The Heart of the Shadow

25. Let Me In

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Lance's POV
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Luke and I race down the corridor after Maria. Her speed increases as the scent of her pup gets stronger. We tumble into the room just as Maria launches at a man I know all to well. I can only watch, as he pulls out a gun and shoots her point blank in the head. He chuckles as he sees our horror stricken faces.

"Well, well, would you look at that." Nathaniel kicks her body to the side and stalks towards us. Luke screams in agony as he watches his lifeless mate fall to the floor. He continues screaming and groaning, until Nathaniel shoots him. I gasp as Luke falls to the floor on top of Maria, blood pools on the ground beneath their heads.

"You monster." He just smirks and walks closer, the spurs on his boots scrape against the ground.

"I try to be." With both ties from her parents broken, Ryka jerks on the table. He looks at her in alarm, I take the chance. I lunge at him, tackling him to the ground. He has no time to even think before I knock him out with a swift kick to the head. I scoop her into my arms, making sure to grab the bag of blood also.

"I need everyone out of this place now! I've got Ryka!" My warriors crowd around me as we race out of the building. We don't stop running until the castle is in sight. I carry Ryka into my room and lay her on my bed.

"What are we going to do with her, Alpha King?" My Beta Joseph, asks as he walks into the room.

"First, we need Parker, all this blood has to go back into her body." He nods his head and turns towards the door.

"I'll find him, sir." I turn my eyes back to Ryka, reaching out and moving her hair from her face.

"Oh the things I must tell you." Joseph and Parker rush into the room moments later.

   "Get out, get out! I need you out of here! Go!" Parker shoves is our the door, I growl at him. The door slams in my face, hitting my nose.

"Parker! Let me in!" Joseph grabs my arm and drags me away. I rub my face as I follow Joseph to his room. I take a seat at his desk, while he sits on the couch. His head tilts as he stares at me. I growl at him causing him to turn away.

   "What is she to you?" I sigh.

   "Something very important." He gives me a knowing look.

   "Well she can't be your mate, she's too young."

   "I'll tell you everything when she wakes up. I'm going to get some food." I make my way to the kitchen, finding my head cook making out with her mate. The girls jump apart as I clear my throat, their faces red as tomatoes.

   "Um, would you like me to make you something, Alpha King?" Polly asks. I shake my head and continue my journey to the fridge. I grab the box of pork from yesterday and head to the living room. After a few hours of watching random shows on the tv, Parker runs into the room.

"Alpha King, she is awake and doing well. She needs to rest and eat. I've brought her some food she can start on, but she says she isn't hungry. I told her I would send you to tend to her. She is very confused and I suggest you explain everything to her as soon as possible." I pat his shoulder.

"Thank you Parker." He nods and walks across the room to his mate. She jumps into his arms and he carries her out of the castle. I wring my hands as I travel to my room. I stop at the door and begin to regret my decision of explaining everything.

"You have to tell her. Scarlett already knows." My wolf, Ross, demands.

"I know, I know. I'm just scared she's going to react negatively."

"It will be fine. I'm going to be right here the whole time. Now, open the door idiot." I push open the heavy wooden door to my room, locking eyes with her.

"Why am I here?" I sit on the edge of the bed, she scoots away slightly.

"I brought you here."

"Can I go back to my pack now?"

"You have to wait until you're healed." She scoffs and tries to get up, I push her shoulders back down. She growls at me, earning a growl in return.

"I don't care if you're the Alpha King, you aren't keeping me from my family."

"You are in no condition to leave. You must wait until you are healed." She huffs and crosses her arms.

"Why does it matter to you anyways?" I take a deep breath before answering.

"You mean more to me than you'll ever know, pup." Her forehead creases as she thinks.

"What is that supposed to mean? Can I at least see my parents now?"

"Well, there's a slight problem with that."

"What is it."

"They died trying to save you. Your mother got shot when she tried to stop Nathaniel from drawing your blood and your father was shot when he saw your mother was dead." A single tear falls from my eyes as I say the words out loud.

"What, what do you mean? That can't be true. It isn't true. My wolf still has a bond, my father is still alive. We have to go back and save him! Let me go! I have to get to him! We can't leave him with that psychopath!" I hold her shoulders, stopping her from moving. She growls and fights against me.

"Your father isn't dead and he isn't with Nathaniel because he is me!" She halts in her attack, her eyes widen.

"What did you just say?" She rips her body from my grasp and sits against the headboard.

"Ryka, I am your father."

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4/13/20