Page 30 of Captured By Her Mates

I meet his gaze, a mixture of emotions swirling within me. “Ryker, I’ve appreciated everything you’ve done for me. You’ve shown me a side of you that I didn’t expect, and I’m grateful for that. But there’s something I need to tell you.”

His brows furrow slightly, a hint of uncertainty in his expression. “What is it?”

Wait.This doesn’t feel right. I shouldn’t be telling just Ryker. Not like this. This isn’t just about me and him. It involves everyone. If I need to say this, then I need to tell everyone.

“I need to tell you to be careful…” I say lamely. “In case my father is already coming for you.”

As the car moves through the night, the weight of my truth presses against my chest, urging me to open up about the desires and hopes that have been churning within me. But as my words tumble out, I can’t help but feel that something is off. Something crucial is missing.

Ryker’s brows furrow as he glances at me, his concern evident. “Be careful? Lily, I understand the situation is dangerous, but I assure you, we’re prepared for whatever comes our way.”

I chew on my lower lip, my thoughts racing as I try to find the right words to convey the depth of my feelings. This isn’t just about cautioning Ryker. It’s about something much larger, something that involves not just him, but everyone who has become a part of my life.

“Hey, can I play on your phone?” I lean forward to grab it. “Pick some music?”

I know that this is a sharp departure from what we’re talking about, in his mind, but I know what I’m doing. I need to send a message to all the guys, to make sure we can all have a meeting about this because I want to say it loud and proud for all of them to hear.

Ryker eyes me for a moment, his expression a mix of curiosity and a hint of amusement. “Sure, go ahead. Sorry, I didn’t know my music taste was going to be so offensive. But if you need something else, you go right ahead, I guess.”

I let out a laugh, trying to play this as a joke, but really, my brows are furrowed in concentration. This might be the most important message that I ever send, and I want to make sure I do it correctly. I’m hoping that life is going to change once we get back to the mansion and we have this meeting that everything will take a turn for the better.

Maybe we will still have to worry about my father and what he’s planning, but if I can find some happiness in this mess, then that’s what I need to do.

Ryker’s light-hearted comment brings a smile to my lips, even as my fingers dance across the screen of his phone. “Well, I guess I’ll be the judge of that,” I reply with a playful glint in my eyes, though my thoughts are focused on the message I’m crafting. “See if you like the same music as me.”

With a final tap, I send the message to Colt, Maddox, and Novak. The familiar “message sent” notification appears on the screen, and I exhale a shaky breath, my gaze shifting to Ryker who’s spotted exactly what I’m doing.

“What’s so important that you’re sending secret messages?” Ryker teases, a smirk playing on his lips. Intrigue flickers in his gaze. He knows I’m up to something.

“You’ll see,” I tell him with a playful wink, hoping he doesn’t push it too far. I really don’t want to explain yet. I want to wait until the perfect moment. I hope he can see this need burning in my gaze.

“Okay, sounds fun,” he replies cautiously, letting me keep the secret for a moment. “I’ll see.”

I change the music and settle back down into my seat, my heart racing as I try to plan what I’m going to say when this meeting occurs. I’ve never wanted something so badly in my life and I really hope it happens now. Ryker is smiling, seeing this as something positive and I can only hope he’s right.

And as I close my eyes, I feel a sense of hope wash over me. A hope that this journey will lead us to a place where love, understanding, and a shared commitment to each other’s happiness will prevail, no matter what challenges we may face. We can face them together.

12

MADDOX

The air is thick with tension as I stand in the midst of what can only be described as a modern day army of warriors. The metaphorical trenches we march through are the corridors of power. The battle we fight will be one of strategy and influence. These are not soldiers in the traditional sense, yet their demeanor and experience resonates with the disciplined might of a military unit.

Ryker’s army, as I have come to call them, is composed of individuals who have once tread upon the real battlefields of the world. They hail from various corners of the city, united now by the cause of ultimate peace. Each face holds the story of battles fought, and scars earned – both seen and unseen. Preparing to fight for their own freedom…

Now, I stand at the helm as their leader and commander. The weight of the role is not lost on me; these men and women understand strength, strategy, and the cost of failure. They have traded in camouflage for tailored suits, combat boots for polished oxfords. But the glint in their eyes speaks of a readiness to wield pistols as effectively as they once did rifles.

In this assembly, there exists a duality that’s both intriguing and emblematic of the task at hand. Some are wolves – fierce, relentless, and unyielding. Their instincts have been honed on the front lines, and now those instincts are focused on a different type of combat. The others, ordinary men and women, have adapted to the call of duty once again, knowing that what Ryker wants is right.

I paced back and forth in front of the assembly, my footsteps echoing in the room like the beat of a war drum. The faces of Ryker’s army are focused and attentive, their collective gaze fixed on me, awaiting my words. I had shed the aura of camaraderie, stepping into the role of a drill sergeant – a role I had never thought I would assume. But the gravity of our mission demands it.

“Listen up,” I bark, my voice firm and commanding, cutting through the air like a blade. “This fight isn’t going to be a walk in the park. Alistair is no ordinary adversary. He’s cunning, ruthless, and he’s not going to surrender easily. As long as Lily is in our grasp, he’ll fight tooth and nail to get her back. Even if he likes to act as if he doesn’t care about her.”

The room fills with an air of determination, an acknowledgment of the challenges that lie ahead. I see it in their eyes – the same fire that once burned on the battlefield, now rekindled for a different kind of warfare. They might not know Lily, they might not care about her either because they don’t know her, but theydowant peace. Everyone wants Alistair to back down.

“But let’s be clear,” I continue, my words punctuated by the intensity in the room. “We’ve faced battles before, ones that have left scars. This fight might not be waged with bullets and explosions, but it’s no less dangerous. We’re stepping into the arena of strategy and influence. We’re taking on a man who’s used to manipulating the threads of power.”

I stop my pacing, locking eyes with each individual as I speak, making sure my words resonate with them on a personal level. This isn’t just about a grand mission – it’s about their dedication, their resolve, and their belief in what we are fighting for.

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