by Breezy Jones
The others all glanced at me with different levels of agreement set into their features.
“What do you mean he has to obey?” I asked, glancing from Ryker’s hard, unreasonable expression to Lexi’s hopeful one.
“Disobeying a direct order is seen as a challenge,” Ryker said.
“What if he doesn’t want to challenge but disobeys, anyway?”
“It would be up to the alpha to decide the course of action or give it over to higher authorities,” Ryker said, raising his eyebrow.
“Speaking of higher authorities, should we bring her up to the council?” Seth asked. He pushed his glasses further up the bridge of his nose. “Sorry, it just popped into my head.”
“I’m sure the council is already aware of her. So, unless she’s requested, I don’t see any reason to involve them,” Ryker said.
Everyone hummed or grunted in agreement.
“Um…sorry,” I interrupted. “But, who or what is the council?”
“The council is made up of djinn, the most powerful supernatural creatures in existence,” Seth said matter-of-factly.
“What is a djinn? Like a genie? Do they exist, too?” I asked, my interest piqued.
“They do more than exist,” Pops said. “They keep order within the supernatural community by creating and enforcing our laws. Much the same as our government does for humans.”
The supernatural world was much larger than I’d ever thought possible. “So, if a werewolf breaks a law, they answer to the council?” I asked.
“Yes, technically, but mostly we operate on our own,” Ryker said. Something about his tone made me think he preferred it that way, too. “The council only intervenes when they feel it’s necessary. When they do, we’re required to obey the order.”
I sat back in the couch trying to picture what a stern, order-giving genie would look like, but all I could picture was the blue guy from Aladdin. “So, if I don’t join a pack, will this council come after me?” I asked.
“They could,” Mason admitted.
“We wouldn’t let that happen,” Seth assured me, and I frowned at the way he said it. Like he’d have to protect me from the council. Weren’t they the guys who did the protecting?
“The council’s law does require you to align with a pack,” Pops said. “We want it to be ours, but the choice has to be yours.”
I sighed. “I just want to make sure I know what I’m getting myself into before I decide.”
“You boys just can’t leave work at the door can you,” Lexi said with a yawn. She stretched in her seat, nearly knocking me in the head with her arm. “I’m ready to head home,” she announced.
Home?
“You don’t live here?” I asked.
“No, my place is just a few houses down from here.”
Mason stood, holding a hand out to her. “I’ll walk you,” he said as she took his offered hand and stood.
“Thanks. Goodnight, guys,” she said as the other men stood too.
“We should probably head out as well,” Seth agreed, and Pops silently echoed his approval as they all headed for the front door.
“I’m glad you came back, Nina,” Seth said.
“We’ll respect whatever you decide,” Pops added.
“Thanks. All of you. I appreciate you answering my questions,” I said.
They smiled and filed out.
Ryker followed Pops out onto the porch, shutting the door behind him.
Alone, my shoulders relaxed as I imagined what it would be like if I joined Ryker’s pack. Would we have dinners like this regularly? Would Ryker hold my hand like he had tonight? My stomach somersaulted at the possibility.
When the front door opened again, and Ryker made his way back inside, I pushed to my feet. “That was nice,” I said, my cheeks growing warm from the thoughts I’d just been having.
“I’m glad you had a good time,” he replied, closing the space between us.
The air electrified from his nearness, and my pulse quickened.
Ryker took my hand in his. “Come on, I’ll walk you home,” he said. I nodded, not trusting my voice.
I let him lead me out, forcing my brain to think past my tingling fingers.
Fresh snow fell lazily from the night sky as we walked. The sidewalk, plowed and cleared early this morning, was already coated once again in a thin layer of slippery white powder. I kept my steps careful in case of ice and wrapped my coat tighter around myself as memories of a family life drifted back to me.
“It’s so pretty out here,” I said, my voice slightly muted in the stillness.
“The snow always makes me think of Christmas,” Ryker said.
“You like Christmas?” I asked, slanting my head for a glance at him.
He shrugged. “Lexi loves it. I think it’s always important to find reasons to celebrate.”
I didn’t answer. Something about the way he said it made me wonder if I should try harder to enjoy it.
“You said your first change was triggered on Christmas Eve?” Ryker asked as we passed the town square.
“Yeah,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.
“Tell me about it,” he said.
I looked at him sideways. His eyes practically glowed in the yellow of the streetlights which did little to untie the knots in my stomach.
“I don’t remember much, just the fire and all the screaming as everyone tried to find a way out. The door in the kitchen was too hot to use, and I guess they got trapped trying to get to the back door. After I jumped from the second-story window, everything gets kind of foggy.” My stomach dropped further at the reminder that, according to Ryker, I must have killed someone that same night. I chewed my bottom lip as I tried to recall that night, but everything had happened so fast.
Ryker stopped and faced me. “That must have been terrifying. How long did it take before you became your wolf?”
“When I woke up, I was already in so much pain.” I paused for a second as the memory seeped through. “It’s hard to say. Could have been days or hours. I have only a vague recollection of becoming a wolf. Just that Lindsey was gone, and I was alone in the woods behind our house.”
“Who’s Lindsey?”
I tucked my hair to one side, glancing heavenward, pushing away the memories, but the pain lingered—the hollowness in my chest that would never fill. “She was my best friend. She disappeared the night I changed.”
“Do you have any idea where she went?”
I shook my head, watching my boots push the white slush around on the concrete. “No, I haven’t seen her since that night.” I laughed, but the sound was hollow. “I probably terrified her with what was happening to me.” Dragging my gaze back to Ryker’s, I pressed my lips into a thin line. Tears pricked at the back of my eyes, and I forced them away. As we slowly walked up the street, I asked, “Are you still keeping tabs on me?”
He frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“Do you still watch me like you said you did these past couple of months?”
“No. Not since I realized you weren’t a threat to the pack. Why?” When I didn’t answer, he grabbed my elbow, spinning me around to face him. “Did something happen?”
“No.” I averted my eyes, remembering what Lexi had said. If I thought Ryker was intensely protective now, I had a feeling he’d only get worse if I told him about my suspicions. “I just wanted to know.”
If he hadn’t followed me home, who did?
Ryker took a step closer, leaving only a few inches between us. My heart beat wildly in my chest, and my breath hitched. My wolf rose up, straining against my control. She wanted him. When it came to Ryker, she wanted a hell of a lot more than what I was allowing her.
Slowly, he brought his hand up, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. His thumb caressed my cheek and lef
t my skin inflamed where he’d touched. “We could be your family, Nina. You just have to let us in.”
“Okay,” I said, forcing my thoughts to clear despite the feel of his hands on my skin. “I’ll join the pack.” As soon as I said the words, a bolt of electricity shot through my body making me shiver. I searched Ryker’s eyes for a clue as to what could have made that happen but only fire danced in his gaze. This time the quiver down my spine was for a different reason.
Ryker’s lips jacked up into a wide grin. “You won’t regret it,” he said, letting his other hand rest on my hip as he drew me closer. I pressed my hand to his chest and felt the chiseled muscle through his shirt. I could no longer think straight as I took in a shaky breath. He was so close, less than an inch away. His breath was hot on my face as the world spun around us.
My wolf strained to close the distance. To press my mouth to his.
But I waited.
Finally, Ryker inhaled deeply, pinching his eyes closed and resting his forehead against mine. “Come on, let’s get you home,” he said. He dropped his hand and put some space between us before walking again.
I stayed where I was for a moment longer, drew in a ragged breath, and tried to decipher what the hell just happened. Joining the pack was one thing. The way Ryker had touched me was another. And I wasn’t even going to think about what my wolf had wanted out of that exchange.
For better or worse, though, Ryker was my pack now.
And I was his.
Chapter Six
Thanks to November inventory, Ryker and I had to switch up our routine. It was now just past three p.m. as I descended my stairs. Dressed in yoga pants, I ran a brush through my hair as I walked. It had only been a week since I’d agree to join the pack, but I’d noticed some changes. My muscles were more defined but still feminine and sleek. Did Ryker notice the differences when he looked at me? A delicious shudder snaked down my spine as I anticipated his arrival.
Someone pounded on my door. Pulling it open, my eyes landed on Ryker—a smirk on his face and two bottles of water in his hand.
“Look at you waiting to be let in. You’re catching on,” I said, taking the offered bottle with a smile.
His eyebrows rose as he replied, “I thought I’d keep you on your toes. Do the unexpected.”
“I thought I’d do the same and be ready on time.” I said, earning the hint of a smile from him.
“You ready to go?” he asked.
I tossed my hairbrush on the sofa and said, “Ready as I’ll ever be for running.”
He stepped back, allowing me to pass as I locked the door behind us, and we headed out to the sidewalk at a slow jog. The afternoon sun was hidden behind clouds, casting the small homes in gray shadows.
An hour later, we stopped near the small lake across from the town square. I doubled over from a stitch in my side, desperately in need of air. Snow fell around me, but I wasn’t the least bit cold. Ryker was neither cold nor winded judging by the way he jogged easily in place beside me.
“Almost done, little wolf,” he called out.
I snorted, too exhausted to come up with a verbal reply.
Taking a deep breath, I let it out again, straightened, and resumed my pace. Ryker guided us past the familiar little stores. We were careful to stay at the edge of the sidewalk and out of the way of shoppers.
Running with Ryker had become almost normal over the past week. The first few days I’d put up a fight, protesting every step of the way, but after a while I gave up. Arguing with Ryker was like talking to a brick wall, and I had to conserve my oxygen if I wanted to survive. Besides, the idea of learning how to protect myself wasn’t something I could ignore. Not when my walks home from work were getting more creepy by the day.
Today, for once, it felt good to run. I was tired beyond a doubt, but I felt stronger than I had in ages. Maybe Ryker was right. My wolf just needed exercise. Not that I would admit that to him.
Instead, I focused on my muscles as they pushed their limits, stretching under me—while also being fully aware of Ryker running beside me.
I peeked over at him, admiring the way his muscles moved beneath his thin shirt and sweatpants. A light sheen just started to form across his brow, but it wasn’t the gross kind like mine. It was hot and made me want to do other things with him that would leave him sweaty. How could something as unsexy as perspiration be so mouthwatering?
With my attention focused solely on the gorgeous man beside me, something solid hit my thighs, and I tripped—hard. My feet stopped while the rest of me kept going. My arms windmilled, and I flipped forward in a somersault before landing ungracefully on my back in the slushy snow.
“Ugh,” I groaned as I caught sight of the park bench I’d just vaulted over.
Ryker appeared above me, a playful quirk to his lips as he held out a hand to help me up. I took it, rolling my eyes at my own stupidity, and pulled myself upright. Letting go, I brushed the snow from my wet yoga pants.
“Are you all right?” Ryker asked, and I didn’t miss the barely contained laughter in his voice.
“I’m okay,” I assured him, taking a step away from where his chest loomed too close in front of me.
Pain shot from my ankle to my thigh, and I stumbled. Ryker shot forward and caught me in his arms then set me on the offending bench. He knelt in front of me to take a look.
“Ouch!” I squealed as he ran a hand along my ankle. His joking demeanor turned worried as he rotated my leg from side to side.
“It’s only a sprain,” he said. “Still, you’ll want ice for the swelling. Come on. Let’s get you to Hot Shots.”
I chewed my lower lip in agreement as Ryker slid one hand around my back while cupping the other beneath my knee. I froze.
“What are you doing?” I asked, pushing against his chest.
“I’m carrying you,” he said, lifting me up and into his arms in one fluid movement.
My cheeks flamed at the feel of my body pressed against his hard muscles. “I can take care of myself, you know.”
Ryker smirked down at me. “How? You can hardly stand, and you definitely can’t walk—at least not without help. Besides, your ankle will heal fast if you don’t put any pressure on it, so I’m carrying you.”
My heart raced with every ripple of his chest. As if falling wasn’t embarrassing enough. Being cradled in Ryker’s arms over something so silly as a sprained ankle while he carried me into a café full of his peers definitely made it worse. My breath hitched in my throat as his arms tightened around me. My skin vibrated from our closeness, and my face burned even hotter. Ryker either didn’t notice or pretended not to. His gaze remained fixed ahead as he strode easily across the street and through the front door of Hot Shots.
As soon as we crossed the threshold, a few pairs of eyes fell in our direction at the noise of the entrance bell. My stomach dropped, and I tensed in his arms. A second later, they turned back to their tasks.
Lexi spotted us from behind the glass-covered counter, her lips forming a defined O as she ran toward us.
“Oh my! What happened?”
“Relax, she’s fine. It’s just a sprained ankle,” Ryker said.
“Put her down over there,” Lexi said, directing us to a table in the back.
A few heads glanced our way, two I recognized from the pack, as Ryker navigated toward the table.
“She needs ice for the swelling,” Ryker said to a hovering Lexi. He used his heel to pull the chair out then lowered me gently onto it.
“Coffee and ice, coming right up,” Lexi said as she ran off.
Ryker took the seat across from me and moved my injured foot onto his lap. I tensed, but when I looked over at him, he was staring off into space, his mouth tight, silently brooding.
“Ryker?” He didn’t answer. “It’s just a sprained ankle,” I said with a nervous laugh.
He blinked, focusing on me. “I know,” he said. “You’ll heal fast.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
Was there something else?
Ryker shook his head just as Lexi returned with coffee in hand.
“You’re an angel,” I informed her, taking the cup and inhaling deeply before sipping.
Lexi smiled as she bent down with the ice pack. “You gonna be okay?” she asked, as Ryker grabbed the bag from her hands and draped it gently across my ankle.
I glanced between the two, but the action didn’t seem to bother Lexi as she straightened again.
I cleared my throat, trying for a confident and casual smile. “Of course,” I winced at the weight of the ice against my sore ankle, knowing I probably wasn’t quite pulling it off. “I’ve had worse.”
Lexi grinned then looked to Ryker, head cocked. “Your usual?”
Ryker nodded, and Lexi took off again.
I looked out the window at the fresh coat of snow covering the parking lot. It sparkled with a multitude of colors as the sun made its slow descent behind the mountains beyond.
“You’re getting stronger,” Ryker said.
I looked back at him and lifted a brow.
“Well, aside from this.” He gestured to my leg.
Instead of my throbbing ankle, all I could think about was how it had felt being held by Ryker. “Yeah,” I whispered nervously. “Clumsy me.”
“Soon as it’s feeling better, we should be able to start your training.”
I perked up at the thought. “Really?”
“Yeah,” he said, though his own expression didn’t reflect my excitement.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
Ryker took in a deep breath before answering, “You’re injured.”
I tilted my head to the side, pressing my lips tight. “Yeah, but it’s not serious.”
“No, but it makes you an easy target,” Ryker said.
I looked down at my hands wrapped around the white mug, and a chill ran down my spine at his implications. I thought about what would happen next time I had to hobble home from work after dark. Would my stalker do more than just follow me? Would he stick around rather than running off before I could get safely inside?