She jutted her jaw out and irritation flashed in her eyes. “I just bet.”
“What’s going on?” a man asked, appearing by her side. A smile brightened his face, and his cheeks flushed when I looked up at him. “I’m Caleb.”
The redhead elbowed him. “Don’t introduce yourself. She’s a saboteur.”
“Oh yeah? And what’s she saboteuring?”
“You mean sabotaging,” the woman said with disdain.
His eyes rolled back. “Shut up, Rebecca. Just because you watch Wheel of Fortune doesn’t mean you’re more educated than the rest of us.”
Another man came up behind him, and this one wore menace like a cloak. He towered over both of them, his brown eyes cold and devoid of emotion, his looks barbaric.
“Who’s this? I didn’t see her cross onto the property.”
“I’m Ivy Kizer,” I said with a respectful nod. “I’m Lorenzo’s guest.”
He nudged Rebecca aside. “And I’m going to repeat myself. I didn’t see you cross onto the property.”
“I don’t remember how I was brought here, but if you doubt my words, then call your Packmaster. Standing here arguing about it is a waste of breath. And don’t bother cracking your knuckles as a show of intimidation—no man intimidates me. What’s your name?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed up as he swallowed. “Watcher.”
“Unusual name.”
Rebecca spoke as if I were an unruly child. “That’s what they call him.”
“He’s got good eyes,” Caleb added.
“Watcher, I have no ill intentions toward your pack. Let me use your phone so I can call my Packmaster. If he orders me home, then I’ll have no choice but to leave, and I’m sure that’ll make everyone here very happy. But if you want to change your name from Watcher to Boulder by blocking my way, then Lorenzo will be interested to hear about how you browbeat me.”
“You could be lying,” he said.
“But if I’m not, that doesn’t put you in a good standing with your Packmaster to treat his guest in this hostile manner. Do you want to take the chance?” I held out my open hands. “Do I look like I can take down your entire pack? Please, just let me use the phone.”
Rebecca looked up at Watcher and jerked her head to the left, signaling for him to go get it.
They eyeballed me without saying a word until Watcher returned with the phone. I quickly dialed Austin and turned away from them. They backed into the hall and began chattering in low voices.
“This is the party to whom you are speaking,” a voice answered.
“Izzy? It’s me, Ivy.”
She gasped and didn’t even bother to cover the phone when she screamed, “It’s Ivy!”
“Does Austin know where I am? … Hello?”
“Ivy, this is Austin. Tell me if you’re hurt and I’ll kill the sonofabitch.”
“I’m with Lorenzo.”
“That I know. Is something wrong?”
Lorenzo had been truthful with me—Austin knew where I was. Why hadn’t he demanded my return? “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. Has Fox tried anything?”
“His men showed up sniffing around the property twice, and Reno’s wolf got in a tangle with one of them. They’re testing our weaknesses. The night you vanished, a wolf was sniffing in circles down by the road, so we had a feeling Fox had tried to run you off.”
“I’m so sorry for leaving the house, Austin. He showed up and wanted to speak with me privately. I thought maybe we could settle it between us before things got out of hand. He only wanted to talk, but I guess my wolf became protective of me and I lost control.”
“Have there been any rogues on Church’s property?”
“We heard some unfamiliar wolves howling, but nothing confirmed that I’m aware of. He tells me little. Lorenzo has a large pack, so I don’t think Fox will try anything. Do you want me to come home?”
“Ivy, how are you holding up? He said you were hurt bad.”
“I was,” I replied in a quiet voice. “I’m better, but not all the way.” Tears stung my eyes as the pain of missing my family—my pack—began to settle in. “Are you sure everyone’s safe?”
“We’re keeping the house locked up tight with all the alarms on. Everyone is inside except for Reno. He set up camp on the porch with a few weapons that’ll blow a hole in a whale.” Austin chuckled on a low breath. “I think he’s even got one of those rocket launchers. Nothing you need to worry about. Just rest and heal yourself. I made an agreement with Church that you’ll be coming home the day after tomorrow. Is there a message you want me to give to Lexi or anyone else?”
I pinched my lips, tears wetting my cheeks. “Tell them that I love them,” I said, my voice breaking.
“Will do.”
When I hung up, I sniffed and rubbed my nose.