Turn of the Moon (Royal Shifters #1)(21)

I choked on my wine. “Bodyguard? Who the hell are you talking about?”

“The wolf you left with that day I came for you,” he said, finishing off the rest of his food.

Had he lost his mind? “Sebastian? He was only there to drop me off and bring me home. I would’ve known if he was there.”

“Obviously, you didn’t. He followed you everywhere.”

Was I too engrossed in my freedom to even notice? “How can that be possible? I’ve always been able to sense other wolves when they’re around.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know, but we need to add it to the long list of questions you have.” Sighing, Ryker laid down on the sand, his gaze up at the sky. I could feel his emotions as if they were my own. He was worried about the pack, but his main concern was for me.

Rolling over on my side, I brushed my body against his, laying my head on his chest. It satisfied both our wolves when we were touching. “Ryker,” I whispered. He turned his head, his brows lifting in response. I could get lost in those green eyes of his. “Will you do something for me?”

“Anything.”

I reached over and clasped my hand with his, the tingling sensation making me shiver. “Give me your memories. From the moment you first saw me, to the moment I left. I want to see what I’m missing.”

His lips brushed my temple and he smiled. “Close your eyes.”





Ryker

My memories of Bailey were just as fresh as if they’d happened yesterday. I showed her everything, even the times when Kade would come along on our adventures through the woods. He didn’t like that she chose me over him. Reliving the past made me realize the betrayal of my pack went deeper than I imagined.

“I didn’t realize we were so close,” she whispered, nuzzling her cheek against my chest. If she kept fighting her feelings, I was going to have to force those memories into her mind. I really didn’t want to do that.

Holding her tight, I remembered doing the same thing when she’d cry in the middle of the night. “We were inseparable, angel. I know we were just kids, but that’s where our connection started. You trusted me then.”

“I trust you now,” she countered seriously.

“Only because I showed you the truth. But I have to say, I’m glad you haven’t fully given yourself to me. It shows your strength. You think before you act, even if there are forces pulling you in other directions. You will make a great leader.”

Twisting her body, she glanced down at me, crossing her leg over mine. “Thank you for showing me. I needed it.”

The wind blew a strand of hair across her face and I slid it behind her ear. “You’re welcome. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”

“Can I ask another question?” I nodded, waiting for her to continue. “What does Maret look like?”

I narrowed my gaze. “Why do you want to see her?”

“I want to see if it sparks something in my memory.”

“You’re not planning on paying her a visit are you?” I wasn’t about to show her so she could run to the north and confront her.

She laughed, but it was sad. “I have no intentions of seeking her out. I only want to see her.”

Closing my eyes, I focused on the memories of the last pack meeting before my family was banished. I was there with my parents and Kade was beside me. Maret was always close by my uncle, and that was where I looked. She had long, raven colored hair, but what really made her stand out were her eyes. One was green, the other brown.

“Did you get a glimpse of her?” I asked, opening my eyes.

She nodded. “I did, but I don’t remember her. I was hoping that seeing her would make something click in place.” Taking a deep breath, she focused on the water and a small smile spread across her lips. “Do you want to go for a swim, like old times? It might not be a frozen lake, but we can imagine it is.” Getting to her feet, she held out her hand, but I jumped up and ran toward the water.

“First one there wins,” I yelled over my shoulder.

“Asshole,” she thundered, chasing after me.

I loved her laugh, even when we were kids. Before getting to the water, I turned around and grabbed her around the waist, hauling her into the waves. When we surfaced, she slapped me on the arm, but I refused to let her go.

“You cheated!”

Chuckling, I pulled us farther into the water, spreading her legs to straddle me. “I never said I played fair.”

With her arms around my neck, she smiled and bit her lip. She rocked her hips against mine and I growled, growing hard in an instant. “I don’t either.”

The second she kissed me, all bets were off.





Bailey

“I’m ready, Ryker,” I moaned, sucking on his bottom lip.

He groaned. “Fuck, angel, you’re killing me.”

Glancing around the beach, as much as I wanted to give in to my impulses, having sex out in the open wasn’t our best option. “Let’s go inside.”

He kissed me hard, fingers digging into my hips, before he pulled back. “You’ll have to give me a minute.”

Holding back my snicker, I detached from him and waited until he calmed down enough to get out of the water. By the time we got up to the beach house, we were covered in sand. Before going inside, he grabbed me by the waist, pulling me into the shower. The water started out cold, cooling my burning skin, but it did nothing to calm the ache between my legs.