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At first, I think it’s because he’s trying not to rub it in Aleks’s face that I left with him, but it doesn’t take long for me to realize that he could care less about that. In fact, if he wasn’t already bristling with barely contained fury, he probably would’ve purposely done just that if only to remind Aleks to keep his fangs off of me.
When I spoke to him earlier, he seemed aggravated that Shane pulled another stunt and frustrated that the fang kept me from doing anything to run him off my claimed territory. He also acted a little skeptical when I asked him to bring me to the townhouse so we could be together, but he’s not a fool.
My default is to tell him that I’m fine, that he doesn’t need to rush down to babysit me. For me to basically plead with him to come over, he had to know that I was more rattled than I wanted to let on. Considering how fast he made it from Accalia to Muncie, he had to have run as a wolf most of the way, only stopping to grab a change of clothes before he bolted up the fire escape.
The bare feet give him away, too. Most shifters store a shirt and pants—in Ryker’s case, they’re cheap sweats and an undershirt—around places where they might not want to be caught naked. Shoes are usually optional.
They are for him tonight.
We agreed that I would wait for him at the apartment, but then we’d walk over to the townhouse together. I wasn’t worried that Shane hung around after his howl, and after talking to Aleks, I’m sure he’s gone. Walking with Ryker isn’t about me being worried, but to prove to him that I’m not afraid to walk around Muncie at night—with or without him.
He’s acting weird, though. He hasn’t said a word, and when I moved to walk beside him, he fell back a step so that he was trailing behind me instead. I figure it’s because he’s guarding my back, but something’s rubbing my fur the wrong way.
And then, while waiting to cross the next street, he says, “We can’t do this anymore,” and I swear to the Luna, my heart stops beating for a second.
I pretend to misunderstand. “Do what?”
“You. Me.This.”
What is going on here?
“Are you trying to break up with me?”
I meant it to come out as a joke. A flippant remark. Unfortunately, my old insecurities didn’t get the memo because there’s no hiding the pure worry underlining my question.
“What? No. You’re my mate, Gemma. Nothing changes that.”
If only that was true. I’m his fated mate. Maybe we can push it and say that I’m his intended. But I’m not hismatemate. Not yet.
Something warns me against reminding him of that. Despite his assurance just now, I can’t shake the feeling that he is trying to break our bond.
“Okay. You’re not dumping me. So what the hell are you talking about?”
He gestures with his hand. “This,” he says again. “You being here. Me being in Accalia. I had no idea you were in trouble until you fuckingcalled, Gemma. Shane could’ve done anything to you and I wouldn’t have been able to stop him.”
Is that what he’s worried about?
“Please. I can handle Shane.”
His growl is a rumble deep in his chest. “That’s not the point and you know it.”
“Yeah?” I raise my eyebrows at him. “So what is the point?”
“Our bond’s strong, but it’s not complete. I can sense where you are all the time now, but unless you’re next to me, I don’t know what you’re thinking. What you’re feeling. That’ll change when you finally accept me as your mate, but until then, you’re in danger. And I’m not saying you can’t take care of yourself. I know you can. You’re strong. An alpha. But I’m an alpha, too. My wolf snaps at me to protect you all the damn time, but I can’t do that if you’re in trouble and I find out after it’s over.”
Oh.
Okay, then.
“Shane got to you,” he continues, running his hand through his shaggy hair. With his wolf in control, his claws are out, leaving track marks through the thick strands as he shoves it out of his face. “This time, he was just fucking with you. What if he’s better prepared next time? What if the Wicked Wolf decides to take offense to you ignoring his summons and comes to get you himself? How will I know?”
I hear in his outburst what he doesn’t want to accuse me of:how will I know if you don’t tell me? Because that’s the thing. If I talked myself out of telling Ryker earlier, he’d never know unless Shane found a way to taunt him next.
“Is that what has you so worked up?” I ask him. “That our bond’s not final and you can’t use it to check up on me?”
“Gemma, that’s not—”
I don’t even wait to hear the rest of his denial. He might not think that that’s what’s bothering him, but it is.
