The Pack (Completed Series)

Chapter 16 - Ryker

I had been up for hours.

The coffee in my mug was already cold, but I didn't care. I sat at the end of the long kitchen table, staring at the scuffed wood and replaying every second of last night—the way Aria's voice had cracked, the way her fingers had trembled when she'd gripped that backpack strap.

Kael walked in first, pulling a hoodie over his head. His eyes swept the room like he could sense the mood before I even opened my mouth. Elias followed a moment later, hair damp, smelling faintly of soap.

"You look like hell," Kael said, dropping into the chair across from me.

I just set the mug down with a dull thud. "She tried to leave."

Elias's brow furrowed. "When?"

"Three hours ago. She had her pack, the knife, everything. Said she was doing it to keep us safe." My voice came out sharper than I meant it to be, but the memory still had my chest tight.

Kael cursed under his breath. "Blackfangs."

I nodded. "She didn't say it outright, but that's what she's thinking. She's scared, and she's convinced we're going to get hurt because of her."

Elias sat back in his chair, rubbing a hand over his face. "We can't let her think that's even an option. If she runs, she's dead. Or worse."

The silence after that hung heavy.

Kael finally spoke, voice low. "Blood Moon's in three days. My dream... it wasn't just about her first shift. There was a warning. They're moving faster than I thought."

I met his gaze. "How close?"

Kael's jaw flexed. "Close enough that I'd bet they're already on our trail. If we don't have her ready by the Blood Moon, we'll be defending her without her wolf. That's not a fight we can win."

My hands tightened on the table edge. The thought of pushing her too far, too fast burned in my chest—but the image of her slipping out into the dark, alone, was worse.

"Then we train her harder. No more easing her in," Elias said. "She's going to hate us for it, but I'd rather she hate us and live."

I stood up. "Fine. Then we start today. No breaks. No excuses."

Kael and Elias exchanged a glance—silent agreement passing between them.

Decision made.