Elise shut her eyes and groaned. Trust Bryan to get mixed up in something like this. She shook her head. As much as she hated to burst his bubble, she couldn’t let him go off with Ryne. It was too dangerous. Taking his hand, she led him to a nearby bench. “Bryan, let’s sit down. I have something I have to tell you.”
After explaining what she knew about Ryne, Bryan looked at her silently for a few minutes before speaking. “Elise, I know you mean well, but I’ve met Ryne. You haven’t. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt his pack. Yeah, I believe you about the challenge, but I think there must be more to it than you know. Something’s been left out of the story. And the other stuff—the traps and the shooting—there has to be an explanation. The Ryne I’ve talked to wouldn’t do that.
“Maybe he’s just putting on a really good act. The people in my new pack wouldn’t be attributing these things to Ryne without good cause. His scent was at the scenes, for heaven sake!”
Her friend stared at the ground, slowly shaking his head. “I don’t know, Elise. My gut is telling me you’re wrong about him.”
Elise leaned towards Bryan, beseechingly placing her hand on his arm. “Please, Bryan, think this over. I don’t want to see you hurt.”
Bryan looked at her intently and she hoped he could see her sincere concern for his well-being. Finally, he sighed. “I’ll think it over, but that’s the most I can promise you.”
She’d hoped for more, but knew from past experience that Bryan wasn’t easily swayed. He’d need to mull the situation over on his own and come to his own conclusions. Hopefully, they would be the right ones. With a nod, Elise stood up and Bryan walked her to her car.
“I hope I get to see you again, some day.” He took her hands in his.
“You will, Bryan. This isn’t goodbye. Our paths will cross again, I know.” Elise desperately hoped she was telling the truth. Bryan had been a big part of her life and she was going to miss him.
Bryan gave her hands another squeeze, but Elise wasn’t really aware of the pressure. A strange feeling was washing over her, as if someone was watching. Slowly she turned to look across the road towards the Grey Goose. Standing on the steps talking to Mr. Mancini, was Kane.
Even from this distance, Elise could feel the anger radiating from him. It felt as if his eyes were boring holes right through her and she gave a shudder of fear. Never had she thought she’d be on the receiving end of such wrath.
Sensing her distraction, Bryan turned to see what had caught her attention. A low whistle escaped his lips. “Hey, Elise, isn’t that your mate?” She was only capable of giving a short nod. “He seems majorly pissed off.”
“He is. You’d better leave.” Not even looking at Bryan, she shoved him away.
“Will you be all right? Maybe I should stay.”
“No!” Elise forced her gaze away from Kane and looked at Bryan’s worried face. “Leave. Please. I’ll be okay.” She remembered how territorial Kane had been last time he’d met Bryan. Now, with her being in heat, he’d be even more so and she didn’t want the two of them ending up having a fight in the middle of town.
Reluctantly, Bryan left. Elise kept half an eye on him to ensure he kept going, while trying to watch Kane at the same time. Mr. Mancini was talking to him, but Kane wasn’t really listening. Briefly, Elise considered leaving, but knew she’d have to face Kane and explain at some point in time. She might as well get it over with now.
She didn’t have long to wait. Either the conversation ended abruptly or Kane just walked away for suddenly he was crossing the street towards her. Vaguely she was aware of Mr. Mancini shaking his head as he watched Kane leave, giving a melodramatic shrug before going back inside, but mostly she focused on Kane’s approach. His nostrils were flaring, no doubt picking up the scent of her pheromones wafting towards him on the gentle breeze that was meandering down the street. Oh great! That was just going to set him off even more.
Her mouth felt dry and she was sure her knees were knocking. Licking her lips, she started to speak as soon as he reached her side. “Kane, I can explain everything.”
“Explain? How can you begin to explain meeting with an unattached male when you’re in heat?” His voice was so low and filled with anger that she could scarcely get her next words out.
“Bryan’s not another male, he’s my friend.”
Kane snorted. “I remember the kind of ‘friendship’ the two of you have.”
“No! It’s not like that anymore.”
“No? Then tell me, why have you been secretly contacting him?”