All Chapters of CAN I RIDE, STEP-UNCLE?: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Thorne Matthews"You think your wolf can stand against a true alpha?" Abby Matthews snarls, his knee driving straight up into Randall Kirkland's groin with everything he has left.Randall doubles over with a pained, guttural groan, his grip breaking instantly."I will rip your throat out, rogue trash!" Abby roars, snatching a heavy crystal dish from the low wooden table and hurling it straight at his face. It misses Randall by an inch, smashing against the stone wall into tiny glittering pieces.Breathing heavily, Randall stumbles backward toward the exit of our cottage. "Your wolf is completely insane!" he spits, yanking the heavy wood door wide open. "My pack elders warned me about your broken bloodline! Good luck getting your calming herbs from the territory healers now! Do not come crawling back to my den on your knees begging when your back aches!""Go back to your stinking, pathetic Luna mother!" Abby screams into the cold air, his chest heaving up and down as he slams the heavy

THORNE MATTHEWS POV"Forgot how nice this alpha moonkeep is," I say, walking straight inside and looking up at the high ceilings.The air smells like fresh pine and hot wax on the hardwood floors. A huge silver chandelier hangs right in the middle of the foyer, looking super expensive and shiny. A big mahogany staircase goes up to the second floor, and the walls have great pictures of Ellis Boyd and his royal family. His father looks huge and strong like a true alpha warrior champion, and his mother looks very proud.Ellis Boyd smirks, clicking the heavy door lock behind me. "It is just a house, Thorne."I shake my head, looking at him. "No, my place with Abby is just a house. This is a royal citadel."He laughs a little bit, walking past my body. "Are you thirsty? I have soda, water, or some of my dad's strong liquor."I raise an eyebrow at him. "Liquor?""Relax," Ellis Boyd grins, looking very handsome. "My wolf is not trying to get you drunk... unless you want me to.""Shut up and

Hot tears stream right down my face as I press the note and the silver draft flat against my chest, my heart swelling with so much emotion I can barely breathe. He really is a good male. Every single conversation we ever had about my dreams, my goals, and my designs—his wolf had been listening to every single word.I let out a shaky breath, sinking back onto the soft furs as a small smile tugs at my lips. Ellis Boyd has always been way more than just a close pack companion or a silly crush. He was the only male who truly saw my wolf—even when I could not see myself.I might have lost his body to the uncertain future of the royal warrior league... but my wolf did not lose his ultimate belief in me.And that is worth everything to my spirit.As I hold the letter tight, a sudden wave of fierce determination settles deep into my bones. Becoming a professional moonweaver is no longer just a distant dream. It is completely real now.And I am going to make damn sure I make Ellis Boyd proud.

THORNE MATTHEWS POV"Master Matthews?" talks a smooth, clear voice from the communication crystal. "This is Donna Collins from Mooncrest Wolf Residences. Your application for the territory apartment is fully approved by the pack elders."My heart jumps super fast inside my chest. "Wait... for real?""Yes! If your wolf can send the pack resources for the deposit and the first month of stay by tomorrow morning, the living unit belongs to you. The total comes out to thirty-two hundred silver pieces. Please remember that this is a first-come, first-serve territory law.""Oh, I know that. My wolf remembers you saying that exact thing before.""Yes, so make sure your wolf sends the silver pieces in before the closing of our territory office tomorrow evening.""I will send the silver resources first thing in the morning!""Great! I will send over the sacred pack paperwork after we receive the silver so your wolf can sign it too.""Okay, my wolf will be waiting right here. Thanks so much.""Y

THORNE MATTHEWS POVThe glow from my communication crystal throws a soft blue light across my dimly lit bedroom. I lie curled under my thick fur comforter, staring straight at the ceiling tiles, my mind spinning completely. No matter how hard my wolf tries to push thoughts of Ellis Boyd away, he is still right there—etched into my memory like a permanent mark on my heart.My thumb hovers right over his frequency link on the crystal, my heart thudding fast like a heavy drumline in my chest. I take a deep breath and start typing out the message.Thorne: Hey Big Head, it is Thorne. Hopefully, my name is still saved on your crystal. It has been a long time, but my wolf wanted to reach out after watching your warrior game tonight. I hated to see that terrible crash happen to your body. I truly pray your wolf is okay. I know how much you love the arena games. Oh, and Ellis Johnson says hey. He is still waiting on those VIP stadium passes. Lol Take care, Ellis Boyd. Lots of Love.I read the