Ryker This was not what I had in mind when I had said I didn't intend on sleeping much tonight. I shrugged on some pants while Ronnie opted to wrap the bedsheet around her toned figure. The tantalizing view suited me just fine, and the outfit had the added benefit of allowing me to keep my hands glued to the silky skin her scantily clad body exposed. I was royally pissed with Asher's ordered, "Call me now." through the link. Even so, I knew that whatever he had to say would be important. He had not been able to check in the other day for long, but I knew he had something serious to say now if he did not want to hash it out through mind link. Ronnie thankfully took everything in stride, not letting anything phase her while she was in her happy place. I felt a sense of male pride at being capable of evoking the emotions I could feel echoing back to me through our new bond. I remained disgruntled as

Ryker I was relieved the unrelenting tug of the mating bond seemed to finally be receding now Ronnie and I had exchanged claiming bites and permanently declared our intentions for all to see. I continued to feel drawn towards her, but I was able to focus more fully on my surroundings now the feeling had decreased in strength.  My wolf persisted to sulk after I dropped my mate off at home late this morning, but the bond between us had morphed into a deeper level of connection, permitting my uneasiness to lessen when not in her proximity. It comforted me being able to reach out to her and feel her emotions at any point, to know she was okay when I was not around.  All the same, I could not deny I was feeling sorrowful to be leaving her side as well, and I could not resist laying another smoldering kiss on her soft lips before I went, making damn certain I was ingrained in her mind every bit as much as she had already managed t

Veronica Scarlett and Mari insisted on watching Roxi for me while I went to my training session with Ryker. I was eager to be spending time alone with him. It seemed like we had hardly found any of it recently to concentrate on just each other with all the preparations and the ever-present task of keeping the pack safe taking center stage.  I set off on foot in the direction of the training grounds, ignoring the inner protest from my wolf for disregarding one of my mate's requests. I knew Ryker did not want me promenading through the woods by myself, but I reasoned I would be fine with Roxi at home if something did occur. I had used the same path for the last two weeks, and I had never noticed anything out of the ordinary. I persisted in using the same cautious mindset as I traversed the trail towards the training grounds, and everything appeared exactly the same, despite me being by myself this time around.

Ryker My wolf mentally dug his claws in at the mere thought of leaving Ronnie's side, but I had no doubt it would have been physically as well if I did not have such a tight leash on him. He already bested me one too many times today with all the turmoil of the afternoon and the frightening revelation that followed. I had no intention of letting him get the better of me again, even if the wounds from his razor-sharp claws had healed completely with my accelerated healing abilities by this point.  I did not like the idea of leaving any more than he did, especially knowing I would likely not be back in time for Roxi's bedtime tonight with all the tasks piling up.  Nevertheless, I knew I had to catch those bastards once and for all. I was not naive enough to believe my mate had not been the one targeted for a reason, no way in hell was it a coincidence. That was one of the motivating factors spurring me out of t

Veronica I met Mari in the hallway as I stumbled out of my room the next morning. Our circadian rhythms had synched throughout our time living together, so it wasn't an uncommon occurrence for us.  Ryker had already gotten up by the time I had rolled out of bed, which was unusual to say the least. I knew there was a lot going on, but I was normally the first out of bed, bright and early every morning with Roxi's set schedule.  Mari gave me a half-hearted greeting as we shambled towards the racket in the living room without bothering to make conversation along the way, neither one of us being fully awake yet.  Be that as it may, I felt like my eyebrows may have reached my hairline with the shocking image presented before us as we both faltered in the entryway. Asher was passed out on the floor next to the couch while Roxi was having a blast, treating him as her personal pla