Riley
We get back to the packhouse and Harry and Todd immediately envelope me in a hug. They both begin to speak simultaneously as they tell me how worried they were for me. Harry apologizes profusely for making me run off.
Everything sounds muffled as I can’t stop thinking about Leviticus. I want to go home, I want to see him again, I want to know more about him and why he is supposed to watch over me.
I eventually get away from the boys and say that I’m tired and I walk off to my room. I lie on the bed staring up at the ceiling.
Although the events of the night have left me exhausted, my mind can’t turn off. All I can think about is Leviticus.
His ruby red eyes seemed to peer into my soul, he stood so close to me I could feel his breath on my face, and a part of me felt an unspoken electrical connection.
I turn onto my side trying to get more comfortable. It doesn’t work, now I’m facing towards the window, and I can’t help but wonder where he is at and if he’s watching me and thinking of me. I hear the door open, and I know that it’s Archer.
He would’ve joined me sooner, I know he would have, he’s nervous about how I feel after being attacked by rogues. But as Alpha, he needed to make sure everything was running smoothly after that attack.
He lied down behind me and wrapped his arm around me as he pulled me closer, so he was spooning me. I force my breathing to stay even, I don’t want him to know that I’m awake. He kisses my head and murmurs, “I’m so sorry this happened, Riley.”
I continue to breathe evenly, and I hear him sigh heavily as he is sad that I’m not responding. He pulls away from me, lying on his back as he murmurs, “This never should’ve happened.”
He’s right, this shouldn’t have happened, my life shouldn’t have been in danger while I was here. I was supposed to be safe here, with him.
Yet, I can’t be upset over it, if I hadn’t been attacked then I wouldn’t have met Leviticus.
Archer
Rogues, I despise them.
Last night never should’ve happened. Harry’s overprotectiveness of his sister caused her to run and due to that, I could’ve lost her.
I had a hard time falling asleep as the words of my warriors kept repeating in my head. They said they found a rogue that had pinned Riley to the ground. Its teeth were just inches away from tearing out her neck.
The thought sends a shiver down my spine. I could’ve lost her, my mate, my Luna. On top of that, I promised her parents that she and the boys would be safe here! How bad does it look on me that the very first overnight they have over here we get attacked and she almost dies?!
I huff and I feel fingers run through my hair and I glance up to see my mom looking at me worriedly as she says, “Hon, whatever is going on through that head of yours, it will be okay.”
I smile halfheartedly as I look up at my mom and she puts a mug of coffee in front of me and says, “Looks like you need it.”
I chuckle as I take a sip and say, “Thank you, mom.”
She sits beside me and watches me for a moment before saying, “You know it’s not your fault, Arch.”
I sigh, “I know, I can’t help the fact that rogues slipped through. It happens, I don’t know one pack that hasn’t had at least one rogue attack. But… mom, I could’ve lost her.”
She sighs as she puts her hand on mine and says, “My love, I promise you, losing someone isn’t the worst thing in the world. I would rather have loved and lost your father than have never met him.”
My lips press together as I nod in understanding. I say, “I know mom, I understand that. But what will her parents think? They have this need to keep her safe, and like I get it. She’s just a human, she can’t protect herself. This is the first time she and her brothers have been able to stay overnight, I just feel like they will blame me for this.”
She sighs, “Archer, you can’t help what they think. Try to move past it, you still have two days left with them, enjoy it!”
I nod, she has a point and I know it. I hear Harry, Todd, Brandon, and Caleb’s voices as they walk towards our dining room. My mom smiles and greets them and I can’t help but wonder where Riley is at. Harry walks over and sits beside me and says, “Hey… I’m sorry.”
My eyebrows raise and he nods towards the chair as he silently asks me if he can join me. I nod and he says, “I handled last night poorly. I didn’t realize you were her mate; I still don’t really understand it because I thought Zane was her mate. I love my sister, and I don’t want to see her get hurt.”
“I’ll never hurt her, Harry.”
He looks me up and down and says, “I’m starting to realize that, again, I’m sorry.”
I smile softly and say, “It’s no big deal, man, let’s just move on.”
Riley
When I woke up hours later the bed was cold, and I looked around and it was as if Archer hadn’t been in here at all. I sigh as I change my clothes and then look back out the window.
Can Leviticus stay out in sunlight? I don’t know which myths are true or fake when it comes to vampires.
I look in the mirror, there are dark circles under my eyes and my purple eyes seem dull. I grab out my contacts and watch as they look dark brown once again, I look forward to the day when I won’t have to wear these. I spray the potion to take away my scent and I pull my hair back before I walk downstairs to go check on the others.
Everyone is sitting at the dining table and I’m surprised to see Harry sitting down beside Archer. I raise one eyebrow and he holds his hands up with a playful smile on his face. I walk over to them and Archer’s mom stands up and I say, “Oh you don’t have to leave because of me.”
She waves her hand and says, “Nonsense, I was just socializing, I need to get to work anyways. See you all later.”
We all nod in response and I sit across from my brother and he says, “I’m sorry, Riley.”
I shake my head, “Forget about it, Har. Let’s move on.”
He nods and Archer grabs my hand before he makes some idle chitchat. My mind is somewhere else. I hate it, I feel like I’m not doing right by him. I should be enjoying this time together and instead, I really wish I could be at home.