Page 81 of The Wolves of Forest Grove

But right now, I didn’t have room in my brain to think about my possible immortality, because Ryland had his burning orange gaze on me, and he was coming this way.

I wasn’t about to wait here, cowering as he approached. My wolf sparked to life in my chest and I soothed her softly spoken internal thought.

He’s our alpha, I reminded her. We are just going to get our orders and then we’re going to leave. Easy.

Clay and Jared, realizing where I was staring—who I was staring at—fell into step on either side of me as I strode with as much forced confidence as I could to meet him only a few feet away from the fire.

“You made it,” Ryland said, the words betraying a note of surprise.

Had he really thought I wouldn’t come?

I didn’t trust myself to answer without the words coming out dripping acid, so I simply nodded. My wolf was on high alert now, and I was sure Ryland could see her in my eyes. If he couldn’t, my clenched fists were probably a dead giveaway as to how hard I needed to fight her.

Clay had been right; the shift and the run had been necessary. I couldn’t imagine how much more difficult it would be to stand here and take orders if my wolf had been properly fed, and I hadn’t allowed her some time in the light.

“I trust you’re…more adjusted now?” Fucking prick.

“She’s doing great, Uncle Ry,” Jared spoke for me.

Ryland grinned, and I couldn’t help but notice how the music seemed louder now, clearer.

Because everyone had stopped talking. Everyone was listening.

My spine tingled at the pressure of a hundred phantom eyes watching my every move. My skin bristled.

“Good,” Ryland said, never taking his eyes from mine.

A bruising force pressed down on my shoulders, and I had to grit my teeth just to remain standing. A small gasp left my lips.

Jared and Clay turned to check that I was all right and all at once, the pressure lifted, and I glared at Ryland. He was pushing me.

Testing me.

Exerting his dominance in a way no one would notice if he were careful.

He’s trying to make sure he still had control of me.

If I ground my teeth any harder, I’m pretty sure one would’ve snapped.

“There seem to be a few wolves who’ve…gone astray,” Ryland said, steepling his fingers and pursing his lips as though considering something carefully. “I need some help reining them in. Your particular strengths could come in handy for that.”

“You mean the shifters from Dave’s pack?” Clay asked.

“Charity’s group has already searched everywhere for them,” Jared said, confused. “They could be halfway to the east coast by now.”

“Should I let what’s rightfully mine go so easily, nephew?”

Jared, cowed, shut his mouth. My upper lip curled.

“You’ll join the search,” Ryland told me, and something in his gaze dared me to fight him on this.

He wanted me to, I realized.

A sick feeling spread like sludge in my gut. “When do I need—”

“Tomorrow. You’ll meet Charity here at five.” Charity appeared a moment later, and I wondered if Ryland used his alpha pull to lure her in. “We usually get back around midnight,”

I shook my head. “I can’t,” I said. “I have work at the shop six days a week. I could maybe go down to five if I really have to—”

“Are you disobeying a direct order?”

The fire in Ryland’s tone could not be mistaken. “Ry,” Clay hissed.

“Something to say, Armstrong?” Ryland pressed, and I heard someone to our right whistle low and someone else chortle. “I’m in need of my pack. I’m in need of Allie’s strong will to wrangle these deserters back to camp so I can deal with them.”

A pause and Ryland turned his heated gaze back to me.

“Is this going to be a problem?”

“I can go,” Jared offered. “If Charity needs—”

“I need you at the quarry,” Ryland barked, and I saw Jared flinch as his uncle used his alpha status to bend him to his will.

“It’s fine,” I all but growled, realizing all at once that what happened here, right now, hinged on whether or not I would be obedient.

Clay and Jared would stand up for me, and they would get themselves in some deep shit doing it. I couldn’t let them. I had enough on my shoulders as it was.

“I’ll be here at five.”

“What about the shop?” Jared asked, and I could see an uncharacteristic amount of anger in his gaze when I turned to look at him. He was furious.

It took some doing, but I managed to smooth the angered creases in my own forehead and force my shoulders to relax. “It’s okay,” I told him. “Her niece watches the shop sometimes when I’m sick. I’ll call her. It’ll be fine.”

The last part was a lie.

My boss, Jacqueline, was a kind woman. She was caring and understanding, but she needed someone reliable. It was one of the reasons I even got the job to begin with. I’d volunteered there for three weeks for a school co-op project and had shown her just how reliable I could be. How hard-working.

I was never late.

I didn’t leave until everything was finished.

She’d been thinking of extending her hours for a while, and she’d hired me.

Her exact words were, I’ve never met a more mature student, and I’ve hosted a lot of co-ops from the high school. I need someone reliable to close up the shop in the evenings. The job is yours if you want it.

Someone reliable.

Depending on how long Ryland decided to punish me. I wouldn’t be that person she was looking for anymore.

My dreams of renting the apartment above the bookshop—of being self-sufficient when I turned eighteen—would be dashed.

All because of this motherfucker.

“It’s settled then,” Ryland said with a self-righteous grin. “I’ll leave you to work out the details with Charity.”

He turned away.

“Ry,” Clay called, stopping him.

I cast a warning stare in Clay’s direction, urging him to let it go, but he wasn’t looking at me. He was glaring at Ryland’s back.

Every muscle in his bare arms taut as a bowstring, he waited with a vein sticking a good half an inch out of his temple until Ryland turned.

Ryland spun and raised a brow. “Clay,” I whispered harshly.

He seemed to consider something for a moment and then shook his head, sighing. “My sister has requested permission to visit this month. Will you allow it?”

Ryland’s eyes flashed for the briefest moment. “Your sister?” he asked, brows narrowing.

“You’ve never met her,” Clay grumbled. “She moved away with my mom before you came back and took over as alpha. She’s with a small pack in Alaska now.”

Ryland considered the request, a keen interest in his gaze. “I’ll allow it,” he said after a lengthy silence.

“I appreciate it,” Clay managed through clenched teeth.

“But, Clayton,” he added before Clay could leave. “You’ll be responsible for her while she’s here.”

Clay nodded.

“Remember this kindness,” Ryland called after a retreating Clay as though he’d just given him a wonderful gift. The kind that he expected to be thanked for. The kind that he expected to be repaid.

“Stay,” Ryland said, turning to Jared. “The quarry will survive without you for one night, nephew. Have a drink. Enjoy the bonfire.”

Jared managed a nod, but the rage in his eyes was still unmistakable. I looped my arm through his and nudged Charity, pulling us away from our alpha. “Come on,” I said, a sour taste coating my tongue. “Where’s Seth? I don’t know about you guys, but I’m going to need that drink.”