Ryker is silent for a minute and I start to get anxious I’ve once again crossed a line, but as I’m about to take back my words, he says, “Do you believe in fate?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never really thought about it. Addison used to say ‘everything happens for a reason’ when she was trying to console me about my accident. But it never really made me feel better.”
“I believe everyone has someone out there for them, that they’re meant to be with. Sometimes it takes decades to find that person, but sometimes you find that person when you’re just a child.”
“And that was Grey for you? Ryker, you were just a kid. How were you supposed to know for sure?” The idea of finding a soul mate is far fetched enough for me, but the fact that Ryker thinks he found his when he was only a child worries me. When you’re a child, you’re not supposed to be thinking about whom you’re going to end up with or marry.
“It’s instinct. When you know, you know,” he says, not offering up any more information. “Are you ready to head back to camp?”
“Sure.”
As we ride back to camp, I worry my connection with Ryker is pointless if he’s still hung up over his childhood crush.
10
Ryker
It’s strange talking about Grey with Grey. But I guess they really are two separate people. The little girl I remember and the girl that rides behind me now on the jet ski aren’t the same person, and it’s a tough reality to accept. But if I want any kind of future with this Grey—Pruitt—I’m going to need to stop looking at the past.
As we ride back to camp, I think about the Thornes’ old house. I was always terrified someone was going to buy it, and a new family would move in. When I was still living at home, I used to sneak over there at night and sit with my eyes closed in the silence. I would imagine that I could still hear Grey laughing or Genevieve humming as she baked something. And sometimes I swore I could still hear them, but when I opened my eyes the place was devoid of life.
“Hold on tight!” I call over my shoulder. I pick up speed, so we’re able to glide onto shore without having to climb off while still in the water.
“Wow, that was so much fun!” she exclaims. “Thank you for including me in this today.”
I look back at her for the first time in a while and see her light green eyes are sparkling bright, and a smile has covered for face for the past hour is still there.
“It wouldn’t have been the same without you,” I assure her, wishing she would stop feeling like she’s intruding on us. “I’ll go get us something to drink. Why don’t you go change into some dry clothes.”
“Sounds like a plan,” she says, agreeing with me. I watch as she struggles with the buckles of the life jacket, and I can’t help the smile that appears on my face. The frustrated look on hers is comical.
“Good Lord, is this thing made by the same people who created straight-jackets?” She yanks hard on a strap, and it makes the vest tighter. “Shit, I’ve made it worse. Help me,” she pleads, turning toward me.
How could I ever say no to those big green eyes?
I easily unclasp the buckles and have her free in no time. “See, was that so hard?” I tease her. I almost fall over when she simply sticks her tongue out at me before turning toward the tent with a huff. I chuckle at her antics and yell after her. “You’re welcome!”
I can’t seem to get my eyes to remove themselves from her bikini-clad body. Earlier, it took all my strength to not punch Ransom right in the face when I caught him also staring at her. Grey Throne has grown into a beautiful woman with an amazing body. And I can’t wait till I’m able to sink my teeth into her perfectly smooth neck and leave my mark. I feel my wolf grumble in agreement as we watch her disappear into the tent.
After grabbing two beers from the cooler, I go sit down on the sandy shore, leaning against the log behind me. I’m surprised my siblings haven’t made it back yet, but assume they’re giving her and me some time alone. Just to make sure they’re okay, I reach out through the pack link.
“Are you guys planning on joining us again anytime soon?”
“We were giving you some time to reacquaint yourself with Pru,” Ransom immediately responds. I don’t need to be looking at him to know there’s a double meaning to his words.
“How did it go?” Ranger speaks up next.
“It… It was amazing. I haven’t felt this calm in years,” I answer honestly. After all, there’s no point in downplaying how I’m feeling since the second they get back, they’re going to be able to see it written all over my face.
“And it doesn’t hurt that she looks amazing in the bikini I gave her,” Remington adds. “Too bad she had to cover herself up with one of these nasty-ass life vests.”
“Yeah, it’s a real shame,” Ransom agrees, and I growl at him in warning.
“Do you want him to hit you? Because I’ll hold you still while he sucker punches you if necessary,” Remi warns.
“Enough.” My voice is stern when I snap at them. “That’s my mate you’re talking about.”
“Ryker?” I hear a voice say from my left, and I look up to find her standing there with a worried look on her face. “I said your name a couple times, but you didn’t hear me. Are you okay?”
“Yes. Sorry, I guess my thoughts were elsewhere.” I pat the open
