Page 40 of His to Defend

“At this time, the bride and groom would like to exchange vows that they’ve prepared for the other. Axel, would you like to go first?”

The groom nodded and took Harper’s hands in his. “Harper, from the moment you walked into my life, love walked in. I never knew I was capable of feeling the things that you bring out in me. Every day when I wake up, I know I’m the luckiest man alive because you are at my side. Your strength and softness complement me, and together we have everything. I’ve always known that you were mine and I was yours, and today I vow in front of our family, our friends, and most importantly, our daughter, to never let that bond falter. I vow to protect you, love you, and be your partner for the rest of my life.”

Tears clouded Nina’s vision, but still she looked out to the crowd to meet Ryker’s gaze. He was looking at her. But he looked distracted, too. His brother, if that’s who it was next to him, was once again muttering something in his ear. Ryker shook his head and looked down.

Something was going on. She just didn’t know what.

She couldn’t worry about it. Not right then. It was Harper’s turn.

“Axel, the first time I saw you, you sparked a fire within me. I didn’t know then that that spark would ignite into a roaring inferno that I never want to extinguish. You have taught me what love can be and should be. Every day, you make me feel more loved than I ever thought possible. I vow to be your partner, the best mother I can be to your children, and grow our family by your side with love and strength. I love you unconditionally and without hesitation, accepting all that you are, and giving you all that I am.”

There was no help for it; the tears spilled from Nina’s eyes, along with most in attendance. She wiped at her tears while Harper and Axel exchanged rings and the justice of the peace declared them husband and wife. A cheer went up among the crowd, and Nina turned to look for Ryker.

He was gone. His seat, along with the one next to him, was empty. Her eyes moved to Natalia, who watched Nina with a blank expression.

As soon as she made eye contact, Natalia shrugged and mouthed the words, “I’m sorry,” before she, too, got up and slipped away.

What the…

She couldn’t dwell on it, at least not for the moment, because Luke and Kade had each stepped forward to take one of her arms in each of theirs as they walked down the aisle after the happy couple.

“What are you doing here, Liam?” The moment they were away from the ceremony, Ryker unleashed his barely controlled temper on his little brother. He’d slid into the seat next to him at the last minute before the ceremony had started. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that no good could come from Liam’s presence.

Ryker had done his best not to disrupt the ceremony, because there was no doubt that was exactly what Liam wanted, but a man could only take so much. Which was why he’d grabbed his brother and yanked him out of there as soon as he could.

“You know exactly why I’m here.” Liam smirked.

It was a cocky look that had always driven Ryker crazy. He flexed his fist, itching to punch him in the mouth and wipe that smile right off his face.

“I’m here to do what you obviously weren’t going to do. Or couldn’t,” he added.

“You came to stop the wedding?”

Liam shrugged. “That was the initial plan. Grandfather was pretty sure you weren’t going to get the job done.”

“That’s bullshit.” Except that was exactly what had happened. In fact, Ryker had forgotten all about his initial mission and purpose of visiting the ridge. “And if that’s why you’re really here, why didn’t you do it?”

“What’s the point?” He practically laughed. “They’re already mated and they have a watered-down half breed cub. What’s a stupid human wedding going to prove?”

Ryker felt a flash of defensiveness toward his cousin and his new bride. Liam had no right to talk about Harper or her baby that way.

Isn’t that exactly how he used to talk?

“Besides.” Liam stepped toward him, his arms crossed over his chest. He was only slightly smaller than Ryker, but strong. Ryker knew exactly how strong Liam was. Worse, he knew that Liam’s lack of morals made him dangerous. Ryker might be a little rough around the edges, what many would call a hard man. But Liam was downright trouble. “I think we have bigger problems, don’t we, big brother?”

“What are you talking about?”

The smirk was back on Liam’s face. “I think you know exactly what I’m talking about. You and that human whore seem to have a little something—”

Ryker silenced him with a solid connection of his fist to his brother’s jaw.

Liam staggered backward but he stayed on his feet. His hand went to his mouth and when he pulled it away, there was blood on his fingers. “Is that all you got?”

“Not even close.” Ryker stepped forward, ready to show his little brother exactly how much he had to give when it came to his mate. He’d teach the little bastard to ever speak out against Nina again. His bear roared as Ryker cocked his arm, ready to deliver another punch.

“Hit a nerve, did I?” Liam’s words stopped him and instead of punching him, Ryker dove for his brother. He wrapped his arms around his waist and took him down to the ground, hard.

Behind him in the distance, Ryker vaguely registered the cheering. The wedding must be over, the vows spoken. Nina was probably looking for him. Nina. With his brother on the ground beneath him, Ryker delivered another punch and then another.