Page 14 of Fated for Dawn

Lucien nodded in agreement. “Logical. Your stress is likely interfering with your abilities. A day at school tomorrow will be a good distraction.”

I stared at them in disbelief. “Not this again! I can’t waste time on school when Alister’s trapped!”

“Sometimes,” Ryker rumbled, “stepping back helps you see the path forward.”

I opened my mouth to argue, then closed it.

When did Ryker get all philosophical?

Rafe walked towards me and rested his hand lightly on my shoulder. “You’re no good to Alister if you collapse from exhaustion. Take tomorrow to recharge. Trust us to help you through this. I may have another idea, but I’ll need a few days to see if it’s a viable one.”

Chad grinned. “Besides, I bet your friends are dying to see you. You deserve a little normalcy. It’snotbetraying Alister to take care of yourself.”

I sighed, the fight draining from me. They were right. I was exhausted, my mind foggy from lack of sleep and constant worry. “Okay. It will be nice to see my friends.”

The guys nodded, their agreement reassuringly.

* * *

Later that night, I padded down the dimly lit hallway to Ryker’s room. The door creaked softly as I pushed it open. Inside, the room was steeped in shadows, save for a sliver of moonlight filtering through a curtain that hadn’t been drawn properly.

“Ryker?” I whispered.

A grunt answered me from the darkness.

My eyes adjusted slowly, picking out shapes. Black walls. Heavy curtains. An enormous bed.

“Can I…can I stay here tonight?” I asked.

Ryker’s deep voice rumbled, “Of course.”

I crossed the room carefully. When my knees brushed the edge of the bed, strong hands gripped my waist, lifting meeffortlessly. I found myself sprawled across Ryker’s massive chest, his arms wrapping around me.

“Thanks,” I mumbled into his skin. “I just…I needed you.”

Ryker’s chest vibrated with a low, contented growl. His arms tightened around me, his warmth seeping into my bones. I breathed in his scent.

Safe. Familiar. Home.

As my eyelids grew heavy, I murmured, “How are you doing? With the gang and everything?”

Ryker was silent for a long moment. “Fine.”

I forced my eyes open, propping myself up on one elbow. “Really? Because it can’t be easy.”

His gaze drifted toward the window, where the faint glow of moonlight cut through the darkness. His fingers idly traced slow circles against my back, but I could feel the tension in his muscles, the weight pressing on him.

Finally, he confessed, “It’s hard. Seeing guys I’ve known my whole life turn dark—well, you know, darker and aligned with my father.”

I ran my fingers back and forth along his arm. “You’re doing your best. You can’t blame yourself for other people’s choices. You just have to focus on the ones who still know right from wrong…or at least, less wrong.”

“I guess.” He remained silent for a moment. “I can’t lose you again. Or Chad, or anyone in our family.”

The vulnerability in his voice reminded me he had spent one year without me, while I was freaking out for being a few days without Alister. I could only imagine how broken and lonely he had been while I was gone.

Ryker was my fierce dragon protector, the guy who could stare down a room full of angry shifters without breaking a sweat. But he had lived months without his mate, without me. Of course, he’d be hurting.

I cupped his face in my hands, forcing him to meet my gaze. “I’m here now. We’re not losing anyone, got it?”

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