Chapter 11

11

Rylan paced outside Gideon's cabin, his wolf prowling just beneath the surface. Both man and beast were agitated and on edge. His fists clenched and unclenched, needing to reach out but knowing it was a bad idea.

Inside the cabin, Liza was with her sister, Maize. Rylan's heightened senses could pick up the faint murmur of their voices, but he couldn't make out the words. He scowled at the solid wooden door that stood as a barrier between them.

Maize had been kidnapped by Liza's ex, a rogue wolf who had already caused more than enough damage. Gideon and his brothers had rescued her—thank the gods—but the knowledge that he hadn't been part of the rescue gnawed at him. As Alpha, Maize was his responsibility. He should have been there, should have led the charge to bring her back. But his mind had been consumed with Liza, with the overwhelming need to claim her as his fated mate.

He stopped pacing for a moment, dragging a hand through his hair, his fingers tangling in the thick strands as he let out a slow, measured breath. His wolf growled in frustration, the desire to protect his pack warring with the instinct to be with his mate, to keep her close and safe. But right now, she was behind that damn door. He didn't like anything standing between him and Liza, didn't like the feeling of being shut out, even if he knew—intellectually—that she needed this time with her sister.

Elijah and Caleb waited nearby, the former unusually quiet. Elijah was rarely at a loss for words, his humor often a balm during tense times, but today he seemed distant, distracted. Normally, Rylan might have asked what was on his mind, but right now, there was no room for it.

He needed to get his head in the game. Once Liza was finished with her sister, Rylan needed to get to his meeting with Micah. He needed to think through the steps he'd have to take now that the arranged marriage with Celine was off.

The moment Liza stepped out of the cabin, her eyes met his. Instantly, the weight lifted off Rylan's shoulders and the tightness went out of his chest. She looked a little more at ease. The worry lines on her forehead had softened, and he was grateful for that.

Without a word, he extended his hand to her, and she took it, her fingers lacing through his as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Together, they walked through the woods. When they reached his cabin, Rylan paused at the door, turning to face his mate.

His gaze was intense. The emotions he'd been holding back all day overflowed and were likely clear on his face. Liza looked up at him, her eyes wide and trusting. She knew he was on his way to end his arranged marriage, and she didn't question him. Rylan drank in the sight of her—her soft features, the way the sunlight played across her skin.

With a smooth motion, he cupped her face in his hands and leaned down, capturing her lips in a kiss that was all possession. He poured everything into that kiss—his relief, his desire, his unspoken promise that he would protect her, no matter what.

When he finally pulled back, his voice was husky, laced with a promise of what he planned to do to her when he came back. "Stay inside and rest. You're going to need it."

"Yes, Alpha."

Rylan went instantly hard. By the sassy look on her face, she knew exactly what she was doing to him. After one last lingering kiss, he opened the door for her, watching as she slipped inside. She paused in the doorway, glancing back at him with a smile that made his heart race before finally disappearing into the warmth of the cabin.

He turned, his expression hardening as he shifted back into Alpha mode. He had a meeting to attend, decisions to make that would impact the pack and, by extension, Liza's safety. He nodded to the guard stationed at the door, a silent command passing between them. The guard stiffened, his stance becoming more vigilant as Rylan passed by.

Elijah and Caleb stood just beyond his cabin, waiting for him. The three of them moved through the woods with a predator's grace, the silence between them heavy with unspoken tension. When they arrived at the clearing, Micah and Celine were already waiting.

The older Alpha stood tall and imposing. Celine stood beside him, her gaze averted, her body language tense. Rylan's heart twisted at the sight of her. She didn't deserve this—to be pulled into something that wasn't meant to be. She looked like she had already resigned herself to the outcome, and that only made Rylan feel worse.

"Micah."

"Rylan," Micah replied with a nod, his expression unreadable.

Rylan turned to Celine, whose gaze was still fixed on the ground. "Celine, I can't begin to express how sorry I am to put you through this. I found my fated mate last night. I never intended to hurt you."

Celine finally looked up, her eyes meeting his for the briefest of moments before she looked away again. There was no anger in her gaze, only a quiet sadness and perhaps a touch of relief. "I understand, and I wish you well, Alpha."

"Call me Rylan, please."

"Rylan," she conceded, then turned as if to leave, her shoulders stiff with the weight of the situation.

Her father reached out, stopping her with a hand on her arm. Celine paused, her back still to Rylan, her body tense.

Micah turned to Rylan, his eyes serious. "I still want to partner with your pack, Rylan. But I won't make the mistake of arranging a marriage for my daughter. That was wrong, and I see that now."

Rylan nodded, respect for the older Alpha growing in his chest. It wasn't easy for a man like Micah to admit he was wrong, especially in front of another pack.

"I want to arrange a job for her instead. Celine is a talented artist, and she would be an asset to the new housing development."

Celine bristled at her father's words, her hands curling into fists at her sides. She still wouldn't meet Rylan's gaze.

She didn't need to. Rylan's role as Alpha was to ensure that everyone in his pack had a job. This was an easy solution. "I have no problem with this arrangement."

Celine finally met his gaze, her eyes searching his for a long moment before she gave a curt nod. "Fine," she said, her voice cool, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—maybe a spark of hope that she could carve out a place for herself that wasn't defined by marriage or duty.

Micah held out his hand to Rylan. Rylan took it easily. This had worked out better than he'd expected. Faster, too. He would be home in time to wake Liza from a nap with a kiss between her legs.

Without another word, Celine turned and walked away, her steps brisk and determined, her father following closely behind her. The tension in the clearing seemed to dissipate as they left, leaving behind a quiet that felt more peaceful than it had before.

Caleb stepped up beside Rylan. "You realize Liza is the interior designer on the project, right?"

Rylan blinked. And then blinked again as realization dawned. He had been so focused on the immediate issue of breaking off the engagement that he hadn't even considered the conflict that was about to arise.

His mind raced, trying to figure out how to handle the situation, but there was no clear solution. Celine had agreed to the job, and he couldn't jilt her again. He'd simply talk to Liza and ask her to step aside. She was the Alpha's mate now. Like him, she would learn to put pack first.