Nathan groaned against my mouth, his hands coming up to tangle in my hair, to pull me closer. I forgot how to breathe, how to think. There was only the heat of his body against mine, the glide of his tongue, the nip of his teeth. It was electric, overwhelming, all-consuming.
"Rissa, you out here?" Gavin's voice shattered the moment, yanking us back to reality.
We broke apart, breathing hard, as Gavin's footsteps drew closer. I scrambled to smooth my hair and calm my racing heart as Nathan straightened his shirt, his expression unreadable.
Gavin appeared out of the shadows, his face grim.He strode over to us, something clutched in his hand. "We have a problem."
My stomach plummeted as he held out his phone. It was a picture of me, but the center of the photo was ragged and torn.
"This was on the door when I got home," Gavin said with barely contained fury. I hadn’t even realized he’d left. "It had been stabbed with a knife, embedded deep into the door.” Someone is targeting you, now, Riss. And they wanted to make damn sure we knew it."
I stared at the image, bile rising in my throat. Who would do this? And more importantly... why? What had I done to make myself a target?
Nathan took the photo from Gavin, his jaw clenched so tight I thought it might snap. "I won't let anything happen to you, Rissa. I swear it."
I couldn't tear my gaze away from the image, my face marred by the vicious slash of the knife. It was such a violation, a threat that seeped into my very bones. Who would do this? What did they want from me?
"The rogue isn't just targeting Krystal or meanymore," Nathan said with barely contained rage. "They're coming for you now."
Those words hit me like a punch to the gut. Me. They were after me now. But why? What had I done to paint a target on my back?
Nathan's hand curled into a fist, the photo crumpling in his grasp. "This is personal," he growled, more to himself than to us. "Someone is targeting the people I love. But why? What did I do to deserve this?"
I reached out, my fingers brushing his arm in an attempt to offer some kind of comfort. But the truth was, I had no answers. No idea who was behind this or what they wanted. All I knew was that the safety I'd felt only moments ago had shattered like glass, leaving me raw and exposed.
Gavin stepped closer, his presence a solid wall of protection at my back. "We'll figure this out," he said, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "We'll keep you safe, Riss. No matter what it takes."
Chapter 25
Nathan
I stoodoutside the pack house, arms crossed, watching Elle and Bryce stomp their feet in protest.
"Dad, come on," Elle groaned. "We don't need babysitters."
Bryce crossed his arms, mirroring Elle's frustration. "Yeah, we're not little kids. We can stay home alone."
Krystal sighed, rubbing her temple. "Bryce, not now."
I took a slow breath, then crouched slightly so I was at their level. My wolf paced restlessly inside me, on edge from the lurking danger. But I kept my tone calm and firm. "Listen to me. This isn't about whether you're old enough to stay home alone. There's someone out there, someone dangerous. Someone is targeting wolves. And right now, keeping you two safe is more important than what you think you're old enough for."
Elle hesitated, shifting on her feet. Some of the rebellion faded from her posture. "So this is serious?"
I nodded, holding her gaze steady. "Yeah, it is."
Bryce looked between us, his brows furrowed with worry now. "But we'll be okay at the inn, right?"
Krystal nudged him gently. "Of course, baby. Ashton and Erin wouldn't let anything happen to you."
Elle exhaled, her shoulders slumping a little. I could see the gears turning behind her eyes as she processed the reality of the threat. "Fine. But I don't have to like it."
I smirked despite myself and reached out to ruffle her hair. She made a face but didn't duck away. "True. You don't have to like it. You just have to listen."
For once, she didn't argue. I straightened up, meeting Krystal's gaze over their heads. A silent understanding passed between us. Keeping the kids out ofharm's way was the priority now. Everything else could wait.
As we approached, the warm glow of path lights spilled over the inn's front steps. I raised my hand to knock,, but the door swung open before my knuckles could connect. Ashton stood there, arms crossed and one eyebrow arched. "This the delivery service for grumpy teens?"
Erin appeared beside him, her smile warm and welcoming. "Come on in, kids. We've got snacks."
