Page 83 of Claiming Her Alpha

“I haven’t seen him yet. You think he’s gonna give you trouble?”

“He did try to kill me.”

Kendra wasn’t truly worried about her brother, but Ryker could feel that she didn’t want any drama.

“How will you present Ryker? The rumours are spreading, and people are dying to see who he is. They’ve connected Alpha Vallerian’s disappearance with Ryker’s arrival.”

Kendra shrugged her shoulders. “He shot himself in the foot with that.” She turned to Ryker and smiled up at him. “You’re the new celebrity here. You might not be able to walk through the village without people wanting to chat with you.”

He was a little nervous about that. “I can’t hide in here forever.”

“I don’t think they’re gonna do it today. They need proof first that you are who they think you are. But if you like we can keep them guessing. You could stand beside Gabriel for the ceremony if you like and I’ll call you forward at the end.”

“I like that.”

“Unless Gabriel would have an issue with that?”

“I’ll check with him later,” Avery offered. “I would suggest that you be one of the last to approach as well. Less time for rumours to spread or people to question you.”

They ate lunch together before Avery disappeared again.

Kendra got more restless by the minute and to channel her energy elsewhere, they spent the afternoon moving her things into the master bedroom. She was still a little reluctant, but he felt her ease at having him there.

While she added her clothes to the closet, he was looking through some of her old photos. “You and Mike share a long friendship.”

“Yes. Kent and I never got along, so Mike was like my big brother instead.”

“And you and his mate get along too?”

“Yes, and I adore their baby boy.”

“She’s not jealous?”

“No. Mike and I share a very close bond but it’s not like that.”

“But you love each other?”

“Yes, like siblings.”

He could tell there was nothing sexual between the two of them, but when Mike had seen Kendra half naked in the kitchen Ryker hadn’t been able to stop the envy sparking through his veins.

“Look, we are very close, but it’s nothing you have to worry about.” Kendra crossed the room and sat on the bed next to him, taking his hand in hers. “I love you. You are my mate, my one and only.”

“I know.” Ryker felt bad for bringing it up. “I’m sorry.”

“Who have you been close to in your pack?”

“Gabriel and Sean.”

“Sean walked me into the woods, right?”

“Yes. He was my second hand.”

“What happened to the wolf you attacked?”

“He couldn’t get over it. He got a really bad attitude and couldn’t keep up. Gabriel gave him another assignment.”

“Would that have happened anyway if he couldn’t keep up?”

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