Wolf's Call (Wolves Next Door #2) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,155

letting nature take its course, and all of that."

Those dark eyes of hers found mine, shining just a little too much. "I mean bite me, Lane. Make it happen, because I'm tired of waiting. Would you?"

She'd asked me. Not Ian. Not Seth. Not even Gabby. Of all the wolves she knew, she'd asked me, and while I wanted to scream that yes, I would love to have her with me forever, I couldn't. That was what I wanted. To have her as a wolf, able to run at my side and finally understand how I looked at the world would be amazing, but that wasn't why she was asking.

Right now, Elena wanted a reason to stop worrying. She was seeking a distraction or a cure. Possibly both. She wanted me to turn her to fix the horror of today, and that was not a good reason. Being a wolf wouldn't change the past, only the future. So, as hard as it was, I shook my head no.

"I'm sorry," I breathed. "I will one day, but not tonight. I'm not going to let you make this decision too fast. Think about it. Debate it. Talk to me, or the guys, or even Ashley about it. Take your time, Elena, because the moon isn't close." Then I lifted her hand to my lips. "But if you still want it, then yes, I will. I will turn you, because I want you with me. I just want to make sure you will never regret it."

She nodded. "Promise. And so you know, I want you to spend the night because you make me feel like everything will be ok. Not just because you need it, but because I do too."

The last worry in my mind dissolved with those words. "That's all I've ever wanted, little bunny. I just need to make you happy."

CHAPTER 45

I woke up the next morning to my phone ringing on my bedside table. I didn't remember putting it there, but I recognized the ringtone. Forcing one eye open, I leaned across Lane to grab it. There was a little struggle to get it unplugged - and I was sure I hadn't put it on the charger - but I managed to swipe to answer a split second before it went to voicemail.

"What?" I croaked.

My ex-husband's voice spilled across the line, rambling a litany of profanity in Spanish. Then, "A shooting? And you didn't think to call me?"

"Not your daughter, remember?" I asked, then ended the call.

The mass of muscle I was still lying on laughed, so I slid down to curl against Lane's side, but of course Gerardo couldn't be that easy. The phone rang again before I could even close my eyes. I groaned, but wasn't leaving my comfy spot even as I answered.

"What?"

"You could've at least told me she was fine," he snapped.

"She's fine." I almost hung up again, but his next words came too fast.

"Elena, I was terrified, and she's not answering my calls."

I sighed, but he had a point. "Gerardo, the news said no one was killed. Gabby's fine. She and her friends were scared, I was terrified, but they're all ok. Nothing for you to worry about. Sorry, your not-child is still happy and healthy."

He grunted like my digs were actually getting to him. "So you know, your little boyfriend is the one who wanted me to give up my rights so badly."

"Yeah, and you fought hard. Look, this works out for me. It works out for you. The whole thing is a win-win, but that doesn't mean you get the best of both worlds. Either you act like a parent or you don't. Since you aren't, leave us the fuck alone, Gerardo."

"You know, that boy's saying they're all werewolves," he told me. "The shooter? Yeah, and that video that's gone viral doesn't help at all."

My heart stopped. "What video?"

"Oh, so I guess you do need to talk to me now," he taunted. "Figure it out for yourself, Elena. I was actually calling because I was worried about her."

And then the bastard just hung up on me. I pulled the phone away to look at it, but Lane rolled toward me, all but slipping me off his shoulder. He took the phone from my hand and set it on the table behind him, but his complete focus was on me.

"What video?" he asked, proving he'd heard.

"I have no idea," I admitted. "Lane, I just woke up too."

"Shit." And he sat up. "Mason saw Xander change.