Chapter 12
Ryder, cigarette in hand, leaned on the bedside.
“I’m off to Vegas for business, a few days. Care to join?” His eyes held a glimmer of hope.
“Okay,” I said without pause.
Surprised, Ryder stubbed out his smoke, pulled me close, chuckling. “Scared I’ll bolt?”
I hugged back, half – joking, “Leave me again, I’ll marry the next guy.”
As we readied for the flight, I powered on my phone.
A flood of Bran’s calls and messages. I
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ignored them, called Laura.
Laura said, “Haven’t you talked to Bran? He’s at our place daily, wearing out the doorstep.”
“Lost my phone, new SIM. I’ll call him.”
On the jet, Ryder sat beside me. He parted my legs. His tongue traced my thigh.
I ended the call with Laura, texted Bran: “We’re done.”
Ryder glanced, wordlessly blocked Bran.
Then, his touch grew more intense.
For two hours, in the sky, we were lost in a wild sex.
Landing, Ryder held my waist.
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Outside, cars waited.
Ryder led me to one, whispered in my ear. He closed the door and moved to another car.
I obeyed, like an obedient slave.
Ryder stepped into his family for a crucial gathering. While I went to the hotel he arranged.
There, on the sofa, sat Selina, his fiancée of five long – years.
Everyone knew the Frost Wind Pack had teetered on the edge of ruin. It was Selina’s Starlight Pack saved the day. So, Ryder, bound by pack duty, had to accept Selina.
“Greetings, elders, Ryder said.
As the servants whisked away his coat, he
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stood in a thin shirt.
+
His shirt was a casualty of the flight, and a tell–tale red mark below his collarbone, a love bite from me, was starting to show.
Selina glided over.
Her eyes caught the mark, and she smoothly stepped between him and the elders. “Your shirt’s a bit off,” she whispered, her fingers deftly adjusting it.
“Thanks. That necklace really suits you,” Ryder replied.
Ryder’s mother, Polina, wasn’t so easily fooled. “Your hair’s a disaster, Ryder,” she chided.
Ryder ran a hand through his tousled locks, remembering our passionate flight
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encounter. “I’m not fussed about hair,
Mother.” he retorted.
“Fix it before dinner. You’re a disgrace,” Polina snapped.
Ryder forced a smile. “I’ll go tidy up. Be right back.”
As he walked away, he heard Polina say, “Ryder’s lucky to have Selina. She’ll make a great mate.”
Suddenly, Isabelle’s face filled his mind.
If only the Frost Wind Pack hadn’t faced that crisis, Isabelle would be his bride.
After a quick shower, Ryder emerged.
The family sat around the table.
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+ 5 Points
“Don’t rush. Stick to the plan,” Ryder’s father commanded.
Ryder nodded. “I know, Father. No need to fret.”
“I won’t clash with the Frost Wind Pack yet,
After a beat, he added, “At least not for three months.”
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