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I’ve also got to realize that, once I allowed him to court me without pushing back against him, I can’t be a lone wolf any longer. If something affects me, it affects my intended mate, too.
Case in point: the envelope that Hailey handed over. The Wicked Wolf’s not-so-subtle threat was geared right at me—the ruby madethatobvious—but I’ve gotten a handle on Ryker’s personality by now. Anyone who threatens me, threatens the Alpha of the Mountainside Pack, too.
Just like how any threat, no matter how tiny, to our relationship affects the both of us.
I waited until I sensed Aleks leaving the apartment before I threw my covers back and gave up on sleep. Things weren’t even close to being settled between us, but Aleks insisted on telling Roman about the ruby. Like Ryker, he doesn’t know why exactly my bio-dad would taunt me with that specific gemstone—when he guesses it’s just because itisagemstone, I don’t correct him—but he’s more concerned about the black-haired human who played delivery girl.
Roman would need to know, he assured me, and he still had to get to his patrol post on time. So, even though I barely got to see him, Aleks was gone in no time.
An hour or two later, when I shuffled out into the living room, I discovered that he left a cup of chamomile tea on the coffee table for me. It was cold, like it had been waiting for me for hours, but just seeing it there had a reluctant smile curving my lips. I didn’t drink it—I could scent the added herbs that would cover up my shifter scent and, yeah, I think we’re beyond that now—but it was such a small reminder of our old life together that I couldn’t help the small grin.
He knew I’d have trouble sleeping. Thoughtful gesture if only I didn’t read way too much into it. I mean, the chamomile itself was fine. But the herbs? Why not toss the charmed fang back at me if he really wanted to make it clear that he’s trying to shield me again.
The worrying kept me up, but so did the guilt. I knew that Ryker would want to be told the second Aleks was back in the apartment, and I convinced myself that it would be inappropriate to run and snitch while my vampire roommate was in hearing distance. Then I realized that it wasn’t snitching, it was respecting my partner, and I begrudgingly made the phone call.
Ryker had been no less surprised to hear from me at midnight than he was when it was eight o’clock. He took the news better than I expected, though, only offering to come down to see me one time. When I told him that Aleks had already left for the night, he accepted it, but I knew my overprotective, possessive alpha wouldn’t be put off much longer.
So, yeah. When Ryker strolled into Charlie’s around three in the afternoon, a dare written in every line of his ruggedly handsome face, I couldn’t even be annoyed that he’d tracked me down at work.
He made a point to stake his claim by leaning over the counter, placing his hand to the back of my head, pulling me into him for a deep kiss. I had to grip the edge of my side of the bar top to keep my knees from buckling beneath me, panting softly when he finally broke the kiss.
Then, with a pleased smirk, he said, “Cleared my calendar for the whole rest of the day, sweetheart. Hope you don’t mind the company.”
I don’t. Not even a little. Though my wolf curls up, cozy and content in the knowledge that her other half is just across the bar, I’m actually a little taken aback by how my human side gets a much needed boost having him near.
Charlie doesn’t mind it when Ryker stops by the bar, either. Actually, I think my vamp bossencouragesit. He stocks Ryker’s beer of choice and refuses to accept a tab. Though he’ll never come out and admit it, I think he’s hoping that my unstable shifter mate will attack another one of his vamp customers. Since the fight between Ryker and Aleks, his supe customer base has gone through the roof, and it’s become more of a haven for vamps and humans in the know if only because he can use the only two shifters in Muncie as a draw.
At first, I was resentful, but then I realized that Charlie’s the best boss I could ask for. He lets me take care of shifter biz when I have to, he pays me a fair wage, and he doesn’t micromanage. A win-win all around, especially now that he supports my relationship with Ryker.
Most vamps don’t. Aleks has a reputation in Muncie and while a lot of my vamp customers—like Jane and Vincent, for example—teased me for being Aleks’s claimed mate, they really thought I’d end up with him instead of a shifter. Of course, they thought I was human back then, but still. They’re always going to side with one of their own.
Eh. I’m used to it.
Take this afternoon for example. Vin is a letch of a vampire, and though he constantly tried hitting on me before he knew about Ryker, it’s slowed down some over the last few weeks. He still does it—but not when Ryker’s hanging around the bar.
That should’ve been my first clue. About twenty minutes ago, Ryker suddenly stood up from his stool. He rapped his knuckles on the bar top, telling me, “I’ll be right back,” before he crossed the bar, then stepped outside.
It’s the dinner rush. While Charlie’s is a bar, we still serve a ton of apps and bar food—burgers, chicken sandwiches, bloody steaks—to those who want a little substance with their drinks. Natalie is serving while Sherm and me tend to the bar. I help out running plates when she needs me, and when I’m back at the bar, Vincent orders up another shot of chilled O-negative while telling me for the countless time that, when you take the dead in your bed, you’ll always be fed, or some shit like that.
I don’t know. I’m a bit distracted.
It isn’t until I swat off another of his come-ons that I realize I shouldn’t be dealing with this today. Ryker’s here and it usually takes him baring his canine fangs just the once and Vin stares sullenly into his blood.
Huh. Ryker’s been gone a while now, hasn’t he? Tugging on my half of our bond, I can tell that he hasn’t gone far. He’s just outside of the bar, but he’s been out there a lot longer than he should’ve been if everything’s okay.
As soon as the busy rush starts to wind down, I snag Sherm by his beefy arm, telling him that I’m ready to cash out. It’s six hours into my shift and I was planning on cutting out a little early since Ryker was in town. Sherm didn’t mind so long as I hung out through the early dinner rush, so I quickly finish up, then head for the door to go in search of Ryker.
It’s not like I think he’s in trouble or anything. He can take care of himself, even as a shifter in a Fang City. But this… it’s out of character for him. To tell me he’ll be right back, then disappear for so long isn’t like him. Something’s up.
Right as I hit the front door, I peer through the glass and know immediately that I was right.
I freeze, my palm pressed against the door—but I don’t push. I can’t. I’m too busy staring at the scene in front of me.
I see Ryker. His shaggy, chocolate-colored hair is windswept, the color on his tanned cheeks high, almost like he’s just finished a sprint. His jaw is tight, fists formed and pushing against his hips. Sweat has his black t-shirt clinging to his torso, outlining his muscular chest.
It’s August. It’s hot, sticky, and humid out there, and shifters already run at a higher temperature. But to look that sweaty and annoyed. He definitely just chased something down. He must’ve caught a hint of a scent, then went after it, bringing its owner back to Charlie’s.
That’s the only way I can explain the female standing a few feet away from my mate.
