82 - Kennedy


    I can''t help but feel a surge of pride in myself. Despite the intense urge bubbling inside to throw a tantrum or storm out of the room, I hold my ground. I refuse to be trapped inside the house again, especially now that Amy has returned, stirring up trouble like she always does. It''s clear she doesn''t care one bit that Ryker has a mate now. I remember the tension when I first arrived her hostility was obvious. Back then, I wondered if Ryker shared some deeper bond with her, or if he''d made promises to her long ago, considering his age. Being twenty-six and still unbonded isn''t unheard of, but it''s definitely unusual. Now, after spending more time around Ryker and observing his behavior, especially the way he held me close when Amy was standing right there, it''s obvious the obsession is one-sided-hers, not his.


    That realization is hard to digest. The way he held me-so protectively, almost possessively. Even something as simple as using me to shield his bare skin made me feel... something I''m hesitant to name, afraid I might jinx it if I dwell on it too much. After we came to the office, when he saw the upset on my face, he came straight to me, as if I were the only thing that mattered in that moment. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts as I consider how to keep my sanity while I wait.


    I decide to start in my new office. The study has quickly be one of my favorite sanctuaries. I''ve spent countless hours here with Sarah, Greta, Robin, Be, and Danny, poring over books and research, trying to find anything that might confirm or refute Ryker''s fears about marking me. Danny usually can''t stay focused for more than twenty minutes before he starts pacing or wanders off to do something else. So far, we haven''t found anything conclusive enough to move forward, but convincing Ryker is an entirely different challenge.


    Based on his behavior today, though, I''m confident he''ll give in soon. He can''t hold out much longer, and he even admitted he likes the sassy, jealous side of me. I caught the way he watched me while I was stretching on the deck-his gaze was intense, almost hungry. Maybe I''ll have to push him over the edge by driving him crazy. A sly smile spreads across my face as a n begins to form in my mind.


    With thoughts of seducing Ryker swirling happily in my head, the day passes surprisingly quickly. I share dinner with Robin, who mentions she hasn''t heard from the guys since they left to interrogate the rogues. She says it''s normal for prisoners to lose track of time, which sounds far from reassuring. After saying goodnight to everyone, I head upstairs to our room, hoping a warm bath might help distract me.


    As I walk down the hallway, I notice my old bedroom door is still broken-months have passed since it was damaged. I understand why Ryker never fixed it; he dyed the repairs as long as possible to keep me close. Now, I can''t imagine sleeping anywhere else. I smile at the memory, but that smile fades instantly when a sickly sweet scent hits me. My heart pounds with fury. If Ryker is in here with Amy, I swear I''ll burn this ce down and tear him apart.


    Without hesitation, I m the door open with such force that I probably dent the drywall. All I hear before her loud, fake moan is a faint squeak. The scene in front of me is beyond words-Amy sprawled face down on our bed, legs spread wide, her body deliberately disyed for whoever enters. She clearly intended to entice, but she wasn''t expecting me.


    "Oh, Alpha, I thought you''d never get here," she purrs, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “It took you so long to get rid of that nasty little human leech. Come help me finish, mmm, hurry!"


    “GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY BED, YOU DIRTY WHORE!” I roar, rushing over to grab her by the hair and drag her screaming off the bed.


    I pull her out of our bedroom and down the hallway, her shrieks and kicks echoing with every step. I can feel strands of her hair tearing free, but I refuse to loosen my grip-not for a second.


    "I warned you," I growl. "The next time you came near my mate, I''d drag you outside and rip your hair out piece by piece. Now, I get the added bonus of throwing your naked ass out while ripping it all out." I let her crash down every stair, each ''oof'' and groan fueling my anger.


    By now, I know we''ve made quite the scene. It''s not toote, so people are still moving about on the main floor. Robin rushes out, but stops dead when she sees me. Whether it''s the expression on my face or the woman I''m holding, she doesn''t hesitate—she moves to open the door for me without asking a single question or offering a confused look.