Page 77 of Wolf Bound

“I don’t know. Let’s go find out.”

* * *

Remington dragsme downstairs and forces me to sit down in the living room with the rest of the family. I refuse to look at my father or at Sawyer, who has also joined us as Remi plugs the flash drive into the television so we can all watch what Pru has left us.

“Hey, guys.” Her beautiful face appears on the screen, and my stomach sinks. “I know you are all really confused and upset with us—with me, but I want you to know I didn’t make this decision lightly or easily. I want nothing more than to be sitting there with you all right now, but I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to Remington or to the pack.”

I remove my eyes from the screen for a second and look at my sister. I wonder how she feels about all of this. I haven’t been able to get a good read on her emotions since she killed Avery in the clearing.

Pru’s voice draws my attention back to the television. “Fourteen years ago, my parents left to protect you guys from Nicolai, and now I’m doing the same. Please don’t be upset with Sawyer and Elias, they only did what I asked of them. They helped me because they love you, Ryker.”

I slide my eyes over to Sawyer and find him sitting with his head down, staring at his folded hands. What Pru says makes sense, but it doesn’t soothe the pain of betrayal.

“I knew Nicolai would never leave us alone,” she says, “and would only bring death and destruction to the pack, and I couldn’t allow that to happen. Please try not to worry about me too much—I’ll be okay. I’ll find a way to be okay.

“I spent fourteen years feeling like I was missing something, somethingreallyimportant. I always figured it was my parents, but it turns out I had another family out there that was missing me—and a mate who was mourning me. These last months with you guys have been some of the best in my life. Thank you just doesn’t quite seem like enough, but thank you anyway.”

Even though she’s smiling, I can see the pain in her eyes as she talks to the camera. “Thank you, Remi, for being the sister I never had and for being the friend I always wanted. Don’t blame yourself for this either. I don’t blame you, and I know you’d do the same for me.

“Ransom and Ranger, thank you for making me laugh harder than I ever have before. Take care of each other, okay? And Sawyer, thank you for helping me today, even though it meant betraying your best friend. I know one day he will forgive you, forgiveus. Give him some time and take care of him for me.

“Elias and Margot, thank you for welcoming me into your family with such open arms, even though it was only for a short time. Your love and acceptance mean the world to me. Thank you for taking care of my parents’ pack since they no longer could. I’m sure my father is proud of the alphas you’ve become. But most of all, thank you for raising the man I love.”

I don’t have to look around the room to know everyone is looking at me now. I can feel their gazes on me. I hear my mom sniffling, and I’m sure she’s wiping away tears, and I should probably do the same, but I let my strong façade crack, allowing the tears building in my eyes to fall.

“Ryker, I know you’re angry and making plans on how to get me back. I know you would burn down the world to find me, but I need you to promise you won’t.

“I made a deal with Nicolai that if I turned myself over, he would leave you and your family alone. He won’t hesitate to retaliate if you go after him or his people. If you do that, then what I’ve done today will be for nothing.

“Please don’t let this heartache be for nothing. It will be hard, but I need you to stay away, promise me, Ryker. I know you feel like you’ve lost everything because the idea of leaving you is killing me too. But remember you’re not alone, even though you feel like it right now, you’re not. Your amazing family is right there next to you. Lean on them now, don’t run away like you did before. We aren’t meant to be alone, Ryker. You’re always telling me we’re pack animals, and we need each other. Remember that, baby.

“Okay, I can hear you coming up the stairs. I love you all and wish the best for you guys.”

The screen goes black, but I continue to stare at it. I know she thought leaving me this video would make me feel better, but it doesn’t. If anything, it’s only fueled my need and drive to get her back.

“She loves you so much,” Mom sniffs. “I wish she were here with us too, Ryker, but what she did was so brave.”

“She would still be here if they hadn’t helped her,” I snarl as I get to my feet. I finally look at my father who looks exhausted, and Sawyer whose eyes are bloodshot.

“Ryker…” Sawyer takes hold of my shoulder when I leave. “Can we please talk about this. We didn’t—”

He doesn’t get to finish what he’s saying because my fist slams into his jaw. The force behind my blow sends him flying back. He falls to the ground and skids across the wood floors. I stalk toward him, fully indenting to continue my assault, but two sets of arms wrap around me, pulling me away.

“Get off of me!” I howl at my brothers who are struggling to keep me in place.

“He was trying to save your life!” Ranger growls.

“This isn’t going to bring her back!” Ransom adds.

“She shouldn’t be gone!” I roar and lunge once more at Sawyer. His dark green eyes are wide with fear as he stares up at me. “And as long as she is and not safe in my arms, you’re both dead to me!” I look between Sawyer and my father as I speak. When I stop struggling against my brothers’ grasps, they loosen their hold some, and I’m able to shove their hands away.

“Ryker!” Mom gasps, appalled I would say something like that, but I mean every word of it. I give them all one last look before turning my back on them.

I stalk out of the room, ignoring my mother’s calls as she yells after me. I storm out the back door and down the patio steps, not knowing where I’m going, but I don’t stop. I move across the yard and disappear into the woods surrounding the house. I need a minute to collect myself, and I can’t do that when I’m in that house, so I walk toward another one—toward the one I bought forus.

The house is a couple of miles away from my parents’ home, and the whole way I see her face. My head swims with images of Pru as I hike through the woods. I think back to the night I carried her out of here after the rogue attacked. Images of her stunned face after I shifted in front of her the first time follow. I see the look of pure happiness on her face after I told her I bought the house for her—for us.

The house sits dark and empty as I walk up the driveway. The lights I had strung are hanging loosely from the trees, the strands blowing softly in the wind. It feels like ages ago that I brought her here, but really it was a few days ago. We’re supposed to be meeting with the contractor about renovations and changes we want to make.

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