Alpha Pack 4 - Hunters Heart (36 page)

“Because you’re my mate. If you don’t want me to see

my former fiancé, I won’t out of respect for your wishes.”

“But you’d be unhappy,” he said, shaking his head. “I’d

never do that to you, baby. My wolf might be possessive,

but the man isn’t that stupid or insecure. You both need

closure after all you’ve been through, so go see him.”

She smiled through her tears. “Thank you.”

“How is he?”

“Noah tells me he’s dealing. They haven’t said much

else since he wants to talk to me in person.”

“Then you shouldn’t wait.”

The bed shifted slightly as she leaned over him, and

pressed her lips to his. The soft, sweet kiss warmed his

toes. And, in spite of his battered body, one very happy

part of his anatomy.

She touched his cheek. “I love you, Ryon Hunter. More

than I ever dreamed possible. You’re a part of me and

always will be, no matter what.”

“I love you, baby. I can’t imagine my life now without

you.”

“Simple. Don’t.”

“I turned out to be more trouble than you bargained for,

and the challenge isn’t over yet. Are you sure about having

me around for keeps?”

“Gee, I don’t know.” She snorted, rolling her eyes.

“Now that I’ve been through ten kinds of hell, living in

terror that I’d lose you, I think I should give you the boot.

What do you think?”

“That I should quit while I’m ahead?”

“Good idea.”

He looked straight into her eyes. “You know, I have the

woman I love hovering and fussing, nursing me back to

health. Life is looking pretty terrific, except for one

detail.”

She frowned, little worry lines creasing her brow.

“What’s that?”

“I know we’re already mated, but there’s something

else that would make me happy.” He rushed on before his

nerve fled. “My angel, will you marry me?”

Well, hell. Making her cry seemed to be all he was

capable of doing. Her eyes rounded and filled, like two

big brown marbles. He held his breath, heart hammering.

The discomfort from his healing body he could take, as

long as Daria was his.

“Yes.” She laughed. Then she threw herself against his

chest, hugged him tightly. “Yes,
yes
!”

His arms went around her, happiness flooding him. She

took his face in her hands and covered him in kisses. His

shout of joy came out as a pitiful wheeze, but he barely

noticed. Daria was
his
!

“When?” Excitement laced her voice.

“Even if we have to marry in this hospital room, I

couldn’t care less.”

“It’s a date. But
after
you’re out of bed and walking

under your own power. Your team will want to be there,

too.”

“You’re right. It’s a plan.”

With that, he pulled her down and kissed her,

thoroughly. He tasted the salt of their mingled tears and

knew life didn’t get any better.

With this woman at his side, he could endure the weeks

of recovery ahead. Then they would lay the past to rest

and begin to build their future.

Together.

• • •

Daria walked toward Ben’s hospital room, unable to

squelch a tiny bit of dread.

True to what she’d told Ryon, she hadn’t come by

before now despite a couple of inquiries from the man that

had reached her through Mac and Noah. She knew how

frightened he must be, how anxious. That he was ready to

talk, however, had to be a good sign for his recovery.

Ahead, Phoenix emerged from an exam room. The tall,

lithe man with long, dark blond hair moved like a

supermodel, graceful and sexy. Looking at him, smiling at

Mac as he took his leave, it was hard to believe the man

had been rescued from one of Bowman’s hellholes just a

few weeks ago.

He gave her a blinding smile. “Daria. It’s good to see

you looking recovered from your ordeal.”

“Thanks. You’re looking pretty good yourself.” She was

mated, but
damn
.

“I saw Ryon earlier. I’ve never seen him so happy.”

“We both are. You coming to the wedding?”

“Wedding? Congratulations!” Laughing, he gave her a

hug. “Wouldn’t miss it. When’s the big day?”

“As soon as my mate is on his feet. We’ll have it here, I

think.”

“Then I have no excuse.” Peering past her, his gaze took

on a predatory quality. Then he returned his attention to

Daria. “Well, I have to go. Talk soon?”

“You bet.”

After giving her a kiss on the cheek, he strolled past.

Curious about his behavior, she turned to see that Noah

had just rounded the corner. He was carrying a stack of

file folders, head down, and was totally not watching

where he was going.

Which was why he had no idea that Phoenix smacked

into him on purpose, then pretended it was an accident.

“Shit, I’m sorry!” he exclaimed. “Here, let me help

you.”

“Damn,” Noah grouched. “I just spent the last three

hours on these.” Squatting, the cute nurse joined the other

man and started to gather the files. Then he looked up to

find himself the recipient of the blinding smile that had

been bestowed on Daria moments before.

Only this smile was completely different—the heat

could’ve melted the paint off the walls.

Noah blushed, visibly flustered. “I—I . . . thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.” With a wink, Phoenix resumed

assisting him.

Poor Noah looked as though he’d been hit in the head

with a tire iron.

Well, now, wasn’t
that
interesting? Chuckling, Daria

pushed into Ben’s room. Her amusement faded as she saw

her former lover staring listlessly at the television

mounted on the wall.

“Ben?”

His head whipped toward her, and he sat up a bit.

“Daria! Please, come in.”

Moving to his bedside, she sat in the chair and put a

hand on his forearm. “You’re looking well.”

“Thank you.” There was a sadness in his green eyes

she’d never seen in the normally confident attorney. A

vulnerability. “I’m glad you agreed to see me.”

“Why wouldn’t I have? We parted amicably, and I

consider you a friend.”

“Really? After all I’ve done since then?” he said,

choking up.

Shaking her head, she used a no-nonsense tone. “The

creature did those things, not you. The man was not in

control. Do you even remember the things
he
did while in

that form?”

“No, nothing except flashes of looking through his eyes,

feeling the rage and confusion. Maybe I blocked out the

rest. But I—he—killed people,” he whispered. “I knew

the beast had done something bad because I was covered

in blood. I had an awful feeling.”

“That wasn’t you,” she reiterated.

He was silent a moment. “I never knew it was your

uncle behind my kidnapping, until it was all over and I

ended up here. I defended him in a criminal case once, and

that was the thanks I got. Nick told me the man apparently

waited until our breakup and then had me taken to

Bowman. I had caught their eye as a perfect test subject.”

“And they weren’t concerned that you’re a prominent

attorney with colleagues and a client base who would

miss you?”

“I guess not. They were that arrogant.”

“Or that stupid.”

His lips curved. “It’s really good to see you. Are you

happy?”

“I am.” He was still fragile and she didn’t want to hurt

him in any way, or rub in her bliss. But she told the truth.

“He’s my other half. We mated, and we’re going to get

married as soon as he’s up and around. Living here will

be perfect, too. That way I can continue my study of the

wolves—the real ones.”

“That’s wonderful.” His voice rang with sincerity.

“Would you be interested in attending? I’d love to have

you if—”

“Thank you, but no,” he said quietly. “It’s best that I go

home, get my life in order. But I do wish you all the best,

and I’ll be thinking of you.”

“All right, I understand. And thank you.”

“I can’t thank you, Ryon, and the Pack enough for

risking so much to save me. I’m forever in your debt. If

any of you ever need a good criminal attorney, I’m a phone

call away.”

She laughed. “I’ll be sure they know. And you’re

welcome. Like I said, you’re my friend and there’s no way

I was going to leave you to your fate.”

“You’re a rare woman, Daria. I was a fool to let you

go.”

“Yes, you were.”

They both laughed at that, knowing the real story. The

decision to part was mutual, their lives too different, going

in different directions. They would remain friends.

Whether she’d ever see him again, she didn’t know. But

she hoped so. Some people, like Ben, were worth holding

on to.

And no one more than her amazing mate, whom she

loved to distraction. He was worth any risk.

Here, with Ryon, she’d found her home at last.

Sixteen

Ryon stood at the altar, which was really a simple white

archway decorated with all sorts of flowers he couldn’t

name. He didn’t care—he had eyes for only one beautiful

flower in the entire vicinity.

Daria walked up the aisle, escorted by her father,

Charles. They were both smiling, but it was her brilliantly

happy one that caught his breath. Her face was radiant.

Raven hair was piled on top of her head, spilling down on

the sides of her face. Brown eyes devoured him, shining

with love and promise.

As they reached him, Ryon was a little nervous about

taking her from the older man, but the transfer took place

without a hitch. Ryon liked Charles and hadn’t really been

worried since the feeling was mutual, but still. The man

was “giving away” his daughter. But Charles seemed

thrilled for his baby girl, and as long as she was smiling,

Dad would, too.

The ceremony passed quickly, in part because they’d

shortened it to the essentials. It was meaningful and not

rushed, they just chose not to let it go on and on because

Ryon was still healing. By the time it was over he was

leaning on the handle of his cane a bit. A small ache,

nothing he couldn’t bear. He was anxious to make nice

with their friends.

And then get on with claiming his new bride. His wolf

growled in agreement.

Soon he was kissing the bride, and didn’t release her

until the audience starting hooting and catcalling, making a

good-natured fuss.

“Come on, man,” Aric shouted. “There’s beer waiting!”

Everyone laughed. Ryon reluctantly stepped back from

his mate. The local preacher, a friend of Sheriff

Deveraux’s, announced them as husband and wife. They

turned to face the crowd, and everyone cheered.

Through all the usual wedding stuff, Ryon endured his

friends’ backslaps and raw jokes about the wedding night.

They took loads of pictures, ate lots of food.

Zan walked over, holding a beer. The man had gotten

back from his vacation to learn he’d missed a major op,

and hadn’t been thrilled. But he was still learning to

compensate for the loss of his hearing. He could read lips

pretty well, and his speech was okay, if a little odd. The

biggest issue was how he’d do once placed back in the

field. They just didn’t know yet.

The Healer stopped and hugged Ryon. “Congrats!”

Ryon made sure his old friend could see his mouth.

“Thanks. Having fun?”

“You bet.” He waved his bottle at their resident Fae

prince. “Good thing Blue can glamour his appearance, or

that might give the preacher a shock.”

“It would be entertaining, for sure.”

“Yeah. But the last thing we need is more publicity.

People might find out what we really do here.”

That’s what they were all secretly afraid of. If the

world knew that paranormal creatures existed—not to

mention that the government had allegedly experimented

on humans and shifters—the fallout would be huge.

His friend grimaced. “Sorry. This is your party, so no

heavy stuff. Right?”

“Right.”

“I’m gonna go get another beer. Congrats again, man.”

“Thanks.”

Just as Zan ambled off, Ryon caught sight of Micah

standing alone at the corner of the building. He was sure

he glimpsed a prescription bottle in the man’s hand as he

tucked it into his coat pocket. Then the younger man

definitely popped something into his mouth and washed it

down with his wine.

“I’m worried about him, too,” Daria whispered into his

ear.

He kept his voice low. “He’s addicted, isn’t he?”

“I’m not sure, but I hope not. He’s taking a lot of pills.”

Ryon’s heart sank. His mate, however, was having none

of it.

“Hey.” She stood in front of him. “This is our day.

Tomorrow, we’ll see about our friends. We’ll go to Nick

if you want.”

“Okay. He might not know, and he’ll be able to help us

watch Micah. We should tell Rowan and Aric as well. His

sister wouldn’t appreciate being kept out of the loop.”

“I agree.” Slipping her fingers into the vee of his dress