Ryker joined me, his gaze wary. “I don’t think they are your biological parents, Bailey.”
“What he says is true,” Seraphina added. “I don’t know how you ended up with them, but they aren’t your family. If they were, they never would’ve promised you to Kade.”
I couldn’t even wrap my head around what she was saying. “How is that even possible? They’re my parents. They’re all I’ve known.”
She nodded wearily. “I’m not saying they didn’t love you. It’s possible they were forced to do what they did.”
Dread settled in the pit of my gut, the anger bubbling right underneath the surface. I didn’t even know who I was anymore. “Why can’t I remember any of my encounters with Ryker, or with my real family? It’s all just a black hole when I try to think back.”
She looked down at my hand, furrowing her brows. “They were wiped clean. When I touched you, I could feel the dark magic still binding itself to your memories, locking down your thoughts. Only a very powerful witch can do such a spell.”
“But who?” Then I glared at Ryker. “Did you have a witch like that in the Yukon pack?”
Releasing a heavy sigh, he nodded. “Her name was Maret.”
I felt violated, robbed. “How do I get them back?” I growled the words.
Seraphina hesitated for a moment. “The only way would be if the witch willingly reversed the spell, or if you killed her.”
“She took away the memories of my real family. One way or another, I’ll get them back.”
She sighed. “I know you want them back, but it’s not worth risking your life to get them. Right now, your only concern should be staying safe until the full moon comes.”
“Which is what I want to discuss with you all,” Ryker announced, turning to the group. “If the Yukon pack is on the hunt, I have no doubt they’ll come this way. If they see me with Bailey, there will surely be a fight. I don’t want to bring that kind of war to your doorsteps. Bailey and I will be leaving tonight until the threat’s passed. Cedric is my second in command; he’ll make the decisions while we’re gone.”
“What if we’re willing to fight?” one of the wolves asked. His name was Rafe, one of the wolves I met at the bar. He was tall and stout, a warrior at heart. I enjoyed talking to him about his building projects. I had no doubt he’d kick ass in a fight.
Ryker was about to answer, but I put my hand on his arm. “Give me a second to speak.” I looked up at him and he nodded.
“If a fight is what they want, I’ll give it to them. I’m the one who killed their alpha.” The room fell silent. “My goal is to lead them away from you, from your children. I haven’t been a part of your pack for long, but that doesn’t take away from the fact I don’t want to see anyone hurt because of me.”
As if on command, men stood and formed a line in front of me. Cedric was first. He knelt down, bowing his head.
“What are you doing?” I whispered.
He chuckled and winked up at me. “Giving you my life.” Taking my hand, he held it in his. “I, Cedric Convel, give you my life, my honor, and my strength. I will fight and die for you, if you so choose it. You are my alpha.” When he stood, he leaned down and whispered in my ear. “I’ve searched years for my mate and haven’t found her. If you can restore the magic of the moon, I will forever be in your debt.”
For the first time since I’d met him, he was completely serious. I nodded with confidence. “I will do everything within my power to see that it happens.”
Completely in awe, yet numb, I stood there with Ryker by my side as one after the other pledged their allegiance to me. Everything I’d known to be true had been torn away from me in just one night. I was nothing to my old pack but a pawn in a game. Whatever they were playing, I was determined to win. One way or another, I was going to get my answers.
Once everyone had left, it was time to leave for the airport. Ryker took my hand and brought it to his lips. “Everything will be fine, angel. After we finish mating, we’ll be stronger than any pack out there. You’ll get your answers.”
“I sure hope so. If we don’t, I’m never going to know what happened to my real family, or who I really am.”
“Even if you don’t find out who you really are, there’s one thing we know for certain. You’re mine, as I am yours. We found each other, and now you have a new family, a new beginning.”
“You’re right. But something tells me it’s not going to be so easy.”
With his hand on the back of my neck, he pulled me to him and kissed me. “Nothing worth having ever is. Now let’s go, we have a plane to catch.” We loaded up the truck and started down the road. When we got to the airport, he unloaded the bags and locked up. “North Carolina, here we come.”
Snickering, I grabbed my bag. “Blake said the beaches there were beautiful. And they aren’t crowded like other places. Besides, I’ve never even seen an ocean before. It’ll be a new experience.”
He put his arm around me. “That it will. If all else fails, at least I’ll get to see you in a bikini.” I started to laugh, but then froze. “Bailey, what’s wrong?”
For the briefest moment, I thought I’d felt the presence of another wolf, a strong one. But the feeling disappeared so fast I couldn’t tell if I imagined it, or if I was just paranoid.
“Bailey!” Ryker shouted, grabbing my attention. I scanned the parking lot and didn’t see a thing. “Are you okay?”
I nodded. “Yeah, of course. Let’s go. I’m ready to see the beach.”
Bailey
“It’s so beautiful.” Seeing the ocean from the plane didn’t compare to the way it actually felt to have the sand between my toes and smell the salty, sea air.
“You’re beautiful,” Ryker murmured. “And sexy as hell in that bathing suit.”
I smiled, and turned around. “Thanks. You’re not so bad yourself.”
“Are you going to stand out here all night?”
The sky was turning dark, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave. There was so much I’d missed in life, and I didn’t want to miss another second of it. “I’m thinking about it.” I laughed.
“Then I guess it’s a good thing I brought dinner.”
I turned to see he had a bottle of wine and a paper bag, with a towel draped over his bare shoulder. “How did I not know you left?”
He nodded toward the water. “You were mesmerized. Anyway, there’s an Italian place down the street. I thought it looked promising. I know you like lasagna.”
“And how do you know that?”
Setting the towel down, he pulled out our food and poured me a cup of wine. “You ate it at least three times a week when you were in college.”
Eyes wide, I stood there in shock. “Creepy . . .”
He rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t always watching you, Bailey. I still had the pack to look after too. But for the most part, I did keep tabs on you.”
“Why, because I’m your mate?”
His gaze narrowed. “You forget I knew you before the word ‘mate’ even popped in my head. I’m the one who found you alone in the woods when we were kids. I never left your side the entire time you were with my pack.” He passed me a takeout container of lasagna and my stomach rumbled.
I nodded, even though I couldn’t remember. “I know, I’m sorry. With having only human friends, they had their boyfriends, fell in love, and got married. I thought that’s what it would be like for me. That I’d get to pick someone of my choosing.”
A deep growl rumbled in his chest. “You did choose me. Why do you think we were separated? We clearly showed signs of it early on. You were taken away and I was banished from the pack. I don’t think that’s a coincidence. Once you get your memories back, you’ll see.”