Chapter 7
Reid
I knock lightly on the front door and then let myself in. “I’m in the kitchen, Reid,” my mom calls out, not that I need help finding her. I can just follow her scent. “What are you doing here? I figured you’d already be at the party.”
“Not yet. Is dad here?” I already know he’s not here because I don’t scent him, but it saves me from answering why I’m not at the party yet.
“No, he should be home any minute though. We should have already left.”
I eyeball the dishes on the counter. “I take it you’re driving over.”
“Yes; it’s easier than trying to carry everything.” I’m just about to offer to drive her when the front door opens. “There he is.” My father comes into the kitchen a moment later. “What took you so long?” my mom asks.
My father, always good-natured, smiles. “Hello to you too, Love.” She softens, and he hugs and kisses her. I look away, waiting for them to finish.
My father turns to me next. “Hey, Son.”
“Hey, Dad.”
“Help me carry all this food out?”
I nod and pick up a few dishes, and he picks up the remaining two. We carry them outside and load them into their car. Once we’re done, my father folds his hands on the roof of the car. “So, tonight.”
I look across the roof of the car at him. “Tonight.”
He studies me. “I kind of thought you’d already be over there.”
I nod, unsurprised. “I want to be, but I’m trying to give her this time.” Time to shift for the first time, time to run with the pack, time to get used to her wolf...all without having a mate nearby. I know as soon as I show up, everything is going to change.
My father gives me an approving look. “I’m proud of you, Son. Most men wouldn’t be able to do what you’ve done the past three years.”
“And three months,” I add.
He laughs. “Yes, three years and three months. Seriously, I mean that. I don’t think I could have done it; you’re a stronger man than I. I’m glad it’s all finally over, and you don’t have to hide anymore who you are to your mate.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“When will you go over?”
“After the pack run and after she’s had time to party with everyone.”
He takes that in. “There’s only one flaw in your plan.”
“What?”
“If her wolf smells you on your mom or me.”
“Shoot. I didn’t think of that.” I look back at the house. “Do you think you can talk mom into waiting?”
“And live to tell the tale? No. Two things. Your mom hates being late, and she hates not being dependable. She won’t be late, and there’s no way she’s not taking that food.
” I run a hand through my hair. “Relax. We’ll keep our distance from Riley.
I’ll make sure your mom doesn’t get too close to her.
There will be so many people and scents there.
Thankfully, she hasn’t clocked yours yet as her mate, so there’s that too.
” I take a breath, the panic easing slightly in my chest. It won’t ease completely until I get to the party and lay eyes on Riley and make sure she’s safe.
I can’t wait to see her wolf; I’ve been looking forward to this day for years.
“All I know is if her wolf starts sniffing all over me, we’re going to have a problem.
Your mom is the jealous sort.” He snorts out a laugh, and I just shake my head.
“I think Riley will be able to control her to keep her from doing that,” I say dryly.
My mom comes outside a moment later. “Ready?”
“Yes, my Love,” my dad says, stepping away from the car. He looks up at the sky. “It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?”
“Yes, Dear,” my mom says. “Come on; let’s go before we’re late.”
“It’s a beautiful night for change, isn’t it?” My mom stops walking and looks over at him and then over at me. I offer a look of confusion, and she walks over to the car and gets in. My father winks at me over the roof of the car and gives a final wave before climbing in.
I take a step away from the car, but before they can leave, my mom rolls her window down.
“Aren’t you coming?”
“In a little bit. I’m going to walk over.”
She frowns but accepts it. “Okay, don’t be too long.”
I bite back a smile. “Yes, Mom.” And then, they finally drive away.
I stand in the driveway, watching them until they’re out of sight.
A glance at the sky shows there’s still nearly an hour before Riley shifts and joins the pack run.
Restlessness runs through me, and I resist the urge to shift.
I know that’s the last thing I should do; my wolf will just run straight for his mate.
For over three years, I’ve kept him in check.
But he knows tonight is the night, and I’ve barely been able to keep him contained.
For now, I head back into the house, knowing I need to stay indoors and not risk a chance of shifting.
My wolf lets me know his irritation at coming back inside, but I ignore him.
There are no other options right now. I remind him that this is about what’s best for our mate, but I don’t think he’s listening.
I get it; I’m having a hard time staying here as well.
I glance at the clock and scowl and will the time to speed up.
I finally give up just waiting and head downstairs to my dad’s workout area.
If I can’t let my wolf run, I’ll exercise to burn off some of the extra energy.
An hour and a half later, I head back upstairs, drenched in sweat.
I take a shower and change into the polo shirt and khaki shorts I brought with.
I look at the clock for at least the hundredth time tonight and figure the run should be done by now, and the party should be in full swing.
I’m just about ready to head out the door when my dad reaches out to me.
Son, do you know a Peter?
His words cause instant anger. That was the punk kid that was Riley’s study partner last year; only he wanted so much more than just to study with Riley.
I put a stop to his plans more than once.
Some times, he knew about it; others, he had no idea.
Like the time he got a flat tire before he was supposed to leave to pick up Riley.
Shame, really. He hadn’t been able to meet with Riley that night.
I hated that kid. Yes. Why? My words are clipped.
Just...there seems to be some sort of confusion.
What confusion?
His next question hits me so hard, I physically feel it. How sure are you that Riley is your mate?
I go still. Absolutely still. Riley is my mate.
I’m sure my father can feel my aggression coming through the bond, but I don’t really care.
Nobody gets to question whether Riley is my mate or not.
I throw my bag over my shoulder, pocket my phone, and head outside.
Why are you asking me that? I practically snarl the words at him, but I don’t feel an ounce of regret.
Are you coming here?
Yes. I’m walking there now.
Okay. I’ll meet you outside.
My steps don’t slow; if anything, I walk faster. You’d better explain what’s going on.
Don’t threaten me, Son. I will meet you outside when you get here.
He cuts off the connection for now. And while I know I could reach back out, I don’t.
I’m in a foul mood now. The fact that this Peter kid is showing up to a wolf shifter party is not good, and I will throw him out just as soon as I get there.
But what really is fueling my anger is my father asking me how sure I am that Riley is my mate.
A growl rumbles in my chest, and I don’t bother trying to suppress it.
I’m just as angry as my wolf is. When I get close to the Blackwood’s house, I can hear the music thumping and the sound of voices in the backyard.
I take a deep whiff, hoping...no, needing to smell my mate’s scent.
But I can’t catch it; there are too many other scents.
That just makes my already riled-up wolf even more on edge.
My father steps out onto the sidewalk. I respect him enough that I stop but just for a moment.
“I’m going inside,” I tell him, hoping he gets the clue to get out of my way.
“Son.” There’s something in his face and his tone that has my wolf sitting up and taking notice. I glance towards the house and back at him.
“What’s wrong? Is Riley okay? Did she not shift? Is her wolf okay?” The questions rush from my lips, each one more urgent than the last.
He puts a hand on my shoulder. “Riley is safe. She shifted and ran with the pack. Her wolf is beautiful.” I knew it would be.
I’m glad he doesn’t tell me what her wolf looks like; I want to see for myself.
My wolf urges me forward, trying to get us to go inside.
But before I can, my father takes a breath and then gives me a look of regret.
There’s a tightening in my gut because I know something is really wrong.
“Son, I’m going to tell you something; but you have to keep control of your wolf.
” His eyes harden. “Do you understand me? Promise me you will control your wolf.”
He knows my word is my bond. I don’t want to agree because I don’t know what’s going on.
I don’t know what the threat is, but I need to get in there.
So, I will say and do whatever it is I need to do to make that happen.
“I promise.” I wait to hear what he has to say, keeping a tight leash on my wolf.
He stares at me, like he can’t figure out what to say; and I struggle to hang on to what little patience I have left.
“Reid.”
I turn to see Slate walking towards us. I’m not sure where he came from, but it doesn’t surprise me.
He’s part shadow, I swear. He stops next to my father and crosses his arms over his chest. He levels a look at me, and I clock the apprehension in his eyes.
Nothing makes Slate nervous, and he looks just that now.
And just like that, I snap. “You both are going to tell me right now what is going on. I swear, if something happened to Riley, I—”
“Nothing happened to Riley,” Slate says, but there’s no reassurance in his voice.
“Slate,” I warn.
And then he tells me.
“Peter, that kid that studied with Riley all last year, is here. He's claiming to be Riley’s mate.”
I expect rage to consume me, but it’s not rage that fills me. It’s ice. “And Riley?”
I study the two of them, and I swear I stop breathing.
Slate gives me a look, unlike anything I’ve ever seen from him.
It’s a soft look that he only usually reserves for Tessa.
“She says he’s her mate.” His words bounce through my head with the force of a sledgehammer.
Slate takes a tiny step back, dropping just the slightest bit in his stance, anticipating when I shift and rush inside.
But I don’t do that. I try to think through the roar in my head, the one demanding blood.
I’m not sure right now how much is from my wolf, and how much is coming from me.
It doesn’t really matter. There is only one way tonight ends, and that is the blood of this kid coating my wolf’s tongue. He and I are both in agreement on that.
“Before you go in,” Slate says. “Alpha wants a word with you.”