“Kitara,” Ryker says, his voice low, “tell me you do know you have free access to everything in this pack.”
I lift my head, forcing myself to meet his gaze.
His eyes aren’t hard. They’re not angry, not even a little. There’s no judgment in them, just a deep, quiet understanding that somehow cuts even deeper.
He sees me.
“I know,” I say again, forcing myself to sound casual. “I was just playing.”
The other wolves are watching our interplay, judging us.
“Do you want more venison?” Ryker asks slowly.
He’s angry at what was done to me. I can feel it simmering under the surface like a storm held back on my behalf.
I should feel shame or fear; instead, his anger feels safe.
I shake my head. “No, you eat.” I push my plate toward him. “Please.”
He accepts, still watching me as he begins to bring his fork to his mouth. I turn from him to Lyra, forcing myself to act naturally.
“Tell me, Elder, what was the Alpha like as a pup?”
“Ryker?” Her eyes twinkle with amusement. “A little shit, truth be told.”
I snort, delighted.
Ryker groans. “I’ll thank you not to fill my mate’s head with lies, Lyra.”
“Your mate deserves to know what she’s gotten herself into,” Lyra says primly, but there’s a wicked twinkle in her eye. “Used to steal pies right out of the oven and blame it onthe younger pups. Had everyone convinced poor Finn was possessed.”
“That’s hardly a crime,” Ryker mutters, stabbing a piece of meat with more aggression than necessary.
“Not a crime, my ass,” Lyra fires back. “You tried to stage a coup at age nine because someone told you pups didn’t have to bathe and yet there you were every night, being forced into a bath against your will.”
A chorus of laughter bubbles around the table.
“Did it work?” I ask, grinning at Ryker.
“Temporarily,” Lyra deadpans. “Until he got tackled into the river.”
“I was making a point,” Ryker says, biting into the venison like it personally offended him.
“A stinking point,” Lyra adds, patting his arm fondly.
The tension in my chest loosens. But it’s replaced by a new ache, one that wishes I could be part of this easy history and laughter someday.
You already are, my wolf tells me.
I don’t correct her. Her concept of pack dynamics is vastly different than my own.
As the meal continues, I observe how Ryker’s presence changes the dynamics. Sara becomes more formal, Elias more deferential. But the others are at ease, treating Ryker with respect but easy familiarity.
His interaction with his pack is so different from my experience that I find it hard to reconcile that he is the alpha. He’s not obeyed out of fear, but followed out of respect. My mate is well-liked. He doesn’t command loyalty. Heearnsit.
We chose well, my wolf tells me.
We had no say in our choosing,I answer her dryly.
