The attic door handle turned slowly.
Once.
Twice.
Then stopped.
Nobody moved.
Nobody breathed.
Alice's grip on Jake's hand tightened automatically.
Jake stood in front of her like a wall.
A very attractive, terrifying wall.
Not the time.
Absolutely not the time.
Jake's wolf had completely taken over his thoughts.
Danger.
Threat.
Protect mate.
Protect pack.
Mine.
The growl building in Jake's chest was low.
Deep.
Primal.
Alice felt it more than heard it.
And somehow—
Somehow it sent a shiver down her spine.
The door creaked open.
Just a few inches.
Then—
A voice.
"Jake?"
Silence.
Jake blinked.
Alice blinked.
Evelyn blinked.
Lily blinked.
Everyone blinked.
"...Ryan?" Jake asked.
The door swung open.
A boy stumbled into the attic.
Messy dark hair.
Tall.
B
