He clenched the steering wheel and tightened his jaw. When he set out on his own, he knew he wanted to create his own pack, to be Alpha, to use the power within him. Well, now he had his wish and he’d live up to his obligations, no matter what his personal inclinations might be. And so he’d continue to see Melody, answer her questions as slyly as possible, maybe even bedding her again if he thought it was needed to keep her distracted from what was under her very nose. Then, when he was sure she’d bought his story, he’d send her on her way.
‘But what if she doesn’t ‘buy your story’ and keeps poking around?’ The wolf inside, questioned him angrily. ‘What will you do then?’
Shaking his head, Ryne growled at himself. “Whatever it takes,” he answered back. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”
With that, he climbed out of the truck and slammed the door shut. Bryan and Daniel were inside supposedly installing the cabinets that arrived this morning. He’d better see how they were doing. They meant well, but enthusiasm didn’t always translate to solid construction.
*****
Ryne spent the rest of the day, and most of the next, helping with the installation of the cabinets followed by new countertops and a sink. By the time the job was finished, the kitchen looked considerably improved; the tempers of the three men, however, were not. The walls of the old house were less than plum and there had been considerable trimming and shimming required—a tedious and frustrating process at the best of times—before the job was complete.
Standing in the room surrounded by the scent of new wood and the gleam of marble countertops, Ryne knew it had been worth it. This was a kitchen suitable for his vision of the future. He could see it filled with pack members; some lounging at the breakfast bar, others busy at the stove. It would be loud and friendly—.
“Hey, Ryne, Bryan and I are heading up toThe Broken Antler for dinner and some fun. Armand has a pool tournament arranged. Want to come along?” Daniel popped his head through the door way, still buttoning his shirt and obviously fresh from the shower.
Glancing down at himself, Ryne recognized his own need to clean up. Bits of sawdust still clung to his pants and pricked his skin where it stuck in the sweat of his chest and arms. “Nah. I still have to get cleaned up and then I want to go for a run.” He shrugged his shoulders and stretched his arms, feeling the tightness of his muscles. The work in the house was taxing, but still not enough to ease the tension within him.
“Suit yourself. If you change your mind, come in to town later.”
“I might, but if I don’t, behave.”
Daniel rolled his eyes and laughed. “Don’t we always?”
“No.”
“True, but it’s more fun that way.”
Ryne faked a growl back at him, then shook his head as the boy turned on his heels, and hurried out. It was good to see the kid loosen up a bit once in awhile. Daniel was far more serious than Ryne had ever been at that age.
Scratching his chest, he grabbed a broom and began the tedious task of cleaning up sawdust, discarded nails, scraps of lumber and bits of packing materials. The other two would have helped if he’d asked, but he didn’t mind the time alone. Besides, they’d worked hard the past two days, and deserved some kind of a break.
He heard the door slam as his companions left, laughing about their plans for the night. Soon the sound of a vehicle starting floated inside followed by the crunch of gravel as it began to move down the driveway. Ryne paused in his sweeping and listened until the sound faded into the distance, then sighed and resumed his task. The house echoed with silence now that they were gone, the faint scrape of the broom against the floor the only sound. It was both calming and lonely, if such a combination actually existed.
For a moment Ryne regretted turning down their offer, but other thoughts weighed too heavily on his mind to make him a suitable companion for the night. He still hadn’t told Bryan and Daniel about his concerns over Melody. They viewed her as a delightful little pest and had given him no end of teasing about her while working on the cupboards. Good naturedly, he gone along with them. There was no use giving them cause to worry when nothing might come of it. If the need arose, then he’d inform them.
Giving the kitchen a last glance, he propped the broom and dustpan in the corner, then headed towards his bathroom to take a shower. He’d get cleaned up, then take a run around the perimeter of the property to check for signs of intruders. If he planned his route properly, he’d end up just a mile or so from Melody’s cabin, not that he intended to stop by, he assured himself. No, last night during the sleepless hours he’d spent tossing and turning, he’d come to the conclusion that his association with the woman had to be short and sweet. He’d give her the briefest of answers on Wednesday, declare that he was through, and send her packing. It was the safest course of action for all involved.