Prince Ryker

Chapter 6

I awoke to the feeling of fingers siding through my hair. Brushing away strands, slowly unweaving the knots that had formed the night before. My head still rested against Ryker's chest, I could still hear the strong beat of his heart against my ear. Pressing closer to his side I slung my arm across his chest not ready to leave this moment yet. I felt his arm tighten against me pulling me even closer to him as he continued to work his way through my hair. 

My mind wanders back to the times when I had been in bed with Jacob or one of the other men. It was never like this, I had never felt safe or calm in the slightest. But here in Ryker's arms, I finally felt as if my entire being could rest, even if it was only for a little while. When I had been with the rouges I was used as the punching bag of the pack. If another wolf didn't follow an order or it was me who paid for it along with them. Even though I had nothing to do with what had happened Jacob or the others would use it as an excuse to punish me. Curling in on myself slightly as I remembered the feel of the lashes coming down on my back. The scars from it still marked my flesh from my lower back to shoulders. 

A tremor ran through my body as my mind fell back into that dark place. I had not even realized how hard I was shaking until Ryker spoke. "Rose?" He asked a question in his voice. Instead of answering I pressed my face into the crook of his shoulder for a moment. Trying to regain my composure. Blinking back the tears that stung my eyes I sucked in a few deep breaths. Rykers hand wrapped around my chin, pulling my head up to look at him. His silver eyes seemed even brighter in the morning sun that was bathing over us from the open window. Caressing my cheek with his thumb Ryker brushed away a tear as it tried to escape down my cheek. 

"You're safe Rose I promise, you will never have to back to that horrid place. I swear it to you." Shaking my head slightly as the tears in my eyes threatened to spill over yet again. Ryker leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my forehead, his lips resting on my forehead for a moment. Pulling me closer into a tight hug he held me close. 

After a few minutes, I got control over my emotions once again.  Pulling away from Ryker I stood from the bed. Stretching out for a moment before straightening my clothes. "We have to meet with Reara, and I have some explaining to do as well," Ryker said as he stood from the bed. 

Walking over to a chair in the corner where a pair of sweatpants and sweatshirts had been laid out for him. I watched as he picked them up and made his way into the bathroom to remove the hospital gown. 

As I waited for him I braided my hair down my back so that it was out of the way. Ryker had done a good job removing all the snarls and knots from it. Ryker exited the bathroom wearing the black sweatshirt and matching pants. He nodded to me, turning to the door I followed him. He walked stiffly at first but after we made it up the stairs he seemed to be less stiff. Coming to another set of wooden doors Ryker glanced back at me for a moment flashing me a quick grin before pushing open the doors. 

Entering the room behind him I looked around cautiously. It was a meeting hall of some sort with a long wooden table in the center of the room. As soon as we walked in everyone stood from their seats quickly turning to us. They all bowed low to Ryker and for a moment I almost did the same before I remembered what he had said. Before I could second guess myself any longer Ryker motioned for them to rise. 

"Please take a seat." Ryker motioned to the chairs. They had left open on the end of the table and on to the right of the head seat. I waked with Ryker to the end of the table. He pulled the chair to the right out for me allowing me to sit before walking to his own seat. 

Clearing his throat he began to speak "as I am sure you all know I was taken captive by the rouge pack during the raid on the palace around four months ago. During the rade, both the king and queen were killed. Jacob the alpha of the rouges was the one who not only organized the rade but murdered my parents. He also held me captive on his pack property no more than fifty miles from here, and if it wasn't for Rosalyn I would have been killed." 

The room seemed to still after he finished speaking. No one moved or even so much as breathed as they stared at me in utter shock. Ignoring them I turned to Ryker. I had no idea that his parents had been killed. A wave of sadness fell over me as I looked him over, how strong he must be to have witnessed all that and still made it through not only that but the months of torture. Unable to help myself I reached over and clasped his hand in mine squeezing it tightly. Ryker squeezed back, our clasped hands hidden under the table. 

"I must get back to the kingdom as soon as possible. We have to show the packs that I am back and that there is once again a King. In a week I will call all the Alphas to the palace for a council meeting so that we can choose the next step. War is coming and we must be prepared. Not only did they take our King and Queen from us, but countless other lives were lost in the battle. Make sure your packs are ready ." 

The room filled with murmurs of agreement as Ryker stood. Following his lead, I stood as well. With some final farewells, we exited into the hall.  As soon as we were far enough away from everyone I turned to him. "I am so sorry about your family, I had no idea all that had happened. It's my fault I didn't get you out sooner. I shouldn't have been so afraid." I said as I looked down at my boot covered feet. 

"It's not your fault Rose I understand why you couldn't I'm just glad we both got out." Ryker moved closer to me. Resting his hand on my shoulder, before running it down my arm. His other hand came up to my cheek caressing it for a moment. Closing my eyes for a moment to enjoy the touch I was startled when his lips pressed to mine. It was a light kiss barely a whisper of his lips against mine before he pulled away again. 

Not letting him get away I slung my arms around his neck and pulled his lips down to me once more. Sparks danced across my skin, as our lips connected. Soft and sweetly we explored each other for a moment. Slowly Ryker pulled away, I pressed my head against the crook of his shoulder for a moment taking in a long breath. His chest shuttered as he let out a chuckle. "Is my little Rose embarrassed?" He asked me in a teasing tone. 

Pulling away from him my face burning, I smacked his shoulder, this only made him laugh even harder. I turned away from him but Ryker quickly grabbed my hand and began to pull me down the hall. 

"We have to go little Rose, the plane is waiting for us."

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