The bond between us sparked to life, and I was so happy to see his stubborn face that I didn’t even point out that Cali and I had it handled.
Probably. Mostly handled.
Instead, I returned my attention to where Alexis was sprawled on the floor and kicked him in the ribs hard enough to break several of them. The impact sent the crest he’d been holding skidding across the floor, directly to where Ryker stood.
He knelt to pick it up, flipping it over in his hands before glancing at me. “Is this what he took from you?”
“Yes.” I stepped towards him. “Can I have it back?”
“Sure.” His fingers closed around the crest. “As soon as you tell me what it is and why you came here for it.”
“I need it.” I grasped for an explanation. “It’ll help me fix things. For everyone.”
“How?” Ryker demanded.
I took another step closer. “We don’t have ti?—”
“You left while I was still unconscious, which I know you wouldn’t have done unless you absolutely needed to—or felt guilty.” Hurt and anger roared down our bond. “Tell me what the fuck this is, Rynn.”
“It’ll help me find something to negotiate my way out of the Alpha pack!” I closed the distance between us until I was right in front of him. “Are you happy now? It’ll help me leave in a way that works for all of us. No more traitor in your midst.”
Silence fell across the room as agony flared in my chest. Two strands of pain. One I knew belonged to Ryker . . . Slowly, I turned to look at Bastian. “It’s what we all want, right?”
He didn’t respond, but that second thread burned hotter.
“For once, I’m in agreement with Rynn,” Warrick said evenly. “This clearly isn’t working.” He looked at Ryker. “She’s playing you. Don’t you see that? I mean, it took Bastian less than two months to win the bet.”
My brows furrowed. Bet? What could Bastian possibly?—
I let out a harsh exhale. “It was all pretend,” I whispered. “Fuck. I’m such a fool.”
“Rynn,” Bastian started towards me but stopped when I summoned my axe and pointed it at him. Cali was at my side in an instant, her own sword brandished and shadows trailing off her wings. He stopped and held his hands up. “I can explain.”
“And say what?” Warrick barreled on. “That you made a bet that you could get Rynn into your bed? The only surprising thing about it is that it took you so long.”
“It wasn’t like that,” Bastian argued, but I caught the way he winced. Maybe there was more to it, but that had been his intention.
“Cade. He knew?” I rasped.
“Who do you think Bastian made the bet with?” Warrick shrugged.
My eyes drifted to Ryker, who hadn’t said anything yet. “Did you know?”
He hesitated before nodding.
The fire burning in my soul guttered.
“For how long?” I asked numbly.
“Shortly after it happened,” he admitted before quickly adding, “but I wasn’t there when they made it. I would have stopped them.”
“But you didn’t tell me.” My eyes burned. “You’ll always choose them over me. I know this, but I keep letting myself forget.” I glanced at Bastian. “I keep letting myself dream.”
“We can talk about this,” Bastian pleaded. “Let’s just get out of here and we can figure it out.”
I turned back to Ryker and extended my hand. “Give me the crest.”
“Okay.” Slowly, he reached out and dropped it in my awaiting palm. “Please let me explain, Princess.”
