Chapter 20

Ryker-

Rushing to Taelin’s side, I pulled her into my arms and held her close. When she had gone off on her own, I had thought the absolute worst. It only intensified when I saw the large rogue jump off the building to run to the woods.

I wanted to yell at her for behaving as she had, but I was too overwhelmed with emotions at seeing her alive. I did my best to cover her naked body from the other males from seeing, while at the same time I didn’t care. She bombarded me by saying she was my mate, then left without giving me time to process it.

“I am fine.” Taelin’s soft voice filled my ears, nearly making me tear up.

Without a word, I pulled my shirt off and helped her into it. Once she was covered, I lifted her into my arms. I knew she could walk, but I needed her close, as did my wolf.

Neither of us believed she was our mate, but at this moment, I didn’t care. Besides, even if she were my mate, there wasn’t anything I could do about it. If I marked her she would only die.

By the time