Wolf Bound (The White Wolf Prophecy Book 1)

by Kayleigh King

  I tear my eyes away from where his leg touches mine. “I’m going to need a bucket of pain reliever, but I’m sure I’ll be okay,” I tell him, clearing my suddenly dry throat. “But the good news is my head already hurts less than it did when I woke up a minute ago.”

  “The doc said we have to watch you pretty closely the next few days. She was pretty sure you have a concussion. We took turns waking you up last night to ask you questions, do you remember?”

  I shake my head. “No. The last thing I remember is being picked up and carried out of the woods.” I look at Ryker’s tattooed covered skin and gasp. “It was you who was carrying me! How did you guys know I was out there?”

  “Your aunt called frantic last night. She told us what happened and was worried about you. When you wouldn’t answer any of our phone calls; we decided to go look for you.” I don’t miss the slight flashing in his eyes as he stares at me. “You shouldn’t run after wild animals.”

  I can’t help the nervous laugh that escapes. “Yes, well, lesson learned, I guess.” I give him a sheepish smile. In the past, when I’ve tried to talk to men, I felt like I could never find the right words. Everything felt uncomfortable and wrong. But talking to Ryker is easy. I feel like I could tell him anything, and I’ve just met him. I have also never been attracted to anyone before like I am with Ryker. My stomach is in a knot, just looking at him.

  “You didn’t answer me before. Why did you sleep here all night?”

  “I had to make sure you were okay,” he explains, his deep voice softening. He looks like he wants to say more but doesn’t. It’s almost like he’s trying to find the right words. “I was worried about you,” he adds.

  “Thank you for getting me out of there last night. I don’t know what the wolf would have done if you hadn’t found me.” I shudder.

  A serious look appears on Ryker’s face, his ocean blues darkening. “I would never let anything bad happen to you. I promise.” And somehow I know he’s telling the truth.

  I feel my head cock to the side as I examine him again. His dark brown hair is cut shorter on the sides and is left longer on top. Right now it is disheveled from sleep, but I have a feeling it’s rarely neatly in place. His bright blue eyes are the same color as his siblings’, but unlike the sad look I saw there at the party, a look of joy is there now. He has a light scruff on his face I love. I can’t imagine what he would look like clean-shaven, and if I had it my way, he would never shave again. The rugged look works on him.

  I feel a nudging at the back of my mind telling me he looks familiar, but I can’t place where I had seen that crooked smile before.

  “What are you looking at?” he whispers, his voice soft.

  Not removing my eyes from his face, I simply answer, “You.” I trail my eyes down his broad shoulders and to the arm he has himself propped up with. In bold black script, the name “Grey” sits on his forearm. “Why do I feel like I’ve met you before?”

  Ryker sighs, “I have a lot of questions, too, but we have to wait for Addison to get back into town. She insisted she be here.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” I’m confused. What does my aunt know that she needs to be here to tell me? “Please, can you just answer my questions now?”

  “I can’t tell you yet, but I promise we will understand it all soon.” His tanned hand reaches over, takes one of mine, and gives it a reassuring squeeze. His hands are rough, but his touch is light and tender. The zapping electricity travels from his touch up my arm.

  “Do you feel it too?” I blurt. I need to know I’m not the only one.

  “Yes, I do.” His gaze looks at my hand when his thumb runs over the thick scar that sits on my palm. “How did you get this?”

  “I was told it was from the accident,” I explain, although I don’t bother to look down at the mark I’ve always hated. “It’s the only visible wound I have from that day. Well, I guess you could include the amnesia, but you can’t see brain damage,” I say, shrugging it off like its no big deal even though I know it is.

  “Remi says you don’t remember anything from before the accident?”

  “No,” I say, clearing my throat when I feel it begin to burn with emotion. “I woke up not knowing where I was or even who I was. Addison was there, and she explained my parents and I had been in a pretty bad car accident and they didn’t survive. I was seven, and it took a long time for me to understand what she was saying.”

  “You don’t remember your parents, either?” His thumb rubs back and forth over the scar as he speaks, and I find it comforting in a way. I shake my head and feel a single tear run down my face.

  “I’m sorry,” he says. “Do the doctors think you’ll ever remember?”

  “No, they called it retrograde amnesia, and if I were going to remember, I would have by now. It’s been fourteen years, and I haven’t remembered anything, so there isn’t much hope.”

  “I’ve never been one to believe in miracles, but recent developments have caused me to have a change of heart.” A hopeful smile appears on his handsome face. “Now come on, let’s get you into the shower, you’re kind of a mess. Remi should be back soon with a change of clothes for you.”

  I hear hushed voices stop talking as I walk into the kitchen. Three heads spin around to face me when I round the corner. I ignore my self-consciousness, knowing they were probably talking about me. Ryker had left me alone in the spare bedroom to change into some clean clothes that Remi had retrieved from my house.

  “Good morning,” I say brightly as I take a seat in the breakfast nook. “I’m sorry you guys had to take turns waking me up last night. I’m sure you all didn’t sleep well, but I appreciate it.”

  “No worries, Pru.” Ransom gives me one of his bright, boyish smirks. “We’re all just happy it’s only a concussion and nothing more serious.”

  “You’re an idiot to run out there like that, by the way,” Ranger adds, leaning against the countertop with a cup of coffee in his right hand. “Your aunt sounded like she was going to have a heart attack. Why would you run after that wolf like that anyway?”

  I was already well aware of the fact the Weylyn brothers all look very similar, but when you’re in a room with the three of them, it’s even more obvious they are related. If it weren’t for the scars that run through Ransom’s eyebrow and Ranger’s dimples, I would struggle to tell them apart. It also helped when Ranger started growing his hair out a couple months ago. Instead of the crewcut his twin still has, Ranger’s wavy hair now falls on his forehead and around his ears.

  “I don’t know,” I lie because they would think I was crazy if I told them the truth.

  “It doesn’t matter.” Ryker smiles softly at me from where he stands in front of the stove, cooking what looks like pancakes. “You’re okay, and that’s all that matters now.”

  My heart skips a beat; I look into those blue eyes that are sparkling like the golden aura around him. “I can’t thank you guys enough for coming out there and finding me.”

  “You’re family. We weren’t going to let you become a tasty snack for some mangy wolf.” Ransom ruffles my hair as he walks past me to sit at the table. I flinch and inhale quickly in pain. My headache has somewhat disappeared, but the stitched up spot on the back of my head is still tender and throbbing.

  “Oh shit. I’m sorry, Pru, I totally forgot.” Ransom reaches across the table, giving my forearm a squeeze. “Are you okay?”

  A deep growl-like noise comes from across the room from where Ryker stands, his now angry gaze on his younger brother. If I hadn’t known better, I would have guessed there was an animal in the room with us, but it definitely came from Ryker. His knuckles are white from the tight grip he has on the spatula. Ransom quickly removes his hand as he holds eye contact with older brother. After a long pause, Ransom nods his head at Ryker, and it appears a silent understanding has transpired between them.

  “Well, that wasn’t totally weird or anything!” I exclaim, and no one else says a word.
>
  Instead of explaining or commenting on what happened, Ryker swiftly places a plate of food in front of me. My mouth starts watering when I see the golden pancakes and pile of bacon. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until now.

  “Wow, you can cook?”

  “Only breakfast.” He winks, and my heart skips a beat.

  “Can I have some—” Before I can finish what I’m about to say, a bottle shaped like a bear appears in front of me. “How did you know I like honey on my pancakes instead of syrup?”

  “Call it a gut feeling,” Ryker smoothly answers before taking a seat next to Ransom. He also has a plate of food, but his is overflowing. Good to see he’s like the rest of his family. Whenever I’ve enjoyed a meal with any of the Weylyn family members, they always put away enough food for several people, at least. Even Margot and Remington have no problem shoveling large portions away. They always say it’s because they’re active, they burn a lot of calories.

  “Want some honey?” I wave the bear-shaped bottle at him.

  Ryker scrunches his nose and shakes his head. “Um, no, thank you. I’ll stick to maple syrup like a normal person,” he chuckles.

  “Have you ever tried it?”

  “A long time ago, someone convinced me to try it because that’s how her family always ate pancakes. I was never a fan.”

  “Was it Grey?” I blurt, immediately kicking myself for asking. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked. It’s just… Remi told me you lost someone when you were young, and that’s why you haven’t been home in a long time. She said it’s hard for you to be here because it reminds you of her or something.” I bite my bottom lip. “I saw the tattoo on your arm that says ‘Grey,’ and I figured—that was her name, right? Grey?”

  Now would be a great time for the floor to open up and swallow me whole.

  The room is suddenly so quiet I swear I can hear a heart beating from across the room. Ranger still stands at the counter but isn’t looking at us anymore. Instead, his focus is on the contents of his coffee cup. Ransom, who had been sneaking a piece of bacon off my plate, holds it halfway to his mouth, his blue eyes now looking anywhere but directly at us.

  “Crap. I’m sorry, it’s none of my business, and I don’t know why I asked. You hardly know me. I’m just some stranger asking questions that are way too personal,” I stammer, trying to smooth over the awkward moment I created.

  I tell him I’m a stranger even though I feel like the farthest thing from it. Just like when I met Remi for the first time, there is a familiarity with Ryker that would be impossible to not notice.

  “I—I’m sorry,” I repeat.

  Calmly, Ryker puts his fork down and clears his throat. “Yes, it was Grey who tried to convince me to eat honey on my pancakes. It was how her mother liked to eat them when she was a child, and she passed it down to Grey. She used to have sleepovers with Remi, and in the morning, when my mother would make pancakes, Grey would always ask for some honey.” He smiles at the memory. “She convinced us to try it once, but we never liked it the way she did.”

  “Sounds like she had good taste. I can see why you were friends with her.” To change the awkward atmosphere and subject, I reach across the table and swiftly swipe my bacon back from Ransom. “Keep your paws off my food,” I mumble around the large bite I take.

  “Hey!” he whines in protest.

  We are all laughing and joking when the girl I saw at the party yesterday walks in. Her raven-colored hair is pulled into a sleek ponytail, and her almond-shaped eyes are narrowed in my direction. Nothing about her is soft or friendly. Her face is all angles, and her mouth looks to be held in a permanent sneer.

  She looks like she could be on the fashion runways in Europe with her tall, toned body and I’m suddenly self-conscious. I’m not short, but Ryker’s six foot five frame makes me appear smaller than I am. My head only comes to his shoulders when we’re standing.

  “Ryker, we have a problem.” Her amber-colored eyes slide away from me and look at the man sitting across from me. Something about her makes me uneasy, but I’m sure it’s because I don’t know her.

  “Can it wait?” Ryker gives her a pointed look. “We’re enjoying some breakfast. You’re welcome to join us.” He gestures to the empty seat to my right.

  Oh, no, thank you.

  “No, it can’t wait, it’s about our guest.” I note her jaw is clenched, and her hands are held into tight fists.

  Ryker and Ranger immediately make a beeline for the back door, not giving their food or me a second look. I sense a feeling of dread in the air as they rush out. I look at Ransom, who nervously cracks his knuckles as he watches his siblings leave.

  “What’s going on? Did someone stay the night?”

  “We’ll tell you soon,” is all Ransom says, similar to what Ryker said earlier.

  “I’m getting really tired of that answer,” I growl and angrily push around a piece of pancake on my plate.

  Ransom shrugs sheepishly before reaching for another piece of bacon. This time I let it slide, having lost my appetite.

  8

  Ryker

  “What do you mean he got away?” I demand as I pace the boat shed the rogue had been held in all night. “You were supposed to be guarding him to make sure something like this didn’t happen!”

  “I don’t know how he did it,” Avery insists as she stands at the entrance with her tanned arms crossed. “I’ve been outside the whole time since I relieved your beta this morning.”

  I angrily kick a lawn chair at full force, sending it smashing into the far wall, breaking it into pieces. The growl that escapes my chest is more animal than human, but I can’t help it.

  “I knew I should have been watching him,” I snarl at her, pissed she would allow something like this to happen. Instead, I spent most of the night watching my mate sleep, keeping a watchful eye on her to make sure the doctor hadn’t missed anything when she examined Grey after we got back last night.

  Avery scoffs. “Yeah, right. Like you would have been able to pull yourself away from her.” An irritated look flashes across Avery’s face.

  “I’m sorry, Avery, does me spending time with my mate bother you for some reason?” I snap, annoyed with her for letting the rogue get away and her attitude toward Grey. I know my mate didn’t miss the way Avery looked at her in the kitchen. I certainly didn’t. She would have had to be blind to miss the bitter expression on Avery’s face.

  “What bothers me is you ignoring your work for a girl. A human girl.” Avery’s voice has a bite to it I’m not used to hearing.

  “She isn’t just some girl. She’s his mate,” Ranger adds. Ranger has always been the peacekeeper and most level-headed of us siblings. But right now, I feel the anger coming off him. “He spent fourteen years thinking she was dead to not only learn she’s been alive this whole time, but she doesn’t remember him,” Ranger barks at Avery. “He’s earned a night off, don’t you? And he trusted you to make sure it didn’t get away, and you couldn’t even do that?” He shakes his head at the she-wolf, obvious disbelief on his face.

  Avery has never been one to resolve things with her words, so I’m not at all shocked when she shoots across the room and tries to attack my brother. I had hoped she wouldn’t try to maim any of my family members while she was here, but I guess that was wishful thinking. Since I’ve known her, Avery has always had anger issues.

  I lunge in front of her and take the full impact of her rage. Her body slams into mine, and we go flying across the small shack. We land on the other lawn chair, and it quickly shatters into pieces like the one I destroyed minutes ago.

  My mom is going to be pissed.

  “Enough!” a stern voice yells, cutting through the sounds of our snarling and growling. We both whirl around to find my father standing in the doorway.

  I push off of Avery, being sure to give her one last warning growl before walking to my alpha. “He got away.”

  “I can see that.” Dad’s dark gaze scans the room,
narrowing when he sees the broken furniture. “Your mother is not going to appreciate you breaking her things,” he adds while continuing to survey the space. “How long ago did he escape? Do we have any chance of finding him again?”

  “The last time I checked in on him was an hour ago. He’s miles away from here by now,” Avery answers, her hands busy fixing her loosened ponytail. “I don’t know how he got past me. I was right outside the whole time.”

  “Yes, it is strange he would have gotten past you,” My dad concurs, giving Avery a stern look. “How do we know you didn’t let this rogue wolf walk out of here?”

  “Dad, she’s a hot-head, but she isn’t a total idiot,” I defend her. Avery has saved my ass on more occasions than I can remember. Since we found her last year, she has been a great help to Sawyer and me. “She hates rogue wolves as much as I do. Maybe even more since one forced himself onto her.”

  “With all due respect, Alpha,” Avery replies, “You don’t know me very well. I’m a loyal person, and I would never go against my people.” She meets my father’s stare. “I would never betray Ryker.”

  “Very well. I will send out teams of enforcers and an alert to the rest of the pack. Every female wolf is to be chaperoned and guarded until we find this threat. And Remi and Pruitt are not to leave this property under any circumstances. The rogue knows we have unmated females in the house, I wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to come back and finish what he started.”

  A low grumble rattles my chest as I think about him coming back for my mate. I would rip his throat out with my teeth the first chance I got. I wouldn’t bother keeping him alive for questioning if he dared return.

  “I’ll leave right now to see if I can track him,” Avery offers, already tearing at her clothing so she can shift without getting caught in her tank top and jeans. “I’ll be back if I find anything.” The sound of bones cracking and popping quickly follows. A dark brown wolf now stands where Avery stood, shaking its coat, And with a huff, it darts out of the shack.