Page 15

Chapter Fifteen

“Everly?” a familiar female voice responded. “Finally!”

I pulled the phone away from my ear to check the caller ID. Annie… that made a lot more sense when I never gave Ryder my number.

“Hey, Annie,” I said, sitting up in the bed and covering a yawn.

“Everly Montana!” Annie’s voice was bright with excitement. “I thought you were avoiding me!”

I laughed, trying to sound casual. “No, of course not. Why would I avoid you? I’ve just been busy with the move and everything.”

“I thought you’d be all settled in by now,” Annie said with a snort. “It’s not like you had that much stuff.”

“Yeah, takes more time to settle into a new place, I guess,” I said, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. I got to my feet and made my way to the kitchen. “I finished unpacking everything, but I’m still working on decorating and settling in. It’s a process.”

I looked over at the work I would have to do when I panicked and started to repack my things. Wait. Was I going to stay here? No. I was still going to go back to the city where I’d be safer. Not that I was about to tell Annie any of that.

“I’m glad to hear it’s going well,” Annie said, sounding a bit distracted.

“Are you at work?”

She said something to someone I couldn’t quite make out. “Yeah, sorry. I’m glad it’s going well.”

“You said that already.” Had I been that annoying when I’d been working?

“Sorry, I meant to ask when I can come visit. I’m dying to see the place that pulled you away from me,” Annie said, typing vigorously on her keyboard.

“No!” The word burst out of me like a bolt of lightning, way too harsh and abrupt.

There was a pause on the other end of the line.

“I mean,” I backpedaled quickly, “not yet. The place is still a mess, and I... I need more time to get it ready for visitors.”

“Everly, what’s going on?” Annie’s voice had shifted from excited to concerned. “You sound weird. Are you okay?”

I leaned against the kitchen counter, closing my eyes. How could I possibly explain what was happening? Oh, nothing much. I just discovered werewolves are real, and now I’m being protected by one pack while possibly being hunted by another.

“I’m perfectly fine, Annie,” I said, drumming my fingers on the countertop. “Actually, it sounds to me as if you’re just really busy. I don’t want to keep you.”

“Sorry, we’re working on that big project,” Annie said with a heavy sigh. “I haven’t been sleeping much.”

“Me either,” I muttered.

She drew in a breath. “Well, I should get back to it, and you should rest. Isn’t that part of the reason you moved out to the middle of nowhere? To slow down and get away?”

“Yes, it is,” I said softly. “I promise I’ll invite you over. I just need to settle in properly.”

And make sure you won’t be murdered by angry wolves.

“Okay, well, don’t be a stranger,” Annie said. “Oh, and answer your texts once in a while, so I know you’re still alive.”

“The service isn’t the best.”

“Take care,” Annie said, already talking to whoever was in her office. “Bye.”

I opened my mouth to say goodbye, but the phone went dead. I had no idea when — or if — I’d be able to have friends visit without putting them in danger, too.

I stood in my silent kitchen, feeling more alone than ever. I got exactly what I’d wanted, and now I wasn’t sure if it was the right thing for me after all.

I spent the rest of the day pacing, cleaning already clean surfaces, and obsessively checking my phone. By late afternoon, the walls felt like they were closing in on me. The windows had darkened with the setting sun, turning my supposed sanctuary into something more sinister.

“This is ridiculous,” I muttered, pulling back the curtain to peer outside for the hundredth time.

No sign of Ryder. No sign of anyone. Not even a wolf… at least not one that I could see.

I put the books back on my shelf, although I wasn’t sure why I was bothering, if I was going to head back to the city once I got my SUV back. At least it gave me something to do.

By evening, my anxiety had reached a breaking point. Where was he? Had something happened?

The business card he’d given me sat on my coffee table, its edges slightly bent from how many times I’d picked it up and put it down throughout the day. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore.

I snatched up the card and dialed the number.

He answered after one ring, as if he’d been waiting with the phone in his hand.

“Ryder?” I breathed out.

“Yeah.” His voice was low, distracted.

“Where are you?” I demanded, my relief quickly morphing into irritation. “I thought you’d come back.”

Through the phone, I heard rustling, muffled voices in the background. It sounded like some kind of heated discussion.

He let out a sharp breath. “Can’t talk.”

I barely had a chance to set the phone down when it immediately rang again, making me jolt. Glancing at the caller ID, my brows lifted in surprise at Steven’s name.

“Hello?” I answered cautiously.

“Hey, glad I caught you,” Steven said, as if he were doing seven other things at the same time. “So Donna told me what a great job you did on Friday at the bar.”

“Oh, great,” I said, somewhat taken aback.

“She was really saying we could use something a bit more permanent,” he said, pausing to clearly do something else. “I trust her call since she basically runs the place these days. I was wondering if you could help out again this coming weekend.”

I hesitated. The idea of doing that all over again felt a bit… tiring, but the money was more than great. And now with everything happening, I wasn’t even sure if I’d be around, and if I was, would I even be able to leave the house?

“Yeah, I’m not sure,” I said slowly. “My car is in the shop and I don’t know when I’ll get it back.”

“That’s not a problem,” Steven replied quickly. “I could pick you up, and I’m sure Donna wouldn’t mind dropping you off after close. I’ll check with her, but I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”

I shifted from foot to foot. There was a good chance that Trevor would have my car fixed by then, so I’d have to think of another excuse if that’s what I wanted instead of accepting his offer.

“Can I think about it?” I asked, freezing at the sound of something outside. It sounded like someone had stepped up onto the porch, but no one was knocking.

“Yeah, of course,” Steven said, his voice fading. “Just let me know as soon as possible so I can plan accordingly.”

A knock at the door made me jump. I held my breath, clutching the phone harder as my eyes darted to the door.

“Okay,” I said, keeping my voice low.

“Great! Looking forward to hearing?—”

“I have to go,” I whispered, keeping my feet rooted as I instantly clicked to end the call.

Carefully, I walked to the window, doing my best not to make a sound. I pulled back the edge of the curtain just enough to peek out.

My heart thudded so hard my whole body jerked.

A pitch black wolf sat on my porch, looking at the door. Its head slowly turned to the side, its eye gleaming as if it knew I was there watching. A chill rippled down my spine, and I tapped Ryder’s contact information with trembling fingers.

He answered immediately. “I’m really bu?—”

“There’s a wolf at my door,” I whispered urgently, not taking my eyes off the creature.

Ryder made a noise that came from deep in his throat. “I’ll be right there. Don’t open the door.”