Page 57 of Alpha Chained
“Just Riot,” he replies. It occurs to me that I’ve never asked for his full name.
Casey doesn’t look convinced. “And you think you can just waltz in here like this? To our home?” Her tone is sharp. It’s accompanied by a growing response from the others around us. Curious voices.
“He’s with me, Case.” I look around at the others and then back at her. “He saved me,” I repeat. “I’d still be stuck in that hellhole if it wasn’t for Riot.” I step closer to him, feeling his warmth seeping into me from the solid muscle of his frame.
Casey flicks an eye to me, then back at Riot. “Can’t speak for yourself?” She raises an eyebrow.
God, she can be impossible!
“Of course he can,” I say quickly. “He was—”
“Raura isn’t telling the full story,” Riot interrupts me. “She’s the one who saved me.” He glances down at me, something flickering in those glacial eyes.
“I told you we were even, remember?” I grin up at him. I’ve moved close enough to tuck myself beneath his arm. I slide my hand around his waist and hold him firmly.
Casey notices the gesture, and her eyebrows shoot up. “So, that’s how it is.”
“Why not save the grilling for later, my love.” A rasping voice has Casey’s head snapping around, her expression immediately softening.
Her mate steps up beside her, resting a large hand on her back. “It’s good to have you home, Raura.” He glances at Riot, his expression inscrutable. There’s a strange silence as their eyes meet. And then something changes in his expression…as if things are clicking into place. “Welcome, Riot,” he says, his lips curling into a warm smile.
“Edirn!” Casey says sharply. “What are—?”
“I’m sure Raura and Riot are exhausted,” he says, his smile touching me now. I nod, grateful that he’s defusing the situation. “Give them a chance to get their breath and recover.”
“You’re right,” I say brightly. “I could spend a week in my own bed. Maybe two!”
“You? Asleep for two weeks? You’d probably talk right the way through it!” someone calls out. There’s laughter at that and I feel myself relax.
It’s natural for them to be suspicious.
After everything this pack has been through these past months…and then the attack by Parker, their guard will be up. They’re just making sure that we’re safe, that’s all.
“Okay, now that we’ve got the welcomes over,” I start to say, “maybe we should—” I stop talking as a hush falls over the group once more. The crowd parts and a familiar figure strides through the opening.
Jagger!
My Alpha radiates power and authority with every step, his muscular frame practically vibrating with it. His dark eyes zero in on Riot, narrowing as he stops directly in front of the towering male.
“Who the fuck are you?” Jagger demands, his voice a low rumble laced with challenge.
I wince, feeling Riot go rigid beside me. His scent takes on a sharper edge, like a midnight forest just before a storm rolls in. I grip his arm instinctively.
“Easy, Jagger,” I say calmly. “This is Riot. He rescued me from Parker and brought me home.”
Jagger’s eyes remain locked on Riot, that penetrating alpha stare that demands submission from lesser wolves. But Riot doesn’t flinch or back down. He simply holds Jagger’s gaze, his jaw set in a defiant line.
The tension crackles between the two powerful males like electricity. I feel torn – part of me wants to stand by Riot’s side, but my wolf also yearns to yield to my Alpha’s dominance.
“You don’t just walk in here unannounced,” Jagger growls. “Not after what we’ve been through.”
“He’s with me,” I insist, stepping forward slightly to catch Jagger’s eye. “Riot risked everything to get me out of that place.”
Jagger holds my gaze for a beat before returning his focus to Riot. “Is that so?” His tone is dangerously low. “You think you can just show up in my territory with one of my wolves, and I’ll roll out the welcome mat?”
“That depends.” Riot folds heavy arms over his chest, aiming a level stare at my Alpha.
“On what?” Jagger snaps. I sense him bristling.