Chapter 14
Rissa
I stood in front of my closet, scanning the limited options. My "going out" wardrobe had definitely shrunk since moving back to Stock Creek. I settled on a simple black top and dark jeans. Can't go wrong with the classics. I had just pulled on my boots when a knock sounded at the front door.
Must be Tavi. I glanced at the clock. She was a bit early.
I hurried to the door and swung it open, only to find my mother standing there, a huge smile lighting up her pretty face.
"Surprise!" She pulled me into a tight hug before I could even react.
"Mom, hey. Come in." I laughed, hugging her back. "What are you doing here? You should've called."
She waved off my protest. "I wanted to take you to dinner. And where's the fun in calling ahead?"
Classic Lydia, always one for spontaneity. She breezed past me into the house, making herself at home.
I closed the door, turning to face her. "I actually already have plans tonight, Mom. It's girls' night with Tavi and Krystal."
"Oh, I see." She looked slightly disappointed for a split second before her smile returned. "Well, it's wonderful that you're spending time with your friends. We can always do dinner another night."
"Definitely." I nodded. "How about this weekend?"
"It's a date." She winked. Then her face turned more serious, studying me in that motherly way of hers. "How have you been, honey? Really?"
I shrugged, fiddling with the hem of my shirt. "I'm okay. Just busy with work and settling back in."
She didn't look entirely convinced but let it go. "I'm glad you decided to move back. Especially since it perfectly coincided with me coming back."
"Me too." I meant it. Despite everything, it felt right being back in Stock Creek, surrounded by pack and family.
We settled on the couch. Mom gave me a knowing look and searched my face. "What’s going on with you? Anyone special in your life?"
I quickly shook my head. "Nope. No one." Nobody I even remotely felt like mentioning.
She studied me for a moment longer before nodding. "All right. But if that changes, I want to hear all about it."
I laughed, the sound a bit too high-pitched. "Sure, Mom. You'll be the first to know."
We chatted for a few more minutes before I had to finish getting ready. As I walked her to the door, my mind raced with thoughts of love and second chances.
Could I ever take that risk again? Open my heart to someone, knowing how easily it could shatter?
I wasn't sure. But as I hugged my mom goodbye, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of something suspiciously like hope.
Mom left, and I had just gotten my earrings on when a sudden knock on the door startled me out of my thoughts. I opened it to find Tavi beaming at me.
"Are you ready to party?" she asked, bouncing on her toes.
I forced a smile, shoving aside my inner turmoil. "Definitely. Let's do this."
The drive to the bar was a blur, Tavi's chatter washing over me as I stared out the window. By the time we arrived, I could already feel some of the tension easing from my shoulders. The cozy atmosphere and lively buzz of conversation were exactly what I needed.
We made our way inside, scanning the crowd for Krystal. I spotted her waving at us from a booth in the corner.
"Finally," she called out as we approached. "I thought I'd have to drink alone."
I slid into the booth beside her, bumping her shoulder playfully. "As if we'd ever let that happen."
A server appeared to take our orders. I hesitated, debating how much I wanted to let loose tonight. In the end, I settled on a light beer, not quite ready to fully drown my thoughts.
The drinks arrived, and I took a long sip, savoring the cool, crisp taste. For a moment, I let myself just breathe, focusing on the here and now.
But of course, Krystal couldn't let that last long. She smirked at me over the rim of her glass. "You've been weird lately."
I nearly choked on my beer. "What? No, I haven't."
Tavi grinned, leaning forward. "Let me guess, Nathan Gallagher?"
"Not you, too," Rissa muttered.
Krystal laughed, the sound warm and rich. "Come on. Spill."
I exhaled slowly, my fingers tightening around my glass. I didn't want to admit it, didn't want to say the words out loud. But with both of them watching me expectantly, I finally caved.
"I feel something for him," I mumbled, staring down at the table.
Tavi mock gasped. "No way."
Krystal kicked her feet. "And?"
"And nothing," I insisted, shaking my head. "It's complicated."
"Girl, it's only complicated if you make it complicated." Tavi held up her glass for Krystal to clink.
I frowned, frustration welling up inside me. They didn't understand. They couldn't. "It is complicated. I—"
The words stuck in my throat. I couldn't explain, couldn't put into words the tangled mess of emotions and fears that Nathan stirred up in me. The risk of getting hurt again, of losing someone else I cared about...
I cut myself off, taking another long swig of my beer.
Krystal nudged me, her expression softening. "Just saying, you look at him like he hung the damn moon."
Heat crept up my neck, and I rolled my eyes, hoping to hide the truth of her words. But I didn't argue. I couldn't.
Thankfully, they seemed to sense my discomfort. The conversation shifted, turning to lighter topics. Soon, we were laughing and reminiscing, the earlier tension forgotten.
The upbeat notes of a familiar song blasted through the bar's speakers, and Krystal's face lit up. She grabbed my hand, tugging me out of the booth. "Come on, we're dancing."
I laughed, shaking my head even as I let her drag me onto the dance floor. "I'm not drunk enough for this."
"Too bad," Krystal grinned, spinning me around. "Live a little, Rissa!"
And for once, I did. I let the music wash over me, let myself get lost in the beat and the movement. No worries, no hesitation. Just the joy of being with my friends, of letting go.
I saw Tavi, her phone out and pointed in our direction. She was recording us, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Gavin's going to love this," she mouthed, winking.
I rolled my eyes but didn't stop dancing. If Gavin wanted to tease me later, so be it. Right now, I was having too much fun to care.
We danced until our feet ached and our cheeks hurt from laughing. By the time we stumbled off the dance floor, breathless and giddy, I felt lighter than I had in weeks. The weight of my thoughts, of my complicated feelings for Nathan, was momentarily forgotten.
It was late when we finally left the bar, piling into Tavi's car. She was the designated driver for the night, and Krystal's house was on the way, so she'd be dropping her off first.
But as we pulled up to Krystal’s curb, something was off. The porch light flickered, casting eerie shadows across the front of the house. And the door...
"I know I locked that before we left," Krystal muttered, frowning at the slightly ajar front door.
A cold chill crawled down my back, sobering me instantly. "Maybe Bryce left it open?" I suggested, but even as I said it, I knew it wasn't right.
Krystal shook her head. "He's at Nathan's, remember?"
Tavi's hands tightened on the steering wheel, her knuckles white. "I don't like this."
Neither did I. Something was wrong here, very wrong. I could feel it in my gut, a sickening sense of dread.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the rapid pounding of my heart. "I'm a decent tracker," I said slowly, my mind racing. "Not as good as Ula, but I can hold my own." I met Tavi's eyes in the rearview mirror, my resolve hardening. "I'll shift and check it out."
I stepped out of the car, the cool night air hitting my skin as I stripped off my clothes. In seconds, I shifted, my human form melting away as sleek black fur rippled across my body.
Krystal and Tavi moved beside me. I could sense their wolves, ready to shift at a moment’s notice, at any sign from me.
I padded forward, my paws silent on the pavement. As I neared the house, I caught a scent that made my hackles rise. It was wolf, but also not quite. There was something else mixed in, something decayed and rotten that turned my stomach.
Behind me, I heard the soft tapping of Krystal's fingers on her phone. She was calling for backup, probably Nathan and Gavin. Good. We might need it.
I nosed the door open, every muscle tense and ready to spring. The coppery scent of blood hit me like a wave, and a low growl rumbled in my throat at the sight that greeted me.
The house was wrecked. Couch cushions were slashed, white stuffing spilling out like gore. The fridge lay on its side, contents strewn across the floor. And the blood...deer blood, from the scent, was splashed across the walls, pooling on the hardwood.
"What the hell?" Tavi whispered with shock and anger. "Who does something like this?"
Krystal swallowed hard, her face pale in the dim light. "Someone who wanted to send a message," she said grimly as she scanned the destruction.
I sniffed again, trying to sort through the overwhelming scents. There, that same off smell, like rot and decay, lingered beneath the blood. This wasn't just a random break-in, a simple case of vandalism.
No, this was personal. Someone had targeted Krystal, had violated her home, and destroyed her belongings. This was personal.