However, Ryker was right about one thing. No one in the pack could contradict the Alpha because obedience was ingrained in our hierarchy, our nature, and the power he held over us—unless of course, they challenged him and were prepared to lose their life in the process.
Only another Alpha could ever go against my uncle, the very reason Isis always defended me. Granted, she also loved riling him up but that was another conversation entirely.
I couldn’t judge Ryker for not doing what Isis would, right?
Ryker stepped closer but I didn’t look at him or embrace him. Rooted in place by sheer stubbornness and confusion, I remained silent. I was so puzzled about how I felt.
My wolf stirred in my chest, wanting to be closer to her mate, even after he’d said those things. Couldn’t she tell I wanted to smack him? Sometimes I hated that her feelings had such influence over me, then again, so did mine over her. We were one, whether we liked it or not.
Sighing, Ryker came even closer, probably smelling the need for him exuding from my she-wolf’s scent. “It’s this obsession you have with the human world, Tasha. You know the rules and you break them anyway. The only human things allowed here are the ones your uncle graciously provides us. Stop defying Arnoldt, and you won’t suffer anymore. When will you realize that it’s up to you?”
Was it?
His hand curved around my hip, and he grabbed my chin, lifting it until I looked up at him.
“I didn’t come to fight; I came to see how you were doing. I don’t want you to hurt like you did yesterday, so don’t do that again. Okay? If you remember your place, none of this will continue to happen.” His words were soft and warm against my lips, and my wolf yearned for him, the feeling growing inside me and muddling my mind.
“I won’t do it again,” I mumbled, exhausted by this whole mess.
Satisfied by my compliance, Ryker smiled and claimed my lips, pulling my wolf forward until I was lost in her need for his wolf.
“Let’s go have breakfast,” he added, taking my hand, and pulling me through the door.
“Hold on,” I protested, stopping just outside. “I’m going to eat with Isis, so I have to wait. She went to shower but is coming back any second.”
“No. We are not waiting for her. I want to eat with you, and you are my mate. If I say we eat together, thenweeat together.”
He pulled me again, leaving no room for discussion, but I grunted, yanking my hand out of his as we passed the trees and bushes that bordered our village.
“What now, Natasha?” he growled, clearly frustrated with me. “This behavior needs to stop. We are mating tonight, and you can’t betheBeta’s mate and go against my word every time you want. I won’t have that. How would that make me look in front of your uncle?”
Moving away when he stepped closer, I glanced at him confusedandinsulted. “I don’t go against your word every time I want—WAIT!” I blinked up at him, mind whirling as I finally processed his full statement. “Mating tonight? We are not mating tonight! It’s happening tomorrow,afterI complete the magical fire trial and I’m able to meet my wolf. It’s tradition. Once she is out,thenour wolves can mate. Not before.”
Why was I freaking out? My heart started racing the second I realized what he said, and my voice got so high I might as well be whistling. Hadn’t I waited for this my entire life? To transform, mate with him, and visit the human world?
Yeah, but the transformation has to happen first, and my wolf and I are no longer going to the human world, like, ever.
“Wecan’t mate until afterour wolvesdo, Ryker. It has to be tomorrow after thefire ceremony.”
An amused smile spread over his lips, and he pulled me by the waist until our bodies pressed together. “Mmm, I wished you could hear the way your heart is beating for me right now…” He chuckled when I glared at him for an explanation. “I asked your uncle permission for us to mate as man and woman first,and he approved it. Today you become my mate, and tomorrow our wolves will seal the bond. No more waiting, Tasha. Tonight, you’ll finally be mine.”
My mouth opened to argue but a vicious hiss split the air from the other side of the bushes, echoing between us like a deadly warning, and leaving me cold.
Ryker’s eyes grew wild with the sound of danger, immediately glowing. “Vampires!” he roared, his Beta power spreading through the village a second before he turned and lunged toward the trees, shifting effortlessly into a massive raven-black wolf. Growling Hunters ran past me the next second, answering his call.
The Vampires had found our home, and they probably came for blood.
Panting for air I stumbled backward while screams of panic erupted from the breeders all over, and I slammed into someone.
“It’s okay, baby girl. It’s just me,” Isis assured as I whirled around.
“Vampires!” I squealed, pointing to the tree line while clearly losing it.
Her lips twitched. “I thought you wanted to kill them and get revenge?”
“Stop mocking me!” I smacked her arm. “They are here, in the village! We have to protect the cubs and their mamas. Don’t just stand there!”
“Calm down,” she cooed, holding me by the arms before I could run toward the others, though amusement still danced over her face. Giving into my calls of alarm, she glanced to where the Hunters disappeared and took a deep breath—scenting the air. When her eyes opened again, actual laughter escaped her. “That’s nothing, Tasha.”
