All Chapters of Riley and The Riptide: Chapter 51 - Chapter 54

Ainsley’s POV“Alright, you two, if anyone hands you a gift, there are four uniformed Omegas who will take it to my office. Green polos, khaki pants. They are also responsible for bringing your food and drinks to you. We don’t want to take any chances of either of you consuming anything dangerous.” Mom instructs, looking pointedly at me. “When Alpha introduces you, anyone who can mindlink is going to cheer into the link. Everyone else will cheer out loud. Brace yourself. It can be a little disorienting. Ainsley, did Lucas show you how to shut down your link?”“Yeah, before we came down.” I fight the nervous butterflies in my stomach.“Good. I showed Caleb after we spoke to Becks, so we should be all set.” Mom nods.“Is he okay?” I look between them.“He’ll be fine.” Cal takes Mom’s hand, not interested in providing any more details.“Give him space, Ains. He’ll come around.” Mom takes my hand and squeezes it. “Tonight, just have fun with your friends.”She’s right. No more bullshit. T

Ainsley’s POV“I have to do what’s best for the pack, Ainsley.” Alpha Lucas paces in front of his desk. “I don’t trust this Gavin kid or his friends to come to the Mating Gathering. There’s too much at risk.”I sit in the chair, silently twisting my fingers together. Alpha Dan is banning my friends from being on Emerald Canyon pack territory if Gavin isn’t allowed to come to the Mating Gathering? What bullshit.I know better than to go back to Rambling Hills after everything that’s happened. My friends won’t come here and risk Alpha Dan finding out they defied him. I might never see my friends again.I look at Grandpa, waiting for him to stand up for me. He’s just sitting there with one arm crossed over his body. He’s using it to rest his elbow so his hand can rub the scruff on his chin. Grandma is beside me. She’s watching Alpha Lucas, but she’s rubbing my back sympathetically. On the other side of me, Mom and Luna Eva are focused on him too.None of them seem like they’re interested