Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Raura

My heart hammers in my chest as the familiar silhouette of Steel Lakes comes into view on the horizon, a surge of emotions threatening to overwhelm me.

I turn to Riot with a brilliant smile, unable to contain my excitement. “We made it.”

His eyes remain fixed on the road ahead, his expression guarded. “So this is Steel Lakes.”

I nod enthusiastically. “Just wait until you see it up close. The gardens, the quaint little shops, the people…” My voice trails off wistfully as visions of my beloved town fill my mind’s eye.

Riot’s jaw tightens almost imperceptibly. “What should I expect when we arrive?”

“Oh, you’ll see!” I beam at him, giving his arm a squeeze. “Everyone will be excited to have me back. They’ll throw a huge celebration, I just know it. And they’ll welcome you with open arms once they hear how you rescued me.”

A flash of silver flicks toward me briefly before returning to the winding road. “If you say so.”

I frown slightly at his subdued response but press on. “Doctor Bea will want to check on your arm right away. She has incredible healing abilities, you’ll see. And Jagger…” A pang hits me as I think of my Alpha. “He must have been sick with worry.”

“Arm’s healed.” He’s staring ahead.

“Of course it is.” I give a light laugh. “You and your superfast healing! But she’ll want to be sure we’re both okay. And then you can settle in.”

Riot remains silent, his body tense beside me. I study his taut profile, wishing I could smooth away the creases of apprehension etched there.

“It’s going to be alright,” I murmur, giving his shoulder a squeeze. “You’re one of us now. Steel Lakes will be your sanctuary, I promise.”

As we draw closer to the gate, my breath catches in my throat. The massive reinforced steel structure is nothing like the entrance I remember. My mind flashes back to the day Parker’s armored SUV smashed through the previous one; the memory makes me shudder.

“Who goes there?” Cody’s familiar voice calls out as we pull to a stop at the gate.

“It’s me, Cody! Raura Pierce!” I shout back, warmth washing over me at the sound of his voice.

There’s a tense pause before he responds. “Raura?” His head pokes over the top of the wall. “How do I know it’s really you?”

“Because you’re looking right at me, you dork!” I laugh back. “I’ve come home!”

I sense movement in the shadows surrounding the gate, the unmistakable presence of more of my pack; security seems to have been tightened since I was taken from here. Hardly surprising.

Riot’s hand finds mine, and I hold it tightly.

Another voice calls out, and I recognize Gage Heller. “Raura Pierce! Holy shit!” There’s a muffled sound of voices, and suddenly, the gate begins to rattle open. Riot cautiously eases the vehicle forward, with me directing him to a parking spot beyond the huge gates.

The car is surrounded by the time we’ve parked. Riot is tense beside me.

“It’s going to be amazing!” I say breathlessly. “You’ll see!”

I push open the door and am immediately swept up into a joyful crowd of familiar faces. Strong arms encircle me, pulling me into tight embraces as voices jumble together in an excited chorus.

“Raura! You’re back!”

“We were so worried!”

“Thank God you’re safe!”

Tears of joy prick my eyes as I try to hug everyone at once. Gage’s broad frame envelops me first, the scent of sunshine and fresh grass surrounding me like a warm blanket. Casey is next, her auburn ponytail swinging as she squeezes me fiercely before pulling back to scrutinize me with those piercing blue eyes.

“Are you hurt? Did they harm you?” Her brow furrows with protective concern as Casey scans me over, her eyes roving for any sign of injury. I shake my head, swallowing past the lump in my throat.

I’m home!

“I’m okay, just shaken up,” I manage, my voice wavering slightly. Casey’s expression softens and she pulls me into another fierce hug, her grip almost painfully tight.

“I’m alright, Case. Really.” I chuckle. “Except, you might be about to crack a rib!”

She grins wryly as she releases me, and my gaze drifts over the rest of the welcoming party. I let out a long, shuddering breath, feeling the tension begin to drain from my body. Tarkin and Barrett linger close by, their expressions a mix of relief and lingering concern. Barrett doesn’t say much – he seldom does, but his expression speaks volumes, and I acknowledge him with a warm smile a moment before Tarkin claps me on the back and ruffles my hair.

“There’s been chaos over your abduction, Rau!” he says. “We all thought Jagger was going to go out of his mind. All of us were!”

I’m not surprised. Our community is tight. We take care of our own.

“Well, here I am. Safe and sound.” I’m still grinning fit to burst.

A million questions are fired at me in rapid succession.

“How did you escape?”

“Where were you taken?”

“Were there other wolves there?”

I open my mouth to respond, but the words catch in my throat as a hush falls over the group. Slowly, I turn to see Riot emerging from the SUV, his imposing frame radiating an aura of power and danger. His piercing gaze sweeps over the assembled crowd, leaving a heavy silence in its wake.

I extricate myself from the others and quickly move to his side, putting my hand on his shoulder in a gesture that I suddenly realize is mildly possessive.

“Everyone, this is Riot.” I beam up at him. “He saved me.”

A series of murmurs follow my announcement. People are exchanging glances. Beneath my hand, I can feel the tension radiating from Riot.

“It’s okay,” I say beneath my breath.

Casey is the first to step forward, her arms folded over her chest, eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Riot who?”

“Just Riot,” he replies. It occurs to me that I’ve never asked for his full name.

Casey doesn’t look convinced. “And you think you can just waltz in here like this? To our home?” Her tone is sharp. It’s accompanied by a growing response from the others around us. Curious voices.

“He’s with me, Case.” I look around at the others and then back at her. “He saved me,” I repeat. “I’d still be stuck in that hellhole if it wasn’t for Riot.” I step closer to him, feeling his warmth seeping into me from the solid muscle of his frame.

Casey flicks an eye to me, then back at Riot. “Can’t speak for yourself?” She raises an eyebrow.

God, she can be impossible!

“Of course he can,” I say quickly. “He was—”

“Raura isn’t telling the full story,” Riot interrupts me. “She’s the one who saved me.” He glances down at me, something flickering in those glacial eyes.

“I told you we were even, remember?” I grin up at him. I’ve moved close enough to tuck myself beneath his arm. I slide my hand around his waist and hold him firmly.

Casey notices the gesture, and her eyebrows shoot up. “So, that’s how it is.”

“Why not save the grilling for later, my love.” A rasping voice has Casey’s head snapping around, her expression immediately softening.

Her mate steps up beside her, resting a large hand on her back. “It’s good to have you home, Raura.” He glances at Riot, his expression inscrutable. There’s a strange silence as their eyes meet. And then something changes in his expression…as if things are clicking into place. “Welcome, Riot,” he says, his lips curling into a warm smile.

“Edirn!” Casey says sharply. “What are—?”

“I’m sure Raura and Riot are exhausted,” he says, his smile touching me now. I nod, grateful that he’s defusing the situation. “Give them a chance to get their breath and recover.”

“You’re right,” I say brightly. “I could spend a week in my own bed. Maybe two!”

“You? Asleep for two weeks? You’d probably talk right the way through it!” someone calls out. There’s laughter at that and I feel myself relax.

It’s natural for them to be suspicious.

After everything this pack has been through these past months…and then the attack by Parker, their guard will be up. They’re just making sure that we’re safe, that’s all.

“Okay, now that we’ve got the welcomes over,” I start to say, “maybe we should—” I stop talking as a hush falls over the group once more. The crowd parts and a familiar figure strides through the opening.

Jagger!

My Alpha radiates power and authority with every step, his muscular frame practically vibrating with it. His dark eyes zero in on Riot, narrowing as he stops directly in front of the towering male.

“Who the fuck are you?” Jagger demands, his voice a low rumble laced with challenge.

I wince, feeling Riot go rigid beside me. His scent takes on a sharper edge, like a midnight forest just before a storm rolls in. I grip his arm instinctively.

“Easy, Jagger,” I say calmly. “This is Riot. He rescued me from Parker and brought me home.”

Jagger’s eyes remain locked on Riot, that penetrating alpha stare that demands submission from lesser wolves. But Riot doesn’t flinch or back down. He simply holds Jagger’s gaze, his jaw set in a defiant line.

The tension crackles between the two powerful males like electricity. I feel torn – part of me wants to stand by Riot’s side, but my wolf also yearns to yield to my Alpha’s dominance.

“You don’t just walk in here unannounced,” Jagger growls. “Not after what we’ve been through.”

“He’s with me,” I insist, stepping forward slightly to catch Jagger’s eye. “Riot risked everything to get me out of that place.”

Jagger holds my gaze for a beat before returning his focus to Riot. “Is that so?” His tone is dangerously low. “You think you can just show up in my territory with one of my wolves, and I’ll roll out the welcome mat?”

“That depends.” Riot folds heavy arms over his chest, aiming a level stare at my Alpha.

“On what?” Jagger snaps. I sense him bristling.

“On how bright you are.”

There’s a collective gasp from the others.

Shit!

“