Wolf's Call (Wolves Next Door #2) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,174

friends helping - with Ian's approval."

"She's a true alpha," Ashley told me. "She can't help it. That protective urge is heightened with the virus, and she's using it. In truth, Elena, she also has a good plan. I mean, this could actually work."

"But the calls!" I reminded her.

"Are just phone calls," she said. "They want to feel important. No different than the ones who used to call to bitch about our prices, or the carbon footprint, or anything else. If we're noticed, someone's going to be upset about it."

"I'm pretty sure one of those was a wolf," I told her.

Ashley nodded. "Quite a few have called, actually. Most of them are pissed because they feel exposed. Some want to let us know that they're watching. Regardless, it doesn't change anything, and they could just be people trying to prank us. Believe it or not, there are groups who know we exist. Some hunt us - mostly in Europe. Others just want proof of something they think they've seen, and this story is what they've been waiting for. Just keep up with the generic lines, telling them to send an email, and playing as human as you can."

The words were barely out of her mouth before the phone rang again. With a sigh, I reached over to grab it, but the ringing only moved to Ashley's office, making it clear there was more than one call coming in. Rolling her eyes, she left while I greeted the person on the other end of the line as professionally as I could.

"Is it true that there are werewolves living in Wolf's Run?" the woman asked, sounding much too chipper.

"What?" I scoffed. "No. Werewolves don't exist. Wolf's Run is an exclusive gated community that is working to bring back the idea of a community where neighbors can once again be neighborly. We have a few homes left for lease, if you're interested - "

"I just want to know about werewolves," she said.

"You might try Netflix," I offered. "This is a housing community. I'd be happy to send you our current specials, though."

The phone immediately went dead.

It kept up like that all day long. Ian came in at lunch with a bag of food for me. I tried to tell him I couldn't, but he just handed me the bag, then waited until I was off the phone. Without asking, he turned it around to face him and lifted a brow.

"Just eat," he insisted. "Quickly if you want, but I'm going to stand here and answer this until you've actually eaten something." Then he smiled. "You're not taking care of my pack without letting me take care of you in return, and trust me, I can be stubborn."

So I gave in. It was from my favorite place, and he'd gotten me the apple and turkey sandwich, so I wasn't about to refuse. What I didn't do was leave my desk. Yet just as my mouth was full of an impolitely large bite, the phone rang again.

"Wolf's Run, Ian Langdon," he answered. Then there was a very long pause. I watched as his brow furrowed, his jaw clenched, but his laugh wasn't what I was expecting. "Your threats are weak, Damon. Keep trying. If you truly feel that way, then you know exactly where to find me. Just know that if you challenge me, I will not give you a second chance."

I cautiously took another bite. Did he mean like a dominance challenge? What would happen if the other man won? How would that change things with us, and what would happen to Gabby and me? Not to mention everything else, but if Ian lost, would that be it?

No, there was no way an outside wolf would come in just to challenge him. Would they? Wouldn't that expose us even more than what was already happening? Unfortunately, I had no idea, but an entirely new list of questions was forming in my mind.

"I don't care if you approve," Ian went on. "Wolf's Run is mine. Hidden Forest is yours. Run your home how you want, but if you threaten any of my family, I will make sure you regret it. Yes, that is a threat. Now tuck your tail between your legs and don't call again." And he slammed the phone back down on the receiver.

"Bad?" I asked.

"Annoying," he countered. "Have wolves been threatening you all day?"

"I've actually been doing the standard human customer service routine," I admitted. "I pretend like I know nothing, have no