Page 58 of Betrayed Mate

I scanned the upscale, log-cabin-style bar. It had been tied to the royals for generations and had an elegant, rustic feel that screamedwolf. “I doubt the Van Eatons are the ones who have her.” They were a similar pack to us that didn’t like to get involved with stupid politics and tended to keep to themselves.

Ryker got out of the vehicle and walked around the front in my direction, closest to the gigantic wooden doors.

I filled my lungs, dreading facing Reid and his family after what they’d done. I had to hold myself together, but all I wanted to do was rip out his throat. And worse, I knew when I saw him, the stupid fated-mate connection would flare up inside me, making me want him despite all that shit.

It was beyond messed up, and I channeled that hatred toward Fate.

Ryker appeared at my door and opened it, startling me and setting my blood boiling. How was I going to be able to determine who had Briar if I couldn’t even focus on imminent threats and keep my head grounded?

“Are you coming?” Ryker’s brows furrowed. “You’re just sitting here.”

The sheen over his eyes hid their natural color. What the hell was going on? Could it have something to do with whatever spell had been cast on him? But no one else had noticed it, so maybe I was being paranoid again.

“Sorry.” I shook my head, letting my red hair shake out and fall over my shoulders, contrasting with the emerald shade of the dress that Raven had forced me to wear for this. I climbed fromthe vehicle, balancing on my black wedges. “I just dread seeing all of them.”

He shut the door, and I forced myself to say, “Thanks.”

“No big deal. Just playing the part of a doting boyfriend.” He shrugged, taking my hand and leading me to the door.

I tried to ignore the way my hand tingled in his and keep pace with him. Even worse, I hated that I felt safe with him.

When we reached the door, a note statedClosed until 6 PM for a professional meeting.In other words, there would be only shifters in attendance, with no humans to interfere.

Loud voices boomed from inside.

Ryker turned toward me. “Are you ready for this?”

No. I wasn’t. This was the very last thing I wanted to do—face Reid, who’d rejected me and taken part in slaughtering my pack. But I would do it for Briar. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

He sniffed, searching for the smell of a lie, and nodded. “Let’s do this.” Then he opened the door.

Five tables had been pushed together in the center of the massive bar, three huge windows that overlooked the mountains across from them. However, the gorgeous view wasn’t what held everyone’s attention. In fact, the entire place went quiet as all twenty alphas stared at the two of us on the threshold.

Traitorously, my eyes located Reid…and then I couldn’t believe what happened.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Nothing.

I waited for the inevitable pain, butnothingflared inside me until his undeniable scent hit my nose…mixed with someone else’s.

I inhaled shakily. He’d completed a mate bond with someone else.

Four of the five men who sat with their backs to the window had creased brows, which made sense since we didn’t know each other except for the Shae pack alpha, Bruce, on the other end. His expression looked slightly pained.

Reid’s eyes widened. Ryker tugged me closer to his side and wrapped an arm around my waist, his warmth searing into me.

My attention couldn’t be diverted from Reid. My blood boiled. The sensations of pain and heartbreak didn’t hit me like I’d expected. Instead, my legs felt like Jell-O, allowing Ryker to maneuver me with our sides pressed together, no space between us.

Even without the buzz that sometimes sprang up between us, my pulse quickened. I was enjoying his touch way too much. I hated that he had this effect on me despite all the awful things he’d done. For some reason, a growing piece of me wantedto believe he had good reason for his actions, but…torturing innocents was wrong, no matter what.

From his seat at the center of the table, Reid jumped to his feet, his chair skidding back. “Ember! You’re alive,” he rasped.

I laughed, letting all my hatred and bitterness show. “Disappointed?”

He blinked and shook his head. “What do—”

“Let’s cut to the chase because Ember and I have other things to do.” Ryker glanced at me and winked, causing my heart to skip a beat.

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