~ Ryder ~
My arms were still wrapped tightly around Doris, her body warm and soft against mine, when my phone vibrated in my pocket. The sudden buzz shattered the peaceful moment we had been sharing.
I pulled the phone out and glanced at the screen. Clara.
Doris stiffened immediately. I felt the subtle shift in her breathing, the way her muscles tensed against me. She didn’t say a word, but her reaction was loud enough.
I thought about stepping away to take the call privately, but that would only make things worse. It would look like I had something to hide. There was nothing between Clara and me anymore, but Doris didn’t need reasons to doubt. So I answered right there and put it on speaker.
“Greetings, Alpha,” Clara said, her voice smooth but urgent.
I sighed. “Clara, go straight t
