I kissed him again. “Always.”
Bailey
“Damn, I have to say the full moon really did a number on you two,” Sebastian teased. He shut his car door and joined Ryker and I on the front porch. We’d slept in the woods all night and had only been back long enough to have a shower and get dressed.
I got up and hugged him. “It’s an amazing feeling.”
Chuckling, he let me go and shook Ryker’s hand. “And it looks like you now have the power of a royal. I could sense it all the way down the street.”
Ryker put his arm around me. “It’s strange because I feel like myself, but only not. I can’t describe it.”
Sebastian nodded. “All I can say is, embrace it. You have an advantage over all the other wolves. Be careful how you use it. Jealousy can be an ugly thing.”
Ryker’s phone started to ring so he kissed me on the head and disappeared inside, leaving me alone with Sebastian.
“You didn’t have to stay until the full moon,” I told him.
“Yes, I did. I had to make sure you were safe until then.”
“And now you don’t have to make sure I’m safe?” I teased.
“Not like before. Ryker can protect you a whole hell of a lot better than I could at this point. You’re both stronger than me now that you have combined your magic.”
“So what happens now?”
He tapped my chin and smiled. “I’m going to go to California to help Micah and Faith move.”
Once we’d gotten home from Canada, Micah had left to stay with my sister until after the full moon. It killed me not to see her, but Micah thought it’d be best to make sure no one attacked. Now our pack was stronger with two royal alphas.
“I wasn’t talking about that,” I said.
He stared at me for a moment, furrowing his brows. “Are you asking about my duties to you as a protector?”
I nodded. “I just want to know you’ll still be here. You’re a part of my family.”
Chuckling, he put his arm around my shoulders and squeezed. “I’m not going anywhere, B. I like giving Whitemore a hard time, and the area has grown on me. Besides, you may not need me to protect you anymore, but you’re my family as well. I love you, kid.”
“Kid? You look the same age as me, wise ass.”
He pinched my cheek. “Yeah, but I’m almost a hundred years older than you.” I smacked his hand away and he rushed off toward his car, laughing. “Tell your brother I said hey when he gets into town. I don’t think I’ll be back in time to greet him.”
“Will do, old man. Be careful and make sure to bring my sister home safely.”
“I will. That’s a promise.” Getting into his car, he drove out of the driveway and I waved.
I couldn’t wait to see my sister. Soon, I would have my whole family reunited. Ryker was still on the phone, so I climbed back up on the porch and sat down in my rocking chair. It wouldn’t be long before the first snow graced us. I could smell it in the air.
“Fuckhead gone already?” he asked, sitting beside me.
I laughed. “Yes. The sooner he gets Faith, the sooner I can see her.”
“You could’ve had Micah just bring her himself.”
“True, but I wanted to make sure she was extra protected. I’m not taking any chances when it comes to her safety. She’s unmated and vulnerable.”
Holding my hand, he lifted it up to his lips and kissed it. “I understand, angel. I thought maybe we could have a welcoming party for her when she arrives. We could even have one when your brother comes too.”
Excitement bubbled in my veins. “That sounds like a great idea. We can invite the other packs. I’m determined to help our wolves find their mates.”
“Then it’s settled. I’ll get Tyla to help us. She loves planning parties.” We sat outside on the porch until the sun dipped behind the mountains, casting the sky in sultry pink and orange glows. “What do you want to do tonight?” he asked. I bit my lip and pictured us making love. His eyes flashed and he chuckled. “That’s a given, angel.”
“I can think of something else,” I murmured. It was something I’d wanted to do the night before. By the look in his eyes, he knew what I was going to ask. “Aren’t you at all curious to see our future?” I asked.
He sighed. “I am, but sometimes it’s better not knowing.”
“True, but I don’t think I can go forever without tasting your blood. It’s intoxicating.” Lifting the hem of my sundress, I climbed up onto his lap and straddled his body. I moved my hips against his and took his mouth in a kiss, nipping his bottom lip with my teeth. I moaned the second I tasted his blood. Growling low, he dug his fingers into my hips and pressed me down on his arousal.
“Fuck, woman, you’re going to drive me insane.”
“Yes, but you like it.”
“You have no idea.” Eyes flashing, he unzipped his pants and slammed me down on his cock. His mouth widened and then everything disappeared as he sank his teeth into my neck. My mind was like a whirlwind, drifting me from our world to somewhere else. Only this time, Ryker was able to witness the vision right beside me.
“Is this how it is for you when you experience it?” he asked.
I glanced around at our surroundings and there was a magical glow about the place, almost like a mist. “Sort of . . . it always has this magical feel to it, but I usually experience the vision firsthand. Now it feels like we’re watching it happen.” We were at our house, but there was no one around until a car pulled down the driveway. I looked at Ryker, lifting my brows. “Do you know them?”
He shook his head. The man and woman got out of the car with two small children and they raced to the front door. However, the door opened before they could knock. I gasped when I got a good look at the man and woman. “Holy hell!”
My skin was wrinkled and so was Ryker’s. We looked to be around eighty years old in human years. Ryker walked up and stood beside himself, gazing at him in awe. “This is surreal.”
The old Ryker scooped the little girl in his arms and she laughed. “Guess what I learned to do today, Great Granddaddy?”
“What?” he asked.
“I learned to swim! I can’t wait to tell everyone.”
The old Bailey kissed her on the cheek. “And everyone will be so proud of you. Why don’t you and your brother go inside and see what I have on the counter?”
“Is it chocolate chip cookies?” she squealed.
The old me winked at her and the kids rushed inside, giggling the entire time. More people showed up and we gazed in awe at what appeared to be our children, all grown up with families of their own. We had two sons and a daughter, all happy with their mates.
The vision started to fade and Ryker grabbed my hand. “Is it over?”
“Yes.” I wanted to see more, but I knew one day I would.
Gasping, I awoke in Ryker’s arms, still connected. He kissed me hard and held on tight. “We were old,” he murmured.
A tear slid down my cheek. “And we were happy.”
He wiped away my tear and smiled. “It looks like we’re going to be together for a long time.”
“I wouldn’t want it any other way. You’re mine, Ryker Whitemore.”
“Always.”
THE END
~Rise of the Moon~
(A Royal Shifters novel)
Read other books by L. P. Dover