Page 62 of Wolf's Providence

I waited patiently, acknowledging the words without confirming anything.

The shrewd look he wore last night was back, and his next words were slow as if testing the weight of each one. “I’ve seen your kind before,” he told me carefully, his eyes never leaving mine. “Different places, different people, but it’s hard to forget that…”

“That what?” I prompted him, my patience running thin.

“The particular look in the eye.” He sat back and considered me. “The unexplained explained.”

I felt my wolf stir, but I kept my expression bland, committing to nothing as a low instinctive wariness prickled at my skin. “And what look would that be, exactly?”

His mouth twitched as if my non-confirmation was confirmation enough. “The look of someone who sees beyond what most of us do. Someone who doesn’t quite fit.” He paused, his gaze unflinching. “I’ve known about your kind for some time now, one way or another.”

“My kind?” I asked, stretching one leg out in front of me casually.

“Shifter.”

Fuck. Would Willow forgive me if I killed her best friend’s dad?

“You know and have said nothing?”

Raymond shrugged. “Why would I?” His expression hardened. “Never needed to. Your kind has never bothered me or mine before. But Willow…is like a daughter to me.Family.” His expression softened slightly when he mentioned her name. “She doesn’t know the danger you bring with you.”

If only he knew…

“Danger I bring?” He was lucky he’d mentioned the worddaughterwhen he declared she washis, else we’d be having a very different conversation. “I only want to protect her.”

Raymond’s gaze sharpened. “By putting her in the hospital?” His look was challenging. “Don’t bullshit me about a car accident. I don’t know what happened, but the blood my Lily saw, the care that girl needed to besavedwas your doing.” He held his hand up to stop me from speaking. “Even if you didn’t cause the wounds yourself, I know it was being tied up in your business that scarred that girl.” A flicker of something like pity flickered across his expression. “You may be protecting her, but you’re the reason she needs protecting.”

My jaw clenched, my fists instinctively flexing as I held my frustration in check. “You don’t know shit,” I spat out at him.

Raymond leaned back in his seat, his voice quieter, almost resigned. “I’m not the enemy, Caleb. But I also won’t stand by and pretend I don’t see what’s happening right in front of me. You may be here for her, but I’ve seen what happens when things go wrong with your kind.”

“Then you’ll know I will do anything in my power to make sure she’s protected.”

Raymond huffed out a laugh. “Your threats don’t work on me, son. Willow will come to no harm from me.”

We sat in silence for a moment, a silent truce as we considered our positions. Willow forgave me for almost killingher; surely, killing Lily’s dad wasn’t as bad as that? Was it?

However, the older man’s first reaction was to protect her, which not only demonstrated he cared for her but that he was loyal to her. I could respect that. I didn’t want to, but I could.

“You want to protect her? Prove it.” He studied me, his gaze stern. “Leave her. Leave Whispering Pines and don’t come back.”

“Never going to happen.”

Raymond said nothing, holding my stare, and then he stood, gesturing for me to do the same. I followed his lead as we walked back to the front door, where we faced each other once more.

“She has people who will protect her as fiercely as you do,” he told me, his voice low. “No matter who they’re protecting herfrom. Don’t forget that.”

“Are you threatening me?” I asked him, surprised he had the balls to do so.

“No.” Raymond shook his head slowly. “That’s apromise, son.”

Making my way down the porch steps and away from the house, I thought of Raymond’s words as they echoed around my mind.

Looks like Raymond could grow on me, too… Damn Willow’s friends for being so fiercely protective.

Shifters respected pack that protected each other.

Raymond left me with a lot to think about, and I knew I needed to speak to Willow.

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