Page 68 of Claiming Her Alpha
He nodded proudly. “Yes, and it’s an honour.”
“What is an honour?” Kendra asked, appearing in the entryway.
“Getting my ass whooped by you.”
Kendra placed a quick kiss on Ryker’s cheek before pulling him to the kitchen. It was a big house with the office and formal dining room at the front and kitchen and living room to the back. Wooden stairs led up to the second floor where Ryker assumed the bedrooms were.
In the kitchen, Kendra’s mother waited with an excited and curious smile on her face.
“Mom, this is Ryker. Ryker, this is my mom, Maya.”
He held out his hand, but she pulled him into a hug instead. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ryker.”
“The pleasure is all mine.”
She gently squeezed him before pulling back and turning to Mike, inspecting his dish. “I thought I told Lina not to make anything. I’m sure Lukas is keeping her busy enough.”
“She insisted and can be a force to reckon with–I value my life.”
“Such a fierce warrior,” Kendra teased. Then she turned serious and looked up at Ryker. “What happened?”
“Alpha Vallerian left. Gabriel will be taking his place tonight.” His heart ached because the next words hurt without even having them out in the open. “He released me from the pack bond.”
“Oh Ryker!” Kendra wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a hug. “I’m so sorry.”
“I should’ve seen it coming.”
“My plans are confirmed,” she announced. “Mike, get the word out that we will combine both alpha and luna ceremony. I want everyone to meet Ryker tomorrow.”
“I’ll get right on it.” He turned to Ryker and grinned “Welcome to the pack, Alpha Ryker.”
Ryker spent the afternoon with Kendra and her mother, helping them where he could but also trying to be as close to Kendra as possible. She reached out at every turn too, leaning against him or resting a hand on his arm. It still felt like a dream, and he was having a hard time processing it. He just couldn’t believe that all his suffering was over. Seeing himself as a Shadow Wolf was strange, but it was even harder to see himself as alpha. He would never go back home, never even be allowed to cross the blood line, and that fucking stung, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.
“I think that is it,” Maya announced, relieved as she pulled out the last dish from the oven.
“Thanks, Mom.”
“I hope we never stop having these days.” She pulled Kendra into a hug then kissed her cheek. “Have fun tonight.” She gave Ryker a beaming smile before heading out.
Kendra looked around and suddenly seemed nervous. “I can grab you some of Kent’s clothes? Unless you brought a shirt?”
“No button up.”
She stepped closer and ran her fingers over his stomach before resting them on his chest. Her eyes travelled dreamily over his body, and whatever it was she imagined made her blood rush to her cheeks.
“Look at me.” His tone was more demanding than he’d wanted it to be.
Her eyes shot up to him, their heat burning into his soul.
“Show me your room.”
She worried her lower lip, her heart racing and her breathing heavy. Insecurity washed over him, unsure if she even liked him being so dominant. She was his luna. He was hers to command–not the other way around. For a split second, she stared up at him before the colour in her cheeks darkened and she grabbed him by the hand. She tugged him up the stairs and down a hallway to her bedroom. The rooms they passed looked empty, and he only now realized that her family must have moved out so, she as luna could have the house to herself. To his surprise, she didn’t take him to the master.
They entered a small bedroom, a queen-sized bed in the midst. The wall above the bed was decorated with pictures, and a small desk sat to their right. She seemed a little reserved as she observed the way he took in each inch of her private space.
“Show me what you’re going to wear tonight.” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them, so he quickly added, “Please.”
That made her laugh, her whole face beaming before she turned to her closet. “I like that side of you.”