Chapter 23

** Ryder’s POV ** I knew this moment was coming, but I didn’t expect the full force of it to hit me like this. Poppy stares me down like she’s the parent here, like she’s preparing to rip every secret from my chest with her bare hands. I shift my weight, leaning against the counter and trying to look casual, but there’s no hiding from her stare. I have to remind myself she is a young human girl, and I am a powerful alpha of an entire pack of werewolves. Paige stands nearby, watching me nervously, and Callen looks like he’s one poorly timed comment away from bursting into laughter. “Ryder Madden,” Poppy says again, chastising me like a child. “You better have a damn good explanation for where you’ve been the last seven years. You disappeared. No calls. No texts. Just gone without a trace. You just left her, left them without a word. Who does that?” I inhale deeply and nod, holding up my hands. “I know. I deserve your anger. I do.” “Damn right you do,” she says, crossing her arms over he