Chapter 6 #3
I knew Ryder was a kitsune, but I didn’t really know what that entailed.
Did he shift like a wolf? Were there other magical elements involved with being one?
I found myself very much wanting to know more about him.
What I did know? Much like my other mates, his magic made me feel far different than I ever had in my life, and it was absolutely exhilarating and intoxicating.
His words had me searching for him, eager to see his face. I first stretched my body out on the surface I was laid out on, his body warmth so close to me it was almost as if he was laying next to me.
What was I laying on, again? The material was soft, worn, and cool…
Leather? I was almost positive this was leather.
I let out a happy sigh, feeling a bit out of it, my body heavy and my mind lulling itself into a net of safety where I didn’t have to think about anything else.
When a low, sexy rumble left Ryder’s throat, I snapped out of it, flinging myself up and coming nose to nose with the man in question.
“Hi.” My voice sounded odd to me, almost raspy.
Ryder’s eyes went from a burnt orange to nearly black, his fingers darting out to grab my waist in a hard hold.
I thought it was to be closer to him, as I followed his lips, only to realize I’d nearly been falling back onto the comfortable surface, my arms a bit unsteady in my attempt to hold myself up, especially while paired with the overwhelming experience that was Ryder.
So why had I been hoping he would kiss me?
I needed to get over this thing with Ryder; it was the only solution.
I needed to stop wanting him to want me, especially since I had issues speaking to the man, let alone anything else.
I needed to let him go…but it seemed like an impossible task.
What else was I supposed to do though? Despite him saying he wasn’t rejecting me, he had not only not explained anything to me, but also made a point of avoiding interactions like this.
Right? I mean, he had talked about my butt yesterday… I swear, this man had me in knots, and I had no idea how to deal with it.
“Where am I?” I asked softly.
“My place.”
“Like your house?” Because that sounded like heaven.
“The condo I keep in town, not in the city,” he answered, his eyes tracing my lips.
“Oh,” I breathed out, my gaze moving around the luxurious living room.
The style was exactly what I would have imagined Ryder occupying.
It was sophisticated and expensive, with masculine leather and metal touches, and a large modern fireplace that was currently a few feet away and roaring with heat.
I both loved it and hated it.
I loved it because I felt almost at home in his space, and hated it because I knew that this would probably be the only time I would be here.
“Why am I here?” I asked quietly.
Ryder made a low sound in his throat. “Do you not want to be?”
I frowned. “I didn’t say that. I am just trying to piece together what happened.”
“Your mates,” he drew out, always emphasizing the word as if trying to make some distinction to me.
“My mates,” I murmured.
“Yes, they almost killed one of the blood-bonded pack members and are being punished, so they thought it would be best if you weren’t on campus until they could be back in the dorms with you.”
Horror dawned on me as I processed his words. “Punished? They are being punished?” The word felt like cotton on my tongue.
“Yes, punished.” Ryder’s eyes seemed to flash with concern for a moment. “Violence is acceptable, but Dakota nearly killed that bastard, so if they don’t suffer some form of punishment, his family will flip, which will result in less financial support.”
Tears welled in my eyes. “They are being punished because of me.”
“No, Effie, it’s not like that,” Ryder insisted. “This is between them and the other pack.”
I was already shaking my head and trying to stand.
Trying being the key word, because Ryder had me pinned against the leather surface in a second flat.
I was breathing fast, and my words were a rambling mess.
“We have to go talk to them,” I explained, my voice high and panicked. “We have to explain it was my fault.”
“Effie.” Ryder’s voice was firm. “There is no way in hell you are going close to the president, let alone giving him that type of ammo. I’m sure he would fucking love to find an excuse to put you in the huler.”
“The what?” I whispered in fear.
Ryder hesitated. “They are a series of caves along the cliffside facing the lake. It’s where shifters who can’t control themselves or are going through a phase get put if the school is worried about other students’ safety and wellbeing…
At least that’s the theory. Obviously it’s not used for just that. ”
I pushed against Ryder’s chest, trying to escape his grasp. “We have to go get them.”
He shook his head. “We can’t, kitten. This is how the system works here.”
“I don’t care!” I bit out. “They shouldn’t be in the huler or whatever because Dakota got mad at someone for saying I was ‘fuckable.’ That’s bullshit.”
Ryder seemed momentarily surprised by my swearing—as was I, to be honest—but he quickly moved on.
“I know, Effie. I know. But there isn’t a way to fix this.
They should only be in there a day, probably less than twelve hours.
He can’t keep them in there for long or else their families will absolutely lose it. ”
“We have to do something,” I demanded.
“That something is keeping you safe and away from the blood-bonded pack who is probably seeking you out,” Ryder snarled. “Taking on four alphas is not a good idea, even for me, kitten.”
Drawing my lip in, I felt a weird state of numbness filter over me. Both at the guilt and from the violence I had seen today. I wanted…I wanted something. I had no idea what I wanted, but I needed some space. I couldn’t sit here anymore. I needed to move.
“I need you to get up.” I pressed on his chest, and he immediately let me up. I walked towards the windows, and the minute I touched the black surface it turned transparent and revealed the frozen landscape of Lake Michigan.
Pressing my hand against the glass, examining how gorgeous it was, I watched as icy waves crashed against the cliff the school sat on. I felt my throat tighten.
I turned towards Ryder slowly. “Are those…are they being held there?” I could see the water breaking into the caves as I looked back, which meant that they were in so much more danger than I’d initially assumed.
“Yes.” Ryder’s breath was hot against my neck as he appeared behind me.
I turned into him. “Please help me? You know we have to do something.”
Ryder’s eyes closed. “This is how shifters—”
“I don’t care if this is how shifters are normally. Those are my mates, and I am not okay with this,” I growled, my temper getting the better of me.
Ryder’s eyes flashed with heat. He looked out at the lake for a minute before slowly looking back at me. “There is no way I am letting you get close to the president. If you want to see them or get them out of there, then we need to find a better way.”
I nodded. “Then let’s do that.”