Page 11 of Claiming Her Alpha
“Ryker, please. Don’t do this to yourself. Every minute, even every second you spend with her will make her loss even greater.”
As if he didn’t know that. Ryker didn’t need to be reminded of the pain to come.
“Stop, being a fucking idiot!”
Well that was a first–Gabriel never swore.
His beta let out a frustrated growl. “Ryker, look at me.”
Ryker closed the door of the pantry and looked at his friend and beta.
“Every kiss, every touch, every word, even every breath you take around her will tighten the bond. The stronger it is the more you will suffer.”
“And you don’t think I know that? Would you have let Adrianna leave without knowing what it feels like to hold her? Or to know her favourite colour? I need to know these things and I only have two hours. So stop wasting my time.”
“You’re acting like a rebellious teenager. One who doesn’t care for the consequences of his actions!”
“And those consequences only affect me. Stop trying to parent me!”
Ryker tried to storm past Gabriel, but he grabbed his arm and stopped him from walking away. Ryker tried to calm his anger, but Gabriel didn’t make it easy. He had less than two hours with his precious Kendra and Gabriel was cutting into that.
“Fine. Do whatever you want, just be safe. I would prefer it if your pup didn’t grow up without you. I’m sure you don’t want her having to explain herself to her family either.”
Ryker felt something poke into his stomach and looked down to see Gabriel thrusting a pack of condoms at him. Where he thought he’d feel embarrassed, he only felt guilty. He should have been the one to think of the consequences. He couldn’t say a word, silenced by his own stupidity. He simply nodded and took the condoms before walking back to Kendra. He was thankful for Gabriel’s thoughtfulness, but he was also humiliated.
“Don’t let her mark you! Don’t forget she’s only a puppy!”
Chapter Four
After Ryker left the room, Kendra stood up and walked to the desk. She didn’t intend to snoop, but there were a few photos she wanted a closer look at. There was one of him and the beta, Gabriel, grinning at the camera while next to a bonfire. They both looked much younger in the picture and less bulky, meaning it must have been an older photo.
Ryker was tall with broad shoulders. His arms were strong and his hands rough on her skin. When she’d sat on his lap earlier, she’d been able to guess what was hiding beneath his shirt. No defined six pack, but he definitely had some abs. She liked that, though. She hated when men were too muscular–and not just because they weren’t comfy when cuddling. Muscles had no say in how strong or powerful a person was; their abilities did.
As she looked away from the photos, her eyes fell on a small wooden box. It was gorgeous with engraved flowers that wrapped around a wolf’s head. It didn’t really fit with the room, rather it seemed quite feminine. Upon opening it, she found a plain gold necklace.
“It was my mother’s.”
Kendra snapped the box shut and returned it to its place, spinning around to see Ryker enter the room. Though his smile was bright and genuine, it didn’t quite reach those sparkling hazel eyes. His face was edgy and his dark hair held short, reminding her of a military cut.
“I didn’t mean to snoop.”
“I don’t see you as a spy and if you are, I do hope my warrior’s workout plans now make you fear us more.”
He came closer and kissed her forehead, his fingers trailing a gentle path down her arm and to her wrist. Gently taking her hand in his, he lifted it and kissed her knuckles. Sparks spread from where he touched and zapped her through her bloodstream, making butterflies in her stomach swirl all over again.
“I thought you would’ve been asleep by now. You had a rough night, and you won’t be able to rest until you get home.”
“Sleeping would mean to waste the little time I have with you.”
He turned her hand over and pressed a kiss to her palm before moving his lips up to her wrist. As he whispered against her skin, his voice grew thick with desire. “How about I make you feel better so you can rest? I’ll hold you while you sleep and savour every second I have with you. I know you want to get to know me but holding you, watching over you, and protecting you for at least a split moment of your life is more than I could’ve ever wished for.”
She swallowed hard, suppressing the moan that threatened to bubble out of her.
“Of course, I won’t do this if you don’t want to. Every touch we share and every minute we are with each other will only strengthen the bond and make it harder on both of us.”
“I’m willing. I’m all yours,” she murmured.
Her words hadn’t even left her lips when he took her hands and guided them to his shoulders. He swooped down, taking her in his arms and carrying her to the bed, laying her down with such tenderness that she found herself grateful she didn’t need her legs.