Page 39 of Wicked Fate

Ryker dropped my hand and moved behind the couch closest to the door. His face flushed, and his hot anger rolled through me.

I had to step in before he said something he’d regret.

But Briar rushed past me and stepped between them, placing a hand on Ryker’s and Xander’s chests. "Enough," she said, her tone sharp. "We can argue later. Right now, we need to remember who the real enemy is. Ryker made a call. It was the wrong one, yeah, but he’s not the only one in this room who’s made a mistake. He lost his entire pack. Became alpha in the middle of chaos. And he’s been carrying the weight of keeping the rest of us alive. Maybe try giving him a damn second to breathe and realize people do stupid things when they’re grieving."

“Youhaven’t.” Kendric slumped against the hallway wall. “And Ember hasn’t either. So, I’m not sure you’re making your point.”

I laughed, from both the statement and surprise that Briar had spoken up. I’d expected her to take more time to warm up.

“What’s so funny?” Gage leaned on one leg.

“A few days ago, I just wanted to take Briar and leave.” It felt like it’d been forever. “That was my plan, and it was stupid. If not for Briar, I’d have made a mistake I couldn’t come back from. But my mistake was one of cowardice. Ryker’s wasn’t. He was trying to gain an advantage to avenge your pack. In my eyes, my decision was far worse than him not knowing more about how the spell would work.”

Ryker exhaled, rubbing the heel of a hand down his face. Tension bled out of him, slowly, like a dam leaking under pressure.You don’t have to set yourself up to look worse just to save me.

I’m not. Ryker, I don’t agree with what you did, but I understand your motivation.It didn’t hit me, until I said it, that I actually did understand. Sometimes, you felt like there was only one solution, and you didn’t give a damn about the consequences.You did it out of love and to honor your dead.

Gage looked away, and Xander pressed his lips together. Kendric eventually sat on the couch, resting his elbows on his knees.

“You’re right.” Kendric rolled his head. “Raven didn’t even die, and I feel like she did. I’d do anything to get revenge… even use a spell.”

“I guess,” Gage muttered, sliding one shoe along the wooden floor.

“For what it’s worth....” Ryker grimaced. “I’m sorry. You’re right, I should’ve spoken to you and included all three of you in the decision. I was just so angry. My focus was on taking down the assholes who killed our pack and our royals. It was all I could think about, so I made a dumb decision that actually helped the people I wanted to hunt keep attacking us.”

Xander’s eyes widened, and then he grinned and cupped his ear. “What did you say again?”

“Nope.” Ryker crossed his arms. “I’m not saying it again. If you didn’t hear it, that’s your loss.”

“Dammit.” Gage frowned. “That might be the only time we ever hear him say that. We should’ve gotten a recording.”

I smiled, not even trying to hold it back. This felt right… like we had a pack and a family again.

Ryker’s mood lightened, and he watched me for a second.

"We should rest.” I hated to ruin the moment, but we didn’t have time to relax. Another battle was brewing. "We need to prepare.”

The teasing stopped, and each of them nodded.

I took Ryker’s hand and led him toward the room in the back, brushing my shoulder against his.

You okay?I linked as we shut the door.

The second it clicked closed, he pulled me into his arms.

No. But you’re keeping me sane right now.

I leaned into him, letting the warmth of his body melt away some of the cold that had sunk deep into my bones. He lifted me and carried me to the bed, and I rested my head on his chest. His heartbeat pounded steadily beneath my cheek.

"We’ll fix it," I whispered.

"We have to," he murmured, brushing his lips against my forehead.

Oh, and congratulations on the bond. Please make sure your sleep doesn’t keep the rest of us up,Gage suddenly linked.

I rolled my eyes, but the happiness came back. Even in all the chaos, some joy had found me.Thanks, and no promises.

“Really now?” Ryker lifted his head.

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