Then I felt a gentle tingling sensation, starting at my scalp and trickling down my spine. Her fingernails were softly scratching my head.
“Please, tell me. Be honest. No half-truths**I want to help.”
I took a deep breath, weighing what I could or should say.
“The whole truth…” She tugged my hair lightly, making sure I understood she was serious. It was as if she could read my mind.
Another breath. “The truth? I’m scared. Every time you travel in a group, whether by car or running, you’ve been attacked. I can’t stop worrying. The track record isn’t great.”
She let out a short laugh, then whispered, “But all those times, you weren’t with me.” I looked up at her, stunned. How had I resisted this for so long? I pulled her close, resting my cheek against her stomach, holding her tightly. She wrapped her arms around me.
“You are the difference.”
I don’t deserve her. That’s my greatest fear. The more I get to know her, the closer I become. And I know, deep down, I don’t deserve her.
Kennedy
It took a solid ten minutes of coaxing before Ryker finally stepped out and climbed into the car beside me. His hand was locked around mine with a grip so tight it felt like a vise, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask him to loosen it. I understood his anxiety**after all, it wasn’t so different from my own. My history with road trips was far from flawless, and I carried my own bundle of travel nerves. Yet, what he was feeling seemed so much heavier, more intense. His tension was almost tangible; I could taste the nervous energy hanging thickly in the air around us. Still, I knew I had to break through it before either of us suffocated under the weight of silence.
“Tell me about Rory,” I said softly, leaning my head against Ryker’s shoulder to try and ease the stiffness radiating from him. He sat as rigid as a board, eyes fixed ahead, and I wondered how he planned to survive this two-hour drive without unraveling.
“He’s a good kid. About your age, actually,” Ryker replied, glancing at me with a flicker of unease before clearing his throat. He must have noticed the way I was comparing him to Rory when I called him a ‘kid.’ “Umm… he’s different, I guess. His whole situation is different. I’m just an interim alpha for them.”
“What do you mean by that? How does something like that work? I thought you had some kind of instinct or magic that tells you who your alpha is, who’s in charge.”
“We do,” Ryker said quietly, “but Rory was only nine when his father died. His mother came to me for help. Their pack borders the Demon Claw pack, and those two have never exactly been friendly. With such a young heir, they were vulnerable. So Antonia**Rory’s mom**asked if I could help him learn how to be a good alpha and protect their pack until he’s old enough to take over. We started his transition last year. Today’s his birthday, and we’re going to the formal celebration. I can’t believe I’ve known him for ten years now.” Ryker rubbed his rough chin, a rare softness in his voice. “I’ve watched him grow up, like a nephew. It’s kind of crazy to think about.”
I smiled, teasing, “Yeah, just wait until your sister gives you a whole pack of nieces and nephews. Then you won’t know what hit you.”
I could hear the laugh in his voice, but his next words came with a hint of frustration. “I can’t even think about that right now. Why would you put that idea in my head? Now I really want to rip Jeremiah’s head off.”
“Stop that!” I playfully swatted his arm. “They’re mates. It’s no different than you and me.”
Ryker shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. “And I’m pretty sure Jeremiah’s reaction would be the same as mine. In my head, Rayna is still a little princess, twirling around in tutus, dancing like a ballerina**not making plans to be a mom.” He scrubbed his face, clearly unsettled.
“Well, I’m excited,” I said, my voice light. “I can’t wait to spoil nieces and nephews.”
“Really?” he asked, surprised.
“Absolutely! I’ve always loved pups. I’ve been looking forward forever to being an auntie.” I bounced slightly in my seat, unable to hide my enthusiasm. “Now I even know what they might look like. I imagine a little girl with Jeremiah’s milk chocolate hair and those striking emerald eyes like yours and Rayna’s. Or maybe a little boy with dark brown, almost black hair and warm honey eyes. They’ll probably be mischievous and playful most of the time.”
“Is that so?” Ryker smiled at me, and I nodded eagerly.
“What about you?” he asked suddenly.
“What about me?” I blinked, caught off guard. His gaze was mesmerizing, and I found myself drifting, only half-focused on the conversation. The walls of the SUV seemed to close in around us, but I didn’t feel trapped**just drawn in.
“Have you only thought about being an aunt, or do you want kids of your own someday?”
The question hit me like a wave. The space between us felt suddenly much smaller.
“I… I don’t know,” I stammered, unable to meet his eyes. “I guess… I’ve thought about it, sure. Doesn’t everyone?” My voice faltered, words tumbling awkwardly.
“Hey,” he said gently, lifting my chin with one finger. “Talk to me.” He repeated my earlier question, softer this time. “Do you want kids?”
I shrugged, feeling vulnerable. “I guess it’s kind of inevitable now, isn’t it?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.