Riley and The Riptide

Ainsley’s POV“Class, we have a new student joining us for first grade this year. This is Ainsley Rogers. Let’s all give her a warm welcome.” The teacher says with a big smile.“Hello Ainsley.” Everyone says at the same time.They’re all staring at me. My cheeks feel hot and I give them a little wave. I wish my brother Caleb was here. He likes meeting new people. He told me to be brave until I get home, then he’ll keep me safe again.“Riley Coyle?” She looks down at a piece of paper.“Yes, Miss Ratner?” The boy sitting next to me stops swinging his leg and sits up tall.“I’ve already spoken to Mrs. Marsh. Are we going to have problems or is this going to be a good year?” She puts her hands on her hips and looks seriously at the human boy. She sounds mad. I don’t know why. It’s only the first day of first grade.“It’s gonna be a good year, Miss Ratner.” He mumbles, looking down at his desk. “I’m glad to hear that. Now, if that’s the case, can you please be Ainsley’s helper and introdu

The theater is busy for a Friday. Everyone is excited for a superhero movie premiere. I leave the office after turning in my cash drawer and almost run directly into Gavin.“Hey, Ainsley. You know Sarah, right?” He asks.He has his arm draped over a brunette girl’s shoulder. I assume he’s trying to make me jealous. It won’t work. Everyone knows Sarah Cooper. She’s a werewolf cheerleader who has a reputation for sleeping around with humans and werewolves. She’s also one of Riley’s ex-girlfriends. “Yeah. Hi, Sarah.” I smile.“Ainsley, we’re having a party next Saturday to celebrate the end of school.” Sarah’s screechy voice strains my ears. “Wanna come?”Sarah is also famous for throwing large parties. Her parents live off territory and travel for work a lot. Her older brother is supposed to watch her, but he’s never around. No parents, lots of alcohol.She’s only asking me to go because of the Grands. The retired Alpha and Luna’s name carries clout. Going to her party will be a fat fe

Riley’s POVGrandpa Nick pulls Ainsley’s limp body out of the truck. In his huge arms, she looks like a baby. She’s really out of it, covered in blood, pale, and sweating profusely.“I-I’m sorry, Sir. I thought she was right behind me.” My head swims, making me sway and stumble as I try to keep up. “Come inside, Riley.” He walks up the front steps without looking back.The school nurse is inside with Grandma Jane. “Nurse Gomez?” “Hello, Riley. Are you hurt, dear?” Nurse Gomez asks, but follows Grandpa Nick.“No, ma’am. Ainsley was attacked by dogs, though.” I look past her at Grandpa who is already halfway up the stairs.Guilt chases away the numbness of the alcohol and floods my chest. Hearing Ainsley whimper in pain makes it feel like someone is squeezing my heart. I’m supposed to protect her. I promised Grandpa I would when I was in first grade.“Wait here, Riley.” She says urgently, following Grandma Jane up the stairs.The three of them go into Ainsley’s room and shut the door.

“Great job, Caleb. Personal best. Charlotte, good job! Make sure you’re pacing yourself.” Our pack trainer claps as we finish our five-mile run the next Saturday morning.“Caleb. My office. NOW!” Uncle Lucas’s voice booms across the lawn.I look over at Charli. She’s standing with her hands on her hips staring at me, confused.“What did you do?” She mouths at me.***“First skipping school and fist fights. Now I find out you’re working for Dario Capra, threatening humans. Not to mention taking part in illegal street racing. And dragging Beckett into it, too? Caleb, one more toe out of line and you’ll spend your senior year with a tutor in the packhouse!”“Uncle Lucas, it’s not that big a deal. You and Dad raced when you were our age.” I roll my eyes. “And Beckett wants to earn money.”“Don’t ‘Uncle Lucas’ me. You’re breaking laws. Werewolf AND human laws, Caleb. If you’re going to be the leader of this pack, you need to hold yourself accountable. Right now you’re not, and don’t you DA

“What the fuck?” The blood drains from my face. “Lucas...”“Mom?” Beckett gasps.“Beckett, go clean up. You and Charlotte can wait in the hospital wing together.” As soon as Beckett is gone, Lucas squats next to me. “What’s wrong, Maggie?”I put the phone on speaker. “Dad, c-can you repeat that for Lucas?”Lucas looks at me in disbelief while Dad recalls the story.“Nick, you won’t believe this.” Lucas swallows hard and tells him what happened to Caleb.“Lucas, did anything like this ever happen to Cameron? Absorbing part of Ansel’s injuries?” Dad asks.“To some extent. We were used to it though.” Lucas shakes his head. “The week Ansel died was the absolute worst. We thought Cam was gonna die too.”“That could explain why an attack from an Alpha wolf didn’t kill Ainsley.” Dad sounds like he’s deep in thought. “I thought their connection ended when she moved here. Now, I’m not so sure. Maggie, their connection must be getting stronger. Just like Cameron and Ansel. They’re a bit younger