“Yesterday? What attack? When did that happen?” She turned slightly toward me, still avoiding eye contact but not pulling away. I took that as a small victory.
“Yesterday, we set a trap for Claude and his crew. They thought you were in the car, so they ambushed it. That’s why we left so quickly. Remember, you can mindlink.” She gave a single nod. “Between that, the attack on you while you were running, the convoy ambush bringing you here from Silver Crescent, and now this**someone’s definitely targeting you. What we don’t know yet is why. What their endgame is.” I pressed my forehead gently against hers, closing my eyes to steady my breathing. “It’s taking everything in me not to lock you down in the house. But you know why we can’t. There’s a real threat out there, and we don’t know who’s leading it or how they’re getting information. Claude’s involved, but he’s not the mastermind, and he’s smart enough to keep his hands clean, at least on the surface. Please, stay inside for the rest of the evening. Let us get some answers first.”
“Will you tell me everything you find? The whole truth? Even if it’s boring or really terrible?” Her voice was soft, vulnerable.
I nodded and kissed her gently on the forehead. I hated every second of this uncertainty, but if she could stay strong, so could I. The thought of her in danger twisted my gut.
“Do you want extra protection here? I know you can handle yourself.” I raised my hands in surrender as she opened her mouth to reply. “I don’t even let my warriors do patrols alone. Backup is always necessary. Your gamma is going to be glued to you for a while**get used to it. But do you want someone else, too?”
She searched my eyes, and I couldn’t tell what she was looking for. After a long moment, she seemed to find what she was after and nodded. “An extra person would be good. Especially if something happens here. One can stay with me while the other handles any attackers. I won’t be a liability or a distraction. Bennet’s attention shouldn’t be split.”
A surge of protective fury raced down my spine. No one, nothing should be able to touch her here. The fact that she was already accepting this harsh reality lit a fire inside me, pushing me to act faster.
“Stay in the packhouse, away from the windows. And yes, I know how ridiculous that sounds given the layout. I’ll be back as soon as I can, and then we’ll finish our conversation.”
I kissed her again, unable to get enough of the softness of her lips against mine. My resolve was cracking, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to resist much longer. I needed all of her, completely and utterly. But the last thing I wanted was for my selfishness to cause her any more pain.
Kennedy
I can’t help but feel a surge of pride in myself. Despite the intense urge bubbling inside to throw a tantrum or storm out of the room, I hold my ground. I refuse to be trapped inside the house again, especially now that Amy has returned, stirring up trouble like she always does. It’s clear she doesn’t care one bit that Ryker has a mate now. I remember the tension when I first arrived**her hostility was obvious. Back then, I wondered if Ryker shared some deeper bond with her, or if he’d made promises to her long ago, considering his age. Being twenty-six and still unbonded isn’t unheard of, but it’s definitely unusual. Now, after spending more time around Ryker and observing his behavior, especially the way he held me close when Amy was standing right there, it’s obvious the obsession is one-sided**hers, not his.
That realization is hard to digest. The way he held me**so protectively, almost possessively. Even something as simple as using me to shield his bare skin made me feel… something I’m hesitant to name, afraid I might jinx it if I dwell on it too much. After we came to the office, when he saw the upset on my face, he came straight to me, as if I were the only thing that mattered in that moment. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts as I consider how to keep my sanity while I wait.
I decide to start in my new office. The study has quickly become one of my favorite sanctuaries. I’ve spent countless hours here with Sarah, Greta, Robin, Bennet, and Danny, poring over books and research, trying to find anything that might confirm or refute Ryker’s fears about marking me. Danny usually can’t stay focused for more than twenty minutes before he starts pacing or wanders off to do something else. So far, we haven’t found anything conclusive enough to move forward, but convincing Ryker is an entirely different challenge.
Based on his behavior today, though, I’m confident he’ll give in soon. He can’t hold out much longer, and he even admitted he likes the sassy, jealous side of me. I caught the way he watched me while I was stretching on the deck**his gaze was intense, almost hungry. Maybe I’ll have to push him over the edge by driving him crazy. A sly smile spreads across my face as a plan begins to form in my mind.
With thoughts of seducing Ryker swirling happily in my head, the day passes surprisingly quickly. I share dinner with Robin, who mentions she hasn’t heard from the guys since they left to interrogate the rogues. She says it’s normal for prisoners to lose track of time, which sounds far from reassuring. After saying goodnight to everyone, I head upstairs to our room, hoping a warm bath might help distract me.
As I walk down the hallway, I notice my old bedroom door is still broken**months have passed since it was damaged. I understand why Ryker never fixed it; he delayed the repairs as long as possible to keep me close. Now, I can’t imagine sleeping anywhere else. I smile at the memory, but that smile fades instantly when a sickly sweet scent hits me. My heart pounds with fury. If Ryker is in here with Amy, I swear I’ll burn this place down and tear him apart.
Without hesitation, I slam the door open with such force that I probably dent the drywall. All I hear before her loud, fake moan is a faint squeak. The scene in front of me is beyond words**Amy sprawled face down on our bed, legs spread wide, her body deliberately displayed for whoever enters. She clearly intended to entice, but she wasn’t expecting me.
“Oh, Alpha, I thought you’d never get here,” she purrs, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “It took you so long to get rid of that nasty little human leech. Come help me finish, mmm, hurry!”
“GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY BED, YOU DIRTY WHORE!” I roar, rushing over to grab her by the hair and drag her screaming off the bed.
I pull her out of our bedroom and down the hallway, her shrieks and kicks echoing with every step. I can feel strands of her hair tearing free, but I refuse to loosen my grip**not for a second.
“I warned you,” I growl. “The next time you came near my mate, I’d drag you outside and rip your hair out piece by piece. Now, I get the added bonus of throwing your naked ass out while ripping it all out.” I let her crash down every stair, each ‘oof’ and groan fueling my anger.
By now, I know we’ve made quite the scene. It’s not too late, so people are still moving about on the main floor. Robin rushes out, but stops dead when she sees me. Whether it’s the expression on my face or the woman I’m holding, she doesn’t hesitate**she moves to open the door for me without asking a single question or offering a confused look.
Amy’s shrill screams and frantic scratching at my arms feel relentless. I can’t even make out the words she’s shouting, nor do I care to. The moment I reach the edge of the porch, a surge of adrenaline floods through me, fueling a strength I didn’t know I had. Without hesitation, I grab her and hurl her, still wailing, onto the soft grass below. I leap down after her, trapping her beneath my legs. One hand clamps firmly on the top of her head, tilting it back so she can lock eyes with the fierce determination blazing in mine.
“You are forbidden from the packhouse,” I declare, my voice sharp and unwavering. “You are barred from the training grounds. You will not step foot into any space where the Alpha or I am present.” The force behind my words radiates like an unbreakable shield.
Her face contorts with rage. “You f*cking c*nt! Why are you still here?!” she screams, claws raking at me once more. “He never wanted you. He never will. Just f*cking die already.” I don’t hesitate**I punch her hard, feeling strands of hair tear free beneath my knuckles. I tighten my grip on her scalp, preparing to strike again, when suddenly powerful arms lift me off her. I’m pressed against a broad chest, breath ragged, so focused on Amy that I don’t immediately notice Ryker’s scent enveloping me.
“You’ve made your point, my Luna. Let it go,” he says softly, his voice calm and steady. That gentle tone only fuels my frustration further. I know I’ve made my point**more times than anyone should ever have to. But Amy won’t understand until something truly awful happens to her.
“Put me down, Ryker,” I growl, my voice low and fierce.
“Not until you’re calm, Little Lamb,” he replies, holding me firmly but with care.
I inhale deeply, letting his scent wash over me, slowly dulling the sharp edges of my anger. “Please… put me down,” I whisper, leaning back into his shoulder. Though my voice sounds steadier than I feel, he obliges, setting me on my feet but not releasing me entirely. I lean forward, fixing Amy with a deadly glare that leaves no doubt who my warning is for.
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.