Turn of the Moon (Royal Shifters #1)(33)

“I know, but old habits die hard. I’ve been responsible for you for years. It’s not easy starting a new life, or finding a new pack.”

“You’ll get used to it. I don’t want you missing out on life because of me. The only thing I need from you is your help in finding our siblings.”

Nodding, he sat down on his new leather couch. “It’ll take some time, but I can do it. I know my brothers . . . I just need to look in the right places.”

I sat down with him. “Do you miss them?”

“I miss a lot of things, B. One day, when you get your memories back, you’ll see how amazing pack life can be. Ryker seems to be moving in the right direction. It’s strange how much his ways are just like your father’s.”

The thought made me smile. One day I’d remember my mother and father. Maybe then I wouldn’t feel so lost. “Speaking of Ryker, I have to meet him at the ranger station. He’s taking me hiking, so I can see what it is he does for a living.”

He got up and helped me by taking my hand. “What about what you want to do for a living? You’re not going to waste your degree are you?”

“No. I’m going to apply to different schools this summer. At least my fake parents did something right.”

“They had no choice. They knew you’d rebel if you didn’t get your way. You’re an alpha; you could’ve easily fought your way out.”

I nodded. “I didn’t want to hurt anyone, at least, not until Kade. Do you think Rollin will try to retaliate? I killed Kade and now Darius. He isn’t going to like the humiliation if word gets out.”

“He may not be happy, but I don’t think he’s stupid enough to keep trying. He won’t have a pack left.” He pushed me toward the door. “Now go, before Whitemore comes here looking for you. I’d hate to have to kick his ass.”

“I’ll have to tell him you said that,” I replied with a wink. He opened the door and I got in Ryker’s Jeep. I had gotten my license just like a normal person when I turned sixteen, but I was never given a car or allowed to have one. I was enjoying this new freedom immensely.

When I pulled up to the ranger station, Ryker was standing outside with Cedric. “Hey, babe,” he greeted, leaning into the car to give me a kiss.

“Hello yourself.” Then to Cedric, I smiled. “And to you. Busy day?”

He shrugged. “Same as every day, except we did see a few bears today. They tucked tail and ran when they saw these,” he said, flexing his biceps.

Ryker smacked him on the back of the head, laughing. “Keep telling yourself that.” He leaned into my window and whispered low. “They snarled and huffed at him before leisurely walking away. Don’t let him fool you.”

“Thanks for ruining it, Whitemore.” He started for his car and opened the door. “What trail are you taking her on?”

Ryker looked at me and smiled. “I was thinking about the Hidden Falls trail, out past Jenny Lake.”

“Ah, that’s a good one. Probably lots of snow out that way. I don’t think anyone’s been on it yet. Have fun!” He got in his car and took off out of the parking lot.

Ryker opened the car door and held out his hand. “You ready? We’re going to ride in my truck.”

Looking up at the thick, gray clouds, I breathed in the cool, crisp air and could already smell the approaching rain. “More than ready,” I said, taking his hand. We got in his truck and started down the road.

“There aren’t that many tourists out this way. When do they usually come?” At each trailhead we passed, there were only one or two cars in the parking lots. The snow was abundant on the mountains, but that was what I liked. From what I learned, it stayed on the mountains well into the summer.

“The tourists start rolling in by the end of May and on through the summer, when the mountains are green and the flowers are in bloom. Right now, there’s still plenty of snow, and since it’s melting, the falls should be amazing.” He turned into the Jenny Lake trailhead and parked.

I got out of the truck and couldn’t stop from smiling at the way Ryker looked, all professional in his uniform. “I always thought men in uniform were sexy.”

Grinning wide, he glanced down at his clothes. “That’s what all the ladies say.”

“I have no doubt. Do the tourists ever want pictures with you?”

He chuckled. “Sometimes, but it’s mostly kids.”

“And do you get your picture taken with them?”

“Of course. I like seeing families bring their kids out here and experiencing the excitement in their eyes when they see the mountains. It’s hard to find people who appreciate our land as much as we do. That’s why I do what I do, just like you chose to be a teacher.”

We marched across a small bridge where two human men were fishing. They nodded at us when we passed. The further we went along the trail, the deeper we went into the woods. “What happens if you have a lot of bear activity?”

He picked up a fallen branch and moved it out of the way. “We close the trail down.”

“Do people adhere to those warnings?”

“Not all the time. Sometimes the tourists want to have a close encounter so they can get pictures. Then when they do, they panic and end up getting hurt. You can’t fix stupid.”