“It has nothing to do with that, and more the fact that I prefer dick over pussy.”
“Like you’d actually have to fuck her. It’s just a union. Very minor.”
“A sacred bond that inevitably merges our souls and magick. Yeah,soavoidable. Besides, don’t you feel it? Her soul is already claimed.”
It is?
“She better hope it isn’t. Mom might lose her shit if this one slips through her fingers too.”
“Too? Harlow turned Dark. She’s out there, and it’s not as if we don’t know where to find her.”
I need to pay attention. This is the kind of information I’ve come for.
The male continues. “The vampire will fight tooth and nail to keep her from us. Cedric said he’s not one of them. That he doesn’t believe in what we’re doing.”
She scoffs. “He’ll come to understand when we’re ripping his Bride from him.”
Harlow and Alec need to be warned so they can hide.
“Should we be talking about this in front of her? What if she’s waking up?”
I think I am.
The female sighs, long and drawn out—annoyed. “She isn’t. It’s been hours and not a twitch. I’ll let Mom know.”
Steps pace away. With only the guy remaining, I should open my eyes and face whatever this is.
Instead, remnants of their spell from earlier sweep me back under.
Forty-Three
RYDER
As I near camp,the night begins creeping up on me. Exhaustion, because as much as I loved sleeping with Carina, it wasn’t as restful as it could have been; being in the open with her exposed meant staying aware.
Fuck, this whole week has been one ongoing hellscape of exhaustion from the moment Twilight Grove hurt Dad—and it’s looking like it’ll be another week before I’ll rest properly again.
“Alpha.” Graham rises from his place by the stump used to mark a sentry point. He jogs over, relieved—until seeing me. I don’t quite know what he sees, but it has his eyes widening. “Ryder?”
“Where’s Xander?”
“Patrolling. He wasn’t sure since you were…”
Not part of my own father’s passing ritual.
“I’ll find him.”
Finding Xander is simple, stumbling across the grey wolf, who, as he catches my scent, shifts into human form. “Where the hell have you been?” My panicked friend makes room for the beta in him, and as quickly as he asks, his expression cools into a chillier, “Alpha.”
Rank is only useful if it serves getting her home to me. “Gather Conan and Holly. I want you three with me. We’re heading to see Morgan and then travelling to Ontario.”
“Ontar—” He chokes. “Ryder, what is going on?” Before I can answer, his nose catches the scents lingering on me. “Where is she? Her scent is…strong.”
I snarl because he has no right to be asking where another wolf’s mate is. Carina isnoneof his business—even if his sentiment is understood.
“Oh.” Xander sniffs the air again.“Oh.Ryder?—”
“Don’t.” I cut him off with a wave of my hand. “It happened and she was taken by Twilight Grove, and I’m going now and need backup.”
