PRESENT DAY
[Ryder]
We stuffed whatever could fit into the car and left under the cover of midnight. A plane ride would've been too much trouble—security, questions, delays. A train? Out of the question. Too cramped, too vulnerable. No, driving gave me control and time to think. At midnight, I could rely on my werewolf instincts if anything went sideways. Not that I expected trouble, though. Asher Thorne wasn't stupid enough to attack after our little discussion. Unless, of course, the rumours were true, and he was as unhinged as they said.
The car was silent. Celeste sat beside me, quiet as a mouse, not daring to question me. It should've been a relief, her indifference. But it wasn't. Something about it made my skin crawl. Her silence wasn't strength; it was blind trust. She never pus
