Chapter 66
Sixty-Six
Alpha Blake
“You love me?” Ryley asked, and I immediately started cursing myself for using the ‘love’ word. If she wanted me to go slow, this was the opposite.
“Ryley, you don’t have to say anything. I’m willing to go at whatever speed you need and feel comfortable with. But I want you to know that I want this. I want you and Channing to be a part of my family “I watched as she chewed on her bottom lip.
“And you also defended my mate. You understand I have a past and you aren’t trying to erase it. I understand your hesitation. All the what- ifs that have filled your mind. It’s hard when you experience a loss. And if your mate wasn’t such a f*ck up, I wouldn’t have the honor of having you in my bed, wearing my shirt, smelling like me.” I told her and she smiled.
“I would never want to take away what you had with your fated mate. That was your perfect love story. And I know if she didn’t pass, you and her would still be together. And I would be happy for you both.” I sat up on my hand, leaning in, I pressed my lips to her.
“I would be happy if things had worked out with your fated mate. No one deserves what he did to you,” I mumbled, kissing her nose.
“Blake is this something you are willing to go to war over? If not with Dorian but with his father. I have more than enough dirt on him. And I’ m sure he knows. Now that he knows I’m alive, I know he will come after me.” She sighed, the weight of her past was heavy on her
shoulders.
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“If what you said about him is true, then I would gladly take him out. myself. Drugs and guns are one thing but human trafficking is a higher level of evil. Ryley, you have nothing to worry about. I will protect you and Channing from any threat that comes knocking, you have my word.”
“Can I tell you something? Something only Walter knows because it was the day he met me.” She whispered unable to meet my eyes. She played with her trembling hands that were resting in her lap.
“You can tell me anything. I would never judge you, baby. I know your life wasn’t easy, but I want to give you everything you will ever need and want.” She looked at me, giving me a small smile.
“This isn’t a happy story. After the attack, the river took me close to a city. I was sleeping on the streets for a few nights before I was assaulted. I fought him off, but I was just so tired of fighting. So tired of living with everything that had happened. I had no one, not even my wolf.” She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths, before she continued.
“It had been cold and ice was starting to form on the river. I didn’t see anyone around as it was dark. I walked out onto a bridge overlooking the river. It was snowing and the cold air blew against me. I climbed on the railing,” Tears were pouring down her cheeks as she relived that night. I moved up, resting my back against the headboard before pulling her between my legs. Hearing her story broke my heart. She didn’t want to live anymore. This perfect woman and mother was ready to give up on life because of what her fated mate did to her and her pack.
“I jumped into the river. Walter was watching me. He had heard the attack and followed me to the bridge. He jumped in after me. I woke up in a hospital three days later, where I learned I was pregnant. Walter hadn’t left my side. He was in the city visiting a lawyer after his mate’s death.” She snuggled into my chest as I held her tightly. That’s why
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she is so close to Walter, he saved her life and Channing’s that night.
“After that I always had Walter, he was like the father I had lost.” She whispered and I kissed her hair. I wanted to storm into Alpha Dorian’s pack and kill him for making her believe that the only way out was in death. He should have been there for her.
“That’s when you knew he was your mate?” I asked and she nodded.
“And if I didn’t have Walter, I might have given him up for adoption. But when I held him for the first time and my father’s grey eyes were looking back at me, I knew I couldn’t let him go.” She confessed.
“Ryley, you have nothing to be ashamed of. You were only seventeen. And I will be forever in Walter’s debt for saving you that day. You and Channing deserve everything and more. And look at everything you have done with your life. You may have needed help along the way but who hasn’t.” I told her, squeezing her
“Thank you,” she mumbled.
“For what?” I lifted her chin so she would look at me.
“For listening. I’ve kept that buried for so long, I didn’t realize how much it had been weighing me down. And thank you for protecting me, even when I didn’t know how to ask,” she shrugged.
“I will also protect you,” I promised.
“I don’t want to put your pack at risk. I don’t want to be the reason someone dies.” She exclaimed.
“We will always protect our own, no matter what. I know joining a pack scares you but I promise it will be worth it. That I’m worth this, and you. I know an alpha hurt you but I promise, I’m not like him. I would never hurt you.”
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