Page 72 of Never His Mate

I just hope that they’ll let me go when the sun replaces the moon in the morning. The Luna won’t be so powerful tomorrow night, but after the way the pack treated me already, I wouldn’t put it past them to leave me trapped with Ryker until we’re officially mated.

I want to ask Ryker more about this basement set-up. Call me a wimp, though, but I decide it’s safer not to. He’s right. I think we’ve done enough talking tonight.

I don’t know how long we’re stuck down here together when, all of a sudden, my wolf rouses herself. I’m feeling a lot less queasy—which just makes me notice that I’m starving, for food, for Ryker, I’m not picky—and my senses are a little stronger. For example, I can just about taste Ryker’s arousal for me in the tension-filled air, and the blood seeping from the cuts left behind from his chains.

Someone else is here, though. I’m almost sure of it.

Up above, I hear the door open before slamming shut again. A shadow falls against the cement floor as boots thunder down the steps. It grows taller and taller as they get closer.

I sniff, hoping that my senses are back to full-strength as I burn through the poison in my veins. Unfortunately, all I can get is Ryker, and since he’s resting fitfully against the wall, I know it’s not him.

He’s resting—but not asleep—as he proves a second later when he jerks his head up. “Shane.” It’s a guttural snarl that puts me immediately on edge. “Get the fuck out.”

Shane? Shane Loup?

Ryker’s Beta?

What is he doing here?

He wasn’t there with the others. I would’ve recognized him for sure. He wasn’t there—is he a part of this? Did he know what the other packmates have done?

One shocked glance toward me as he sweeps over the basement and I know that: No. No, he did not.

“Gem, I… when I caught your scent, I couldn’t believe it. And when they told me you were with Ryker—”

He shoots his head over his shoulder, finding Ryker. As Beta, he’s careful not to challenge the Alpha, but it’s gotta be tough. Shane’s fully dressed, wearing boots and, oh yeah, no chains. The full moon makes him look bigger, stronger, while it has Ryker more like a beast. Ryker’s definitely more dominant, but his Beta has the control.

“Ah, buddy. I didn’t know it was this bad.”

“Get. Out.”

That should’ve been enough to have Shane dropping his gaze, turning tail, and heading toward the stairs. But it’s not.

Weird.

I think it has everything to do with that control. Ryker said he was a slave to the moon, but it’s his wolf that’s fighting against him. Instead of being a combined soul, they’re ripped apart and, because of that, his alpha strength isn’t enough to command this beta to do anything.

Thank the Luna.

“Let me out of here,” I tell Shane. I’m already scrabbling to my feet. “I want to go home.”

“Gemma, no.”

I’m careful not to look at him as I throw my words toward his corner. “Make up your mind, Ryker. You want me to leave, you want me to stay. You want to fuck me, but you won’t mate me. I… I can’t do this right now. The moon fever isn’t just affecting you,” I confess, glancing at him out of the corner of my eye. “I’m not as bad, but I’ve got to get out of here.”

His heavy-lidded gaze is locked on Shane, but when he speaks, he’s definitely talking to me. “Go. But not with him.”

Seriously?

“He’s your Beta.”

“He’s a male.”

Shane steps between us. Brave wolf, considering we’re two alphas trying to fight against the pull of the moon.

“The others don’t know I’m here. If they catch Gem on her own, they’ll just throw her back to your wolf. Is that what you want? You’re a strong Alpha, Ryker. Are you strong enough to resist her again?”

“Shane…”

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