I shrugged, aiming for casualness even as tension coiled in my gut. "Couldn't sleep. Thought a walk might help."
She studied me for a long moment, searching my face. For what, I wasn't sure. But whatever she saw there made her sigh, the hard line of her shoulders softening slightly.
"Do you want to come in?" she asked, the words quiet and tentative.
Everything in me screamed yes. Screamed to close the distance between us, to pull her into my arms and never let go.
But I couldn't. I wouldn't. Not when I knew how this story ended.
So I shook my head, taking a step back. "I should go. Early day tomorrow." I hesitated, then said, “Stay inside at night.”
Rissa raised a brow. “Excuse me?”
I held her gaze. “You know something’s wrong in Stock Creek.”
“And you think I can’t take care of myself?”
She had such an attitude. It was hot and absolutely infuriating. My patience snapped. “I’m warning you because youmatter.”
Rissa stilled, lips parting slightly. For a second, I thought she was going to say something. Something real. But then she blinked and shook her head. Disappointment flickered across Rissa's face, there and gone in a heartbeat. She pulled back from the railing.
"Good night, Nathan," she said softly, turning back toward the house.
I watched her go, something heavy and aching settling in my chest. "Good night, Rissa," I murmured, the words lost to the nightair.
I stood there for a second, jaw tight, staring at the closed door. The wolf inside me paced restlessly, urging me to go after her, to make her understand. But I couldn't. Not now. Not like this.
The door opened again, but this time, it was Gavin. My best friend looked between me and the closed door, brows furrowed. "You wanna tell me what that was about?"
I forced myself to stay neutral, shoving my hands in my pockets. "What?"
Gavin crossed his arms, his expression hardening. "You and Rissa. I caught the tail end of that conversation."
I shrugged, looking off into the distance, the dark mountains a jagged silhouette against the star-strewn sky. "Just warning her to be careful."
Gavin didn't look convinced. "Seemed like she didn't take it well."
I exhaled, the sound harsh in the quiet night. "She's stubborn."
Gavin let out a short, humorless laugh. "No kidding. Runs in the family."
I didn't respond, hoping Gavin would drop it. Hoping he wouldn't push, wouldn't ask the questions I couldn't answer.
But instead, Gavin tilted his head, studying me with those sharp, knowing eyes. "You've been acting weird lately."
I tensed. "You're imagining things."
Gavin huffed, shaking his head. "Yeah? Then why do you look like you want to rip someone's head off?"
I rolled my shoulders, trying to shake off the stiffness, the restless energy buzzing under my skin. "Just frustrated about the search."
Gavin didn't answer right away. He watched me carefully, like he was piecing something together, fitting the jagged shards of my behavior into a picture I wasn't ready for him to see.
"If you say so," he said finally. “Goodnight, Nathan. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He shut the door behind him, and I headed home.
What a fucking mess.
