Page 32 of Collar Me Crazy (Hollow Oak Mates #8)

RYKER

T he old barn behind Luka's woodworking shop had been transformed into an impromptu training ground. Seven men of different supernatural backgrounds gathered in the pre-dawn darkness, their combined presence creating an energy that made Ryker's wolf recognize them as pack.

"Alright," Callum said, his lion's authority natural and unquestioned. "Tomorrow we're defending our mates and our home during the most vulnerable moment any of us have ever faced. Let's make sure we're ready."

Emmett stepped forward, his wolf instincts already cataloging sight lines and defensive positions. "Ryker, you'll be focused on Sonya during the claiming. You won't be able to maintain awareness of the broader battle."

"Which is where we come in," Lucien added, his panther grace evident even in stillness. "We create a defensive perimeter that lets you concentrate on what matters most."

Ryker nodded, noting how naturally they'd fallen into tactical planning. No hierarchy based on species or age—just experienced fighters working together toward a common goal.

"Show us your wolf form," Maddox said, his scholarly nature focused on practical application. "We need to understand your capabilities when you're shifted."

"Why?"

"Because if things go badly, you might need to fight while protecting Sonya," Kieran explained, his tiger instincts sharp. "We need to know how you move, how fast you are, what your blind spots might be."

Ryker hesitated, old habits of privacy warring with new understanding of trust. But these men had offered to risk their lives for him and Sonya. They deserved to know what they were working with.

He stripped quickly, folding his clothes out of respect for Luka's workspace. The shift flowed through him like water, auburn fur rippling over expanding muscle as his frame expanded to accommodate his wolf's massive size.

"Holy hell," Elias breathed, his bear appreciating another large predator. "You're bigger than I expected."

Ryker's wolf stood seven feet at the shoulder, built for both speed and power. His coloring was unusual—not the typical gray or brown, but burnished copper that caught light like fire. When he moved, it was with liquid grace that spoke of generations of apex predators.

"Blood moon heritage," Varric's voice came from the barn's entrance as the elder wolf joined them. "The prophecy marked him for a reason."

"Can you maintain human intelligence while shifted?" Luka asked, his bear understanding the importance of cognitive control.

Ryker nodded his massive head, then demonstrated by moving through a series of complex maneuvers that required planning and foresight. His wolf was fully intelligent, capable of strategy and coordination even in the heat of battle.

"Good," Callum said with satisfaction. "Because tomorrow you'll need both instinct and intellect."

Ryker shifted back to human form, accepting the clothes Kieran handed him. "What's the defensive formation?"

"Circle within a circle," Emmett explained, sketching positions in the dirt floor. "The seven couples form the outer ring, creating a barrier of combined magical energy. You and Sonya occupy the center during the claiming."

"But we need contingencies," Maddox added, his analytical mind working through possibilities. "What if the Void breaks through our perimeter? What if it targets specific couples to weaken the formation?"

"Then we adapt," Lucien said simply. "Panthers are solitary by nature, but even I understand that some battles require teamwork."

"Tell me about your claiming," Ryker said to him. "What should I expect during the ritual itself?"

Lucien's expression softened slightly. "Complete focus on your mate. Everything else fades away until there's only her heartbeat, her scent, the connection between you. But that intensity can be overwhelming if you're not prepared for it."

"The claiming mark has to be precise," Callum added. "On her hip, where the bond point is strongest. Too shallow and it won't take. Too deep and you could hurt her."

"And the timing matters," Emmett said. "The mark should come at the moment of climax, when her body is most receptive to the bond."

Heat rose in Ryker's cheeks, but he made himself listen. These men had been through their own claiming rituals. Their advice could mean the difference between success and catastrophe.

"The energy release can be intense," Kieran warned. "My tiger was barely in control during the marking. Have Sonya guide the magical flow so it doesn't overwhelm the defensive grid."

"What about after?" Ryker asked. "Once the bond is complete?"

"Then you become something new," Luka said quietly. "Not just two individuals who care about each other, but a true mated pair. The connection is permanent, unbreakable. You'll feel what she feels, know when she's in danger, be able to sense her emotions even from a distance."

"It's terrifying and wonderful," Maddox added. "But it's also the strongest magic any of us possess."

They spent the morning drilling formations, practicing rapid deployment, coordinating their different abilities into a cohesive defense. Ryker found himself marveling at how seamlessly they worked together despite their varied backgrounds.

"You know," he said during a break, "a year ago I would never have believed this was possible."

"What, working with a bunch of alpha males without starting a territory war?" Elias asked with dry humor.

"Being part of something bigger than my own fears." Ryker looked around at the gathered men, noting how they'd naturally arranged themselves in a protective circle around him. "Having brothers."

"You always had brothers," Callum said firmly. "You just weren't ready to accept them yet."

"And now you're ready to fight for your family," Emmett said with satisfaction. "That's all any of us can ask for."

As afternoon approached, they finalized their defensive strategy, assigned positions, and coordinated signal systems. But more importantly, Ryker felt something settle in his soul—the peace that came from belonging somewhere, with people who would stand with him no matter what.

"One more day," Lucien said as they prepared to leave.

"One more day," Ryker agreed. "Then we find out if love really can save the world."

"It can," Kieran said with certainty. "I've seen what these bonds can do when we stop fighting them and start embracing them."

As they dispersed to their final preparations, Ryker carried with him not just tactical knowledge, but something far more valuable. The absolute certainty that he wasn't facing tomorrow alone.

He had his pack. He had his community. He had brothers who would die before they let him fall.

And tomorrow, he would finally claim his mate and discover what they could become as one.

The thought no longer terrified him. Instead, it filled him with anticipation.