Page 113 of Vengeful Mates

An alarm went off. Five minutes until the ride commenced.

I jerked my head at Slade, Castor, and Zethan, indicating I needed a word with them before we hit the road.

CHAPTER37

Alaric

Slade gathered us in a huddle,his gaze coming to me. “What’s the plan?”

Surprise cut through me that he didn’t tell me to sit this one out, and it took me a moment to regather myself.

As road captain, I always had routes, backup routes, and escape plans. Our bikes were maintained and in good working order, so I had no concerns about any mechanical failures. The same couldn’t be said of the other riders. Who knew what their maintenance schedule was, or if they even tuned their bikes. On a ride like this, there was bound to be a few accidents, scrapes, burns, and close calls. Unavoidable with that many riders in close proximity. Odds that didn’t fill me with comfort.

I glanced at my little birds. Aaliyah took over for a moment, watching over Mia, schooling her on riding etiquette for the hundredth time.

“I know, Mom,” Mia grumbled.

Aaliyah’s caution made me smile and I didn’t feel like the only one that went overboard.

“Stick close to the front of the crowd,” I instructed my president, VP, and enforcer. “If there are any problems, we can make an easier exit that way.”

“Got it.” Slade trusted my direction on rides implicitly, and I respected that.

Other road captains told me their presidents were dicks and stuck their noses into routes and plans and made their jobs harder. I was glad I didn’t have any of that bullshit with the Jackals.

Slade set a hand on my shoulder. “You good?”

“A bit anxious.” I had to bite down on my pride to admit it.

“We all are.” Zethan confirmed what we all felt on the bond. The constant agitation of what came next and when.

He made small progress in his search for Colton, but nothing that gave us a definite lead and that didn’t help my state... or anyone else’s for that matter.

Slade patted my shoulder. “We keep our senses sharp and alert, eyes on the lookout, our magick scanning, and we should be good. Colton won’t make a public spectacle.”

I hoped he was right. It didn’t seem like any of us were convinced, by the writhing disquiet between us.

The final two-minute alarm went off. Time to get on our bikes and warm our babies up or get mowed down during takeoff.

“I’m proud to have served with you,” I told them before we parted. The declaration slipped out. The words sat heavy like it might be our last ride together and everyone gave a terse nod.

Back on our bikes, I started mine, letting the engine regain some of its lost heat from sitting idle and waiting for the ride to begin. Apprehension crawled its way from my gut to my chest as I slid my gloves on and clenched my fist in and out. I wrestled with it to pull my shit together, do my job, lead the ride and protect everyone.

The back of my bike bounced as Aaliyah slid on behind me. Her body was warm and soft against mine. Comfort and home. Determined arms cradled my waist, holding me tight.

I twisted on my seat, not liking this scenario when it endangered her. “You’re riding with Zethan.”

The plan we all agreed on last night. He never got much riding time with her thanks to the curse and was now making up for it.

“You need me more.” She slid her arm around my middle and leaned her cheek on my back, her magick, her natural calm seeping into me, battling with my anxiety.

Fuck. My mate had no consideration for her safety. What if I lost control and crashed? She only thought of me. Was always there for me.

I clasped her knee. “You shouldn’t be up front, angel. It’s dangerous. You need to be back with Zethan, where we can protect you.”

The selfish, dark voice within whispered its desire to keep her where I could protect her.

“I’m not leaving you, my hawk.” Calm thread through my muscles at the palm she set on my arms.

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