Page 8 of The Wolf and the Chimera
My temper flared. “Only because you turned furry before you could give me a reasonable explanation as to why I can’t walk on my own perfectly good legs to get to your pack’s home—”
“Every second we’re not under their protection is another second for the High Witch’s cronies to catch us,” he said. “And we don’t have time to look for a car, not that we could drive to the pack cabin even if we did.”
I crossed my arms and dragged my boot-clad foot across the brittle grass. Iwasbeing stubborn, and if I kept it up, I would get us killed.
“And,” Ryder added, “sorry, Ellie, but I’m a lot faster than you.”
Irritation replaced my shame. The man brought my maturity level down to that of a second grader’s, yet knowing this did not stop me from acting like a child.
“When I’m in this form,” I muttered. “Could youtrynot to be such a jerk? My name is Elle—not Ellie.”
“Will you stop arguing about trivial shit?” he countered.
“Fine,” I huffed and gritted my teeth.
Something still chafed me, but I couldn’t bring myself to admit what it was. I toyed with the end of one of my braids.
Ryder sighed. “What is it?”
“Nothing,” I snapped. “Aren’t you going to shift?”
“You’re fidgeting,” he said, and I dropped my hand. “There’s something bothering you. I’d like to know what it is before we greet my pack.”
I hesitated. “Why did you come for me?”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“Why did you come to court?” I said. “Why are you still doing everything to save me?”
When I don’t even like you,I didn’t add.
His tone made it clear he thought the answer was obvious. “Because you’re my mate. How could I not protect you?”
I cursed the pang of hurt in my chest. I barely knew Ryder. In the time we’d spent together, we had barely gotten along.
What had I expected his answer to be?
Like everyone else in my life, Ryder’s allegiance to me was forced by fate. My adoptive parents—the only parents I had ever known—were gone because in my infancy, a witch had given me to them with strict orders to guard me with their lives. Though they had loved me, I was always first and foremost a duty to them.
Ryder was no different.
Destiny had decided I held the other half of Ryder’s soul, so I was now his to protect—his burden to bear. He hadn’t chosen me, and I hadn’t chosen him. I couldn’t afford for his devotion to muddle my feelings toward him. It was, after all, just another thing outside my control.
“Ellie?” he asked softly. Grass crunched behind me, and his breath was warm against my neck. Bergamot and pine scented the air. He had stepped closer.
“I’m not actually your mate,” I said and winced. “I mean, I know I am…”
It was undeniable after the way he’d pierced Medea’s control over me. Gods, it had been undeniable since the moment I saw him on the flaming ship.
“But we aren’t together,” I amended. “And I don’t think we ever will be. I just wanted you to know that before deciding to continue.”
If he wanted to abandon me in the woods, he could. I wanted to live, but not under false pretenses.
After a few terse moments, Ryder broke the silence.
“You’re entitled to feel however you want to feel about me, Ellie.” His tone was utterly devoid of emotion and left no room for argument. “But in front of my pack or any other wolves, we’re together. Our mating extends their protection to you. It’s safer for you not to publicly rebuke it.”
“All right,” I said and bit back my shock.
