was up to but I am alive and I have been doing the honorable thing all of
this time. I could’ve dragged all of this out in front of the pack as soon as I
knew it but I didn’t. I gave him the only ounce of respect his memory deserved.
Now, I’m done. If that doesn’t suit you, I’m sorry. You said that I should
stick with my pack? Well, Bronson Thibodaux ruined your pack for me and I am on
the verge of considering it not my pack. My pack would stick up for me. My pack
would take care of my needs, and my pack wouldn’t attack me in public. They
wouldn’t humiliate me any further than my mate has already humiliated me.”
“Your pack is
looking out for you.” Max said gently.
“Yeah? Where was
my pack the other day when Bronson’s drug dealer told me that if I gave him a
blow job we’d call it square?” She took a deep breath when Ryder growled.
“Instead I emptied my wallet. When Ellis demands his rent in a few days, do you
think he’s going to care about what happened? Will he care that I had to clear
up Bronson’s illegal debts? No. He’ll want his rent and knowing Ellis, he’ll
want a blowjob to square that debt.” Ryder’s growl deepened and the wolves on
the porch grew anxious. “My pack isn’t looking out for me Max. I haven’t felt
the love for years.” She dropped her head. “That wolf,” she nodded up at Ryder.
“He has treated me better than any of you. He has staked claim. He has defended
me, fed me, kept me warm and safe. I will accept his courtship, now. Not in a
year, and there isn’t one wolf in your pack that interests me in the slightest.
Not now, not then, not ever.”
Max drew a deep
breath and looked up at Ryder. “Do you have room? You look cramped for space.”
“We’ll make room
if that’s what she wants.” Ryder watched her. She trembled while standing out
in the yard. The grass was frost covered and she was barefoot. Fog rolled
across the field behind her. Ryder looked over his shoulder at Jack who stood
at his flank with his arms crossed over his chest. “Get her a jacket and some
shoes.” He murmured. Jack nodded and hurried inside. The screen door clacked
shut behind him.
“Harper, do you
want to join his pack? My rules won’t apply then. You can do as you please.”
Ryder watched her back stiffen and her shoulders square. She murmured a yes.
Jack came outside then. He had a hooded sweatshirt and a pair of rubber clogs
in his hands. Ryder took them and went down the steps to her. He dropped the
clogs at her feet and she slid her feet into them. He helped her put the jacket
on then zipped it up her front. She stuffed her hands into the pockets. Ryder
stayed beside her and wrapped his arm around her. His hand rubbed her arm
briskly to warm her. “I’m sorry for how you were treated.” Max continued. “I’m
also sorry that I didn’t know about Bronson. I’ll miss you girl.” He leaned
over and hugged her when Ryder dropped his arm. “Can you bring her by later to
get her things?” He glanced at Ryder who nodded. “Good. I wish you both the
best.” Max hugged her again. “No hard feelings.” He said to Ryder. “Take care
of her and if you need anything, give me a call, I’m a fair wolf, and she’ll
vouch for me. Welcome to Virginia.” He turned and walked to his truck where his
wolves now clustered.
They questioned
him about her staying but he simply ordered them inside. He climbed into the
driver’s seat then backed away turning around. Dust kicked up behind the white
rusty tailgate as he drove slowly down the bumpy dirt road. “Who’s hungry?”
Curtis clapped his hands and said from the porch then went inside. Ryder
wrapped an arm around her shoulders again and led her toward the house.
“It’s not too late
to change your mind.” He said looking down at her. She shook her head.
“It’s been too
late for a long time. I can go back to my original pack. I still know people
there. They have the space and you really don’t have the