by J. L. Wilder
“I can’t believe you fought those grizzlies for us.” He had told her the tale a couple of hours ago, and she was still in shock. Steve had been killed. The others had been run off. She and Danny were free from the fear of them.
Free forever.
Finally, she had the life she had dreamed of for so long. A little house she could share with Valerie and their children. Peace and safety.
Ryker had given her all of it.
She drizzled some olive oil over the two plates of spaghetti and tore up some of the parsley to sprinkle on top. Carrying the plates over to the table, she set them down. Ryker followed and took his seat.
But neither of them started eating. They just watched each other.
“I can’t believe you would get yourself into a fight like that for our sake,” Haley said quietly.
“Listen,” Ryker said. “You’re my true mate, Haley. You know that, don’t you?”
She swallowed and nodded. “I think...I think I’ve always known that, yeah.”
“Even when you left—especially after you left—I knew I would never find someone I connected with the way you and I do,” he said. “And I’ve made some mistakes. But the idea of you getting hurt is something I can’t deal with. It brings out something primal in me. I couldn’t even think about not defending you. It was as instinctive as defending myself.”
A lump formed in her throat.
“And we have a son,” Ryker said. “Whatever his future looks like—whether he’s going to be part of the clan or not—he’s the son I always dreamed of having. I’m lucky to have him, whatever my role in his life turns out to be. You can be damn sure I’m not going to let anybody else interfere with that.”
“Ryker,” she said softly.
“I don’t want you to think that I’m asking for anything, or expecting anything,” he said. “It’s not like that. That’s not what this was about.”
“No,” she said. “I understand that. I never thought it was.”
He nodded. “Okay,” he said. “I just want the two of you to be safe. That’s all.”
Haley understood. But inside, she felt as though she was melting. All the resolve she had worked so hard to develop and hold on to felt like it was evaporating.
She felt like she had in the early days of their marriage, when everything he’d said to her had been beautiful. When his mere presence in her life had been a gift. Before things had turned dark and ugly.
It wasn’t that she had forgotten their past. She could never forget what had happened.
But somehow, those feelings had found their way back to her.
She looked at him now and felt as if she was seeing him for the first time all over again.
Could I possibly be falling in love with him again?
Chapter Thirty-Three
HALEY
“You don’t have to help with the dishes, you know,” Haley said. “You can go sit down.”
“No, I want to move around,” Ryker said, rolling his shoulders in a way that made Haley anxious. Surely that must hurt? But he didn’t flinch. “I’ve been lying still all day. I need to stretch.”
“Promise me you’ll take it easy,” she said. “You never did know your own limits."
“Oh, honey, I’m fine.”
She froze for a moment at the term of endearment and noticed that he had stopped drying the plate he was holding.
She looked up at him.
His eyes were closed. He was breathing deeply, slowly. Was he in pain after all?
She reached up and touched his cheek gently.
He shivered beneath her hand.
She knew, suddenly, that he was aroused, even though she hadn’t so much as glanced downward. It was as if she could feel it in the air between them, invigorating both of them, feeding her own arousal and taking her higher.
“You feel that, right?” she asked him, her voice hoarse.
He nodded, his eyes still closed. “I don’t know how I ever walked away from you,” he said. “I don’t think I could do it right now for anything in the world.”
“Not even for the alpha position?”
“Not even then.”
She stepped closer to him and felt his arms lock behind her back.
“I don’t want to overexert you,” she murmured. “I should walk away right now.”
“You definitely shouldn’t.”
“Your shoulder—”
“So you’ll be on top, that’s all,” he said. “Lucky you’re wearing a skirt.”
“The kids—”
He shook his head. Reaching across her, he turned off the water. As he withdrew his arm, he grazed her nipples.
Lightning shot through her body. Her knees went weak.
Ryker grinned. “Don’t think I forgot,” he said. “I know you always liked that.”
One arm held her firmly behind her back, and his other hand slipped up the front of her shirt, up under the bottom of her bra. A split second later, he was cupping her breast in his palm, his thumb circling her nipple slowly. Haley arched into his touch so hard that she found herself staring at the ceiling.
If someone comes in—
But she couldn’t even finish the thought. Her body didn’t feel like her own anymore. She existed only as Ryker’s plaything, and her only interest was in what he might do to her next.
The hand behind her back unsnapped her bra, and it fell loosely to the ground at her feet. Ryker kicked it under the table and withdrew his hand from beneath her shirt. He dusted his fingers across her peaked nipples over the fabric, and Haley bit her tongue hard to keep from crying out. She hadn’t been in this house long, but she knew the walls were thin.
“We need to get out of here,” Ryker said.
Whatever you say.
He swept her up in his arms—fuck, no one had scooped her up like that in over a decade—and crossed to the front door in three long strides. He pushed it open with his good shoulder, maneuvered them through, and kicked it shut gently behind them.
She expected him to go down into the yard, maybe even into the trees, but to her surprise, he took a seat on the top step of the porch.
“Here?” she breathed.
“Can’t wait any longer.”
It was probably true. She could feel how fevered his skin was, and when he positioned her astride his lap, she was shocked at how big and hard he felt against her. He must be losing his mind already.
She felt wonderful. Powerful. She had done that to him.
And, fuck, she wanted it inside her immediately.
She lifted off him just long enough to pull one leg free of her panties and let them drop to the other ankle. Ryker used the interlude to free his cock from his jeans, and Haley watched as he stroked it furiously. He wasn’t being careful. He wasn’t just trying to sustain an erection. He was overwhelmed, chasing a need.
She grabbed his wrist, stilled it, pulled his hand free.
“Let me,” she breathed.
You saved my family. You’re my mate. Let me give you what you need. Let me give you everything.
She could imagine no higher pleasure.
She sank down onto him rapturously, not caring that they could easily be caught together, not caring that this was the man who had kicked her out of her clan and changed her life forever. All that mattered was that it was Ryker—her mate, the only man she had ever loved, the only man her body knew as well as its own self. He had saved them, and he was hers, and now he was with her and everything was as it should be.
She buried her face in his neck as he held onto her. She rode him slowly, not thinking about anything but how natural it felt to be together, not worrying about her orgasm or his, just losing herself in the rhythm of their bodies.
And when her orgasm did come, it wasn’t just an ending, but the natural culmination of their lovemaking, like a plant bearing fruit and reaching for the sun. She shivered on top of him, muscles convulsing, feeling him release inside of her, and it went on so long she began to wonder
if she’d discovered something entirely new.
She came back to herself slowly. He was still holding her in his arms, rubbing slow circles on her back.
“That was something,” she murmured when she’d found her voice again.
“That was fucking amazing,” Ryker said.
She swallowed. “Ryker?”
“Yeah?”
“I think...I think I might love you.”
He sighed. “Fuck, Haley, I never stopped loving you.”
She edged her face closer to his so that they were cheek to cheek and wondered what that meant for their future.
Chapter Thirty-Four
RYKER
“Do you really think this place is safe?” Ryker asked.
He was sitting in the living room with Haley and Valerie. A week had passed since the grizzlies had attacked and he had successfully driven them off, and Ryker had been staying with them for the past several days. He had told himself that it was just as a precaution, to make sure they weren’t going to be attacked again. It was difficult to leave, knowing that his son might be in danger.
It’s definitely not because the idea of being away from Haley is driving me insane.
He should leave. He knew that. His prolonged absence from the clan was definitely putting him on Shane’s radar. To go AWOL so soon after the alpha had ordered him not to do exactly that—if he hadn’t been planning on trying to overthrow Shane the moment he stepped back onto clan territory as it was, he would definitely have anticipated that this would lead to some kind of fight.
But there’s going to be a fight anyway.
The good news was that he would have a built-in excuse for his absence.
A pregnant mate wasn’t something anyone could possibly argue with. Taking care of your mate took precedence over everything else. Even Shane would agree with that.
“We’re perfectly safe,” Haley said. “It’s obvious the grizzlies aren’t coming back. You killed their leader. They don’t even have direction now. And they know they can’t take us.”
“Not to mention that this house is about a mile from the outskirts of a pure human city,” Valerie pointed out. “That’s why I picked it. We’ve spent enough time around shifters.”
“Spending time around shifters doesn’t have to be a bad thing,” Ryker said. “When you belong to a clan, or to a wolf pack—”
“But we don’t belong, do we?” Valerie said. “Haley and I are outcasts.”
“Listen, I’ve been thinking,” Ryker said. “I know we talked about this, Haley. And I know what you said. But I have to ask you this one more time. Not for my sake, but for Danny’s.”
“You still haven’t given up on the idea of getting Danny involved in this.”
“Honestly, I don’t even care about that,” Ryker said. “We can say he’s your kid by another man if that helps. We can say he’s a stray you found. We can pretend he has nothing to do with me.”
“There’s no way you can pretend that,” Valerie said quietly. “You know, Haley, you always told me that Danny looked like his father, but I had no idea how true that was until I met him. Nobody would believe that that boy isn’t Ryker’s.”
“I just think he’d be safer living among the clan,” Ryker said. “Among his own kind. You’ve been attacked, what, three times in the last few weeks? And no one has attacked the clan in decades. I know you have misgivings, but when it comes to safety—”
“This is just a ploy, Haley,” Valerie said. “He’s manipulating you. Trying to get Danny away from you. Don’t fall for it.”
Ryker shook his head. “Haley, I promise it isn’t like that,” he said. “And whatever you decide, I’ll respect it. If you tell me to go to hell, I’ll never bring this up again. I just think it’s something we need to consider, for Danny’s sake.”
Valerie opened her mouth to argue again, but Haley held up a hand to stop her.
“He’s right, Valerie,” she said quietly.
“He’s right? He isn’t right. He’s just trying to manipulate you again! I can’t believe you’re falling for this, Haley.” Valerie shook her head. “What about everything you’ve spent the last ten years telling me about this man? Don’t you remember the things you said?”
Ryker could imagine the kinds of things she had probably said and felt no need to hear them spelled out by Valerie, so he was relieved when Haley cut her off.
“I remember,” she said. “I’m sure I remember more than you do about all of it. But those grizzlies were coming after my son. What would you do if they were after Sarah? Is there anything you wouldn’t do to keep her safe?”
Valerie sighed. “You know there isn’t.”
“I’m going to take over as alpha of the clan,” Ryker said. “When I do, Haley, I’m going to turn it into something you’ll want our son to be a part of. Our clan is going to be a good place. A safe place. You’ll be glad to see your kid growing up there. I promise. I know I hardly know him, but I wouldn’t ask for something that wasn’t going to be good for him.”
“We can’t know,” Haley said, her voice quiet. “We can’t know what’s going to be for the best for Danny. There’s no way for us to know something like that in advance.”
“Do you trust me?” Ryker asked.
Valerie was staring at her friend, and Ryker could tell that she was just as eager to hear the answer as he was.
“Yeah,” Haley said. “Maybe I’m losing my mind, but...yeah, Ryker, I do trust you.”
“Then bring Danny back to the clan,” he said. “He’ll be safer there than he would be living on the outskirts of shifter society.”
Haley nodded. “You’re right,” she said.
“There’s no way to do that without your whole clan knowing he’s Ryker’s son,” Valerie said.
“Then the clan will know,” Haley said. “Ryker’s right. We have to do what’s safest for Danny.” She reached out and took Valerie’s hand. “Of course, you and Sarah should keep the house. You won’t be in any danger. Wolves are so much more common than dragons.”
“I’m not worried about that,” Valerie said. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt.” She glowered at Ryker.
“Valerie, I promise you,” Ryker said quietly, “I’m not going to make the same mistakes twice. If I’m lucky enough to have my family back, I won’t lose them again.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
RYKER
Ryker had fought grizzlies. He had even fought other dragons. But he had never been as apprehensive as he felt today, sitting at Haley’s kitchen table and waiting to be formally introduced to his son.
It was she who had said the introduction was necessary. Ryker was determined not to push Haley into anything she was uncomfortable with, but she’d insisted that if Danny was going to be involved in their plans, he needed to know—at least, to the extent that he could know—what was going on.
Haley led him into the room and sat him down at the table. The boy eyed Ryker warily.
“Danny,” she said, “do you remember my friend Ryker?”
Danny nodded. Ryker wondered whether he was always this quiet.
“There’s something really special I want you to know about him,” Haley said.
“What?”
“He’s your father.”
Danny frowned and shook his head. “You said I didn’t have a father.”
“But you know everyone has a father at the very beginning,” Haley said. “Ryker hasn’t been a part of our lives in a long time. But he and I were married, once upon a time, and he is your father.”
“Oh,” Danny said.
“That’s why he came to stay with us,” Haley said. “He wanted to get to know you. He was ready to meet you for the first time.”
“Okay,” Danny said.
Ryker could tell the boy felt awkward. Hoping to smooth things over a bit, he spoke up. “Hi, Danny,” he said. “It’s really nice to meet you.”
Danny’s eyes narrowed. He looked as if he was getting the measure of
Ryker. “Are you a dragon too?” he asked.
“I am,” Ryker said.
“Can you show me?”
“Maybe not in the house,” Haley said quickly. “You two can go outside and shift after breakfast, okay? I want you to finish your eggs first, Danny.”
“I don’t like eggs,” Danny said with a scowl.
“You don’t like eggs?” Ryker feigned astonishment. “All dragons like eggs!”
“They do?” Danny’s eyes widened to the size of saucers.
“You didn’t know that?”
“I don’t know any other dragons. Just me and Mom.”
“And does your mother like eggs?”
“Mom, do you like eggs?”
“I love eggs,” Haley said, grinning. “You know that, Danny.”
“I guess I could eat them,” Danny said.
“If you want, we could put some hot sauce on them,” Ryker said. “That’s how I like them.”
“Do dragons like hot sauce?”
“Do dragons like hot sauce?” Ryker’s jaw dropped. “Dragons love all things hot! That’s how we get our fire breath!”
“I don’t have fire breath,” Danny said.
“You will when you’re older.”
“Is that true, Mom?” Danny asked.
“Yeah, it’s true,” Haley said. “Ryker is the alpha of his clan, and you’re his son, so one day you will breathe fire, just like he can now.”
“I want to see it,” Danny said.
Ryker shook his head. “I only do it when I’m in a fight,” he said. “And I’d never get into a fight with you around, Danny. It wouldn’t be safe.”
“But I want—”
“Danny,” Haley interrupted, “Ryker’s invited us to come and live with him and his clan for a while. So you would be able to get to know your dad a little better, and you could meet some other dragons as well.”
“What about Valerie and Sarah?”
“They’ll always be our good friends,” Haley said. “And we can come and visit them any time.”
“They should come with us,” Danny said. “Sarah would want to see the dragons.”
