Chapter 3

I walked into the living room. Lorelei was already sitting on the main sofa.

Right next to where Ryker would sit. The Luna’s spot.

Ryker sat in a lone armchair, a slight frown creasing his brow. “How long are you staying this time?”

“I heard the pack was having some trouble, so I canceled my work engagements. I’ll be back for a while.”

Lorelei crossed her legs, acting like she owned the place. Her gaze swept over me with disdain.

“After all, the Silver Creek pack has caused Crimson Peak a lot of trouble lately. I hear you’re drowning in debt?”

The blue words popped into view.

[Careful! She’s been investigating the Silver Creek pack for three months.]

[She's using the debt to force you out!]

I let out a cold laugh.

“Is that so?” I walked over to Ryker’s side, looking down on her. “An outsider, gone for years, and the first thing you do when you return is stick your nose in pack business?”

Lorelei’s face changed. She sat up straight. “Who are you calling an outsider?”

“Lorelei.”

Ryker’s low voice cut in. Just her name. It was enough to kill her fire.

Lorelei bit her lip, her eyes flashing with resentment.

She suddenly changed her tune, that fake smile returning as she looked Ryker over with a critical eye.

“Ryker, I’m just worried about you. After all, that rogue attack three years ago… we all know what the doctors said.”

She paused, then looked at me with mock pity.

“It’s a shame, really, Cora. You’re in an impossible position. With his... ‘condition’... he can never complete a mating mark. Your marriage is just an empty title.”

The words in the air flickered wildly.

[She's the source of the rumors! She's the one who’s been telling everyone Ryker is broken!]

[She did it to scare off any potential allies so she could have him all to herself when she came back!]

Seeing that, a fire ignited in my gut.

Spreading rumors that my Alpha was broken?

I put my juice down and sat right on the arm of Ryker’s chair.

As Lorelei stared in shock, I turned and wrapped my hands intimately around Ryker’s tense arm.

I leaned forward deliberately, pressing the soft curve of my breast against his hard bicep.

Every muscle in Ryker’s body went rigid.

“You don’t need to worry about that,” I said, smiling at Lorelei, my voice dripping with fake sweetness. “Ryker is in perfect health.”

I drew out the last words, a perfect blush rising on my cheeks.

“In fact, he kept me up almost all night. I can barely walk today.”

The color drained from Lorelei’s face. Her perfect features twisted in a grimace.

And the man beside me, Ryker… his breathing hitched.

He whipped his head around, his storm-gray eyes boring into me.

His stare made me nervous, but I had to keep up the act.

I lowered my gaze, letting my cheeks grow even redder. “I’m so sorry, I think I’ll need to rest for the rest of the day.”

The next second, my wrist was caught in a viselike grip.

Ryker’s palm was burning hot. He wouldn't let go.

And then his voice, low and laced with a dangerous current, exploded in my head.

The mind link.

Is that so? You must be exhausted, my Luna.

A shiver ran down my spine. My legs went weak.

In the real world, Ryker just looked up calmly, his gaze like daggers aimed at Lorelei.

“I appreciate your concern. But my mate knows my condition better than any doctor.”

The final blow.

Lorelei shot to her feet, shaking with rage.

“You two…” She bit her lip so hard it had to hurt, her eyes turning red.

She snatched her purse and stomped toward the door.

As she passed me, she stopped, leaning in to hiss in my ear. “Don’t get cocky, Cora. You don’t know him at all. You two will never last.”

I met her gaze without flinching, a challenging smile on my lips.

“Oh? I think we got to know each other very well last night.”

Lorelei broke. She slammed the door on her way out.

Silence fell over the great hall.

I let out a long breath, ready to celebrate my victory, but the searing grip on my wrist tightened.

Without a word, Ryker grabbed my hand and stormed toward the master bedroom upstairs.

His storm-gray eyes were churning with a dangerous light.

In front of me, the blue words flashed frantically.

[Warning! Warning! The seduction worked!]

[His defenses have crumbled! He can't hold back anymore!]

The bedroom door slammed shut.

Ryker pinned me against it, his large frame pressing in, trapping me in his shadow.

He lowered his head, his nose almost touching my lips.

“My Luna, I’d love to hear the details…”

His thumb pressed against my bottom lip, rubbing firmly.

“...about how we got to know each other so intimately last night?”