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Oh, comeon. Sweetheart? Really?Now?
I’m willing to bet one of my paychecks from Charlie’s that the foursome already told him exactly what they were thinking when he confronted them outside, and still he played along with this.
Worse, he’s not done.
Because then my mate goes on to say, “You know, that’s not a bad idea,” and I immediately jab a pointed claw in his direction.
Whoops. My claws are out. Looks like my wolf is as fond of their idea as I am.
“Don’t you start,” I snap at Ryker. “I can take care of myself and you know it.”
Of the four, Jace is the bravest. If he was only a little more dominant, he might’ve been an alpha in his own right, and I remember how the last time we met, he was the one who wanted to continue the hunt for Shane into the Fang City. I’d been the one to rein him in and nip at his heels all the way back to Accalia.
He’s a lanky wolf with shoulder-length hair the color of straw. Though age is tricky for shifters since we appear younger for a long, long time, I go by his aura, putting him at a couple of years older than me. He’s not as bulky and physically impressive as Duke, but there’s something about his bright shifter’s eyes.
Jace would make one hell of an enemy, but as an ally? Even more valuable.
He’s smart, too. Instead of using my gender against me, he uses logic. “You’re our Alpha’s mate. If anything happens to you, it’ll affect the rest of us. He cares too much about you. You’re the only one he wants. If it’ll keep our Alpha stable enough to lead, we’ll do anything to keep you safe. We’re just asking for the distinction to be your personal guard when Ryker can’t.”
So it’s not just because of the way I used my howl against them? It seems like they actually have reasons of their own to make this offer, and after the extreme lengths the pack went to in order to capture me two months ago, it’s like that offer is just taking their loyalty and devotion one step further.
To safeguard their Alpha, to protect their pack, they want to make sure I’m safe.
I don’t even have to ask Ryker if Jace is putting words into his mouth. Maybe a year ago, he would’ve eventually gotten over my death. But after thirteen grueling full moons in his basement, and all those nights we spent together, strengthening our bond, I know that Jace is right. Ryker would go feral and need to be put down if anything happened to me.
And if anything happens to Ryker? I’d burn the whole fucking world down to try to bring him back to me.
Is it healthy? Oh, no. Not even a little. But I don’t care. He’s an alpha—the Alpha—and I would stand in front of him myself if it meant he was safe.
Just like he would do the same—and, if he couldn’t, he’d trust these four to protect me.
Luna damn it, I’ve been played, haven’t I? How can I saynoto this without seeming like a raging idiot, especially since we both know that there’s a sizable bounty over my head?
I can’t.
Ryker trusts these shifters, too, otherwise he would’ve shut this down instead of entertaining the notion. He already vetted his pack council after Shane’s betrayal; I’m not sure how, but of the seven males who remained, he swore he trusted them all. By even standing there and letting them offer to be my personal guard, he’s confirming his faith in them.
And, well, it doesn’t hurt to have someone else watching my back.
“Fine,” I saw, throwing my hands up in the air as Dorian and Bobby bump shoulders. A look of satisfaction flares in Jace’s golden eyes. And Duke? The big guy straightens to his full, incredible height.
Luna. He’s gotta have more than a foot on me.
But you know what, though?
The four of them seem so pleased that I can’t help but add, “If you want to waste your time watching over me, fine. But if you happen to catch me naked, that’s on you if Ryker decides to pluck your eyeballs out.”
Can I just say that I love my freaking mate? Instead of assuring his council that he would never, he just nods solemnly and goes along with it.
“Better be careful, fellas.” He lifts up his hand, flashing his own claws at them. “I heard you already got an eyeful of my mate. Consider that your freebie.”
For his teasing—and maybe not so teasing—retort alone, I decide not to give him crap for basically pushing this on me. Because, honestly? It doesn’t matter that I’m femaleoran alpha. I’m special to Ryker, and if accepting him means accepting that?
Then bring on the guards.
Still… good thing I have no problem getting naked when there’s nothing sexual about it. Ryker wasn’t wrong. I shifted from fur to skin in front of these four males two months ago and it didn’t mean a thing. And if I have to do it again? At least I know they’ll be too worried about Ryker going for their eyeballs to pay close attention.
That’s thebestthing about being the fated mate of the Alpha. Whether he’s bluffing or not, it doesn’t matter. He could very easily follow through with his threat and all of us know it.
