“What?” she asked, frowning. “What’s wrong?”
I hesitated for a second, then sighed. “This morning, while we were having breakfast… his phone buzzed. And it wasn’t just any message. It was from a girl named Sophie. And the message had a red heart emoji.”
Sasha frowned instantly. “What did it say?
“Hey babe, I’m backkkkk! Wanna meet up?”
“Shit…” she whispered.
“Exactly,” I said, rubbing my arm slowly. “I asked him who she was, and he just brushed it off like it meant nothing, said he had something to handle, and then he left… just like that. Didn’t explain anything. But my head….. it’s been spinning since.”
“Okay, girl, listen,” Sasha said, sitting forward. “Instead of sitting here and torturing yourself with assumptions, just ask him. Don’t keep quiet about it. You have a mouth. Use it. Communication, babe.”
“Are you sure?” I asked, unsure.
“Yes! I’m twenty. I’ve been in three messy relationships. And the one thing I learned is, talk before things get ugly.
I nodded, feeling a bit braver. “Okay. I’ll call him.”
She smiled. “Atta girl.”
I hugged her quickly and left her dorm. As soon as I stepped out, I dialed Ryan’s number. He didn’t pick up. I tried again. Nothing. I frowned and decided to take a taxi to the company. Maybe he was there.
When I got there, I walked to the reception and told the lady I wanted to see Ryan.
“Excuse me?” she asked, raising a brow. “You mean, Mr. Ryan Wolfe?”
“Yes,”
“I said, not really liking the tone in her voice.
“Who are you to address him so casually?”
I quickly brought out my phone, pulled up a photo of us with Dad, Mom, and Ryan. “I’m his sister.”
She stared at the phone, blinked, and then slowly nodded. “13th floor.”
I didn’t waste time. I got into the elevator, and my heart was pounding so loudly I thought everyone could hear it. When I got to the 13th floor, his secretory stood up the moment she saw me.
“He’s in a meeting with someone very important. He asked not to be disturbed.”
“I’m important too. I’m family,” I said firmly.
“Still, he said-“
But I didn’t wait. I walked straight to the door and opened it.
And what I saw shocked the hell out of me.
ANNA’S POV
“Daddy?”
So the important person his secretary said he was with was Killion-my dad? And here I was thinking all morning that maybe… just maybe… he’d been with Sophie. My heart was running wild with possibilities I didn’t even want to admit out loud.
“Daddy?!” I called out as soon as I stepped in, my feet carrying me faster until I was in his arms. He stood up from his seat and pulled me into a firm hug, his familiar scent instantly making me feel smaller, as if I were a little girl again.
“Oh, my baby girl,” Dad’s deep voice rumbled against my ear, that rare warmth in it that he didn’t give to many people. His arms were strong around me for a moment before he eased back, holding me at arm’s length as if he was checking if I’d changed somehow. “Look at you,” he said with the faintest smirk, brushing my hair off my shoulder. “How are you? are you eating well? Sleeping well? You’re not letting those late nights get to you, are you?”
I shook my head quickly, forcing a smile even though my mind was still stuck on Ryan. “I’m fine.”
“So tell me… what are you doing here? Weekends are for girls your age to take care of themselves, go shopping, see friends-something. Not… wonder into this kind of environment.” He gestured vaguely around the room, making it clear this wasn’t a place for small talk or random visits.
I hesitated, gripping the strap of my bag. “I was just… bored,” I said, trying to sound casual. “Thought I’d come see Ryan.”
Ryan still hadn’t said a word. He was just standing there, his hands shoved deep in his pockets, watching me with that unreedable expression that was making my stomach twist.
Dod’s eyes flicked from me to him, then bock. “If you’re that bored,” he said flatly, “you can join us for dinner this evening.
“No Dod.” The word came from Ryan instantly, hard and quick.
My head snapped toward him, frowning. “Why? What dinner?”
Dod didn’t even glance at Ryan when he answered. “My friend is in the country-just arrived from Europe-and his daughter, Sophie, will be with him. Your Mom will join us as well. It will be a family dinner. Both families. together.”
That name again. Sophie…
It felt as if someone had just pushed a glass of cold water straight down my spine, and I couldn’t stop the way my chest tightened.
“I don’t understand,” I said slowly. “Why are we all meeting?”
Dod’s jow shifted slightly as he looked at me, his tone even but firm. “We’ve kept a lot from you, Anna. But I think it’s time you start to know. I’d prefer your Mom be present before I explain everything, but you should come.”
“No, Dad,” Ryan’s voice cut in, louder this time, carrying a frustation I didn’t fully understand. “She’s not coming
Dad’s head turned toward him, his eyes narrowing just slightly, and for a moment it was as if the air between them was about to crack. “And why not? Both families are meeting. She’s part of this family.”
I glanced between them, feeling as if I was standing in the middle of something huge that no one wanted to explain. “What are you meeting for?” I asked again, my voice quieter now, almost hesitant.
Dod didn’t flinch. “Ryan is meeting his betrothed. It’s been many years since they last saw each other-about four years ago, wasn’t it, Ryan?”
I could hear Ryan’s groan before I saw his hand run through his hair, his eyes staying glued to the floor as if not looking at me would make it hurt less.
Betrothed…
The word hit me harder than it should have. My ears were ringing, and it felt as if I’d missed half the air in the room.
Dad kept going, his voice calm, unshaken. “As he’s about to take over the company and the pack, he needs to be engaged. He needs his Luna by his side.”
“Dad. What’s… Luna? And what’s pack?” I managed to ask, even though my voice felt like it was catching on the words.
His gaze softened, but only for a second. “I’ll explain it to you later.”
I just stood there, my thoughts running in circles so fast I couldn’t catch them. Ryan’s betrothed. All this time, I never knew. And now I was hearing it as if it was some casual business arrangement, something decided long before I had the chance to even know how I felt about him. My throat burned, my eyes stung, and no matter how much I told myself not to, I kept looking at him. He wasn’t looking back.
Dad’s voice cut through the mess in my head. “What’s wrong?
More Kickass Werewolf Reads
Dive into our collection of free werewolf romance novels—where fierce Alphas, daring heroines, and heart-stopping twists await. Every story burns with forbidden desire, loyalty, and destiny. Don’t wait—here’s a world where love bites hard and nothing is stronger than the call of the mate.
Leave a Reply