The constant low growls around Riley rose in volume, vibrating with menace that woke a fear in Riley so deep, so primal, that he could scarcely think. But Urban wasn’t done.
“You’ve taken enough from him. You don’t get to take his peace too.” He stepped back, eyes dark, voice flat. “Get in your car and leave, while you still can.”
Riley ignored every survival instinct that was screaming at him to obey. He stood his ground because this was more important thananything.“I want to see Jason.”
The irony wasn’t lost on him that this was the first time in forever that he was telling the truth, and it was going to cost him everything.
The attack came from nowhere. He was slammed to the ground under the onslaught of a big, dark wolf he hadn’t evenseen.He brought his arms up instinctively, trying to protect his throat, but it was too late. The wolf pinned him down, staring into Riley’s eyes. Its gaze wasn’t the savage unknowingness of a wild animal. It was the savage knowingness of someone who hated Riley and would love nothing more than to rip his throat out.
A rumble sounded deep in the wolf’s chest, and it lowered its head so that its mouth… Oh, God, its jaws were open and a hairsbreadth away from Riley’s throat. Close enough so Riley could hear the soft menacing growl that came out with every hot breath puffing against his skin.
Riley’s gut churned, and cold sweat broke out all over him. He was going to die. He was going to die and never have put things right with Jason.
“You have one chance to get back in your car,” Urban said.
Riley’s breathing was uneven, knocked out of him by the attack and fear. But even in the midst of his terror, anger was growing. They had no right to keep him from Jason. “No,” he gasped out. “I want to see Jason.”
The dark wolf above him snarled. Riley’s heart threatened to burst out of his chest, doing the wolf’s work for him. Teeth gleamed at his throat, promising a brutal end.
He wondered if it would be quick, or he’d feel it—feeleverything—before it was over.
Shudders racked him as he closed his eyes and waited for the end.
Chapter Twenty-five
JASON
Jason rounded the corner of the ranch house and froze at the scene in front of him. Karl’s huge, menacing bulk had Riley pinned on the ground, and his jaws were at Riley’s throat. One wrong move, and he’d be torn apart.
Jason’s wolf surged inside him, fierce and protective, a snarl curling his lip before he could stop it. Every muscle tensed, demanding he protect what was his. As he stalked forward, the hairs on the back of his neck rose, and a growl rumbled in his chest.
“Jason.” Matt’s voice cut through the haze of red, sharp and unyielding.
Jason stopped, shaking his head hard, trying to pull himself back under control as Matt seized his arm, his touch light yet firm.
“It seems writer-boy wants to see you,” Matt said, his tone neutral, though his eyes stayed hard and flat. “You don’t have to if you don’t want. Say the word, we’ll deal with him.”
Jason’s gaze flicked to Riley. Dirt streaked his clothes, and his face was tight with fear, but his gaze never left Jason’s.
Karl snarled low as he leaned in again.
“Let him go,” Jason said.
Matt nodded to Karl, who eased back just enough for Riley to scramble to his feet. There, he stood rigid as Karl circled him closely, menace still rippling through the air around him.
“Get out of here,” Matt said to Riley, his voice devoid of emotion, like he was tossing out trash.
But Riley shook his head, despite the fear so evident in him. “Only if Jason tells me to go,” he said hoarsely. “I need to talk to him.”
A sharp laugh rang out from the house. A sound so unexpected that Jason jerked around and found Jesse on the porch, leaning against the doorjamb, arms folded.
“Can’t rightly tell if he’s got rocks in his head or there’s mule blood in him,” he said, jerking his chin at Riley, in case there was any doubt who he was speaking about. “Want to put us out of our misery, Jason?”
Jesse’s eyes were filled with understanding as he met Jason’s gaze. He knew that, despite everything, Jason couldn’t let this go. If he did, he’d always wonder what it was Riley had wanted to say to him. But to have given in to Riley’s pleading would have made him look weak in front of Riley and he wasn’t going to do that. Never again.
He swallowed, fighting down the tears that were threatening. “Might as well.”
The rest of the pack melted away as he walked over to Riley and looked him up and down. His shirt was ripped, presumably from Karl’s attack, and dirt was in his hair from being on the ground, but what struck Jason most was the strain in his face.
