Microsoft Word - The_Howling_Heart_AB_forPDF (20 page)

Suddenly, a thought entered my mind and I kicked myself for not mentioning it sooner.

"Come to New York with me."

He exhaled harshly, his lips quivering. A pained expression appeared on his face, similar

to the one I saw on him as a boy.

He looked over at his father and spoke through clenched teeth, his voice dripping with

resentment. "I can't leave my pack." Then he set his tear-filled gaze on me that pulled at my heartstrings. "Please Paige."

He sobbed once, and then released me. Suddenly, his body started to shake.

In a state of panic, I yelled, "Riley what's wrong?"

Tears streamed down his cheeks. I jumped in surprise when an agonizing howl came

from his mouth. He shook more violently as if he was seizing. I grabbed him, and before I could

blink, he flashed into a wolf and his clothes tore and fell off his body. He lifted his head toward

the ceiling and let out a long, heart-wrenching howl. The sound pierced through to my soul and I

felt his misery.

The sheriff swore under his breath. "Bloody hell."

I stared at Riley in shock as the revelation hit me: he was so upset he couldn't hold his

human form. I knelt in front of him and wrapped my arms around his neck.

That's when my voice finally broke. "Riley, please stop howling...or crying...or

whatever."

He flashed into a human and I held his naked body in my arms. I pulled away to look at

him. With watery eyes and flushed face, he managed to speak actual words between hiccups.

"Paige...
please
. Give me...a chance...to love you." He pressed his lips to mine, and I felt the sincerity of his heart through the kiss.

I wiped the tears from his cheeks. "What would I do if I stayed here? I need a job."

Copyright © 2011 April Bostic

T H E H O W L I N G H E A R T

A p r i l B o s t i c P a g e |
107

He took a deep breath to compose himself. Then he cupped my face and looked into my

eyes. "I'll help you find one, even if it's not in Black River. I'll drive you to your job every day. I promise." He paused and begged me once more. "
Please
stay with me."

In that moment, as I looked into his eyes, my heart won the war. Riley had made staying

here worth my while. How could I run away with love staring me in the face? I thought about the

future and didn't want to be one of those women who looked back at their life and regretted the

man they let slip away. I had to seize the moment now or else it may never cross my path again.

My life was no longer in New York…it was here in Black River.

I nodded, and before I could tell him my decision, Riley's face lit up with joy. "Yes, I'll

stay with you." He gathered me into his arms and I wouldn't have been surprised if he never let

me go.

The sheriff couldn't mask the relief in his voice. "Fine, I'll induct you into the pack during

the next full moon, but for now, I'll send out an announcement there will be a new member." He

turned on his heel, but stopped short. "Oh, and Riley...go to Bobby's store and get some new

clothes. Tell him to come see me about payment." He walked away, but I heard him mutter,

"Why can't that damn boy stop shifting in his clothes?"

Copyright © 2011 April Bostic

T H E H O W L I N G H E A R T

A p r i l B o s t i c P a g e |
108

Riley put his arm around my shoulder as we left the sheriff's station. His demeanor

reflected his jubilant mood, and I knew he was thrilled I finally decided to stay with him

permanently.

"Your father said I'd be inducted during the next full moon. Why does it have to be a full

moon?"

Enthusiasm rang clear in Riley’s voice. "Because when the moon is full, Máni visits

Earth to bear witness to any new pack members so he can watch over them. He thinks of us as

his children." He grinned. "Wolf or not."

I felt him nuzzle the top of my head as we crossed the road. He sniffed my hair and made

a sound of contentment.

People walking around town stared at us, and I felt embarrassed because Riley wasn't

wearing any clothing. He didn't seem to care. Maybe the townspeople were used to seeing each

other naked or maybe they stared because Riley had a human on his arm. Regardless, I walked

with my head down and let him lead us to Bobby's store.

"Will I see Máni?" I asked curiously.

"I don't know. I've never seen him and neither has my father."

"How can he be in more than one place at the same time? I'm sure new pack members

join at the same time all over the world."

"We believe Máni is a spirit. If he's not, he's still a Norse god and can do whatever he

wants."

We entered the store and I saw Bobby kneeling while he stocked a shelf. He looked at us

and chuckled. "Here for some new clothes, Riley?"

Riley grinned. "Yeah, and some shoes too. You got anymore black Chuck Taylors?"

Bobby nodded. "Sure, I think I have one pair left in your size."

Riley beamed, and I followed him toward the clothing and shoes section. He browsed

through a rack of men's pants and grabbed a pair of blue jeans.

"I'm taking you out tonight," he said as he put them on.

My eyes widened in surprise. I didn't know there was any place to go
out
in Black River.

"Out where?"

Copyright © 2011 April Bostic

T H E H O W L I N G H E A R T

A p r i l B o s t i c P a g e |
109

After he snapped and zipped the jeans, he stood in front of me and lowered his voice. "It's

a surprise," he said smoothly.

I laughed. "
Another
surprise?"

He dropped a soft kiss on my forehead. "Paige, while you're with me, there will be lots of

surprises. I have so much to show you."

At that moment, I felt giddy because I looked forward to more surprises from my new

boyfriend.

Riley chose a simple white tee and black Chuck Taylors to replace the outfit he ripped

when he shifted into a wolf. I insisted on paying Bobby for his clothes and I secretly hoped my

generosity would reach the sheriff's ears. I wanted to do anything I could to put myself in his

good graces because I knew he really didn't want me to be a member of his pack.

Riley kept to his promise and took me to the Moonlight Special diner for breakfast. The

decor reminded me of an old-fashioned road stop diner. It seemed like a place you'd make a pit

stop before continuing your cross-country road trip.

The diner was busy with many people and many eyes on us. I wondered if the sheriff

made the announcement about me joining the pack, and if so, how did everyone find out so

quickly?

A hostess didn't greet us, so Riley took my hand and seated us in an empty booth. I

grabbed one of the menus placed next to the salt and pepper shakers, and covered my face with it.

I wondered if Riley noticed the attention from the other patrons. I had to assume not, because he

didn't mention it.

I heard a waitress approach, her voice friendly and chipper. "Hi Riley, what can I get

you?"

"I'll have steak and eggs with a side of home fries. You know I like my steaks rare. Oh,

and a blueberry muffin too. Make sure it's the one with the most bits on top."

She laughed lightly. "You got it. You want coffee?"

"No, just orange juice today."

I was busy reading the appetizers when I should've been looking at the breakfast menu.

My brain wouldn't function correctly because I didn't expect to feel so awkward here.

"What can I get you, Paige?" The waitress’ voice was still friendly, but I could sense her

uneasiness.
And oh my God...she knew my name
. "Are you ready to order?"

Copyright © 2011 April Bostic

T H E H O W L I N G H E A R T

A p r i l B o s t i c P a g e |
110

I put the menu on the table and plastered on a fake smile. "Yes, I'll have a cheese

omelet." I didn't even know if cheese omelets were on their menu, but most diners had them so I

assumed they did too.

Our waitress was a young, slender African-American. She smiled back at me, but hers

seemed genuine. "What kind of cheese?"

I shrugged unsurely. "Um, American cheese, I guess."

"Would you like anything to drink?"

"Yes, I'll have coffee please."

When she finished scribbling on her note pad, she gave me another smile. "I'll bring that

right out to you."

I watched her walk away, but when my gaze strayed, I made eye contact with an older

couple sitting at the counter. They looked at me with mild curiosity. I gave them a tight, nervous

smile and they looked away. I settled my gaze on Riley and he grinned, his arms folded on the

table in front of him.

Suddenly, his brows dipped between his eyes and concern crossed his features. "Are you

all right?"

I sighed in relief because he finally noticed my discomfort, but I lied and pretended

everything was peachy. "Yeah, I'm fine." I smiled and rubbed my stomach. "I'm just hungry."

He picked up a sugar packet and put it on the table. Then he positioned it upright and

flicked it like a mini football. When the packet hit my chest, I busted out laughing. He flashed a

smile, and in that single moment, my tension melted away.

I glanced out the window and saw Quinn running across the street toward the diner. She

wore her nurse uniform and waved at me excitedly. My eyes widened in surprise, and seconds

later, she came through the diner's front doors. She looked at us and walked swiftly to sit beside

me. A smile lit up her face as she nudged me with her elbow.

"I heard you're staying."

I looked at Riley with wide eyes and then set them back on Quinn. "How'd you find out

already?"

"Dad rang the doctor's office and told me."

"Does the whole town know?" I asked quietly.

Copyright © 2011 April Bostic

T H E H O W L I N G H E A R T

A p r i l B o s t i c P a g e |
111

She nodded, and my jaw dropped. I looked at Riley again, but he was busy brushing

invisible lint off his shirt.

"What can I say? Dad works fast," he said dryly.

Quinn added, "We’re a small town so news travels quickly, usually through word-of-

mouth or telephone."

Riley smirked, humor dancing in his eyes. "Yeah, being we're not telepathic wolves and

all." He wiggled his fingers next to his temples.

Our waitress walked back to our table and smiled at Quinn. "Hey Quinn, do you want

something to eat?"

She shook her head. "No, I'm good, Kayla. Thanks."

Kayla walked away, and that's when Riley said, "I'm taking Paige to The Den tonight."

Quinn's eyes went round and she bounced in her seat. "Ooh! Can I come too?"

He shrugged indifferently. "Yeah, why not."

She smiled again, and I looked back and forth between them in confusion. "What's The

Den?"

Riley's eyes sparkled mischievously. "You'll see."

"Do you have anything nice to wear?" Quinn asked.

"Uh, no. Why, do I need to dress nice?"

"Well, it would make a good impression if you showed up on Riley's arm looking worthy

of being Beta Female."

Riley's eyes turned hard as he growled his sister's name.

Kayla placed our platters and beverages in front of us, but I was too shocked to eat. When

she walked away, I spoke to Quinn timidly. "So, that's what I'll be...Beta Female?"

"Yes, you'll be taking my place."

"What?" I didn't mean to yell. My stomach twisted in knots. I didn't want to replace

Quinn as
anything
.

She turned her body toward me and said, "Okay, let me explain. Our father is Alpha Male,

so by birth right, Riley and I are Betas. We became Betas once we reached adulthood because

before that, we were juveniles in the pack. Now we don't take orders from anyone except him

and Celia. Riley's the male and he's claimed you for a mate, so therefore, you'll take my position

in the pack hierarchy."

Copyright © 2011 April Bostic

T H E H O W L I N G H E A R T

A p r i l B o s t i c P a g e |
112

I swallowed against the lump in my throat. I wondered how the rest of the pack would

react to this change.

"What if I don't want to be Beta Female?"

Quinn just stared at me. "You don't have a choice," she said grimly. "Everyone who joins the pack has a position. It's part of how my father maintains order."

My stomach clenched. I looked over at Riley and shook my head. "Riley, the pack isn't

going to like this. They're not going to want me to have authority over them. I'm new here and

I'm just a human. What right do I have to tell them what to do? I don't deserve to be Beta Female.

Quinn should keep the position."

He reached across the table and grasped my hands. "Quinn
can't
keep the position," he said gently. "Once my father makes you a member and announces I've claimed you as a