Page 43 of Wicked Fate

Gage peered over his shoulder. “Hell yes. Let’s throw them on the grill just long enough to warm the edges. I’m starving.”

“Rare and bloody,” Kendric added, stretching with a groan. “Only way it should be.”

“I’ll get the fire going.” Xander opened a few of the old wooden cabinet doors, found the plates, and took one. He filled it up with the raw meat and went out the front door, opening it with his elbow.

The rest of the guys headed outside, the screen door creaking and snapping behind them as they stepped into the fading twilight.

Ryker stayed by my side, his eyes locked on the door.

Go with them,I linked, kissing his cheek. I enjoyed the rough prickles of his scruff against my lips.You need some time alone with them to reconnect after that misunderstanding.

He sighed and rolled his eyes.That’s your nice way of saying mistake, isn’t it?

I smirked.However you want to take it. But go. I need some time with my sister.

Fine, but only because I won’t be gone long and we’ll have the night to cuddle.

He kissed my lips and then headed out the door as I headed to the small pantry in the corner of the kitchen. The room was bare, but I hoped to find the ingredients to bake something sweet. I missed working in the local bakery. I needed to do something normal, completely separate from blood and war.

My fingers landed on a dusty box of chocolate cupcake mix, half a bag of flour, and a few other basics.

Briar came to my side, her eyes catching the box in my hand. “Really? Cupcakes?”

“It’s the only remotely comforting thing I’ve seen in this whole house.” I gave her a tired smile. “Want to help?”

She began searching the cabinets until she found a mixing bowl, mixer, and measuring cups. “Let’s bake.”

We moved around the kitchen, falling into an easy rhythm like we used to at home. Briar cracked the eggs while I melted the butter, and for a little while, things felt almost normal.

“Feels weird,” she murmured, stirring the batter. “Being here. Laughing a little. Knowing we’re going back into hell in a few hours.”

“I know.” I leaned against the counter beside her. “But I think that’s the point. We hold on to whatever bits of peace we can… even if they’re small and soft and covered in chocolate.”

She smiled. “I’m glad I’m here with you. No matter what happens next.”

I reached over and squeezed her hand. “Me too.”

The scent of sizzling meat drifted in from outside, mixing with the warm chocolate filling the kitchen. The guys’ laughter—deep and raw—floated through the open window. It was the sound of worn-down protectors trying to remember who they were before all of this.

When the cupcakes were done and the meat had been pulled off the grill, we sat together around the scratched dining table. Plates were loaded, and laughter mixed with low conversation. No one talked about battle. Or loss. Or betrayal.

We were just a pack, enjoying a meal and feeling like things could be normal again… at least for a little while.

Later, when the dishes were stacked and the house had gone still, Ryker pulled me into his arms and led me back to our room.

He didn’t speak as we climbed into bed, didn’t loosen his hold as I curled against him.

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he whispered into my hair. “Not again. Not ever.”

There was no stench of lie because he meant it. But even I knew that it was a foolish promise to make. The one thing I’d learned was that there were no guarantees of tomorrow. A hard lesson I’d had to accept ever since I’d lost my childhood pack.

Still, with Ryker’s arms wrapped tight around me and his heartbeat steady against my cheek, I let the weight of the day fall away. Sleep came quickly, but even in dreams, I sensed him protecting me like a life vest in a sinking boat.

* * *

Hands shook my shoulders gently, and I opened my eyes to find Ryker standing over me. His face was grim and set in determination. “It’s almost an hour before dawn—we need to get moving.”

I rolled out of bed carefully, letting out a ragged breath. “Let’s get this over with.”

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