NATALIE

“ Bring them here. ” He stretches his neck and commands Zio.

“ Yes Alpha. ” Zio disappears from my side and turns right from the end of the living room.

Ryker plops down on the white couch and rests his arms over the headrest, stretching again.

Is he out to give me non—existent blue balls? I shift from one foot to another uncomfortably.

“ Come here. ” His voice sounds tired and burdened.

Now when I can finally think rationally again, I can’t help but notice certain things. The look on Ryker’s face and the way he is acting…is almost like he is hesitating or guilty.

About what? I can’t tell.

I approach him with small steps. He grips my hand and makes me sit on his lap like a child.

I gasp but don’t struggle to get out of his hold when he wraps his arm around my waist and rests his head on my shoulder. He brings his right arm forward and places his hand over my thigh, stroking my skin from over the cloth.

“ I have to initiate you into my pack, love. ” He whispers in the crook of