Chapter 123
Chapter 126
Ryder’s POV
I was mad at myself, Kaid was mad at me and it was understandable. The way I handled the situation was poor but I didn’t expect it that particular moment when she just rejected her mate, so it was safe to say that it kinda caught me by surprise.
Kaid rolled his eyes, “That’s the worst excuse you have come up with so far.” He said. “Let me know when you come up with more.” Sarcasm rolling off each of his words.
Ignoring him, I pulled a jacket from my closet, ready to be on the move again. Tailing Luna Clarissa wasn’t so hard, she hasn’t left the house in hours and neither has Alpha Tyler. So Caleb offered to watch them both and let me know when she was on the move…which he did five minutes ago.
“Why the fuck are you not here yet?” His angry voice came again.
“I’m almost there, calm the fuck down.” I fired back. Tailing someone has to be the least interesting part of the job after paper-
“Allie I called, my face scrunching up in surprise…more like shock when I opened the door to see her standing there, a tense look on her face but that didn’t make her any less beautiful.
“Focus!” Kaid snapped, jerking me back to her.
“I..u-uhm…I wanted to she trailed off. “This is a bad idea.” She said instead, and turned to leave but I quickly stretched my hand and grabbed her lightly.
Immediately I touched her, sparks shot through me sending shivers down my spine, making me feel more alive there was nothing better than this. I could tell she felt the same way too as her gaze remained on me. The sparks when we touched each other wasn’t a new thing but after months of not feeling it, everything that was happening felt new.
“I’m not sure why I’m here…I shouldn’t have p>
I shook my head, my grip on her tightened like she was going to disappear if I let go of her. “I’m sorry.” I started, and her brows furrowed in confusion. “I didn’t handle the whole thing with Aiden properly and I p>
“No, I’m sorry for making you feel like a rebound…I was already going to give you a chance b-before everything happened p>
A wave of relief washed through me, and even Kaid was dancing around in my head. I wasn’t exactly sure why I was reluctant to make a move, but a part of me felt like it wasn’t the right time and I was only taking advantage of her vulnerability.
“I never cared about finding my mate.” She added, more quietly this time.
But before I could give her a response, Caleb’s voice rang in my head again, even louder this time. “I swear Ryder, you better be dead or dying because if I lay my hands on you…I swear on the moon goddess, I’ll-” he paused, “Just watch Alpha Tyler.” He said, before ending the mindlink.
I was torn between leaving her when she willingly came to me, and attending to my responsibility, which was crucial in our investigation.
“Would you like to come with me?” I asked her.
Kaid snorted, “I don’t think spying on her father is what she’d consider romantic.” He said and I rolled my eyes at him, while waiting for her to reply.
And without asking where we were going, she nodded. So I hurriedly lock my door before leading her towards her parents house, my hand itching to hold her hand again but I wasn’t going to push it…fuck it, what’s life without risks?
Taking her hand again, I waited for her reaction and she let out a shy smile which only boosted my confidence to hold her properly.
It felt like a first date all over again.
“Why are we spying on my parents?” She asked, when we finally got to our hideout.
I filled her in on what happened since she had avoided even the meeting with Alpha Kieran and she nodded slowly, taking in what I was saying. “I don’t think it’s my Dad though.” She said.
I raised my eyebrow slightly, “is there a reason why p>
She gave her theories of why if we were to suspect anyone, it should be her mom and I gave her mine. And soon enough, the initial awkwardness was gone and we were laughing like we used to and if it wasn’t the best feeling ever, I don’t know what is.
There was no movement from inside the house, to the point where I began to doubt that he was inside in the first place.
“Does this mean Dylan is also a healer?” Allie asked suddenly after a while.
I shook my head, “he’s not…at least, from what he said p>
But at this point, I wasn’t sure what was the truth anymore, so if he turns out to be one, it wouldn’t catch me by surprise. My mind was open to anything that was coming.
Just as Allie opened her mouth to say something, Kaia’s voice sounded through our mindlink, her voice was trembling as she spoke. “Ryder, t-there’s something… y-you should come see it.” She said.
I didn’t need to ask what she was talking about as I grabbed Allie’s hand again, leading her out of the building, just as I noticed Alpha Tyler came outside from the house, and dressed formally. He could wait.
“Something is going on at the pack house.” I told Allie, who wasted no time in shifting into her Lycan and I did the same thing, but into my wolf and in no time, we were in the house.
We met Dylan and Dani already
there. Kaia was seated on the couch
with Dani’s arms around her while
Dylan was seething as he stared at whatever he was holding. Allie quickly moved towards the girls while I moved closer to Dylan. I felt
my blood boil as my eyes landed on what he was looking at.
“Those fucking assholes!” I growled.
There were pictures of Kaia when she was busy with something and when she
was just walking. There was a note too.
“See you soon.” It read.
“This is definitely from him.” I didn’t need to ask who he was talking about.
But how exactly did they get into their room? Or even close enough to take
pictures of her.
“I have a bad feeling about this.” He said, his eyes darting towards Kaia who didn’t even look up from the ground.
I nodded, “I agree.” With all the recent happenings, this wasn’t something we could easily brush aside, especially now that Alpha Kieran wasn’t around. They must’ve found out about that.
The door burst open again, and Caleb entered, causing all of us to look over to him. Once his eyes landed on Kaia, his breathing became stabled and only then did he turn to look at Dylan and I.
“How’s she?” He asked.
“Shaken, but she’ll be fine.” Dylan replied and he nodded. “What are we looking
at p>
Dylan proceeded to fill us in on the conversation that happened with Nessa who insisted on going to the city and how something about it didn’t sit well with him and now a package was on her bed, which without a doubt means they knew Kieran wasn’t around.
“We have to be on our guard.” I said, like that was even a question.
“Have you told Alpha Kieran?” Caleb asked and I looked at Dylan, who shook his head in response.
“Kaia doesn’t want him to find out. He called earlier, he was already meeting my mom.” He said. “She doesn’t want him running back without getting answers p>
I turned to Caleb and I knew the same thoughts were running through his mind. “We’re fucked if anything happens to her p>
“Ryder, gather the warriors.” Caleb commanded.
“Yes, Beta p>
Then he turned to Dylan. “Do not let her…any of them out of your sight. We’ll be back soon.” He said and he nodded.
Taking another look at the girls, we exited the room and headed straight to the training field where I was certain most of them were going to be.
Just like every other warrior, their first duty was protecting their Luna which we were going to do…even if it meant losing our lives in the process.
The shooters made a mistake and we were going to make sure they regret it, no matter what.