Hunter's Heart (Alpha Pack #4)(79)

Which was why he had no idea that Phoenix smacked into him on purpose, then pretended it was an accident.

"Shit, I'm sorry!" he exclaimed. "Here, let me help you."

"Damn," Noah grouched. "I just spent the last three hours on these." Squatting, the cute nurse joined the other man and started to gather the files. Then he looked up to find himself the recipient of the blinding smile that had been bestowed on Daria moments before.

Only this smile was completely different-the heat could've melted the paint off the walls.

Noah blushed, visibly flustered. "I-I . . . thank you."

"Don't mention it." With a wink, Phoenix resumed assisting him.

Poor Noah looked as though he'd been hit in the head with a tire iron.

Well, now, wasn't that interesting? Chuckling, Daria pushed into Ben's room. Her amusement faded as she saw her former lover staring listlessly at the television mounted on the wall.

"Ben?"

His head whipped toward her, and he sat up a bit. "Daria! Please, come in."

Moving to his bedside, she sat in the chair and put a hand on his forearm. "You're looking well."

"Thank you." There was a sadness in his green eyes she'd never seen in the normally confident attorney. A vulnerability. "I'm glad you agreed to see me."

"Why wouldn't I have? We parted amicably, and I consider you a friend."

"Really? After all I've done since then?" he said, choking up.

Shaking her head, she used a no-nonsense tone. "The creature did those things, not you. The man was not in control. Do you even remember the things he did while in that form?"

"No, nothing except flashes of looking through his eyes, feeling the rage and confusion. Maybe I blocked out the rest. But I-he-killed people," he whispered. "I knew the beast had done something bad because I was covered in blood. I had an awful feeling."

"That wasn't you," she reiterated.

He was silent a moment. "I never knew it was your uncle behind my kidnapping, until it was all over and I ended up here. I defended him in a criminal case once, and that was the thanks I got. Nick told me the man apparently waited until our breakup and then had me taken to Bowman. I had caught their eye as a perfect test subject."

"And they weren't concerned that you're a prominent attorney with colleagues and a client base who would miss you?"

"I guess not. They were that arrogant."

"Or that stupid."

His lips curved. "It's really good to see you. Are you happy?"

"I am." He was still fragile and she didn't want to hurt him in any way, or rub in her bliss. But she told the truth. "He's my other half. We mated, and we're going to get married as soon as he's up and around. Living here will be perfect, too. That way I can continue my study of the wolves-the real ones."

"That's wonderful." His voice rang with sincerity.

"Would you be interested in attending? I'd love to have you if-"

"Thank you, but no," he said quietly. "It's best that I go home, get my life in order. But I do wish you all the best, and I'll be thinking of you."

"All right, I understand. And thank you."

"I can't thank you, Ryon, and the Pack enough for risking so much to save me. I'm forever in your debt. If any of you ever need a good criminal attorney, I'm a phone call away."

She laughed. "I'll be sure they know. And you're welcome. Like I said, you're my friend and there's no way I was going to leave you to your fate."

"You're a rare woman, Daria. I was a fool to let you go."

"Yes, you were."

They both laughed at that, knowing the real story. The decision to part was mutual, their lives too different, going in different directions. They would remain friends. Whether she'd ever see him again, she didn't know. But she hoped so. Some people, like Ben, were worth holding on to.

And no one more than her amazing mate, whom she loved to distraction. He was worth any risk.

Here, with Ryon, she'd found her home at last.

Chapter Sixteen

Ryon stood at the altar, which was really a simple white archway decorated with all sorts of flowers he couldn't name. He didn't care-he had eyes for only one beautiful flower in the entire vicinity.

Daria walked up the aisle, escorted by her father, Charles. They were both smiling, but it was her brilliantly happy one that caught his breath. Her face was radiant. Raven hair was piled on top of her head, spilling down on the sides of her face. Brown eyes devoured him, shining with love and promise.

As they reached him, Ryon was a little nervous about taking her from the older man, but the transfer took place without a hitch. Ryon liked Charles and hadn't really been worried since the feeling was mutual, but still. The man was "giving away" his daughter. But Charles seemed thrilled for his baby girl, and as long as she was smiling, Dad would, too.

The ceremony passed quickly, in part because they'd shortened it to the essentials. It was meaningful and not rushed, they just chose not to let it go on and on because Ryon was still healing. By the time it was over he was leaning on the handle of his cane a bit. A small ache, nothing he couldn't bear. He was anxious to make nice with their friends.