Page 19 of Betrayed Mate

Okay, that reasoning made way more sense to me and did fit what I expected from him. “Don’t worry. You’re not the only one ready to get going.” I moved my body, waiting for the world to spin around me. Everything stayed firmly in place, and I could feel an extra jolt pulsing through my blood. I wasn’t cold any longer, and I almost felt normal. “How long have I been out?”

“Twenty-four hours.” Ryker rocked back on his heels. “We were beginning to worry about you, but after everything you’ve gone through, you probably need another day’s rest before you’re up to leaving. Let me make you a sandwich before you go back to sleep.”

My stomach gurgled. I couldn’t afford to let my emotions get the best of me. I hadn’t been eating correctly since Reid had dumped me, and that last part was the least of my concerns. Right now, my goal was locating Briar and then ensuring that I took everything from Reid. Though I refused to become a murderer, that didn’t mean I wouldn’t find my sister and let him believe he’d won. Another thing I’d need to figure out once my sister was safely back with me.

“Eating sounds good, but I think I’m better.” I tossed off the thin white sheet I’d slept under and placed my feet on the cool floor. The fact that I was commando in another man’s shirt made me want to cross my arms, but that would only make the situation worse by causing the shirt to ride up higher.

He narrowed his eyes before moving around the table to the refrigerator. He pulled out some roast beef and cheese before snagging a plate and bread. “No wolf shifter could heal that quickly. I understand wanting to rush to get answers, trust me, but if you leave before you're ready, you’ll only slow us down.”

I gritted my teeth. I didn’t appreciate him talking to me like that. He wasn’t my alpha, nor did I need his permission to do anything. “And if we take too long, the trail will be cold. I need to go back and see what’s left of my pack. Maybe there are clues to where Briar is, or maybe she’s even waiting for me there.” She’d know I’d come back searching for her and answers. “What if my sister is there and in danger because of it? Reid could be watching the area.” Saying the words made my chest tighten. I knew what I’d seen, and Reid had rejected me, but our packs had always been allies. Him attacking us made no sense, but I couldn’t deny what I’d witnessed.

Ryker put pieces of bread together, snagged another bottled Coke, and walked over. “I can go without you and—”

“The hell you will.” I didn’t trust anyone else to find my sister and keep her safe. We had only each other in this world now. We didn’t know who our true allies were, and I doubted Ryker and his merry group of bandits were on our side. With what had gone down with his own pack and the royals, I had so many questions about their intent. “And I’m telling you—I might not be back to my full strength, but Iamstrong enough to go.” Even if I needed to fight, I believed I could handle it now. “I wouldn’t risk it otherwise.” That was the truth. Even if Briar was there and had escaped notice, me coming in unable to fight if needed could be a death sentence for us both.

He handed the items to me, and I took a swig of the Coke before eating. I’d prefer water, but I understood why he was giving me soda—the sugar, calories, and caffeine.

He crossed his arms and watched me eat. I didn’t like being inspected, but I also knew what he was doing—trying to prove that I wasn’t fit to leave.

The sandwich was dry since he hadn’t used any condiments, but I still ate it, staring him in the eye the entire time. I wouldn’t cower to him or anyone, not anymore…especially notReid. I shouldn’t have run that night like a weakling. I should’ve donesomethingwhen he rejected me, but I had no clue what. Everything had caught me off guard, and had I known the true consequences of tucking my tail and leaving, I would’ve handled it differently.

The past was the past, and I couldn’t change it. But damn, I sure wished I could. The coldness from where the pack links had been made me want to shudder. Instead, I took another swig of Coke, knowing any sign of me being off balance would have Ryker riding my ass again.

Once I drained the liquid, I stood and pulled down the shirt to midthigh. I handed him the empty plate and bottle, and he arched both eyebrows. My fingers accidentally brushed his, and my stomach fluttered.

Great. Indigestion. Another problem I need right now.

He smirked as I dropped my hands, and this time, my heart skipped a beat. Hopefully, that wasn’t a sign of a stroke because I could not be feeling any sort of sensations when it came tohim.

“Anything else you need me to take off your hands?” he teased and scanned the shirt that had been loaned to me.

My face burned, but I refused to give him more of a reaction than that. “Give me a minute, and I’ll have something else I need off my hands.” I took the purple shirt he’d laid out and grabbed the Walmart bag before stalking toward the bathroom.

A tingling on my neck told me he was watching me the entire way, so I made sure to not miss a step. I forced myself not to slam the door shut either, not wanting him to know he was getting to me. Then I quickly dressed in the clothes they’d gotten me. Luckily, they’d bought me a bra and panties that were sealed.

The front door opened just as I rejoined Ryker. He’d already washed the dish and put it back in its place.

The other three men turned their attention to me.

“Are you sure she’s well enough to go with us?” Xander’s brow furrowed. “She was—”

“Sheis right here and fine.” He was talking about me as if I weren’t even in the room. I shook my body and straightened once more. “See?”

“All I saw was a pretty girl looking like the rhythm caught up to her poorly.” Gage grimaced. “It’s a damn good thing you’re hot enough to pull off crazy.”

Kendric hung his head while Xander just glared at Gage.

I wasn’t sure how to respond to that compliment slash insult, so I pretended he hadn’t said a word. “My point is if I’d done that yesterday, I’d have fallen over. The room didn’t even spin an inch. I’m fine. I wouldn’t do anything stupid.”

“We should give you at least another few hours—” Xander started.

“If she says she’s fine, then that’s it.” Ryker shoved his hands into his jeans pockets. “I’m not going to waste more time arguing, and honestly, the sooner we get there, the better. Remember how quickly the scents faded?” He tilted his head forward, completing the thought with his action alone.

It didn’t take a brain surgeon to guess that he was referencing the night of the attack they’d escaped from.

“Fine, but she stays near me.” Kendric puffed out his chest as if he expected Ryker to argue with him.

“Works for me.” Ryker removed a set of keys from his pocket. “Let’s get moving. We can be there in an hour and a half, right before lunch. Hopefully, if they’re watching, we’ll spook them into action in broad daylight so no one can easily hide in the shadows.”

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