Chapter 23

Chapter 23

CREE

My step faltersas I’m shoved from behind. Catching my step as I whirl around, about to confront my attacker, when they jump me. Fuck. Between heart beats, I’m lying on my back in the dirt with a tight, lightweight body straddling my hips.

“Explain yourself, asshole,” Riley demands, her eyes on fire, glowing pure silver with the light of her wolf. I’ve never seen her wolf so close to the surface. Rather than answer, I lift my hand and tuck a wayward strand of hair behind her ear and run my fingers down her cheek, along her jaw, and come to rest my hand over her heart. It runs wild under my touch as her breathing increases, her chest rising and falling quickly. I stare into her eyes, the eyes of her wolf. My bear comes to the surface, wanting to meet her. To meet his mate.

“Beautiful,” I whisper the only word I can manage to say.

Riley looks conflicted. Like she wants to kiss me and kick the shit out of me at the same time. Her eyes close, and she gives her head a little shake. Clearing the haze of desire to mate I’m sure she’s feeling from her mind, regaining her control.

“Explain, Cree. You can’t go getting all hot-headed over my choices. You may be my boss, but you do not own me.”

“You’re my mate, Riley. I know it doesn’t make sense. You’re a wolf, and I’m a bear, but regardless of species, I have a need to protect you. The thought of you running into danger sets my bear off. So, it was either I left the room so he could cool off or blow up on you about putting yourself in harm’s way.”

I can’t stay under her while having this conversation, not when all I can think about is losing myself inside her. Fuck, I’m growing harder by the second with her straddling me; the warmth from her center seeping through her jeans. I groan, sliding my hands to her thighs and try to push her off me, but she locks her legs on my hips.

She slides her hands up my chest and leans forward, placing her forehead on mine. “I understand, Cree. The thought that I may hurt you causes extremely confusing feelings in me. But please try to understand, I’m an alpha, too. The Shadowcrest Pack is my pack, and I may need to fight to get it back.” She sits up slightly, looking thoughtful for a moment before continuing. “I don’t know how, but somehow, I know they need me. It’s not as though I’m going to face off with the alpha tomorrow. I’m not ready. I need time to prepare, to train, to gather intel before I even think about taking him on.” The way her body reacts with a tense shiver and rigidness when she says him tells me there’s a story there, one I desperately want to know about, but now is not the time to ask.

“I’m not going to ask now, Riley … but someday, I hope you’ll trust me enough to tell me your story.”

She leans in, places a kiss to my lips, and whispers, “Thank you.” Then gets up and heads back towards the penthouse. Sooner or later, I will figure that girl out.

WILDER

While Riley takes off after Cree, I pull the burner phone from my back pocket. Turning it on, I wait for it to power up. I’m not a hundred percent sure this is the right move, maybe I should wait just a little longer. Give Riley a chance to fully come to terms with everything that’s changing her life first.

Mate need this. Mate needs to prepare. My wolf growls in my head, sharing his thoughts on the matter. He believes if she’s not ready, she soon will need to be.

Once powered up, I type out a quick text to my contact.

It’s time.

That’s all it’ll take. Hitting send, I wait again. Message Sent flashes across the screen, and I power it off once more and tuck it away then walk outside to rejoin the others in watching the showdown. I make it out just in time to see Riley take Cree down like an NFL linebacker. Never a dull moment when Riley is around.