Page 95 of Bonded Chaos

“Tonight,” he continued. “We shed the societal expectations of our stations and become creatures of the darkness.”

More cheering erupted, and excited chatter broke out.

“Let us run until we feel nothing but the thunderous beat of our hearts. Let us chase until no thoughts remain, only instinct.”

Ryker paused for dramatic effect, then added, “Tonight, we belong to the hunt.”

No wonder Ryker didn’t want me to come.

He said he was leading the Wild Hunt, which meant he was planning on catching a woman and rutting with her in the forest like godsdamned animals.

Well, if he thought he could have his fun and still expect me to be waiting for him, ready and willing to serve him when he returned, he had another thing coming.

“What’s that look for?” Riordan asked, a hint of panic in his voice.

He glanced toward Ryker and then back at me.

“Oh no, it’s not what you’re —”

His words were drowned out when Ryker bellowed, “Let the Wild Hunt begin!”

A series of howls rent the air as the women darted into the forest. I jumped to my feet and quickly followed them.

“Cadence,” Riordan hissed behind me. “You can’t go out there alone.”

But I didn’t stop.

I ran and let the Wild Hunt claim me.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Ryker

The sharp night air bit through the fire’s lingering warmth at my back. Clouds had swallowed the moon, casting the forest into an abyss of shadows.

My lips tugged up into a smirk. The darkness was my playground.

The low murmurs of the men behind me grated on my nerves as their anticipation reached a fever pitch. They droned on, their voices becoming a cacophony of laughter and obnoxious noises that made it difficult to think.

I drifted from the group, imagining the thrill of tearing through the woods, navigating each twist and turn in pursuit of Cadence. When I found her, I’d reclaim her on the forest floor, showing her again and again what it meant to bemine.

My blood ran hot with need, and every instinct in my body called for me to abandon my post and go to Cadence. The laces of my trousers tightened uncomfortably, and I shifted my position, attempting to adjust myself discreetly. Once I was confident that I had tamed my raging erection, I turned my attention to the lords waiting for my command.

“Hunters!” I shouted, and the men’s excitement grew palpable. “Time to chase your prey!”

They launched themselves onto their horses before diving into the forest, their figures quickly disappearing from view.

Now that the men were free to hunt their willing prey, all I wanted was to return to my mate and fuck her senseless. Standing in the cold while the Unseelie elite screwed each other was not my idea of a night well spent.

Cadence would likely be furious with me when I returned to my chambers, but I would let no one who wasn’t me hunt her.

Not that a single soul would dare touch her after what happened at the ball.

Still, I didn’t want them so much as glancing at her, let alone imagining her naked.

The gods knew I’d killed for less.

My younger brother pulled me from my ruminations when he stepped out of the tree line, a guilty expression on his face.

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