Page 19 of Ryder’s Storm

She left the room and closed the door behind her.

Gabriel let out a long breath. “The day is finally here.” Then he grinned. “And don’t worry, son, I don’t need to take a look. I know that it’s an unusual feeling at the beginning.”

“Thanks, Dad.” At least one person understood what was going on inside him.

“I always thought Ethan would be the first to find his mate.” Gabriel smirked. “Given his quest to sleep with every available woman in this city, be it human, witch, or vampire. But you? I didn’t realize you were seeing anybody.”

For a moment, Ryder remained silent. “I’m not.”

Surprise registered on his father’s face. “But then how… I mean, we both know the only way for your second cock to form, is if you have sex with your intended mate.”

Ryder nodded. He was aware that it could take as little as two hours and as long as twenty-four for the transformation to be complete, for the deformity to turn into a second cock. “I had sex. Last night.”

“But you’re not dating her? I’m not judging, you know, but…”

Ryder knew that he had to give his father an explanation, but he couldn’t tell him the truth.

“I went to the Mezzanine last night. I met her there, and we hit it off…” He shrugged. “I don’t know who she is. I’ve never seen her before.”

Gabriel ran a hand through his long hair, which was loose. Whenever he left the house, however, he tied it back in a ponytail. “Well, don’t worry. We can work with that. We’ll find her. There are security cameras at all entrances and exits. I’ll get Damian on it to send us the security tapes from last night, and we’ll go through them to find her.”

Ryder was afraid his father would say something like that. But he had to stop him, or he’d find out that he’d lied about not knowing who the woman was. He hated lying to his father. They’d always had a close relationship, and trusted each other, but for now, he had to hide that he knew who his mate was, and that she wanted nothing to do with him.

“What if she doesn’t want to be found?” Ryder asked. “What if she doesn’t like me?”

Gabriel threw his head back and laughed.

“How’s that funny, Dad?”

“Ryder, you slept with her the first time you met her. I’d say it’s pretty evident that she likes you.”

“She could have been drunk.”

“She wasn’t. And you know how I know that?”

“Enlighten me,” Ryder said.

“Because, you, my son, are an honorable man. You would never take advantage of a woman when she’s in no state to make an informed decision.”

“But—”

“I know you too well,” Gabriel interrupted. “If you thought a woman was in danger of being taken advantage of because she was inebriated, you would drive her home personally and make sure she’s all right.”

Ryder sighed. What if his father was wrong? What if he had taken advantage of Scarlet last night? Doubts kept invading his thoughts. Had he misinterpreted her actions?

“Let’s find her,” Gabriel said. “I’ll call Damian.”

“Don’t, Dad. I want to do this myself. She’s my mate, my responsibility. I won’t need your help.”

Gabriel nodded. “I know that, son, but if you’re hitting a dead end, you only have to say the word, and I’ll help you.”

“I have a question,” Ryder started, though he wasn’t quite sure how to approach this.

“Sure, what about?”

Ryder hesitated. “What if we’re not compatible?”

“What do you mean?”