by Dover, L. P.
Rolling over on my side, I brushed my body against his, laying my head on his chest. It satisfied both our wolves when we were touching. “Ryker,” I whispered. He turned his head, his brows lifting in response. I could get lost in those green eyes of his. “Will you do something for me?”
“Anything.”
I reached over and clasped my hand with his, the tingling sensation making me shiver. “Give me your memories. From the moment you first saw me, to the moment I left. I want to see what I’m missing.”
His lips brushed my temple and he smiled. “Close your eyes.”
Ryker
My memories of Bailey were just as fresh as if they’d happened yesterday. I showed her everything, even the times when Kade would come along on our adventures through the woods. He didn’t like that she chose me over him. Reliving the past made me realize the betrayal of my pack went deeper than I imagined.
“I didn’t realize we were so close,” she whispered, nuzzling her cheek against my chest. If she kept fighting her feelings, I was going to have to force those memories into her mind. I really didn’t want to do that.
Holding her tight, I remembered doing the same thing when she’d cry in the middle of the night. “We were inseparable, angel. I know we were just kids, but that’s where our connection started. You trusted me then.”
“I trust you now,” she countered seriously.
“Only because I showed you the truth. But I have to say, I’m glad you haven’t fully given yourself to me. It shows your strength. You think before you act, even if there are forces pulling you in other directions. You will make a great leader.”
Twisting her body, she glanced down at me, crossing her leg over mine. “Thank you for showing me. I needed it.”
The wind blew a strand of hair across her face and I slid it behind her ear. “You’re welcome. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
“Can I ask another question?” I nodded, waiting for her to continue. “What does Maret look like?”
I narrowed my gaze. “Why do you want to see her?”
“I want to see if it sparks something in my memory.”
“You’re not planning on paying her a visit are you?” I wasn’t about to show her so she could run to the north and confront her.
She laughed, but it was sad. “I have no intentions of seeking her out. I only want to see her.”
Closing my eyes, I focused on the memories of the last pack meeting before my family was banished. I was there with my parents and Kade was beside me. Maret was always close by my uncle, and that was where I looked. She had long, raven colored hair, but what really made her stand out were her eyes. One was green, the other brown.
“Did you get a glimpse of her?” I asked, opening my eyes.
She nodded. “I did, but I don’t remember her. I was hoping that seeing her would make something click in place.” Taking a deep breath, she focused on the water and a small smile spread across her lips. “Do you want to go for a swim, like old times? It might not be a frozen lake, but we can imagine it is.” Getting to her feet, she held out her hand, but I jumped up and ran toward the water.
“First one there wins,” I yelled over my shoulder.
“Asshole,” she thundered, chasing after me.
I loved her laugh, even when we were kids. Before getting to the water, I turned around and grabbed her around the waist, hauling her into the waves. When we surfaced, she slapped me on the arm, but I refused to let her go.
“You cheated!”
Chuckling, I pulled us farther into the water, spreading her legs to straddle me. “I never said I played fair.”
With her arms around my neck, she smiled and bit her lip. She rocked her hips against mine and I growled, growing hard in an instant. “I don’t either.”
The second she kissed me, all bets were off.
Bailey
“I’m ready, Ryker,” I moaned, sucking on his bottom lip.
He groaned. “Fuck, angel, you’re killing me.”
Glancing around the beach, as much as I wanted to give in to my impulses, having sex out in the open wasn’t our best option. “Let’s go inside.”
He kissed me hard, fingers digging into my hips, before he pulled back. “You’ll have to give me a minute.”
Holding back my snicker, I detached from him and waited until he calmed down enough to get out of the water. By the time we got up to the beach house, we were covered in sand. Before going inside, he grabbed me by the waist, pulling me into the shower. The water started out cold, cooling my burning skin, but it did nothing to calm the ache between my legs.
Without words, he ripped off my bikini top. Kicking off his shorts, he flipped me around. My hands went up on the wall as he knelt down and slowly pulled my bottoms to mid-thigh. Growling, he kneaded my ass and bit down on a cheek. Standing up, he grabbed hold of his cock and rubbed it between my legs.
“Yes,” I moaned as the tip hit my sensitive clit. Pushing my body into him, I shimmied my bottoms off and tightened my legs, making the pressure unbearable for both of us.
Leaning over me, he pinched my nipples and sucked on my neck. “Now. It’s going to be now,” he demanded.
Tilting my head to the side, I bit my lip and met his heated gaze, letting him know I was ready. He grasped my chin and kissed me before pulling back and thrusting inside. The harder he pumped, the closer I was about to come. Standing up straight, he grabbed my hips and pulled me back into him, making a smacking sound each time we connected. His low, strangled growl didn’t help because it turned me on even more. My nipples hit the rough siding as I bounced on him, making me crazy with excitement. I ached to find my release, but I knew he would stop the second I got too close.
Before I could give in, he pulled out of me and turned me around with the biggest grin on his face, his wolf eyes shining through. My eyes were glowing with need and he could see it; he found delight in it. “That’s exactly what I wanted to see. Can you see it in mine as well?”
I could and it was intoxicating. “Yes,” I growled, “let’s finish this.”
Lifting me in his arms, we kept our eyes on each other as he slid home. My back rubbed against the wall as he pounded into me. In just a matter of seconds, my release came fast and so did his. He shuddered in my arms, releasing his warmth inside me.
Grinning from ear to ear, I pressed my forehead to his. “That was amazing.”
His chest rumbled in satisfaction. “And it’s just the beginning.”
Bailey (Two Weeks Later)
“We can’t stay here much longer,” Ryker said. Coming up behind me, he put his arms around my waist, pressing his lips to my bare shoulder.
I finished braiding my hair and nodded. “I know. Our wolves are getting restless.” Without shifting, it was like being in a cage. They were trapped in our bodies. Being at the beach, there were no secluded places to run. “Have you heard anything new from the alphas in your council?”
“Not yet. I’m taking that as a good sign. I did talk to Cedric this morning while you were sleeping. Everything’s good there. However, we need to figure out a new place to go. Any requests?”
There were so many places I wanted to see, but we were limited to where our wolves could roam. “How about the mountains here in North Carolina? We can rent the car for a little while longer and leave in the morning.”
He kissed my neck and then turned me around. “We can do that,” he murmured, gazing down at my body. “Going for a swim?”
I had my bathing suit on, ready to head outside. “I am. Want to join me? We can christen the pool. We’ve done it everywhere else, why not there?”
Grinning wide, he squeezed my butt and winked. “As soon as I get back, I’ll join you.” He let me go and grabbed the car keys off the dresser.
“Where are you going?”
“To the store to get food for dinner. I won’t be gone long.”
As soon as he left, I locked the door behind him and went out the back door to
the pool, setting my book down by the edge. Thankfully, the neighbors weren’t close by, so if we wanted to have a little fun in the sun we could. With it being early May, the water was cold for human standards, but it felt warm to me. I was used to the cooler temperatures.
Ten minutes had passed and I wanted to be ready for Ryker’s return. I untied my top and slid my bottoms off, throwing them to the side of the pool before getting on the float. My book was just at the edge of the pool so I paddled over and snatched it—a flash of something moving caught my eye in the process. What the hell?
“Ryker?” I looked around and there was no one there.
A voice spoke up from behind. “Sorry to disappoint you, B.”
Growling, I rolled off into the pool and immediately went on guard. “What in the name of all fucks are you doing here?”
Dressed in a pair of slacks and a polo shirt with his blond hair perfectly coifed, Sebastian picked up my bathing suit and tossed it to me. I threw my now wet book at his head, hoping to wipe the smirk off his face. Unfortunately, he dodged out of its path. “It’s good to see you too. I see you and Whitemore have gotten closer.”
I put my bathing suit on and stormed out of the pool. The rage inside consumed me, my wolf desperate to kill him. “So help me God, if you try to take me back, I’ll rip out your goddamned throat right now.”
He held his hands up, taking a step back. “I don’t want that, Bailey.”
I was so angry my claws extended, my body shaking with the need to shift. “Lies,” I shouted, my voice animalistic. “All you’ve done my entire life is lie to me. I know the truth.”
His eyes flashed. “No, you don’t. That’s why I’m here, to tell you the truth. I’ve followed you ever since you left Wyoming.”
Frozen in place, I remembered the way I felt at the airport. I had sensed another wolf for a brief second. “It was you,” I whispered.
He nodded. “I wanted you to know I was there.”
“Why can’t I sense you?”
Taking a deep breath, he blew it out and stared deep into my eyes. “I’m a royal, Bailey. It’s part of our magic. I can choose if I want to be sensed or not.”
Everything around me stopped, my whole body numb. Sebastian tried to steady me, but I slapped him, raking my claws down the side of his face. “Don’t you dare touch me,” I hissed. Blood oozed from his wound, but he stood firm. “You were there when I was in college, weren’t you? Why didn’t you tell me? Was it to keep Ryker away from me?”
Sighing, he wiped the blood off his face and his wound started to heal. “No, it was to protect you. That’s been my job since the day you were born. If I didn’t keep you away from Ryker, there would’ve been a war. At the time, you weren’t ready for that.”
My claws grew longer. “Fuck you! Where were you the day my parents wanted to sell me off to Kade like a common whore? They aren’t even my real parents!” The shift came closer. My wolf was demanding his blood.
He took a deep breath, his gaze sad. “I wanted to save you, Bailey. The day that fucker came for you, I was apprehended by his wolves. I’m strong, but not that strong. Besides, I’m worth more to you alive than dead. By the time I killed them and got away, you had already left. I haven’t been back since.”
“Why should I believe you?”
As fast as lightning, he appeared in front of me, gripping my face in his hands. “Because it’s the truth. Look into my eyes and tell me what you see.” I grabbed his hands, digging my claws into his skin.
“I see a dead wolf if you don’t get your fucking hands off her now,” Ryker snarled.
Sebastian huffed, his stare never wavering from mine as he slid his hands down my face. “I don’t want to hurt her. She needs to know the truth,” he claimed.
“Then I suggest you say it quickly and disappear.”
“It’s not that simple. I need time.” He then grabbed my hands, holding them over his heart. Ryker growled his warning; he was about to attack, his body trembling in rage.
“Stop!” I yelled through our bond.
Breathing hard, he tensed, ready to strike. “He betrayed you. He needs to die.”
“I need to hear him out. If he’s truly betrayed me, I’ll kill him myself.” He reluctantly stepped back, but stayed on guard.
“Do I get to speak, or are you two plotting my demise?” Sebastian asked.
“Yes to both,” I replied.
Squeezing my hands, he lowered his gaze. “I know you think I betrayed you, but I would never do that. I swore to your family, your real family, that I would protect you.”
“And who exactly is that Sebastian? I can’t remember anything about them. The people who I thought were my parents stole me from my family. If I ever see them or anyone from the Yukon pack, I will kill them, just like I’ll kill you, royal or not.”
“That might be kind of hard,” he murmured sadly, his expression grim.
Dread settled into the pit of my stomach. “Why is that?”
“I think you know why, Bailey.”
Closing my eyes, I pulled my hands away from his and stepped back. “All of them or just my parents?”
“They weren’t your parents.”
“Tell me,” I commanded, opening my red, burning eyes.
He glanced quickly over at Ryker and then back to me, his expression torn. “I’m not sure. I didn’t stick around to find out, but the Yukon’s weren’t happy. We all know what they’re like.”
Slapping a hand over my mouth, I held in my scream. Ryker approached, but I held up my other hand. They both looked at me like I was a bomb about to explode. By the ache in my chest, I felt like one. I had to get away.
“Bailey, don’t,” Ryker pleaded.
Tears fell down my cheeks. I couldn’t stay there any longer.
Ryker
“Bailey!” Sebastian shouted.
I wanted to chase after her, but she needed to be alone. It killed me to see her in pain. Sebastian started to take off after her, but I stepped in his way. “Let her go.”
He glared at me. “She needs to know the rest.”
“And she will. Right now, she wants to be alone. She just found out that her pack was most likely slaughtered.”
“Fuck them! They weren’t her pack. She was their goddamned prisoner; a pawn in their plot to be united with your psycho, piece of shit brother,” he thundered.
“But you allowed that to happen, didn’t you? You stood by for fifteen years, watching her—letting her—be used.”
Jaw tense, he huffed and his eyes tracked Bailey’s movement toward the water. “I never wanted her to get hurt. I did what I did to keep her safe. Joining the Northern pack was the only way to be with her. I made an oath to her father before he died. He told me to protect her.”
“What happened to them?”
He tore his gaze away from Bailey and looked at me. “Greed. I’m not sure of your knowledge about the royals, but we’ve always been more powerful than the rest.”
“Are all royals related?” He shook his head, but kept his focus on Bailey. The way he looked at her, I could tell there was something there. “Are you in love with her?”
He chuckled, but it didn’t sound humorous. “Even if I was, it wouldn’t matter. You’re her mate. That’s why you were banished from your pack. Rollin made sure of that.”
“My uncle? How do you know all of this?”
“Because I was there, watching from a distance. You had Bailey, but I couldn’t get to her with that damn witch of yours casting her voodoo shit everywhere. Your mother had seen the mating signs between you two and went to the council. Unfortunately, Rollin had staked his claim to Bailey first, promising her to Kade. Your parents fought it. Your father even challenged Rollin for his position as alpha.”
“But he never got the chance,” I said.
“No, he didn’t. From what I could tell, he would’ve won the fight. I don’t understand why your father wasn’t alpha to begin with.”
“He didn’t wa
nt to kill his brother.”
I remembered the morning of the duel, as if it was burned in my brain. My father sat at the kitchen table with his morning coffee, only to fall over dead. It was soon discovered there was wolfsbane in his drink, masked by magic. It was Maret who killed him for my uncle. If either were still alive, I was going to make sure my face was the last they ever saw.
“But given the chance, you would’ve killed Kade?” he questioned.
“In a heartbeat.” Visions of him forcing himself on Bailey flashed in my mind. I would’ve done more than kill him; I would’ve tortured him until he begged for death.
“Sometimes I wonder what would’ve happened if your father was alpha. The attack on my pack probably would’ve never happened. After your family was murdered, Rollin sent Bailey off to the Northern pack. Her memories were wiped clean so it didn’t matter where she was taken to. She didn’t even know me when I joined them.”
“How did she escape and end up lost in the woods?”
Releasing a heavy sigh, he lowered his head. “When your uncle led the attack, no one knew they were coming. Maret used a masking spell to catch us off guard. By the time we realized what was going on, it was too late. Marrock and Tala, Bailey’s parents, stayed and fought ‘til the end. Bailey disappeared into the woods, lost with no memories. I tried to catch up to her . . . but you found her first, taking her straight back to the people hunting her.”
Eyes wide, I stood there in shock. Her life was a clusterfuck because of me. “You have got to be shitting me,” I grumbled. Out in the distance, Bailey sat down on the sand and stared at the horizon. Her feelings weren’t all over the place, which was good, but I could still feel the pain of her loss. Even though the Whitehill’s weren’t her parents, she still mourned them. I felt like complete and utter dog shit. “Basically what you’re trying to say is, if I wouldn’t have found her, none of this would’ve happened.”
“Who knows at this point?” he answered honestly. “Maybe she might’ve been killed. I don’t know if I would’ve found her in time. Either way, we can’t change the past. What’s done is done.”