Page 120 of Crimson Moon Falling

His wolf was tired, but still restless, wanting confirmation that their mate was safe. He hit Riley’s number and finally heard her voice, quiet and steady.

“Hey.”

That single syllable hit him like a physical thing. “Are you safe?” His voice came out rough.

“Yes. We made it back to Denver right as the story broke, and Jamie met us at the airstrip with four Betas.”

“You’re not telling me everything.”

She sighed. “It was close. Flint sent three Pack SUVs and a nondescript sedan registered to a Normal. Ash drove me home in the sedan, and the SUVs were pulled over and searched. Ash has guards posted around the compound, and the County Sheriff’s office is patrolling the street. We’re good.”

“Where is everyone?”

“Drew’s in his office, Jamie’s walking the perimeter, and Ash is asleep on the couch. Mangus is here with me, snoring loud enough to rattle the windows.”

Conall could picture it, and homesickness curled through him. “Why didn’t you tell me what you planned to do?”

“I did tell you.” An edge crept into her voice. “In Las Vegas at Sawyer’s Pack house. I said I was going to shut Apex and Wilson down. You told me I wasn’t going anywhere until my burns healed.”

“That’s not the same as—”

“We agreed on forty-eight hours.” Her voice had that flat, stubborn quality he recognized too well. “And I told you that if we didn’t do it together, I’d do it alone.”

Damn it, he remembered the conversation. He’d put her off and planned to handle it himself somehow.

He thought he’d given an order, and he expected obedience because that’s what Pack did. That’s what everyone did.

Except Riley.

“I expected you to wait for me,” he murmured.

“I know you did.”

The silence stretched between them. “Did you mean it?” he asked. Her statement had been eating him since he’d watched the interview. “About why I mated you.”

The line went quiet. He could hear the faint sounds of the Denver compound through the phone, and Riley breathing.

“At first,” she admitted. “Especially when you cut me off. You’re a Pack Alpha and have to think strategically. It made sense.”

He could picture her, sitting cross-legged on their bed with that white streak falling across her cheek, her fingers fiddling with her bandage. Or maybe she was in his office, staring out the window.

“And now?”

“I don’t believe that anymore. I know your wolf loves me. I feel it through the bond every day.” Her voice caught. “I think… I hope you do too.”

Something cracked in his chest, a hot, painful fissure that made his breath catch. His wolf surged forward, a possessive, snarling wave of emotion.

“My wolf chose you, but so did I.” His voice was rough. “The first day we met, I watched you with that scared but determined look on your face, and I thought, Christ, she’s going to get herself killed.” He swallowed and closed his eyes. “I wanted you right along with my wolf.”

She was silent. He could hear her breathing, shallow and uneven, and he knew she was crying even though she’d never admit it.

“I love you,” she whispered. “Even when you’re being an overbearing jerk.”

A chuckle escaped him. “I love you too, a stór mo chroí. I’m coming home.”

The television in his hotel room was on low. Background noise that he barely registered. The screen suddenly cut to an explosion, and he grabbed the remote and turned up the volume.

“Turn on your television,” Conall instructed. Just then he heard Jamie.