Chapter 86 – An Unwarmly Welcome

(Quinn's perspective)

The ride back was drenched in that kind of uncomfortable silence that made every bump in the road feel sharper. I stared out the window, watching trees whip past in a green blur, trying to focus on that instead of the tight knot in my chest.

Derek's hands gripped the steering wheel a little too hard, his knuckles pale with the pressure. I'd caught him glancing at me a couple of times, his eyes darting my way like he was checking to make sure I hadn't combusted. After the third glance, he finally broke the silence.

"You okay back there?" His voice was quieter than I'd expected, like he'd been holding it in too long.

I didn't look at him. "Yeah, I'm fine."

He nodded slowly, like he didn't quite believe me. "Back there," he said, clearing his throat, "I just wanted to say thanks for... y'know, standing up for me."

That made me glance at him. "Someone had to." I shrugged, but the weight of it didn't sit lightly on my shoulders. "You're the only one that's shown me any kind of respect, Derek. I'm not gonna forget that."

His eyes flicked to me for a second, then back to the road. "Doesn't mean much in a place like this," he muttered.

"Means more than you think," I shot back, folding my arms tight over my chest.

Another beat of silence passed, thick and heavy like the air before a storm.

"We've been gone longer than planned," he said, his voice tense. "Cale's called me three times. Each time he sounded madder than the last." He glanced at me again, his lips pressing into a thin line. "I covered for you as best I could, but... we're not gonna get a warm welcome."

I leaned my head back against the seat and stared up at the ceiling. "Don't worry. I'll get the brunt of it."

Derek's jaw tightened, his hands twitching on the wheel. "That's what I'm afraid of."

His words hung between us, sharp as broken glass. I didn't know what to say to that, so I didn't say anything.

"You can trust me, you know," he added, his eyes flicking my way again, more serious this time.

I raised a brow. "Time will tell."

We didn't talk after that, the only sound being the low hum of the engine and the crunch of gravel beneath the tires. The closer we got to the house, the heavier the air felt. It's weird how you can feel trouble coming before you see it. Like the shift in the wind before lightning strikes.

And then I saw them.

Five wolves stood in a line at the edge of the driveway, still as statues. Cale was front and center, his eyes locked on the car like he'd been tracking it from miles away. His face was a mask of cold, unreadable calm, but I'd seen that look before. It's the kind of calm that breaks right before the storm hits.

"Crap," Derek muttered, his foot easing off the gas.

I sat up straighter, my heart thudding in my chest. This isn't good.

Trinity's voice echoed in my mind, sharp and urgent. "Quinn, you're in danger. We need to turn around. NOW."

"It's too late," I shot back, eyes locked on the wolves. "We're already here."

I could feel her panic rising, buzzing under my skin like static electricity. She'd never sounded like that before. It set me on edge in a way I wasn't ready for.

Derek's hands tightened on the wheel as he eased the car to a stop a few yards from them. Neither of us made a move to get out. For a moment, it was just us and them, staring each other down like it was a standoff in some old Western.

"He's pissed," Derek muttered under his breath.

"No kidding," I said, my eyes narrowing on Cale. His eyes weren't on Derek. They were on me. He'd been waiting for me. Expecting me. My fingers curled into fists on my lap, nails biting into my palms.

One of the wolves on the end shifted, pacing a few steps forward, low growls rumbling from its chest. My heart jumped, but I didn't look away. Don't show fear. Don't show fear.

"What's the plan?" Derek's voice was tight, his eyes flicking between me and Cale.

"Play it cool," I said, my throat dry as sandpaper. "Don't show them anything they can use."

He glanced at me like he wanted to argue, but he kept his mouth shut. Smart move.

Cale raised a hand, slow and deliberate, like he was giving a signal. The wolves behind him moved in unison, fanning out like they were forming a net, closing us in. My pulse spiked, and I felt Trinity's anxiety spike with it.

"This is bad, Quinn. This is really, really bad," she hissed, pacing back and forth in my head.

"I know," I replied, keeping my eyes forward. "Stay with me, Trin. We've got this."

But did we? My heart was racing so hard I thought it might crack a rib. I could feel Derek's fear, too, even though he'd gone quiet. The kind of quiet people get when they're trying not to freak out.

Cale's eyes stayed on me as he took a slow step forward, his lips curling up just slightly at the edges. It wasn't a smile. It was a warning.

"Quinn," he called out, his voice smooth as silk but twice as dangerous. "Step out of the car."

My eyes darted to Derek. He gave me the slightest shake of his head, his jaw clenched tight.

"Now," Cale repeated, his voice sharper this time. The other wolves shifted closer, their low growls humming like distant thunder.

I'd faced worse than this. I'd survived worse than this. At least, that's what I told myself as I reached for the door handle. My fingers didn't feel like my own.

"Be ready, Trin," I warned, my heart thudding in my ears.

"Always," she replied, her voice low and steady now, ready for war.

I opened the door and stepped out, gravel crunching beneath my boots. I didn't flinch. I didn't waver. If he wanted me to play scared, he'd be waiting a long time.

"Good girl," Cale said, his eyes narrowing on me with that predatory glint that made my stomach turn. "Now, let's see if you're as brave as you think you are."