Ryder’s brows shot upward as his lips formed a big O. He shamefully rubbed the back of his neck. “I broke my burner phone the other night. I haven’t gotten around to replacing it yet.”
Vi cackled. “Did you lose on one of those big titty anime girl app games?”
Ryder shook his head, clearly taken aback.
“What the hell, Vi?” I made a gagging gesture.
Her eyes twinkled with delight. What a little demon.
Ryder shuddered as if casting off Vi’s chaotic energy. He turned to me, his brows furrowed with gentle concern that nearly broke me. “I’m sorry. I should have told you.”
I sucked on my teeth. Ryder wasn’t my mate. He didn’t have to tell me anything, yet his decision to keep me in the dark hurt.
Connor stepped around Ryder. He touched my cheek. “If you need someone—”
Cerri cut him off. “Ryder. Walk Ness home in a couple hours. Better yet, take her back to your place again.”
I opened my mouth to argue but didn’t get a chance to say anything.
“I’ll escort her back to my rental. Don’t you worry.” Ryder’s voice rumbled low, almost intimately.
“There will be no escorting!” I snapped. A hot blush erupted across my cheeks.
Two cell phonesrang at the same time. Mine buzzed in my pocket while Connor’s let out a small tune. We locked eyes. Fear hit my veins again. If we both received messages, then I knew what had happened.
I twisted to glance at the moon on the back wall. The light illuminated the entire face of the moon, which meant that it was time for the pack’s full moon hunt. I hadn’t expected Alvin to call another so soon after his failed attempt to punish me.
Just to make sure, I pulled my phone from my pocket with trembling hands. Just as I thought, Alvin’s message lit up the top half of my screen.
Ryder grabbed ahold of my wrist. “You don’t have to go. Stay home tonight.”
My stomach dropped just thinking about what might happen if I didn’t show up. I glanced at Connor. I’d already seen how far Alvin was willing to go. He knew that hurting the others would get my attention.
“I can’t,” I croaked out.
This time, if Ryder intervened, Alvin might take it out on the pack. Alvin hadn’t punished my father yet. It was only a matter of time before the cruel Alpha turned his attention on my loved ones.
I cursed under my breath. My hands were tied. I had to survive this hunt. If I didn’t, then nothing would change. I doubted that Alvin would go back to pretending that he was the good guy after I was gone.
The thought made me fold my arms around myself.
After I was gone?Was I so willing to give in? I wanted a future for myself. I would hold out hope for safety and even the possibility of a mate bond because I was not going to let Alvin win.
“Ness,” Ryder beseeched.
Connor interceded. “I’ll keep her safe. You won’t have to worry.”
Ryder snarled. “You’re going to get yourself killed, pup.”
Connor whirled on him. “Are you calling me weak, lizard?”
Vi slapped the countertop. The air burst with fiery heat. Everyone stopped and stared at her. A bonfire flickered in her eyes as she glared at everyone.
“No pissing contests inside,” Cerri said softly. “Take it outside.”
Ryder and Connor turned their attention back to each other. They eyed one another in a way that made me wonder why they needed to fight about this at all. Could I dig deep and summon the arcana to enforce Vi’s command? I doubted it, but the power would have been nice. We had two strong shifters looking to rip one another apart inside the café.
A thought filled my chest with gentle warmth. Up until a week ago, I’d felt alone and unloved. Now, the café was filled with people fighting to keep me safe. My co-workers always had my back. Ryder might need something from me, but he didn’t let that keep him from giving me his all.