The Keeping(110)

“Uh, yeah. Sure. Thanks, Ben.” Distractedly, he took his leave of the older man and loped out to his truck.

He drove home, functioning on autopilot, too busy thinking about what he’d just discovered. Melody had mentioned something about him not even being honest about a dog. At the time, the comment hadn’t made sense to him, but now it did. She knew it wasn’t Harley she’d seen by the river and she knew he’d lied, but had she made the ultimate connection? Given how she’d been acting this morning, he thought not, but it still made him feel on edge. Hopefully, he’d offended her sufficiently that she’d be only too happy to forget everything about her experiences in Stump River. There was a sinking feeling in his stomach but he did his best to ignore it.

If things went according to his plan, Melody would be gone by tomorrow night at the latest. With her out the picture, he’d be able to focus on what was really important; his new pack members. He’d have to inform Bryan and Daniel about their arrival, look for suitable lodgings for the family, and find Marco a job... Ryne forced a smile to form even as his fingers clenched around the steering wheel. This should be a joyous time, yet he was filled with a sense of foreboding.

Realizing that he was now in front of his house, he shut off the engine and went inside. The television was blaring as per usual, making it easy for him to locate his pack mates. Stalking down the hallway, he stood in the doorway to the entertainment room and took in the sight before him. Daniel was sitting in the corner, his head bobbing in time to whatever song he was listening to on his mp3 player while typing away on the computer. Bryan was lazing back on the sofa, his feet on the coffee table while he idly flicked from station to station. Yep, some werewolf pack they made; he definitely needed to give them more work to do.

Ryne walked up to Bryan and kicked his feet off the table, grabbed the remote and turned off the TV.

“Hey! I was watching that!” Bryan stood up, his expression indignant and attempted to snatch the remote back.

“Pack meeting.” Ryne spoke tersely and nudged Daniel. The boy looked up and immediately unplugged from his music.

“What’s up, Ryne?” Daniel looked at him curiously. They seldom had ‘pack meetings’ since it was just the three of them.

Ryne leaned against the fireplace and surveyed his friends. “You know how I was away yesterday? I was meeting a family—the Loberos—and...” He paused for effect. “They’re going to join our pack.”

It took a moment for the news to set in, then Bryan and Daniel gave out whoops, leapt up and high-fived each other.

“Hey, that’s great! It’s been too quiet around here.” Bryan was grinning from ear to ear.

Daniel smiled, his response slightly calmer, but still showing his pleasure. “Yeah, it’ll be nice to have more members. I miss being part of a big group.”

Ryne’s mood momentarily lifted as he watched the happiness of the other two. Wolves were pack animals and it had been a strain on everyone being such a small group. Thankfully, the townsfolk had unknowingly helped fill the emptiness, but it still wasn’t quite the same as being around their own kind. He gave them a few minutes to enjoy the news all the while knowing he’d have to put a damper on things.

“So, how many are coming?” Daniel sat back down but kept his eyes fixed on his Alpha, obviously eager for more information.

“Four in total. Marco, his mate Olivia, and their son, Angelo, as well as Marco’s sister, Tessa.”

“Ages? Jobs?” Bryan actually looked the part of a Beta at that moment, already trying to figure out how the new members would be assimilated into the pack.

Ryne was pleased to see a serious side in Bryan. When he’d taken the young man on as his Beta, it had been a question of necessity rather than a belief in Bryan’s innate abilities, but he was showing signs of growing into the role. Just look at how he’d handled the little incident at the bar, smoothing things over so no one was any the wiser.

Realizing that he hadn’t yet answered Bryan’s question, Ryne shared what he knew and ended with a half mocking warning. “And Bryan? Give Tessa a break. She’s had a hard time and doesn’t need you sniffing around her the minute she arrives.”

Bryan actually looked offended. “Hey, I wouldn’t do that to a pack member. She’s family now.”

Nodding, Ryne pushed away from the wall and began to pace the length of the room. “There’s something else I have to tell you. It’s about Melody—Ms. Greene.” He shoved his hands in his back pockets and lifted his chin. “I’ve severed ties with her.”