RykerHe could sense the weariness in his mate’s voice and felt bad for her. He HAD confronted her over a secret that she kept from him, but she must have done so to protect herself from any horrible reactions.He reached out to cil her cheek and her e yes s flickered to meet his. She looked fragile, like he would break her if he put too much pressure under his grip.“Why would I be angry when another man deceived you?” He asked her. “You don’t have to worry about that at all, Keiliegh. Trust in me a little, alright?”She swallowed, and nodded in response. I could still see uncertainty in her eyes.I reckoned it must have been a hard thing for her to trust in anyone, and a part of me wanted to know the full story behind it. The man that had got her pregnant, had he hurt her somehow?My mind was filled with various thoughts all linked to the one thing that Roman could tell me. If only I knew the identity of the man, perhaps I wouldn’t feel this burning curiosity.I dropped my hand, and
ArnoldI grit my teeth at Ryker’s response to my goading hum.“That girl isn’t deserving of my time, or energy at all,” I all but spat at my twin brother who still looked quite tense. “If you must know, Selene had been quite upset about you not coming to eat breakfast or dinner with us. And you aren’t even making an effort to spend time with her.”“And?” He sounded so fucking biase about the situation, and he ran his hand through his hair with a sigh. “Do I look like I care what Selene feels? In the same way you don’t have time or energy to spend on Keileigh, the same can be said for me even thinking about Selene right now.”“Well, I care even if you don’t,” I growled at him. “And I will NOT take no for an answer brother. I already asked Kara and she told me that the girl is already having her dinner in her room. This means you have no choice but to join us.”Ryker sighed again,poking exasperated to say the least. I could tell he was probably trying to think of an excuse.But before
Chapter 32Ryker:The way to Dane’s cottage on the outskirts of the pack was quiet and filled with nothing but the sounds of nature. I had chosen now, when it was dark and silent, to come here because I didn’t want anyone to find out I was here in the first place.As I neared the small cottage I heard a soft sound of a woman singing, and a baby’s cry.A smirk tilted my lips up as I approached the cottage, and deliberately let my feet make as much noise as possible.Soon, I knew he would come out to see who it was disturbing his family’s peace.And true to my predictions, he did that. I spotted the dark silhouette of the man in the porch, stepping out from the cottage and meeting me halfway before stopping, as he recognized me.“Alpha,” the gravelly voice of Dane met my ears and he bowed deeply.“At ease,” I ordered the former warrior. His cane supported his weight and he looked every bit as harmless as a regular elderly man, but I knew he was once the most powerful warrior who helped
33:Ryker:Arnold was silent too for some time and I could tell he was probably waiting for a response from me as well. After nearly a minute of silence from both of us I gave in.“What are you saying about a mating ceremony, Arnold?” I asked and it seemed to be the trigger he needed to get to the crux of the topic.I felt exhausted and not ready for this sort of game and yet my twin brother was content to play it.Sometimes I wondered why I indulged him too much.“Yes, of course,” he waved his hand about carelessly. “Don’t you think it’s time we finally marry, Ryker? The Elders and the rest of the pack must be waiting for good news by now. We can’t wait any longer.”He was still dallying about, I thought with a soft groan leaving my lips.“Arnold. Brother,” I said with a hard voice. “You can get to the point of the matter now.”“Well, how in the name of the goddess am I going to, when you are sure to get heated upon mentioning that girl’s name?” He snapped at me. “What I’m GETTING at
34:Keleigh:I sat staring out the window feeling content and peaceful from my restful night. The morning sun streamed in through the windows and gave a warm ambience to the bedroom. That, in combination with my restful state, made me feel calmer than I had been in a long time.However it wasn’t to last, as the knock on the door jolted me right out of that state. The maid bowed to me as she carried a basket full of towels and sheets. The scent of fresh laundry filled the air as she greeted me and then went into the bathroom to prepare my bath.My gaze the turned to the flowers I had seen the first thing I woke up this morning. It must have arrived when I was asleep, for I didn’t recall receiving it personally. The note that accompanied it told me who it was from - Ryker.A sigh left my lips as I thought of the enigmatic but utterly pleasant Alpha of the Nightclan Pack I had begun to make myself comfortable in.If I had known that things would have turned out this way, I might not have
35:Keileigh;In the end, Ryker and I had a peaceful breakfast which was equal parts as pleasing and confusing for me.I prayed I wasn’t already falling for him because I didn’t know if I could handle it. He had left after breakfast to attend to pack duties which thankfully left me to my own devices.I decided to spend some time out in the sun today and went down to the courtyard. The air was warm and the sights of nature and sounds of the birds chirping lent to the peaceful atmosphere which distracted me from my thoughts for quite a bit.At some point however, my eyes trailed down to the other side of the courtyard and I wondered if I could go around where the pack members were.Well, i shrugged to myself. It was such a nice day and I might as well do that.I had been avoiding most people from this pack like the plague and only stuck to the area I frequented for necessary reasons: my bedroom, the courtyard, Ryker’s study…But as I went further past those area I could hear the sounds
Keileigh:“An outing? In the forest?” I asked Kara who had come that morning right as I stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a fluffy robe.“Yes,” the older woman replied, “Alpha Ryker have strict instructions for you to be ready in an hour.”The way her voice sounded sarcastic upon saying ‘strict instructions’ was a bit humorous and my lips quirked up a little.“Okay. I’ll get ready. Thank you for telling me, Kara,” I nodded at her.I had become aware of the way Ryker respected the older maid, and I even heard a maid tell me that Alpha Arnold felt the same way. Both men had been raised in part with her help, if what the maid that attended to me was to be believed.I was a little surprised however, that Ryker had asked for me to go out with him.Things had definitely gotten better between us, but what was the Alpha trying to do? Was this his way of courting me?I got dressed with the help of the maid, trying to not think of the dates that I had with Alpha Jake. Then, I had settled
KeilieghAs Ryker tightened his grip on my hand and led me through the forest, I relished in the quiet, letting my thoughts wander.I wondered if I was being too docile and letting Ryker win and woo me as he liked. My eyes flickered to the strong back that faced me as he took the lead.Then I looked away, as I didn’t want to gain his attention.Or perhaps I had fallen too quickly for him just like I had fallen for Alpha Jake, despite my trying. It was difficult to keep my heart at bay and there was no other way to describe it. But I was truly attracted to him.“By the goddess,” Ryker spoke up and made me alert. “I didn’t expect you to be this quiet.”I clearly heard the humor in his words.“I… sorry. I was thinking a lot again,” she managed to say, feeling like a heel for not even making conversation. “I… where are we going?”He chuckled knowingly.“I’m glad you tuned in long enough to ask that, then. And as to where we’re headed… well… I am going to show you a little corner of the pac