Royal Shifters Series - Chapter #8 - Free To Read

“Thanks for letting me ride Nightshade,” I said to Blake.

He smiled and fetched a bucket of water from the hose. He’d told me all about how he grew up a city slicker and how Ryker and Tyla turned him into a cowboy. The stories of his undercover missions were amazing. Even though he wasn’t a shifter, he was one lethal human.

“He likes beautiful women riding him.”

Nightshade bumped me with his nose and I laughed. “I’ve never ridden a horse before.”

“Really? You look like a natural out there.”

“All right, Evans, no flirting with Ryker’s woman. He’ll skin you alive,” Tyla teased. Blake’s friend, Wyatt Erickson, walked in beside her. They’d been inseparable since we showed up. He was a good looking man, dressed in a pair of jeans, a polo shirt, with his light brown hair in messy spikes.

Blake winked at her. “I’m not scared. I’m sure his bark is worse than his bite.” We tried to hide our giggles at the comment and he looked sideways at us before continuing. “You gonna dance with me tonight?”

She smirked. “Maybe, if you buy me a drink.”

He leaned closer to me. “Why is she always so difficult?”

“Because I can be,” she replied, reaching for my hand. “And right now, I need to get this one home so she can get ready for the night.”

I scratched Nightshade’s ear and nuzzled him. “See you tomorrow, boy. That is, if it’s okay,” I said, glancing over at Blake.

“Come anytime. You’re always welcome. Wyatt and I will see you both tonight.”

Tyla and I said our goodbyes and got in her car. “What’s up with you and Wyatt?” I asked as we drove away.

She batted her eyelashes innocently. “Just some friendly flirting. He’s not exactly my type, but he sure is easy on the eyes.”

“So is Ryker. He told me you were the only one in the pack who hasn’t tried to get him to mate with you.”

“Oh hell, he told you that?”

“Is it true?”

She sighed. “Yes, but nothing ever happened. He never slept with any of them or promised them anything.”

“Will any of them try to challenge me?”

Eyes wide, she burst out in laughter. “Are you kidding me? They’d be stupid if they did that. Any wolf from a mile away could feel your power. I don’t plan on ever getting on your bad side.”

That was good to know.

She dropped me off at Ryker’s house just in time for him to pull up and see the several shopping bags in my hand. He got out of the car, followed by another wolf who was dressed in the same ranger uniform. He had dark blond hair and a smirk on his face; he was one of the six who kept watch over me.

“Bailey, this is Cedric, my second in command.”

I held out my hand. “Yes, I recognize the smirk.”

Cedric took my hand, roaring in laughter. “I guess you’re saying I look like my wolf?”

Ryker narrowed his gaze, studying Cedric’s face. “You’re right. He does.”

“Only the smile,” I added. “I remember it getting bigger when I sat out on the front porch, waiting for everyone to leave. I wanted to smack it off your face.”

“I’m sure that would’ve been quite interesting,” Cedric replied.

Ryker laughed. “If by interesting, you mean watching you run home with your tail between your legs . . . then yes.”

“Okay, if you two are done bashing me, I’m going to change clothes and meet you at the bar.”

I watched him walk past the house to another one on the other side of the field. “Does he live here too?”

Ryker’s arm brushed mine as he stood beside me. “He does. That’s his cabin out there. Some of the men in the pack are builders. They built everything you see here.” On Ryker’s land, there was the main ranch, a smaller cabin and two separate barns.

“Very nice. It looks like you have a lot of talent in your pack.”

“Our pack. And yes, we do.” He turned to face me. “Are you still mad at me?”

“I am,” I replied, crossing my arms over my chest.

He grinned. “Good. You’re sexy when you’re angry.”

“And you’re annoying.”

“Well, I’m probably about to annoy you even more. After you meet the pack tomorrow, we’re leaving.”

“Where to?”

“Somewhere safe, where no one can find you. If the Yukon pack comes, they’ll see you’re not here and move on. As soon as the threat’s gone, we can come back.”

“How am I going to travel? I don’t have anything to prove my identity.”

Taking my bags, he started for the door and I followed. “That’s why I’m going to talk to Blake tonight. He’ll help us out. Cedric will fill in as alpha if anyone were to come looking for you.”

“I can go on my own. You shouldn’t leave your pack,” I argued.

“And you need to stop being so stubborn. I thought you were adventurous. You can even pick the place you want to go. This is your chance to see more of the world. You’re not scared are you?” He was goading me.

I could hear the laughter inside his head, but I could also feel his hesitance. Something was wrong. “I’m not scared.”

“Then prove it,” he countered with a sly grin.

I stalked up to him, my body flush with his. “I will, even though I know you’re hiding something.” He looked to the side and I decided to let it go for now. “I know exactly where I want to go first.”