk. My dad moves quickly to stand in front of it, but it’s too late. I already saw the dozen black roses on my desk.
Zane and Reid crowd into the room behind us. “Where did they come from?” Surprisingly, my voice is level and calm.
“They’re from the Master,” Zane finally says, and my dad growls low.
I turn to him. “How do you know?”
Nobody says anything, and I face my dad. “It’s his way of letting us know he can get in here.” Then he storms out of the room, and his voice is in my head a moment later as he broadcasts a message to the entire pack.
The Master was in my home. I want to know how, and I want to know right now. Pack meeting in ten minutes for every enforcer not on duty. Enforcers on duty, Joe will inform you what happens next. When I find out who is responsible for allowing our enemy to step foot in my mate’s room and my daughter’s room, there will be a reckoning.
I flinch at the anger in my father’s voice. He storms out of the house a moment later, and my mother sighs before looking over at me. “Be prepared for security to get incredibly tight.”
Frustration burns through me, but before I can say anything, my dad comes back in. “Riley, you’ll be staying here from now on.”
“No, Dad, I can’t.” His eyes flash, and I know I’m treading on very thin ice here. But I can’t back down. I feel Reid at my back, and I know I’m not alone. “Dad, if I don’t stay on campus, I can’t play basketball.”
He shakes his head. “A sport is not more important to me than your life. I’m sorry, Riley, but—”
“Dad, please. It’s important to me.”
I watch as he struggles with the decision. “I’ll make sure she’s protected at night,” Reid says from behind me. I bite my tongue to keep from saying anything. That will be a battle to face later, after I get my dad’s approval to stay in the dorms.
My dad stares at me, but I know he’s communicating with my mom. I can see it in the slightly glazed look in his eyes. He finally takes a breath. “If you do, there will be tight security on you at all times.” I nod, accepting his terms. “We’ll figure out a way to get enforcers to each of the away games.” I know what he’s saying will require a lot of work, and I start to second guess myself. It’s just a sport, and it’s not something I have to do. “Riley.” My head jerks up at the sound of my dad calling my name. “We’ll make it work. You shouldn’t have to give up the sport you’ve worked so hard for. If you do, the enemy wins.” His face hardens. “Andthat’s not going to happen. Let me talk to Joe and get a plan in place. We’ll move on it right away.”
I’m moving before I even think about it. I reach my dad and wrap my arms around him, and he hugs me back tightly. “Thank you.”
He holds me a moment. “I’m sorry. None of this is your fault.”
“I love you,” I tell him.
He sighs against my head. “I love you too, Baby Girl.” I plant a kiss on his cheek and then step back. He looks behind me, and I know he’s looking at Reid. “Guard her with your life.” I’m ready to tell my father just what I think of that, but Reid speaks up before I can.
“I will.”
I open my mouth, but my mother’s voice in my head stops me.Don’t push, Riley; or he might change his mind.
I look over at her, and she gives me a meaningful look. I blow out a breath.Fine.
