I could and it was intoxicating. “Yes,” I growled, “let’s finish this.”
Lifting me in his arms, we kept our eyes on each other as he slid home. My back rubbed against the wall as he pounded into me. In just a matter of seconds, my release came fast and so did his. He shuddered in my arms, releasing his warmth inside me.
Grinning from ear to ear, I pressed my forehead to his. “That was amazing.”
His chest rumbled in satisfaction. “And it’s just the beginning.”
Bailey (Two Weeks Later)
“We can’t stay here much longer,” Ryker said. Coming up behind me, he put his arms around my waist, pressing his lips to my bare shoulder.
I finished braiding my hair and nodded. “I know. Our wolves are getting restless.” Without shifting, it was like being in a cage. They were trapped in our bodies. Being at the beach, there were no secluded places to run. “Have you heard anything new from the alphas in your council?”
“Not yet. I’m taking that as a good sign. I did talk to Cedric this morning while you were sleeping. Everything’s good there. However, we need to figure out a new place to go. Any requests?”
There were so many places I wanted to see, but we were limited to where our wolves could roam. “How about the mountains here in North Carolina? We can rent the car for a little while longer and leave in the morning.”
He kissed my neck and then turned me around. “We can do that,” he murmured, gazing down at my body. “Going for a swim?”
I had my bathing suit on, ready to head outside. “I am. Want to join me? We can christen the pool. We’ve done it everywhere else, why not there?”
Grinning wide, he squeezed my butt and winked. “As soon as I get back, I’ll join you.” He let me go and grabbed the car keys off the dresser.
“Where are you going?”
“To the store to get food for dinner. I won’t be gone long.”
As soon as he left, I locked the door behind him and went out the back door to the pool, setting my book down by the edge. Thankfully, the neighbors weren’t close by, so if we wanted to have a little fun in the sun we could. With it being early May, the water was cold for human standards, but it felt warm to me. I was used to the cooler temperatures.
Ten minutes had passed and I wanted to be ready for Ryker’s return. I untied my top and slid my bottoms off, throwing them to the side of the pool before getting on the float. My book was just at the edge of the pool so I paddled over and snatched it—a flash of something moving caught my eye in the process. What the hell?
“Ryker?” I looked around and there was no one there.
A voice spoke up from behind. “Sorry to disappoint you, B.”
Growling, I rolled off into the pool and immediately went on guard. “What in the name of all fucks are you doing here?”
Dressed in a pair of slacks and a polo shirt with his blond hair perfectly coifed, Sebastian picked up my bathing suit and tossed it to me. I threw my now wet book at his head, hoping to wipe the smirk off his face. Unfortunately, he dodged out of its path. “It’s good to see you too. I see you and Whitemore have gotten closer.”
I put my bathing suit on and stormed out of the pool. The rage inside consumed me, my wolf desperate to kill him. “So help me God, if you try to take me back, I’ll rip out your goddamned throat right now.”
He held his hands up, taking a step back. “I don’t want that, Bailey.”
I was so angry my claws extended, my body shaking with the need to shift. “Lies,” I shouted, my voice animalistic. “All you’ve done my entire life is lie to me. I know the truth.”
His eyes flashed. “No, you don’t. That’s why I’m here, to tell you the truth. I’ve followed you ever since you left Wyoming.”
Frozen in place, I remembered the way I felt at the airport. I had sensed another wolf for a brief second. “It was you,” I whispered.
He nodded. “I wanted you to know I was there.”
“Why can’t I sense you?”
Taking a deep breath, he blew it out and stared deep into my eyes. “I’m a royal, Bailey. It’s part of our magic. I can choose if I want to be sensed or not.”
Everything around me stopped, my whole body numb. Sebastian tried to steady me, but I slapped him, raking my claws down the side of his face. “Don’t you dare touch me,” I hissed. Blood oozed from his wound, but he stood firm. “You were there when I was in college, weren’t you? Why didn’t you tell me? Was it to keep Ryker away from me?”
Sighing, he wiped the blood off his face and his wound started to heal. “No, it was to protect you. That’s been my job since the day you were born. If I didn’t keep you away from Ryker, there would’ve been a war. At the time, you weren’t ready for that.”
My claws grew longer. “Fuck you! Where were you the day my parents wanted to sell me off to Kade like a common whore? They aren’t even my real parents!” The shift came closer. My wolf was demanding his blood.
He took a deep breath, his gaze sad. “I wanted to save you, Bailey. The day that fucker came for you, I was apprehended by his wolves. I’m strong, but not that strong. Besides, I’m worth more to you alive than dead. By the time I killed them and got away, you had already left. I haven’t been back since.”
“Why should I believe you?”
As fast as lightning, he appeared in front of me, gripping my face in his hands. “Because it’s the truth. Look into my eyes and tell me what you see.” I grabbed his hands, digging my claws into his skin.
“I see a dead wolf if you don’t get your fucking hands off her now,” Ryker snarled.
Sebastian huffed, his stare never wavering from mine as he slid his hands down my face. “I don’t want to hurt her. She needs to know the truth,” he claimed.
“Then I suggest you say it quickly and disappear.”
“It’s not that simple. I need time.” He then grabbed my hands, holding them over his heart. Ryker growled his warning; he was about to attack, his body trembling in rage.
“Stop!” I yelled through our bond.
Breathing hard, he tensed, ready to strike. “He betrayed you. He needs to die.”
“I need to hear him out. If he’s truly betrayed me, I’ll kill him myself.” He reluctantly stepped back, but stayed on guard.
“Do I get to speak, or are you two plotting my demise?” Sebastian asked.
“Yes to both,” I replied.
Squeezing my hands, he lowered his gaze. “I know you think I betrayed you, but I would never do that. I swore to your family, your real family, that I would protect you.”
“And who exactly is that Sebastian? I can’t remember anything about them. The people who I thought were my parents stole me from my family. If I ever see them or anyone from the Yukon pack, I will kill them, just like I’ll kill you, royal or not.”
“That might be kind of hard,” he murmured sadly, his expression grim.
Dread settled into the pit of my stomach. “Why is that?”
“I think you know why, Bailey.”
Closing my eyes, I pulled my hands away from his and stepped back. “All of them or just my parents?”
“They weren’t your parents.”
“Tell me,” I commanded, opening my red, burning eyes.
He glanced quickly over at Ryker and then back to me, his expression torn. “I’m not sure. I didn’t stick around to find out, but the Yukon’s weren’t happy. We all know what they’re like.”
Slapping a hand over my mouth, I held in my scream. Ryker approached, but I held up my other hand. They both looked at me like I was a bomb about to explode. By the ache in my chest, I felt like one. I had to get away.