Page 11 of The Wolf and the Chimera
Though I didn’t appreciate his bossiness, I was too hungry to argue with his logic.
“Speaking of that,” Kai said from where he sat at the head of the table, “you can spare the gory details, but care to share what exactly happened at the High Witch’s court?”
So, he does know about me,I realized. It warmed my heart. Even though I was the infamous chimera, Kaid welcomed me with open arms. Suddenly, there was another reason to pretend Ryder and I were the couple Kai expected us to be.
As Ryder recited how we broke out of Cordelia’s court and who was left behind, the Alpha blanched.
“Freya’s still there?” he said.
Ryder’s jaw clenched, and he nodded.
“You know her well?” I asked.
Kai cleared his throat and gave Ryder a look I couldn’t decipher. “Yes. Freya spent a great deal of her childhood here. She’s family.”
“I’m sorry,” I said honestly.
Too many people had been sacrificed in the name of saving me.
Though I had sensed some familiarity between Freyaand Ryder, I hadn’t realized they were so close. Guilt gnawed at me.
Kai nodded. “Well, Cady is sharp as a blade and her brother cares a great deal for Freya, not to mention that the Coven of Hecate is not to be trifled with. They’ll get her back.”
“They will,” Ryder agreed, “but it’s up to us to keep Elle out of Cordelia’s hands.”
Kai ran his hand over his jaw. “You caught the court off-guard. It’s what’s bought you this time to escape, but they’ll come for you soon. All the Leaders will, except the Sovereign.”
“Hedidcome for me,” I argued.
“His lackeys were given orders to attack before they knew what you were to Ryder,” Kai corrected gently. “It will change things.”
Ryder’s jaw clenched, and his grip on his fork was white-knuckled.
“You want me to go to him for protection?” he asked Kai.
“I want you to go to him for your mate’s sake,” the Alpha replied. “Swallow your pride. You know he’ll have no choice but to help you.”
“Idon’tknow that,” Ryder argued.
“Is there something I’m missing?” I asked. “Because his wolves kept attackingafterRyder proclaimed I’m his mate.”
I swallowed. “They killedmy parents.”I think.
Kai laid his hand over mine and squeezed. True sorrow shone in his eyes.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” Kai said. He pulled away. “But what happened to your parents was a mistake. They didn’t recognize Ryder for who he is, which is something those mongrels have probably already been punished for.”
I frowned in confusion, but Ryder spoke too quickly for me to voice my thoughts.
“They should’ve protected us anyway,” Ryder reasoned, “since it’s sacred law to honor mate bonds.”
“Yes,” Kai agreed. His jaw ticked. “But we both know laws in practice are not always the same as on paper. It doesn’tmatter. As soon as she discovers the identity of the chimera’s mate, she won’t let the High Witch have Elle.”
“She?” I asked. “Who’s she?”
Ryder took a drink of water and sighed. “My mother. She’s the Sovereign’s mate.”
Shock turned my stomach, but there was no time to process the news. Howls rattled the walls. Ryder cursed under his breath. The werewolves around us growled and quickly rose to their feet.
