Page 49 of Black Willow Witch
‘I don’t believe it was just that. From what she wrote in that letter, I think her aim was also to protect your claim on the manor.’ Ripper’s gaze roamed over her face. ‘Regardless of what she may have told you, I don’t think you disappointed her, Emberlyn.’
‘Why is that?’
‘She was right in the things she said to Robbins. It would have been easy for you to stay with her or rejoin the coven – it’s normal to want to belong. But you ventured out on your own and planted a flag in neutral territory, asserting your right to be part of Chilgrave. And opening the laundry hub was smart. Real smart.’
It was, even if Emberlyn did say so herself.
‘I think, in truth, she was proud of you. She just didn’t know how to tell you that.’
CHAPTER TWELVE
Exiting the brewery the following day, Ripper idly scanned his surroundings . . . and noticed Kerr walking along the sidewalk toward him. Something about his sober expression made Ripper tense.
‘Heard you were here,’ said Kerr. ‘I was hoping to catch you before you left.’
Ripper turned to fully face him. ‘What’s going on?’
Kerr rubbed at his nape. ‘I didn’t want you to hear this through gossip, and I figured it’d be best to warn you that Logan is probably going to track you down, raging.’
‘Raging about what?’
Kerr hesitated, his expression careful. ‘Neal’s dad mentioned that CeCe has finally agreed to give his son a shot.’
Ripper went very still, his gut clenching. ‘That makes no sense. Neal’s not her type.’ She only ever went for highly dominant males, aware that – being so strong-willed – she bulldozed over others if they didn’t push back.
‘No, he’s not,’ Kerr agreed. ‘It’s why she turned him down time and time again over the years. But apparently something’s changed.’ He side-eyed Ripper. ‘What are you going to do if it is true?’
At his friend’s uncertain tone, Ripper felt his brow furrow. ‘You ask that as if you think I might beat the shit out of Neal.’
‘It wouldn’t surprise me.’
Did Ripperwantto see her cozied up with another guy? No. But . . . ‘I knew when I turned down the triad suggestion that she’d eventually end up with someone else. What the hell is she supposed to do?’
Kerr narrowed his eyes. ‘You’re pissed.’
‘I’m pissed because she could do better than Neal.’
‘You’re pissed because you’re thinking what I’m thinking,’ Kerr contradicted, stepping closer. ‘You’re thinking this is a stunt; that she’s trying to spur you to come around to the triad idea.’
Ripper felt his teeth clench. Hehadbeen thinking that. Neal had crushed on her since they were teens. If she’d ever wanted him, she could have acted on it way before now. She’d always told Ripper she never would; that she’d only ever see Neal as a friend.
Kerr went on, ‘She gave you time. She was patient. She thought you’d come round, but you haven’t. So now she feels you slipping away. Alpha werewolves are extremely territorial. What better way to push you into finally claiming her than to show you that you’ll be replaced in her affections?’
‘No game or stunt or play is going to make me change my mind. She should know me well enough to know that.’
‘I think she’ll try anything at this point. She’s not devious by nature, but that doesn’t mean she can’t be devious on occasion. Even the nicest person can become a nightmare when they’re not getting something they badly want. If she’s been imagining a triad for years, she’s now being forced to let that dream go. It isn’t odd that she won’t do it without a fight. And do I think she’d resort to manipulation if it meant being able to have both you and Logan? Yeah, I do. And so do you.’
Ripper wished he could argue, aggrieved that someone he held a lot of affection for would play him this way. He cursed. ‘I don’t have time for this right now. I’ve got to get to Emberlyn’s place,’ he explained, walking toward his truck. ‘Her friend wants to go through the Change and join our clan. I said I’d speak to her.’
‘Friend?’ echoed Kerr, keeping pace with him. ‘Has to be Paisley. I don’t think Emberlyn really considers anyone other than the twins a friend – just coworkers, customers and allies. Like you, she doesn’t easily let people close.’ Kerr eyed him. ‘You really gonna keep your hands off her?’
That was the plan. But Ripper could feel it steadily crumbling. Which was why he repeatedly reminded himself . . . ‘It was only a year ago that she broke the mating tie.’
Kerr shrugged. ‘So?’
Ripper pulled open the driver’s door of his truck. ‘So some part of her might still feel mated.’
‘Yeah, but some part of her might not. You could just be making assumptions. Even if she does still have some feelings for Michael, it ain’t much different from you having lingering feelings for CeCe. Maybe you can both help the other fully move on, if nothing else. At leastthinkabout it.’
