CHAPTER 1

Ryley

I woke with my heart pounding, the last image still burning behind my eyes a growl at my back, the ground gone from under my feet, icy water rushing up to meet me. I'd had the same dream, some version of it, for seventeen years. I never stayed asleep long enough to hit the water.

"It was only a nightmare." I breathed out, trying to catch my breath. No matter how hard I try, that day will forever haunt my dreams.

Looking at the clock beside my bed, I groaned. I was due to get up in half an hour. With no chance of going back to sleep, I threw off my blanket and climbed out of bed. My body was stiff and sore from the tension of my dream, but I needed to work off this anxious energy. Before dressing for my morning run, I left my room and walked down the hallway to peek into my son's room. I let out a silent sigh of relief when I found he was still asleep. He was safe, and that's all that mattered.

I quietly went back to my room to change for my run. When I was dressed, I put in my earbuds and started my music before pocketing my phone. Leaving the house, I made sure to lock the door. I had my wolf to protect me, but my son wasn't old enough to shift yet.

I'd already run a lap around the neighborhood before Channing, my son, joined me. We did this every morning before he went to school and I went to work. I was still lost in last night's nightmare. The run did nothing to ease my anxiety.

"Couldn't sleep?" he asked when I pulled out one of my earbuds.

"I woke up early and decided to get an extra lap in," I told him. He gave me a nod, and we ran in comfortable silence. We didn't need to speak to enjoy each other's company. There was a lot neither of us said out loud most mornings about his father, about the life I'd chosen to keep him out of, about why I still couldn't sleep through a full night seventeen years later. He never pushed. I think some part of him already understood that I'd tell him when I could.

"Mom, are you sure everything's okay?" Channing asked as I handed him a bottle of water. We'd finished a lap together before heading home to get ready for our day.

"I'm okay, sweetie. And it's my job to worry about you," I scolded with a smirk.

"I'm a seventeen-year-old high school student. What's there to worry about?" He chuckled.

"One, if you don't start getting ready, you'll be late for school."

He cursed when he checked the clock on the stove and took off upstairs, leaving me in the kitchen, laughing and shaking my head. I quickly followed his lead I needed to get ready so I could drop him at school before heading to the office.

It never takes me long to get ready. I keep it work-formal, though I'd rather work from home in my pajamas. After I showered, I styled my shoulder-length blonde hair, letting it dry in waves, and applied very little makeup. I didn't go to work to impress anyone; I was there to make sure my son had everything he needed and more. I do enjoy my job, and I've worked hard to be where I'm at, but it isn't my life.

When I was ready, Channing was waiting at the front door for me. School only had a few more weeks left, and then it would be just us for the summer. I was planning on taking some time off before his last year of high school and his hockey season started. Life was always busy for us, so I needed to slow down and enjoy the time I had left before he went off to college.

"Ready?" he asked, handing me my bags.

"Yep, let's go."

My boss was standing by the front desk as soon as I stepped out of the elevator, holding my much-needed latte. I wasn't in the mood to deal with him today. I just wanted to get to my office and finish my workload. He was chatting with the receptionist, Evelyn. My strides became more purposeful as I made my way toward my office, trying to go unnoticed.

"Good morning, Miss Halliwell," Evelyn's overly cheery voice rang out just as I was almost in the safety of my office. I cringed before forcing a smile. I turned to see my boss, Mr. Miller, and Evelyn, both watching me.

"Good morning," I told them, trying to sound chipper even though I was anything but. I turned on my heels and headed into my office, closing the door behind me.

The relief I felt at being alone was short-lived Mr. Miller opened the door and walked in right behind me. I silently groaned as I set my latte on my desk and placed my purse and bag on the floor beside my chair.

"Mr. Miller, what can I do for you?" I asked, removing my coat and draping it over the back of my chair.

Mr. Isaac Miller was a few years older than me. He'd taken over for his father a few years ago when the elder Miller decided to retire and spend his golden years traveling with his wife. Isaac wasn't a werewolf, but his sister was mated to one uncommon for a human, and it had done wonders for the firm's reputation. He was trusted throughout the werewolf community because of that connection, and because he employed some of the best forensic accountants in the country.

"Ryley, I need a favor," he said, taking the seat across from my desk. My body froze. Whenever I hear those words, my mind automatically jumps to a date if I had a dollar for every time I'd been asked to make someone else jealous, I wouldn't need to work anymore.

"What kind of favor?" I asked suspiciously, and he let out a sigh. It's too early for this, and I haven't even finished my coffee, I thought as I took my seat.

"Do you remember the Orion Enterprises case I had you investigate?" I remembered it well it had driven me crazy for a full twenty-four hours before I finally cracked it. Whoever had been stealing was good at hiding their tracks. But I was better.

"Yes, I remember. Did something happen?" I asked.

"I need you to travel to the Orion Pack."

"No." The word left my mouth before I'd even thought about it.