Page 83 of Guardians of the Assassins
Ryder saw the instant Morgan faltered, and his heart ached that she would doubt herself for even a second. Ignoring the chaos around them, he was at her side before full-blown panic could take hold. He cut off her view of the dead alpha, then caught her hands when she wrung them together, her grip so tight, her fingertips went white.
“I had no choice. He wouldn’t have stopped until you and the others were dead.” She looked up at him with shattered eyes, and his heart broke at her torment.
“I know,” he whispered, then crushed her to his chest, unable to go another moment without having her in his arms. He held her tight, wishing with all his might that he was enough to keep her from falling apart. “You’re right—he wouldn’t have stopped until you were dead.”
She shuddered in his hold, her hands coming up to grip his shirt, clinging to him in a way that sent his heart galloping in his chest. He ran a shaky hand down the back of her head, grabbing a fistful of her hair in his grip, then tipped her head back. “Taking the life of a wolf is different now that you’re an alpha. You can feel their beast deep in your soul, and when one dies, you grieve.”
He tightened his grip on the strands of her hair, using the pain to ground her. “You did your job. He not only attacked the pack, he came for the coven. He signed his own death warrant.”
Morgan shuddered, brushing her cheek against his chest in a very wolf-like way that he didn’t think she noticed, something she did more and more frequently of late.
And just like the first time she did it, his heart melted in a puddle of goo.
Anything she wanted, anything she needed, he would give it to her in a heartbeat.
She blew out a heavy breath, her shoulders relaxing like a weight had been lifted, and he suspected part of her worry had been about his reaction. He cupped the back of her neck, allowing his claws to rest lightly against her skin. “Never doubt yourself. If you’re in danger, kill first and ask questions later. Understand?”
A muffled chuckle came from her, and she lifted her head, humor dancing in her eyes.
But he was completely serious.
She didn’t even have to ask for his help in getting rid of the bodies.
When she pulled away, Ryder crossed his arms to keep himself from dragging her back into the protection of his embrace.
When she glanced at the rest of her mates, Ryder glared at them, warning them silently that they better not do anything stupid, but he needn’t have worried. They loved her just as fiercely and would rather cut out their own tongue than say anything that would hurt her.
He very much feared that as long as she remained at the coven, remained their alpha, she would have to defend herself over and over.
She was changing the way paranormal creatures were treated, giving them a second chance at life. She was giving people hope. Those who ruled by fear and greed would see her as a threat to be eliminated. They would want to destroy or takethe dynasty she was creating with her very own blood, sweat, and tears.
Pride filled him at everything she was doing without even being aware of it.
By fang or claw, he would do everything in his power to keep her safe and her dream alive.
Ryder’s unwavering support gave Morgan enough courage to pull away and face the others.
The rest of her mates stood strong and proud, without a hint of judgment.
“You were badass,” Draven said, giving his nod of approval.
“It was quick and merciful,” Ascher agreed, a slight snarl curling his lips. “I would’ve made him bleed more before making him pay.”
Atlas and Caedmon nodded to her briefly, warriors acknowledging another for surviving battle.
Kincade waited with his arms crossed, his legs splayed, but it was the compassion in his eyes that had her taking a shuddering breath. He understood what it was like to be in charge of others—the responsibilities and burdens they suffered in order to keep others alive.
He was silently telling her that he would stand by her decisions and be at her side at the end of the day to pick up the pieces. She gave him a nod, then turned to face the wolves waiting for her.
“Morgan.” Ryder caught her arm, and she nearly groaned at his serious tone. “When an alpha is killed, the champion takes over the opposing pack.” He waited a heartbeat when she continued to stare at him blankly, then he sighed and a tiny smile curled his lips. “The wolves are yours to do with what you wish. Most wolves kill or banish the ones who challenged them. The rest would be forced to assimilate into the new pack.”
“Because of course they would consider wolves more property than people.” Morgan huffed in annoyance at how ass-backwards the way other alphas ran their packs. Shifters were more brutal in their way of life, their beliefs stolen from a time long ago.
Which makes sense, since they can sprout teeth and claws.
They needed someone strong enough to keep them in line.
Morgan just didn’t think it did them any favors to rip families apart.
