“Indestructible? Where did that come from… ah,” Ryker’s voice pulled me further from the memory, so while I could see Jaxy’s grin, darkness surrounded him. His image faded, but I tried to grab him in my mind, only to be jolted back to the present when warm pressure on my lips sent tingles vibrating through them. Blinking, I stared at Ryker’s mischievous grin once he broke the kiss with a sinking feeling in my chest. The part of my mind where the memory of Jaxy dwelled was now dark and cold, thus beyond my grasp. Tears of frustration filled my eyes, and Ryker sighed. “Soon, little one. You are very close to solving it on your own, however. Jax would be proud.” His eyes flicked to the space beside me as he said that, and a soft laugh filled my ears. “He was almost as much of a trouble magnet as you. Often, he stuck his nose into everything to see if something would bite it off.”
“Jazzy would never have allowed it,” Jax chuckled in my ear. “She loved me too much, and the trouble we got into together.”
“The secrecy was your idea, Jax, so shut up,” Ryker growled. “Why do you have to make me the bad guy?”
“Because it annoys you,” the ghost answered with a grin judging by the smugness in his voice. I couldn’t stop my snort of laughter, although I didn’t try very hard. While my heart ached to have been so close to the truth only for it to be jerked away, hearing their banter felt so right. So, they must have known each other pretty well, and I spent enough time with them to know they were, at the very least, close friends.
When I chanced a glance at Riff and Char, they dropped their jaws while they stared at the space beside me. “Holy crap, I can see and hear Jax!”
“I saw him the other day,” Dakota’s voice was almost too soft for me to hear. “He seems to follow Angel. I would like the answers to the puzzle he left her too. However, I have an ace up my sleeve that he might have forgotten. His parents, my aunt and uncle live in Wolfram, albeit their house is on the border of pack territory. Perhaps Angel and I should pay them a visit.”
“Dakota has always been an impatient cheater, bunny. Never play card games with him,” Jax warned in such a mock-serious voice that I laughed. Dakota’s answering scoff made my lips twitch before sadness filled my heart. I could only imagine how much it pained Dakota to hear his cousin’s voice without being able to see him or hug the man. “But he’s taken care of the house I entrusted to him, so we can’t be too hard on him. Poor kid. Give him an enormous hug for me, all right, bunny? I hope you enjoy having a safe place to stay.”
Frowning, I mused about that, while Ryker, Riff, and Char, finished making plans with Dakota. Apparently, Tyger went back to the hall after ratting out my near discovery to Ryker. I would have to remember to pay the shifter back for that later. I was so close, and he knew it. Bastard. His laughter reached my ears, and I scowled at the door to Ryker’s room. Hmph, I’ll bake cookies and eat them in front of the jerk while the smell fills his nose. There, that stopped him from laughing.
I hoped Char and Riff could sleep soon because they looked exhausted, although excitement seemed to give them energy for the moment. Biting my lip, I wondered why Tyger was here instead of playing with Matty. From the hall, Tyger called, “I heard Ryker’s plan while he made it, so I sent Matty to pack whatever he wants to take. I’m sure the gaming systems are coming with us, but not immediately. Once we’re established, Ryker and Liam will figure out how to transport everything Matty desires to entertain himself while you’re at school.”
Ryker smiled with a slight shrug when I glanced at him, and I sighed soundlessly. I hoped Matty would go to school as well, but I understood why he shouldn’t. I’d be at school surrounded by teenage werewolves, whereas Matty would be in class with young pups. Sure, some teachers and faculty might be wolves, but would they get between Matty and my monster? I didn’t want them to. It wasn’t fair of me to ask someone else to risk their life for my baby brother when this situation was my fault. Sure, werewolves were hardy, but they were still killable.
While lost in my musings, I repacked what little I took out of my bag, figuring I wasn’t necessary for deciding how or when we’d go. I still wasn’t sure I wanted to. Yes, I was excited to see the teenagers I considered my friends, and my soul longed to hug Dakota. Still, I did not want to be in the same city as Kyler. However, I refused to run from him like a coward afraid of their shadow. No, I’d stand my ground and ignore him. Why not? When he wasn’t trying to torment me, he acted like he wished I didn’t exist. So, I’d do us both a favor by pretending he didn’t.
While I slowly packed my few items, I was aware of the flurry of activity happening in Ryker’s room. Albeit, I couldn’t focus upon it. I wanted to put my headphones on and draw while ignoring the world. That desire made me swallow nervously because I understood it meant I was anxious about running into Kyler. If I went to school, well, I sat next to him in several classes, so it wasn’t as if I wouldn’t see him. Whatever. He wasn’t my first bully, and I hoped to avoid becoming antagonistic so he left me alone.
Blinking in confusion, I accepted the phones from Riff and Char, placing them in my bag like they asked. Their relief made
