“When?”Ryan asked, his tone nor expression gave way to any emotions he might be feeling.
“This morning.I already have every ranking shifter out looking for a scent, but so far nobody’s picking up anything.”
“Was mom recovered enough to leave on her own will?”Ryan asked.
“Yes, but mom wouldn’t run.You and I both know that.She started that fight for a reason, and she wouldn’t leave without seeing justice.”Adam argued.
“No, it’s not like mom to miss out on the show especially if it’s one she directed.Although, this time things went south and now mom was going to have to be the one to face the music.Call back those out on the search.”
“Are you going to search?”Adam asked, confused.
El had to admit she was a bit confused as well.
“No, nobody needs to search.This is another one of mom’s tactics, and I, for one, am tired of them.”
“We can’t just leave her out there, Ryan.What if she was taken?”
“Mom’s resourceful, and if you aren’t picking up any other scents, then I’d say she left on her own free will,” Ryan said with a shrug.
Adam was obviously furious but trying to hold his tongue.El wanted to intervene to see if she could persuade Ryan, but she didn’t want to get in between the argument.She glanced over at Marcus, wondering if he could use his natural peacekeeper talents on the two, but he just shrugged back at El.
“I don’t agree with this,” Adam said through tight lips.
“Then I guess it’s a good thing I’m the Alpha.That’s what mom always wanted, isn’t it?”
Adam glared long at Ryan, and then without another word, turned on his heel and left the room.Several minutes passed before anyone else spoke.
“Ryan, don’t you think we should take a look?I’m the best tracker in the pride,” Trip broke the silence.
“No, I won’t play into her games.I have a feeling about this, and I’m usually right.”
“I’m with Trip, Ryan, I think we should go look,” El added.
“You want to go look for my mother?The last time she saw you, she tried to kill you?”
“She’s still your mother, and I have to agree with Adam.Why would she set me up to be punished and then miss my punishment?”
“Because she has her own punishment coming.You are my mate, you won’t be punished for her actions.She knows that.”
“If it’s Pride Law—” El started.
“Iam Pride Law, and you will not be punished, but she will.We will announce all of this at the Pride meeting I’m going to call tonight.”Ryan stood up and started to pace.
El looked at the other’s silently asking them to give her and Ryan some privacy.They all obliged and got up and left.Once they were alone, El went to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning into his chest.Ryan held her tight against him.His heart was hammering in his chest, and she could feel his emotions.
“I’m not your mother’s biggest fan, and I agree this is probably a ploy, but she is your mother, and I would like to one day maybe find some common ground with the woman.”
“You’re a saint,” Ryan whispered, tilting her chin up so that she was looking at him.
“No, I’m not.Had you not come alone that night, I would have killed her.”
“Of that, I have no doubt.”
“Ryan I’m fine if you need to punish me.I want the pride to respect me and possibly like me, so I don’t want you giving me special treatment.”
“You’re my mate, the mate to the Alpha, if anyone is to receive special privileges, it’s you.”
“I just want to fit in here more.This doesn’t feel like home to me.I didn’t realize how uncomfortable I am here until we left Shawn’s mother’s home.I want this to feel like home, which means I need to fit in.”
