69 - Kennedy


    "Are you joining us for breakfast today, Luna?" Danny called out, not allowing me to linger any longer with Be.


    "I suppose so," I replied with a slight shrug. I remembered Ryker mentioningst night that he wanted me to sit with him during meals, but I wasn''t sure if it was a gentle request, a firmmand, or simply a way to get me to engage in conversation.


    "Great!" Danny eximed, looping his arm around mine. I couldn''t help but giggle as we began walking away. Naturally, Ryker growled in protest, but Danny paid no mind.


    I was certain they were exchanging words through the mindlink, but for once, it didn''t bother me. I knew Danny was teasing Ryker about me, and honestly, I didn''t mind. What intrigued me most was observing how Ryker behaved around his pack members when I was present. The man had seemed hesitant and unsurest night, but that was unlike the Alpha I knew-strong, confident, andmanding in front of his pack. So far, he had made it clear that I wasn''t significant to him, mostly ignoring me and leaving me alone. Only a handful of females shot me dirty looks, but none had taken any further action.


    I felt a sudden tension as we stepped into the breakfast room. Amy sat at the table nearest the entrance, clearly waiting to pounce on Ryker. Her half-standing stance was oddlyical, but her expression was pure venom. My worriessted only a moment before strong, warm hands wrapped around my waist from behind, and Danny''s arm slid away from my shoulder. Ryker pulled me back against his chest, and a wave of relief washed over me. Danny stayed to my right; Be took the left.


    "You okay?" Ryker whispered softly in my ear.


    I nodded, though he wasn''t satisfied.


    "I need to hear it, mate," he insisted, his voice low and urgent. A shiver ran through me, and I leaned closer into him.


    "Yes, I''m fine," I murmured. Without hesitation, Ryker slipped between Danny and me, guiding us toward his table,pletely ignoring Amy''s futile attempts to speak. I smiled at the side he chose. What he didn''t realize was that the more jealous he acted, the more Danny would tease him-and I was more than willing to encourage that.


    As we moved through the room, my gaze drifted to the window, and I gasped. Without thinking, I made my way toward the door that led to the back patio. Stepping outside, a cool st of air hit my face, forcing me to squint as my eyes adjusted to the dazzling sunlight reflecting off the untouched snow.


    "Oh wow," I breathed. "It looks like millions of diamonds are scattered across the branches and the ground. Given how Silver Crescent is arranged, with the packhouse at the center, it''s rare to see fresh snow this pristine.” The scene was breathtaking.


    "Please tell me you''ve seen snow before," Ryker rumbled, his voice deep and teasing even when he was mocking me, it sounded incredibly sexy.


    "Yes, I''ve seen snow, Ryker," I replied, amused.


    "I think I''m beginning to understand why my wolf is so captivated by the way you say his name. Your voice is beautiful—he could listen to you talk for hours. Are you a fan of winter, mate?"


    "I enjoy all the seasons," I said thoughtfully. "It''s just umon to see snow like this —so pure, clean, and untouched. Does it stay this way long around here? It never did back home."


    "That depends on..." Ryker began, but before he could finish-


    “AHHHHHHHHH! You''re going down!" a sudden shout cut through the air.


    “Umpf!” Ryker yanked me to his side just as a blur zipped past us. A cloud of snow exploded into the air as Be and Danny collided in a yful skirmish.


    "That," Ryker chuckled behind me, "is what I''m talking about." I couldn''t help butugh too. You''d think these grown men would have outgrown snowball fights and wrestling in the snow, but clearly, I was mistaken.


    Josh strolled up beside me, shaking his head with a mock scowl. "Fucking children,"


    he muttered, though the amusement in his eyes betrayed his words.


    "Too good for a snowball fight, Beta?” I teased, ducking as a rogue snowball whizzed past us.


    “Never, Luna,” he replied with a grin. "But like any fight, there''s got to be some strategy."


    "Isn''t the strategy just to have the most snowballs and get hit the least? There''s not much more to it than that."


    "Did I catch a challenge in your voice?"


    "Maybe," I admitted, "but I''m smart enough not to challenge you before I see what you''re capable of. You''re a sneaky fighter-I bet your throw is wicked, and your aim deadly." It was cold out here, and I wasn''t dressed for snow y-my jeans and sweater wouldn''t hold up for long. But standing here on the deck next to Ryker, I felt perfectlyfortable.


    "Luna... Iing!" Danny shouted.


    Instinctively, I grabbed Ryker''s shirt and spun us around just as I heard the soft thuds of snow hitting his back, and tiny flecks of snow dusted my face from over his shoulder.


    "I see how it is," Rykerughed, looking down at me.


    "You still owe me. It''s only fair," I said with a shrug and a smile.


    He tightened his arms around me. "As long as you keep looking at me like that, they can keep throwing snowballs at me all day."


    Thump, thump, thump. He pulled me closer, his shoulders curling protectively as the snowballs continued to fly.