The Keeping(154)

Ryne chanced a brief glance outside. Aldrich hadn’t put the gun away, though it was partially lowered as he glowered at Greyson. Greyson was staring at Melody with what could only be described as excited interest. “Really? She’s a full werewolf?” He swung his head back to look at Aldrich. “How do you know?”

“I saw her start to change.” The man seemed so self-satisfied that Ryne had to grit his teeth.

Greyson sounded urgent, almost desperate, as he addressed Melody. “Ms. Greene, I have to talk to you! I knew you had at least some wolf in your background, but I never suspected this. There are things I need to know, things you have to tell me!”

The sound of a gun being cocked had Ryne tense. Aldrich issued a warning. “Lay off, Greyson. She’s mine. Any information she has belongs to me.”

Melody began to move out of Ryne’s field of vision. He frowned for a moment, but then realized she was walking away from the drainage pipe in a slow circle. A smile spread across Ryne’s face. Without their knowing it, Melody was manoeuvring Aldrich and Greyson so that their backs were to him! He mentally congratulated her on the plan. It would make it much easier for him to take Aldrich by surprise. His smile faded however, as he noted the quavery sound of her voice.

“Listen, I don’t know what the hell either of you are babbling about. For the last time, I’m not a werewolf! I’m just a reporter—a student reporter at that!”

Ryne bit his lip in concern. The stress of finding out about Lucy and of having a gun pointed at her was starting to show. Could it trigger a transformation as her inner wolf fought to rise up to meet the present danger? It was also getting later; he could feel the pull of the full moon himself and knew Melody would soon be helpless in the face of its power. Not willing to wait any longer, Ryne glanced outside, noticing the lengthening shadows cast by the surrounding trees. A grim smile graced his face. The encroaching nightfall was providing him with some cover. Seeing the others were focused on Melody, he silently slipped out of his hiding place, to the relative safety of a nearby bush.

Melody flicked a glance in his direction before concentrating on her adversaries again. However, it was enough for their eyes to meet; the brief look was sufficient. He knew she was ready for whatever course of action he took. Shifting into his wolf form, Ryne crouched, muscles tense and ready to strike.

Greyson seemed to be ignoring Aldrich. He looked beseechingly at Melody. “Ms. Greene. Please. I promise I won’t tell anyone about you. I...I know about the Keeping; how you protect your secrecy by eliminating those who have stumbled upon your existence. If you feel you need to take my life, so be it, but first hear me out. I need information about your people, not for myself or monetary gain, but for my ward, Cassandra. She’s one of you, though she doesn’t know it yet.”

Aldrich had a stunned look on his face as he stared at Greyson. “Your ward? What ward? Who—?”

At that moment, Ryne leaped out and tackled Aldrich. Greyson shouted. The lawyer’s gun went off and a scream echoed through the night.

*****

Bryan stared at his cards, supposedly concentrating on his poker strategy. In reality, he didn’t even see the cards before him; it was the image of the clock that floated in front of his eyes. It was well past the scheduled check-in time but Ryne hadn’t called. The phone was working, there were no text messages, no e-mails. Where the hell was their Alpha?

Kane was wondering the same thing. Just half an hour ago he’d had a blistering conversation with the other pack’s Alpha and was glad he wouldn’t be in Ryne’s shoes when the two finally talked. It was understandable that Kane was on edge; having a vial of liquid death in front of you while you waited for the call to drink it, would be enough to sour anyone’s mood.

Ryne would call. Soon. Bryan kept the positive thought foremost in his mind, despite the weight in his stomach that increased with each minute that past. What could be keeping him? Surely, Mel wouldn’t have turned on him. Not Mel...

“Are you in or out?” Marco’s voice brought him out of his reverie. That morning, he’d invited Marco and his family to check out Stump River, thinking it would help to fill the time. Olivia and Tessa hadn’t come; the baby was fussing and Tessa was too nervous. Marco, however, had welcomed a chance to see his new home and, having had the grand tour, was now keeping them company as they awaited Ryne’s call.

“Er...out.” Bryan folded his cards and threw them down on the table.

Marco reached out and flipped them over. It was a full house. “Is this is how you play poker in Canada...?”