Turn of the Moon (Royal Shifters #1)(54)

“It’s about time you woke up,” Tyla announced. I sucked back the tears welling in my eyes and glared at her. She picked up a slice of apple and chewed it, not even attempting to close her mouth.

Groaning, I turned over on my back and stared at the ceiling. We were in a cabin, but it wasn’t mine and Ryker’s. “Maybe it was the incessant smacking of your lips that woke me. How long was I out?”

“Two days.”

“Figures.” I shot out of bed, straight to the door.

Tyla scrambled to her feet and came after me. “Where are you going?”

“To get answers,” I snapped back. I rushed down the stairs and everywhere I went, there were people milling about from the other packs. They stared at me as I thundered past, but my only focus was the people I could see through the window. Bolting out the door, Seraphina jumped and grabbed her chest while Micah averted his gaze.

“You scared me, child. I wasn’t expecting you to wake so soon,” Seraphina cried.

“Yeah, about that. I’d appreciate it if you don’t ever do that shit again. Maret put me under enough.” She lowered her head and I instantly felt bad for snapping at her. Micah tensed when I stalked over to him. “What’s going on? Where is everyone? Surely, this isn’t all that’s left,” I said, waving at the crowd of people.

“Bailey,” a voice shouted. I jerked around and Kami came barreling toward me. She threw her arms around me and wouldn’t let go.

“Kami, where’s your brother?”

“He should be back soon. A lot of the men went back to gather the fallen and bury them. I heard it was really bad.” Letting her go, I turned to Micah and Tyla.

“Where’s Sebastian?” We were too far away from the Yukon Territory for me to feel any of our wolves there.

He sighed. “He’s alive. There was a lot of work to be done after the fight.”

“And I should’ve been there. I’m going back now.” I took off for the woods, but Micah grabbed my arm.

“You’re not going anywhere, Bailey.”

Growling low, my fangs lengthened and I hissed. “I suggest you tuck tail and run, because I’m not listening to anybody but myself from here on out. I have to be there when they bury Ryker, when they bury my mom. I need to say goodbye.”

He immediately let me go, but Tyla and Seraphina flanked him. “This is exactly why we had to put you under,” Tyla exclaimed.

“What are you talking about?”

“We knew you’d be irrational and stubborn. If you’d just calm down and listen, you’ll understand why we did it.” Her gaze focused on something over my shoulder and that was when I felt them.

“They’re back,” Kami shouted, taking off toward the woods. I turned around and watched as the men from my pack and the others appeared. Kami found Tate and jumped in his arms while the other alphas started approaching. They were all alive.

“Sebastian’s coming,” Micah replied. As soon as he said it, I could feel him drawing near. When he came through the trees, he looked tired and worn out. I ran toward him and he opened his arms.

He held me tight and I breathed him in. “Why did you make me stay away? I could’ve helped,” I sobbed into his chest.

“It was a battle out there, Bailey. You’re a strong woman and one hell of a fighter, but we all need you alive. We couldn’t risk you.”

“What good does it do me now? Ryker’s gone.”

“No, I’m not, angel,” his voice whispered in my mind. Gasping, I froze in Sebastian’s arms. Was I hallucinating? “Nah, you’re not going crazy. I’ll be there soon.”

“Did you hear him?” Sebastian asked.

Taking a step back, I peered up at him, confused. “I don’t understand.”

He smiled and squeezed my hand. “It’s a long story, B. I’ll let him explain. But this is why Seraphina put you out of commission for a while. We needed you out of the way.” Taking my face in his hands, he placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. “I’m sorry we hurt you.”

For the first time since the fight, I could feel Ryker’s presence. Sebastian stepped out of the way and I stared out into the woods. The last of our people came through the trees, yet I couldn’t focus on anyone but Ryker. He was so close. I took a step forward and then another, until I was at a full sprint. I couldn’t wait any longer. By the time he came into view, my heart felt like it burst out of my chest. His clothes were torn and he was covered in dirt and ash, but it was him.

Closing the distance, he scooped me into his arms. “I’ll explain everything. Just don’t hate me when I do.”

I squeezed him so hard my arms started to shake. “Shh . . . we have the rest of our lives for talking. Right now, I just want you to hold me.”

Holding me in his arms, he slowly knelt down on the ground and never once let me go. “I love you, angel.”

“I love you more.”



“Did he hurt you?” We’d been out in the woods for hours, without saying a word. I had hoped he wouldn’t ask that question. “Bailey?” He turned me around in his arms and made me look into his eyes. “Are you going to answer me?”

“It was nothing I couldn’t handle. I’m here and I’m alive.”