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Now that he says that like it never crossed his mind, I just about collapse.
I’m an alpha female. Headstrong, impulsive, and reckless, I’ve been on my guard ever since I crossed onto my sperm donor’s territory. Just like how I told myself again and again to show no fear, I refused to let them scent any weakness coming from me.
With Ryker, I don’t have to be anything but his.
In the beginning of our courtship, I kept up a guard. After spending so long pretending to be an omega, it was nice to be a strong alpha. I was snarky. Flippant. I put up a wall around my heart, forcing him to force his way past it. Then, when he did, I still kept him at arm’s length if only because I didn’t want him to break my heart again.
When I finally allowed myself to admit that I loved him, the guard came down. I had to erect it again since I’ve been in the Wolf District, but with Ryker holding me closely, I let it fall.
“I was so scared,” I confess. “I know I shouldn’t be. I fucking hate that I was, but the truth is, I just kept thinking ‘what if’. What if you decided it was too much trouble being mated to a stubborn alpha who doesn’t listen? What if you realized that I wasn’t worth risking the pack? What if—”
“I would never,” he murmurs into my hair, stroking my back, comforting me as I spill my guts out to him. “Even if you lost your mind and decided to live here for good, I’d stay. You’re it for me, Gemma. You’re home. Nothing’s gonna separate us.”
Sighing, I tighten my hold on him.
I wish I could believe him. I really, really do. And, if it wasn’t for the situation we’ve found ourselves in, I would.
But I’m not so sure I can.
My alpha quirk of being able to scent deception has been wonky ever since I arrived in this cursed place. I’m pretty convinced it has something to do with Elizabeth. If her strange gift has her able to hide another shifter’s innate scent, and breaking a freaking bond with just the touch of her hand, how hard would it be for her to mess with my wolf?
Theo proved it’s not completely broken, but even though he’s an alpha, his dominance is nowhere near Walker’s or Ryker’s. Half the time, I’m sure my bio-dad is lying to me. Could Ryker be?
Know what? It doesn’t matter. Even if he’s completely full of shit, I’m just grateful he said the words at all.
Ryker Wolfson is my mate. Walker had to know that mating was inevitable as soon as he arranged for us to be reunited. It doesn’t make sense, especially after his threatening trip to the cabin earlier, but I’m not about to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Luna, I missed him so damn much.
I hate that being here the last week and a half has made me so suspicious. Reuniting with my mate should be a joyous occasion, but Walker taints it by what he tried to sell both of us earlier this afternoon. He doesn’t want me with Ryker, but he’s here. Why?
I know why my mate has come after me. His wolf would never have let him leave my safety in Aleks’s hands if he could help it, and once Jace informed him of my agreement with the Wicked Wolf, it probably was only a matter of time before he decided he couldn’t stay away.
I don’t know what that says about the Mountainside Pack. He mentioned that he convinced Warren to take over begrudgingly, but it’s easy to see that it cost him. Is he saying that I’m worth the price? I so want to believe that, but it’s tough. Our mating has already been full of many ups and downs in the last year and a half.
And now he’s here, on the night of the full moon, when Walker could’ve easily shoved him in another silver-lined cell if he wanted to keep us apart after my mate refused his offer.
That’s the suspicious side of me. Walker has his reasons. I’d be a moron not to realize that.
What could they be? And how is he using Ryker against me?
Based on his visit from earlier today, all he wants is for me to try to pop out more female alphas like me for him. He wasn’t wrong when he said that two shifters can procreate without being fully bonded—I’m a perfect example of that since my mom got knocked up by that bastard without him ever committing to her—but it’s rare. Not creating female alphas rare, but it has very low odds.
Mating with your fated mate? Odds jump. If he’s your bonded fated mate? Odds jump even higher.
And if you bang repeatedly under the Luna’s watchful gaze after she’s blessed your mating? There’s a very good chance there’ll be a bun in the oven after that unless precautions are taken.
Stuck here, I haven’t even thought about any kind of shifter-friendly birth control. Why would I? I expected to spend this full moon far from Ryker, and despite Walker’s insane suggestion, I’d rather die than let one of the Western Pack wolves put his dick anywhere near me.
And if I don’t get my hands on Ryker’s, I might just lose it.
Then again, that prick did make it clear he hates the idea of my pups being bred with Ryker. And while I want to enjoy my mate a little longer before I start thinking about adding to our family, if the Luna wills it, she wills it.
I don’t care. Nothing can stop me from showing Ryker how damn happy I am to see him again.
I need this male more than I need air to breathe. The hug soothed something jagged inside of me, the kiss made me feel like I’m home even in this strange place, but I need him.
All of him.
