Unwanted

Martina’s P.O.V.

As we’re waiting for the alpha to come and speak with Petra, I excuse myself to use the restroom. I’m still in shock that I’m here with them. Knowing where I came from and who my parents were is incredible. What warms my heart the most is knowing that I wasn’t unwanted as I had always felt. I could never understand why my birth parents threw me away. Now I know they didn’t.

I leave the restroom and head back to the private area when I catch a scent that makes my wolf howl with excitement. I try to follow it, and I’m surprised it’s leading me to the room where the others are waiting. Is the scent coming from a waiter? When I open the door, I stop and look around. A man suddenly jumps up from the table and begins walking toward me. Should my knees be getting weak just looking at his blond hair and dark brown eyes? I think I’m swooning.

When he stops in front of me, his scent is so strong I feel like I’m bathing in it. Why did I have to think of that? Now I’m picturing him naked in the water. Now is not the time, Martina; you’re in a room full of people. Get your head out of the water. He smiles, and I smile back as we say the same thing.

“Mate.” I can’t believe this wall of muscle wrapped in a sexy package is my mate. Did the Moon Goddess read my fantasies?

“What’s your name?” Sexy man asks me.

“Martina. What’s yours?” Can I touch him? I want to touch him and feel him wrap his massive arms around me. Maybe I have read too many books, but I want to be all those women I read about.

“Ryker. I’m the alpha of the Savage Moon pack.” I look at him and then at everyone who’s staring at us.

“You’re the alpha that came to talk to Petra? What are the chances that would happen on the same day they showed up at the pack I was staying at? Uh, you don’t already have a chosen mate or some woman who has her hooks in you, do you?” I ask him bluntly. I’m not into playing second fiddle or all the he’s mine, not yours bullshit. Ryker looks shocked and then starts laughing. Who knew a laugh could make me wet?

“I don’t have a mate or any other woman; it’s just me. How about you? Is some man going to try to steal you away?” I smirk and shrug.

“He could try, but I guess that depends on how badly you want me.” I begin to walk around Ryker, but he takes my hand and pulls me against him. Is this really happening, or am I fantasizing again?

When he puts his mouth on mine, I close my eyes. If I am living in one of my books, please let me stay here because this is freaking amazing. I’ve never kissed anyone, but I’ve dreamed about it and read how women in romance novels do it. So, when I feel his tongue touch my lip, I open my mouth. He smiles as our tongues stroke each other. When he pulls away, I have to look down to make sure my feet are still on the ground because I think I’m floating on air.

“That’s how badly I want you,” Ryker says. I smile and take his hand.

“Fine, you win. I’ll just have to tell all the other men I’m taken.” Teegan, Petra, and Kiana giggle. There are no other men, but he doesn’t know that. We sit next to each other, and Ryker moves to sit against me with his hand on my thigh. Does he think I’m going to run to another man or something? I think all the guys around this table are taken. At least his large, warm hand feels good, almost too good. I wonder what those hands can do.

“Congratulations, you two,” Teegan says with a smile. I look toward her and wink.

“He’s okay, I guess. I won’t kick him out of bed, at least.” As all the women laugh, the men choke on their drinks. Perfect timing. Did I mention that I say what’s on my mind? Wow, Ryker’s face can sure turn red. His hand on my thigh tightens. Has anyone ever made a big alpha man speechless? It’s freaking funny as hell.

“So, Ryker, would you like to explain to Petra what you know about her pack?” Anton asks. I feel slightly bad for taking away from the purpose of this meeting, but when Petra smiles at me, I know she’s okay with it. I can feel Ryker’s nervousness, so I put my hand over his.

“I know what happened to the members of your pack. My father was the previous alpha of the Savage Moon pack. He was a horrible person who was intent on being the most powerful alpha in the country. He destroyed any pack he saw as a threat. The Mystic Moonlighters was one of those packs. From what my beta and investigators found, I believe my dad attacked just a couple days after you were taken. When I took over as alpha, I had him killed, and I’ve been trying to find any survivors from the packs that he attacked. I’m so sorry for what he did.” My heart breaks as Ryker’s tears fall. He’s a good man. I squeeze his hand and look toward Petra. She’s crying, and Anton’s hugging her.

“Thank you for finding me and telling me this. I always thought that the people who took me and the other pups were the ones who destroyed our pack. Have you found any others from Mystic?” She asks while wiping away her tears.

“No, you’re the first. I hope to find more, and that brings me to the second thing I want to talk about. Jelena told me what you’re doing, and I was wondering if I could tag along. We may come across other people from the packs my father attacked. I’d like to speak with them to let them know how sorry I am and see if there’s anything I can do to help them.” I’m so glad he’s asking to go with them. I wasn’t ready to return to a pack; I just left one a few hours ago.

“Absolutely, you can go with us. You don’t mind driving your car, do you? It’s getting a little crowded in our vehicle.” Joel says. Sounds good to me; then I can ride with Ryker, and we can be alone on the road.

“I don’t mind. Thank you.” Ryker looks at me and smiles. Yeah, I think I’ll keep him. Teegan and Joel talk about the pack we’re going to next while we eat, and I already feel sick. I can only imagine what these sickos are doing with the pups they’re buying. After we’re finished eating, I get my things from the SUV and put them in the back of Ryker’s jeep. As we begin following the others, I reach over and take his hand. Luckily, the jeep is enclosed, so we can talk.

“Thank you for wanting to go with them. I just joined them today when they came to the pack where I was staying. The beta of Silver Moon kidnapped me and sold me when I was a pup. They were raising me to be a breeder, but Jelena and Garrett rescued me before I reached breeding age. They sent me to the pack so I could be around other wolves in a pack environment. If you’re an alpha, are you okay mating with someone who’s basically an orphan?” I ask, looking at him nervously. Ryker glances at me and rubs his thumb over the back of my hand.

“Sweetheart, you’re my mate. I don’t care about rank or anything else. I’ve been waiting for you. Are you okay with being mated to an alpha?” He asks.

“I don’t care if you’re alpha or not. I’m just happy that we found each other.” Ryker glances at me and looks thoughtful.

“Would you care if I wasn’t alpha?”

“What do you mean?” I turn so I can study him.

“I’ve been thinking about stepping down as alpha and letting my beta take over. I never wanted to be in charge. I’d rather be out helping others like this. What do you think?” He asks nervously. Is it possible to love someone so quickly? I lean over and kiss his cheek.

“I think you’re the best man in the world, and I’m happy to call you my mate. I love that idea. To be honest, I wasn’t too anxious for the pack life, but I would have done it to be with you. When we stop at a hotel for the night, can we mark each other?” I want to do more than just mark him. I let everything I’ve read in my books run through my mind and want to do them all. I want him to take me with so much passion that I see stars. Is that too much to ask? When the car swerves slightly, I can’t help giggling.

“You’re ready to mark each other? You know that can lead to other things, right?” He looks at me, and I can see the desire there. I rub my hand up his thigh and smile.

“Yes, I know. I want it all, Ryker. I want you to mark me, make love to me, and fuck me. Have you been with any other women?” I try to cover up how the thought of him with anyone else makes me feel. He quickly shakes his head.

“No, never. If that’s what you want, then I’ll give you everything you asked for.” Ryker squeezes my hand, and I relax.

We keep the conversation light the rest of the way to the pack, but as we pull up, I already feel a heaviness coming over me. Some of the people look scared, and the others look angry. When we get out of our vehicles, I go to Ryker’s side and hold his hand. Only then do I notice the car pulling up behind us and royal guards getting out. Thank goodness, because I have a bad feeling this isn’t going to go well.