The harsh comment makes me flinch, and I realize that Warner and I aren’t alone.
We have an audience of wolves.
52
WARNER
Of course myfamily followed me.
Zoey is in my arms, saying all the things I’ve been dying to hear, but my mother’s biting words demand my attention.I glare over my shoulder.
Rebecca Jameson stands at the mouth of the alley, my uncle laying a staying hand on her shoulder.With a jerk, she shrugs him off.
Roderick approaches with unhurried steps, his face not giving away any emotion.However, from the way his eyes flick between our mother and me, I’m betting he’s considering whether the pack leader needs to intercede in this conflict.
Tanya and Isaac linger at a distance, hesitating to come closer.My sister bites her thumbnail in the way she always does when her anxiety rises, and my younger brother crosses his arms and wears a blank face.Isaac tends to be more like Roderick than me, facing conflict with a stony defense.
“This is between Zoey and me.We’d like a moment alone,” I say as calmly as I can manage.
“So you can ride off to Denver together?”
“What?”
At Zoey’s question, I turn back to her.
Tuning out my mom’s unwanted comments, I try to have an actual conversation about our future.Zoey told me she loves me.All I want is a moment to savor the words.
“I shouldn’t have asked you to stay here.”
Zoey flinches back as if I struck her, but I keep my arms tight around her waist before she can stumble away.
“What I mean is, your life is back in Denver.Your family and friends.Your business opportunities.It was selfish of me to ask you to give all that up.”
“Warner—”
“I’m coming with you.”I speak over her, needing to get the words out.Needing her to know that I’ll follow her anywhere.
“What about your pack?”Her eyes flick to my family and back to me.
“They aren’t the only wolves in the world.”
She’s shaking her head, and I want to grip the sides of her face, keep the denial at bay.I want her nodding and smiling and telling me about the place we’ll get together in the city.
“I don’t want you to go to Denver.”
Now, I’m the one flinching, and she’s the one clutching me close.
“I want us to stay in Pine Falls,” she says.“At least for now.I want us to stay here.Together.”
Happiness balloons in my chest, and I’m just about to pull her in for another breath-stealing kiss when my mother’s snarl shatters through my good mood.Again.
“Damn it, Roderick.You’re the pack leader.She’s an outsider.Dosomething.”
Zoey’s head jerks to the side as if my mother’s words were a blow.My wolf bristles in defense, and I turn to examine my brother.
Will he try to step between us?Does he feel the same as our mother?
The man has his arms crossed, his eyes locked on Zoey and me.He’s silent at first, and everyone waits for him to speak.
