“Anything you want,” Ryker murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead before guiding us away from the driveway and toward the house. But we hadn’t taken two steps before Claude spoke again.
“It’s so nice to meet you…?” His hand extended, as if expecting a handshake or for me to finish the sentence.
I didn’t take it. Something about him felt slimy, and I had no desire to touch him. Instead, I looked him square in the face, plastered on my brightest smile, and said, “Luna.” Then I kept walking, Ryker close at my side, a low rumble of laughter vibrating in his chest. Bennet and Josh followed just behind us, their expressions carefully controlled.
“You’re going to have to explain that idiot to me later, right?” I asked without looking up at Ryker, my eyes scanning the room as we stepped inside.
“I figured as much,” he replied. “That was brilliant, though. For now, we just avoid him. Honestly, I didn’t expect him to show up today. He’s been dodging us for a while now. He hates that I’m helping Rory.”
“Is that the Demon Claw alpha?” I whispered to myself, nodding toward a group of people we passed.
“Former alpha,” Ryker corrected, his head dipping slightly in acknowledgment. He didn’t smile at any of them, and no one seemed surprised or bothered by his cold demeanor. I supposed that was normal in these circles.
“And the plot thickens,” I thought quietly.
We spent the next couple of hours mingling with other visiting alphas, lunas, and pack members who had stopped by. Ryker said little to anyone, his usual scowl firmly in place. No one seemed to expect more than a few words or a nod from him. I found myself wondering if my fierce, dominant alpha was actually a bit shy.
“So, when will Rory officially take over?” I asked after we finally found the birthday boy and settled at a table with some food.
“Really, he could take over anytime,” Ryker explained. “He could have assumed full control whenever he wanted. Like me, he could have been a young alpha. The difference is I still have my dad to guide me when I hit a wall. Rory doesn’t have that kind of support. His mom’s great, but she was a warrior’s daughter, so her knowledge is limited. I’m treating Rory like he’s my son**still capable of running things, but I’m gradually giving him more control and responsibilities as he learns the role. That way, he can ask questions, make small mistakes, and learn from them. That’s how it will be when…” He stopped abruptly and cleared his throat.
“When are we going to have kids?” I finish his sentence for him, curiosity bubbling up inside me.
“Uh, yeah,” he replies with a hesitant nod.
“So, what happens if there are, say, half a dozen heirs? Does the oldest always take precedence, or do they have to compete for it? And what if the eldest happens to be a girl?” I fire off questions, my mind racing with possibilities.
“Whoa, slow down,” he chuckles, shaking his head as I squeeze his knee again. “I’m barely at the starting line trying to figure all this out.” His laughter is warm, but there’s a hint of disbelief in his eyes. “You’ve already got me feeling like I’m one foot in the grave with kids taking over.”
“I told you before, this stuff never really crossed my mind,” I admit quietly. “But now, it feels important.”
“Are you done eating?” he interrupts, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Huh? Why the sudden change?” I blink, surprised by the abrupt shift in topic.
“Dance with me,” he says simply, holding out his hand.
I hesitate. “I thought dancing wasn’t really your thing.”
“No, it’s not,” he admits with a grin. “But with you? I’m willing to break all my rules. Besides, last time we danced, I was too busy trying not to touch you in that killer dress. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever been that stressed in my life.”
I laugh, the sound light and genuine. “I thought you were annoyed because you got stuck with me when everyone else paired off. You held me like we were at a middle school dance, keeping a foot of space between us.”
“Nope,” he says, shaking his head. “I was just trying not to freak you out with my reaction to how stunning you looked. I mean, Danny nearly lost an arm for having it draped over the back of your chair when I walked in.” He stands in front of me, offering his hand again. I take it without hesitation.
He pulls me close, one hand holding mine over his heart, the other wrapped firmly around my back, pressing our bodies together wherever they can touch. I rest my chin on his chest, looking up at him, trying to ignore the curious glances we’re attracting.
“You never dance, do you?” I ask softly.
“No,” he replies. “I’ve always avoided it. I’ve seen girls take something as simple as a dance and turn it into a declaration of being ‘chosen.’ I never had the time or patience for that kind of drama. So it just became understood**dancing, parties, even letting someone sit in my truck**were things I’d only do with my mate. I never let anyone sit in my truck, for Goddess’ sake. Not until you.”
We sway only to the slow songs. I suppose even I don’t have enough influence to get Ryker to break out moves to anything upbeat. Still, he lets me dance with Bennet without too much grumbling.
When my feet start aching from the heels, Ryker leans in and whispers, “Ready to go? Our ride’s waiting out back.”
I nod, but shoot him a look that says I’m aware of the strange tension in the air. He tilts his head slightly, and I follow suit, silently hoping he’ll mindlink me what’s going on. But it’s clear we’re not out of the woods yet when Ryker, Jeeves, and another warrior**Brian, I think**join us.
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.