I growled under my breath. “What the fuck is your problem? You scared her off and lied right to her face about me.”
Her smirk widened on that damn irritating face of hers. “I don’t have a problem,” she said. “You do.” She stood up and walked around me. “You like Isabella.”
I clenched my jaw. “Jane,” I said, my voice hard. Warning her not to push it.
“You’re obsessed with her.” She opened my maroon journal, gazing at the pictures of Isabella that I had drawn. “You think she saw these when you went down to make breakfast for her? You think that’s why she hurried out of the house—why she left you here? Or maybe it was because she was going to meet her mate, Derek.”
My wolf took control, a growl rumbling from deep within my throat. “Derek isn’t her fucking mate, Jane.”
She grinned at me. “Someone’s a little possessive, isn’t he?”
I snatched the journal away from her and tossed it onto the bed. “I’m not possessive.”
She snorted. “Not possessive? Moon Goddess, Roman. Everyone can see it. You’re acting just like Dad did.”
“I am not.”
“Okay,” she said, walking to my door. “Believe what you want to believe. But—just to let you know—Isabella likes you too.” She gave me Mom’s smile. “And not just in this way,” she said looking at the messy bed. “Like, really likes you.”
Chapter 28
Isabella
After changing into Jane’s clothes, I escaped through the back door—avoiding Roman and his intoxicating mint scent—and walked to the Night Raider’s Café for breakfast. A part of me wanted to stay to have pancakes with Roman, sit on his bed, sharing a plate, smiling at each other like the damn stupid wolves we were.
It terrified me because I had never felt so close to someone who blatantly disrespected me. It terrified me because I was losing control around him. It terrified me because I was falling for a man who would be difficult to let go and leave.
I opened the door, and the scent of baked bread hit me. I stood behind a woman in line and bounced up and down on my toes. Too many people knew about Roman and me. Derek. Rachel. Jane. Mr. Beck. If word continued to spread, I wouldn’t be remembered as the strong Lycan warrior from the Silverclaw Pack. I’d bethatgirl who slept with her alpha.
The scent of forest mixed with hazelnut drifted into my nose. “Someone’s a little jumpy today.” Ryker stood behind me, arms crossed against his chest, making his biceps bulge. Dark eyes, brown tousled hair, and that sexy sleeve of Moonflower tattoos, I nearly choked on my own breath.
I nudged his arm and smiled. “A little.”
He stuffed his hands in his pockets and smiled down at me with his pearly whites. “Few more days until you can officially become one of us. How’re you feeling about everything?”
The woman before me stepped out of line, and the cashier called for me to order. “I’m good,” I said after stepping forward and asking for a coffee and a chocolate chip muffin.
From behind her thick frames, the cashier gazed between us. “Are you two paying together?”
“No.”
“Yes,” Ryker said, handing the woman a debit card. I wanted to protest, but Ryker gave me a don’t-you-dare look and I pressed my lips together, taking it as a kind gesture from my soon-to-be leader.
We grabbed our coffees and sat at a table in the corner of the café, near the windows. Young pups were chasing each other around the trees outside. Small groups of people were walking up and down the path toward the café. And I hoped that nobody from my pack would show up. That would be hard to explain to Roman.
“Any hesitations?” Ryker asked, sipping his coffee. I shook my head. “Well, if you ever have any questions, I’m always available for a coffee date with you.” He leaned back in his seat, eyes flickering gold. “So, how’s Roman doing?”
“He’s good,” I said, quicker than I should’ve.
“Just good?” He arched a sharp brow. “Rumor has it that you two are a thing.”
“Where’d you hear that?”
“I have people.” He took another sip, analyzing me. “Rumor also has it that you have a thing with your friend, Derek.”
I took a deep breath. Great. If Ryker knew, other people probably heard about us. Wolves in my pack. Warriors in the Lycans. I didn’t want that, at least not while I was transitioning.
Some people gazed over at us, hushing their voices. These wolves just loved their gossip, didn’t they? I leaned across the table. “Rumor probably will also have it that I’m dating you too in a few hours.” I pushed my hand across my face, noticing a couple people from my pack walk into the café, and groaned. “Wow, I sound like such a hoe.”
