Page 18

Chapter eighteen

Ryann

Sex with this pack is a dirty and intense experience that doesn’t seem to end. It just rolls from one day to another. A week passes with us going to work, doing the things we need to do, and when we come back home, fucking as often as we possibly can. Even the two days Wren and Raider were at an away game, we still fucked like crazy.

I haven’t seen any signs that my life is about to go pear-shaped. In fact, I’m starting to think I overreacted. Maybe it was just a stranger in the woods, and the cars were just a random act of vandalism.

I was careful when I left Dustin. I went with no trace. Surely, I’ve finally escaped?

As the days go by, my confidence grows, and I start to relax. Kit drags me downstairs and dresses me in a beautiful white sundress that makes me feel incredibly beautiful. He does my makeup and hair and then comes out in a black shirt with a black corset on and pants that make his legs look like they go on for days. His makeup is subtle but flawlessly executed.

I stare. I can’t make a sound.

I don’t want anyone else to see him like this.

“Wait here!” I rush to Callan’s office and grab my camera. Kit shakes his head in amusement.

“Tell me how you want me.”

“Just put your hands on your hips, move them in front of you, and then clasp them behind. Strong expression.”

I take a number of photos and then try some angles looking up at him .

I wish Kit could see himself how I see him. With another long look at him, I reluctantly put the camera down.

I can take more another day. Right now, I just want to see him.

“Shall we?”

“Yes.”

“Where are we going?”

“Raider and Wren have some kind of benefit, and I’m bringing you with me.”

I pull back on his hold. Nope, that’s not where I want to go.

“He won’t be there. Coach is going to be out of the state,” Kit murmurs. “It will be fun, and I’ll get to show you off in public.”

I give into his pulling and study him. “When are you going to start pushing these designs, Kit?”

“I think I’ll try and launch when Ryn starts wearing my clothes.”

“You could also use your hockey player hotties to advertise. Imagine Raider in a corset.”

Kit pauses and glances back at me. “You think they would?”

“I think they’d be angry if you didn’t ask them. Plus, you know, brother-in-law Kelly would look stunning in an ocean-themed coat.”

Kit laughs lightly and directs me towards the car.

We get to the benefit and walk in. The guys are in shirts and look nice, but no one looks as good as Kit. He doesn’t even see the people checking him out. The whole room is an upscale event decorated with a beautiful white and gold theme.

“So that woman in the red dress with her tits falling out is staring at you like she’d jump you in a heartbeat.”

Kit almost trips over.

“And the guy on my left just spilled wine on his partner because he was too busy looking at you.”

“I don’t think it’s me they are looking at,” Kit hisses.

I chuckle and motion to another man who gives Kit an up down and subtle up nod.

Kit’s cheeks turn red.

“Own it, babe.”

Kit’s eyes turn molten. “Babe?”

I shrug self-consciously.

“Keep that up, and we won’t make it to the buffet table.”

“Promises, promises.”

The benefit is being held in a huge, restored building that has an entrance through a beautiful old and architecturally brilliant archway. However, the real show is when you walk inside, and it transforms into a modern gem with vast ceilings. The entire back end of the building has glass doors that have been folded back, leaving us standing on the bank of the Greene River.

A server walks past, pausing. Kit retrieves two glasses of champagne and passes me one, guiding me further into the mass of people.

“Who is everyone?” I ask in a hushed whisper.

“Most of everyone is affiliated with sports, but people have packs, so there are more than just that.”

“And what are we benefiting?”

“A disabled children’s school.”

Oh. That is so nice. I don’t know why I’m surprised, but I figured it would be something less charitable.

I spot Callan wearing a black shirt and slacks. He looks really professional, and I can see the accountant in him. Beside him are two middle-aged men.

“Who is Callan speaking with?”

“That would be Wren’s dads.”

I jerk to a stop. Kit looks back and smiles.

“Don’t tell me you’re afraid?”

I glower at him. “Don’t start what you can’t finish, Kit.”

Kit chuckles and gestures towards Wren and Raider, who approach Callan and flank him.

I heave an exasperated sigh. “I’m not a fan of surprises.”

“You weren’t saying that last night,” Kit murmurs.

My eyes widen, and I glance around to see if anyone is close enough to overhear. “Again, don’t start something you’re not prepared to finish,” I mutter back and brush my hand down the front of my dress, smoothing out the invisible wrinkles.

“Oh, I can finish, and I can make sure you finish, too. Right here in the middle of everyone, even.”

I raise an eyebrow. It is so tempting to take him up on it.

He simply sips his champagne and puts a hand on the upper curve of my ass and guides me towards the group.

I have never wanted to be anywhere else more desperately than I do right now.

Suck it up, come on, Ryann. They don’t know you’re fucking their kid. It will be fine. Just smile, say hello, and run away.

I put a smile on my face and lift my chin. When we join the group, they smile warmly at Kit.

“Kit, we’ve been so looking forward to meeting you in person!”

Kit inclines his head and shakes hands with the two alphas. Their scent, a strange floral disinfectant, is not at all similar to Wren’s, and they look nothing like him.

They turn their eyes on me, as I expected they would, and I open my mouth to introduce myself.

“Why, hello, Ryann, isn’t it? Oh, Wren, she is lovely.”

My eyes widen, and I lose all ability to talk.

“Dad,” Wren practically whines.

“I’m Elmer, and this is my pack mate Gunther.” The tall alpha is thin with brown hair and an easy smile. Elmer looks like someone you’d want to sit on a porch with a glass of lemonade and discuss the weather with. While Gunther is shorter with black hair and watchful eyes, I think earning his friendship would be difficult but lifelong.

I think, in another life, I could like them, but not my life. I don’t do friends. I don’t have families. This is all too much. I’m drowning in hope and fear; one brings painful memories while the other plays out painful futures. I can’t do this.

Why did Wren tell them about me? We discussed this.

“Hey, son, could I have a word?” Gunther grips Wren’s arm and jerks his head to the side. “Have you had any strange phone calls lately?”

Wren snaps his head to face him. “She called you, too?”

“Would you excuse me?” Gunther says politely, giving me a small smile. “Sorry, Ryann. This won’t take a minute.”

“Give me a second,” Wren says to his dad.

I turn to go, but Wren stays with me.

“Ryann?”

I ignore him, smiling at people as I head for the exit.

“Ryann, don’t be mad. I’m sorry. No, I’m not sorry, whether you intend it or not, I want you to be pack, you’re important, and if you choose not to stay with us, I won’t regret this time we spent together.”

We’re outside, so I turn to him, letting him see the panic in my eyes.

“Why?”

“Why?” Wren scoffs. “Because you belong with us. Because the moment I met you, all of the things that were holding me back from committing faded away. You are part of Pack Mogel, Ryann. You will always be a part of this pack, even if you choose not to have anything to do with us. I’ve been running this whole time, and it took meeting you to realise I couldn’t run anymore.”

The words terrify me.

They tempt me to stay; they twist my intentions and ability to be clear. His words anchor me to a place and give me fear because now I have something to lose .

Now I might feel again how I felt when I lost my parents.

I don’t want that.

It’s too late.

Wren grabs the back of my neck and presses a hard kiss to my lips. I cling to him, feeling like everything is swirling out of my control.

I want this. And them.

Fine.

I’ll fight. If push comes to shove, and I’m backed into a corner, I’ll fight to stay with them.

We walk back into the house, and I stop dead, staring at the spot like it's a venomous snake.

My camera is gone.

I inhale and exhale.

Kit’s photos.

I feel sick.

My camera is gone.

This is the fourth time in three years.

I was wrong.

Without alarming the pack, I pace around the house, checking to see if anything else is missing. The only other thing missing are the clothes in my room, specifically my jacket.

It’s one I’ve had for two years and has helped me disappear multiple times.

I guess he’s finally figured out my game.

I sit down on my bed in the beautiful dress. I’m not really surprised it’s him, I knew. Of course, I knew he was here. I can feel him.

I chew my bottom lip while I absorb the blow.

My stalker has been a relentless pain in my ass. He’s terrifyingly good at what he does and has been hunting me for years.

I’m so tired of running and hiding and not living my life.

I don’t want to wonder if everyone I meet is the person who is invading my life. Wondering who, what, where, when, and how will he finally get me.

I clench my fingers in the bedspread. In a way, him taking my camera was a blessing.

He’s taken the only thing I actually care about. Other than them. He probably thought it would weaken me, make me more afraid .

It hasn’t. It’s made me angry.

I jump up and walk out of my room to stand at the landing, looking down at the pack.

They feel like what I had with my parents. Safe. Loved. Not alone.

I’m prepared to fight and fall for them.

If I win, I win everything.

But if I lose…it might cost me more than I can bear.