92 - Ryker


    “Cut it out.” I snapped at Danny, who had been pestering me relentlessly, trying to shift my mood. His energy was all over the ce like a hyperactive puppy hopped up on too much sugar.


    One of our warriors had spotted ude moving with a small band of rogues, far beyond the safety of his own territory or any familiar outposts. It was too suspicious to be a coincidence. Without hesitation, I gathered the men and set out to track him down. We managed to catch one of them, but it felt far too easy—like a trap or a distraction. What was ude trying to pull? Why lure us away from the packhouse? The only answer I coulde up with was Kennedy. He must know how formidable I am solo, but now that I have my mate by my side, we''re practically unstoppable. I can already sense my strength and reflexes sharpening more intense than anything I''ve experienced before.


    The footprints imprinted in the soil caught my attention, and for a fleeting moment, I thought about Kennedy. Is this what it feels like for her when she''s tracking? My hearing and sense of smell have sharpened too. I used to have to consciously tune out background noise, but now? I''m pretty sure I just caught a squirrel burping.


    “Bossman, what''s the move here? I can see those gears turning." Josh stepped between Danny and me, stopping me from smacking Danny on the back of the head again. Danny was still bouncing around to some silent beat only he could hear, deliberately bumping into me. I knew exactly what he was doing, but I just didn''t have the patience for it right now.


    "I''m not sure," I admitted. "I don''t pick up any other scents nearby. They''ve been gone for about thirty minutes. I don''t get how they''re slipping away when we''re closing in from all sides. It''s definitely ude and Rick. The other scents don''t ring a bell, but two are warriors and thest one is an omega.”


    "That makes no sense," Danny finally dropped his silly antics and got serious. "Was ude always nning to sacrifice the omega if they got caught?"


    "Probably," Josh said tly. "He never gave a damn about his pack. That''s why no one was upset when a sixteen-year-old took over. At that point, anything was better than ude. No offense, Boss."


    “No offense taken,” I said, thinking the same thing. "He''s got to be hunting for something, feeling something out, and I''m sure it has everything to do with Kennedy. She''s the only real change in thest ten months. We''re all getting stronger because of her, and he knows it. His time is running out.”


    Josh chuckled. “Yeah, I noticed that this morning. I woke up, went three rounds with Tanya before we left, and I still feel amazing. What the hell have you been up to, Bossman? Because I like it!"


    I didn''tugh. "Well, whatever it is, make sure you thank the Luna properly for me," Josh teased, winking. I rolled my eyes, fighting the urge to punch him, but only earned another round ofughter. Even Josh struggled to keep a straight face.


    I let out a low growl, the distance between Kennedy and me gnawing at my nerves. I needed her to calm me down. Being apart, especially for so long, made me restless. I knew Be was with her, and I''d asked my mother to keep her distracted so she wouldn''t worry about my absence all day. But Mom had gotten way too excited when she told me not to worry at all-which only made me more anxious. Who knew what she was up to? And of course, she wouldn''t tell me, no matter how much I tried to link with her telepathically. She also told me not to bother Kennedy, which only deepened my suspicions. She was meddling, that much was obvious.


    "Josh, let''s head to ude''s ce. Maybe we can catch him there. Danny, take a team and fan out. Report anything you find immediately. Greta......”


    "Yeah, Boss?" Greta jogged up to me.


    "I want you at the packhouse. Don''t let Kennedy know—at least not yet but keep an eye on her and my mother."


    "If she asks, I can''t lie to her, Bossman. Just so you know. You''re not the only one getting stronger. Her aura''s been growing every day. Ever since she wiped the floor with Amy and imed you in front of the pack, we can barely meet her gaze. Her aura might even be stronger than yours when you finally mark her.”