NATALIE “ You mean they will do everything to get rid of me? ” I tilt my head, throwing him a curious look. Ryker shrugs his shoulders. “ They will say you don’t fit here. Leaving you in the open and unleashed can bring harm — some shit like this. And then they will take you away so they can use you as a weapon against others probably. ” I huff, dropping down on the pillow and pulling the duvet to my neck. My heart beat has slowed down considerably. “ And what will you do? You will let them take me? ” I utter, stealing a glance at his serious face. He narrows his eyes, the usual scary look overcoming the calm ocean. “ You expect me to protect you? ” He slumps down beside my waist, looking down at me. “ Isn’t this your duty as my mate? ” I smile at him sweetly. Ryker pokes the inside of his cheek with his tongue, his neck muscles stretching. My eyes trail down to his neck and then down to his heaving chest slowly as I drag the duvet to my chin. “ Get up. ” He speaks sternly, hi

RYKER “ Natalie was looked after, pampered and allowed to do whatever she pleased. Alpha and Beta worshipped her like the Original—their nameless council master had instructed them to do. ” Her tone becomes shrilly. “ They allowed her to train but never enough to ever defend herself. They made sure she remained weak and under their control for the big day. ” She cackles. “ The day she shifts would be the day the council asshole will come to kill her — I heard them talking about it. He wanted to kill her and steal her life force. An original werewolf who can control not one but two elements— ” “ Will be unstoppable. And he will hold two votes in the council instead of one. ” I finish it for her, connecting the dots on my own. My eyes meet Anne’s round eyes. She nods her head subtly. “ But it didn’t happen. ” She mutters gently. “ She didn’t shift. She broke all their dreams. They hated her for it. And then they treated her worse than any other human daughter. ” “ What? ” I coc

RYKERMy eyes are drawn to the pair of shimmering Ambers. There is fear clouding the jewels and it hits me deep in the gut.How can I let her mark me when I haven’t been honest with her about Anne? Or when I still have to take revenge for Britney?There is unfinished business. When I let her mark me, I want this fucking unfinished business to not get between us ever again.“ It’s not that…I don’t want you to mark me. ” I mumble, finding it difficult to talk about it like always.“ What—What is it then? ” Her hands curl into fists, bunching my shirt.“ Time. You said we should give it some time. Can you wait? ” I tilt my head, my eyes lowering to her sinful full lips.She nods her head slowly and tries to gets away from me. I tighten my hold around her waist, ready to fucking whine.I need her. I can’t function right without fucking her senseless at least one time a day. The addictive shit is getting to my head and even making my heart to pump blood faster these days.“ Ryke. ” Her swe

NATALIE I come back after washing myself and find Ryker lying dead on the couch. His right arm is hanging by the edge while the other one is draped over his stomach. We had sex. I not—so accidentally marked him. He got angry and without saying a word, rushed to get a bath while I stayed here feeling proud of myself for the very first time in my life. Then, he came back and slumped down here. The day has turned into night, yet he is still lying in the same position, his eyes staring at the ceiling. ‘ He is sulking. ’ Nyla snickers in my mind to my surprise. ‘ Oh yeah. I bet he only expected to have sex but his lack of control over his pp got him marked instead. ’ I chime, almost laughing out evilly. “ How long are you going to stay like this? ” I trot to him and plump close to his feet. Ryke doesn’t pay me any attention and continues to stare at the ceiling, his eyes comically narrowed. A grin tugs the corner of my lips. My eyes scan his bare upper body and lower down to his s

RYKER A werewolf council fucker wanting to hold two votes and wanting to control two elements. At the same time, a council asshole involved in the murder of my mate. This all makes sense now. A bigger plan is in motion. Probably a scheme to bring back the original hierarchy where a King ruled all the werewolf community — King Fredrick of the werewolf council whose reign came to an end when Evangelina chose a human life over all the power. She started the movement, asking for his dismissal because he had tried killing her lover. All the other three originals sided with her and he was not a King anymore. He was normal like the rest of the originals — respected but not feared or bowed to. If my theory is correct, then the one who is trying to become King can be challenged by an Alpha for his position. This time, the asshole wants to make sure no one stands against him like they did against Fredrick. Getting rid of all the powerful enemies right when Natalie was supposed to shift w