Chapter 43 Ryder
Forty-Three
RYDER
As I near camp, the night begins creeping up on me. Exhaustion, because as much as I loved sleeping with Carina, it wasn’t as restful as it could have been; being in the open with her exposed meant staying aware.
Fuck, this whole week has been one ongoing hellscape of exhaustion from the moment Twilight Grove hurt Dad—and it’s looking like it’ll be another week before I’ll rest properly again.
“Alpha.” Graham rises from his place by the stump used to mark a sentry point. He jogs over, relieved—until seeing me. I don’t quite know what he sees, but it has his eyes widening. “Ryder?”
“Where’s Xander?”
“Patrolling. He wasn’t sure since you were…”
Not part of my own father’s passing ritual.
“I’ll find him.”
Finding Xander is simple, stumbling across the grey wolf, who, as he catches my scent, shifts into human form. “Where the hell have you been?” My panicked friend makes room for the beta in him, and as quickly as he asks, his expression cools into a chillier, “Alpha.”
Rank is only useful if it serves getting her home to me. “Gather Conan and Holly. I want you three with me. We’re heading to see Morgan and then travelling to Ontario.”
“Ontar—” He chokes. “Ryder, what is going on?” Before I can answer, his nose catches the scents lingering on me. “Where is she? Her scent is…strong.”
I snarl because he has no right to be asking where another wolf’s mate is. Carina is none of his business—even if his sentiment is understood.
“Oh.” Xander sniffs the air again. “Oh. Ryder—”
“Don’t.” I cut him off with a wave of my hand. “It happened and she was taken by Twilight Grove, and I’m going now and need backup.”
“Of course.” Xander’s pace increases as he trails me back to camp. “What do I tell the others? The pack? You leaving so suddenly will be noticed.”
“Tell them the fucking truth. That Carina’s my mate, that one of our own is in danger, and that I’ll slaughter any witch who dares stand between me and her.”
An hour later, I’m standing by the edge of camp where most of the pack is gathered while recounting the past day to them. Questions rise, which Marissa happily takes on, since every second spent hanging around is another that keeps Carina in danger.
Conan, Holly, and Xander follow me from camp.
A backpack of clothes and packs of water Holly was wise enough to gather is slung onto Conan’s back.
Following the well-wishes of everyone else, who, despite their shock, seem to care only about the fact that their Alpha’s mate is endangered, we leave while Leah trails us out.
“Stay safe.” She blinks up at Xander for an extra beat. “Don’t do anything stupid. Ryder, bring her home.”
“By my death if required, she will come back.”
Colour streaks from the camp and rams into my legs. Claire’s small arms attempt to wrap around mine, only reaching my knees. “Bring her home so she can live here with you and me and Mommy and everyone. She’ll like being your mate.”
I sincerely doubt that but merely smile at the child.
Conan and Holly follow me after a quick goodbye to Leah, and Xander joins after another two.
He falls into step beside me. “Where first?”
“Highridge.”