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“Hurt it on a run over the weekend. It’s nothing. Already healing. Don’t worry about it.”

“Seems like more than that is bothering you. Anything I should know about? Maybe that girl you mentioned before? The one snooping about.”

On our way toBlue Moon, Ryder mentioned another new girl in town. This one is sneaky and snooping around like she’s looking for something or someone. He assured me she wouldn’t be an issue, but I’m not sure about that.

Ryder growls in irritation, his fists tightening on the chair's armrest. I haven’t seen this much emotion from Ryder in a longtime. Whoever this girl is, she is rubbing Ryder in all the wrong ways. Could be good for him.

“I’m handling her. She’s more of a nuisance than I thought she would be, but nothing I can’t manage.”

“Who is she anyway? Why is she here? No one else seems to be talking about her, which is concerning with how gossip works in this town.”

Normally, when there’s a newcomer in town,someonesays something, but this woman has been particularly low-key and keeping to the shadows. Either that or Lottie is redirecting everyone’s interest since she’s been around me and my family so much.

“She’s an online blogger.” He hesitates, visibly battling with himself over how much to divulge. “A conspiracy theorist of sorts. The kind that believes in the paranormal and alien.”

I bristle, my spine going rigid. Those are a lot of words I don’t like hearing in one sentence.

“And she’s here because?” I prompt.

“Heard rumors and theories about the eclipse. Nothing concrete. I think Ginger’s taken down her site a time or two.”

He’s trying to play it off as insignificant, but it isn’t. Nothing is too small or unimportant to give our full attention to when it comes to the safety of the town and our people. Our pack.

“Well, fairy dust her and get her out of town. We don’t need a nosy human with theories about the paranormal snooping around right now. With the eclipse and the elves, we have more than enough to deal with.”

For the first time since I became alpha my brother doesn’t immediately agree to my orders. He hesitates, clearing his throat and averting his eyes.

I squint at him, trying to read the unfamiliar expression on his face. He wants to fulfill my order but also . . . doesn’t.

“There are circumstances that may prevent the use of fairy dust in this situation.” Is all he says.

“Are you going to elaborate?”

“Not yet.”

I frown in confusion at my beta. I'm not sure what the hell is going on with him lately. He was on edge at Blue Moon on Saturday night, and now he’s acting cagey, not wanting to disclose pertinent information regarding a possible threat to our secrecy.

I let out an exasperated sigh. I really don’t have time for this. He needs to get his shit together and handle it.

“Can I trust that you’ll handle this?”

Ryder’s posture goes taught, and his eyes flash to mine, determination sharpening them to an acute focus.

“Yes, of course you can. You focus on the elves and Lottie. I’ll deal with Tess.”

“Tess?”

“The woman, that’s her name. Though I prefer to think of her as the pain in my ass.”

My laugh almost slips past my lips; I don’t think I’ve heard Ryder make a joke.

“Well, just make sure this pain in the ass remains yours and not mine.”

“Understood.”

If Ryder says he can handle this, then I’m going to let him; I already have enough on my plate as it is.

“Just keep me updated. And if you need Ginger’s assistance with any online removals, just let her know.”