Chapter 64: Chapter 64

Chapter Sixty-Four

Ryley

“Now, Miss Evelyn North, how are you feeling?” Blair asked me. My attention snapped to the former alpha.

“North? As in Alpha Evan North?” Blake exclaimed.

“He was my father,” I admitted sadly. He may have been a hard man, but my mother and I were his world.

“You changed your name?” Blake asked me.

‘Ryley is my middle name and Halliwell was my mother’s maiden name. Did Dorian tell you who I was?”

“No, those grey eyes of yours gave you away. I suspected you were Evan’s daughter. I knew him from Alpha meetings. I only heard rumors about his businesses. Which is why this pack didn’t get involved with his pack. I didn’t want anything hanging over my head.” Blair explained.

“He wasn’t a bad person. He may have done some awful things but he loved me and my mother. And he cared about his pack.” I sighed, wiping my eyes. I wish I was given the chance to turn my pack around.

“I don’t understand why he was here. Alpha’s take the summers off from other pack business.”

“You said it yourself, he was here to ask for my help,” Blake answered.

“I was bluffing. I didn’t know why he was here. For all I knew you two

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Chapter Sixty Four

284 Nowthers

were friends.” I shrugged.

“That may not have been smart, but it was fun to watch,” Blair chuckled.

“And it was fun to do,” I smiled.

“Ryley, I know it’s been years but did the pack ever have a problem with rogues?” Blake asked.

“Rogues? No, my father would employ them as runners. I don’t think we ever had an attack. They would come to the borders looking for work. Why? Is that why Dorian was here?”

“He has lost twenty-five warriors to random rogue attacks. They have only managed to kill one,” he explained.

“That doesn’t sound right. I may despise the man but I know he is a strong alpha. The attacks must be random. And there were no attacks to the east?”

“I think we just found our inside man,” Blair declared.

“How did you know that?” Blake questioned.

“The east is where I fell to my almost death. It’s rough even for wolves. Also, random means they can’t predict the next attack. It’s what I would have done.” I shrugged.

“Your father taught you well, sweet girl,” Blair praised me.

“It was more my mother. My father was the muscles and she was the brains and beauty. That’s what my father always said.” I smiled at the memory. My parents had a beautiful love story. My grandfather wasn’t a good man and he would torture my mother. When my father was in their pack with his father for a meeting, he rescued her from him. He

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Chapter Sixty-Fout

loved her so much and was willing to start a war over her. The council stepped in since he was claiming she was his mate. But his love for her was unmeasurable. He did everything and anything to make her happy.

“Too bad ours went to sh*t. I can’t believe you liked that guy,” Lily scoffed.

“Ours gave us Channing. And maybe a second chance, for an epic love story,” I told her, looking at Blake. This could be our chance at a happy ending. And since my identity is now known, there is no point in hiding.

I covered my yawn. With the events of the day, I was exhausted.

“Head up to bed, I’ll wait for Luca,” Blair told us.

“Thanks, Dad. We’ll see you and mom at breakfast.” The thought should terrify me, especially after the dinner we had, but I was too exhausted to worry about it now. I hugged Blair before Blake took my hand, leading me out of the conference room and towards the stairs.

Nerves twisted my stomach as I climbed up to the alpha floor. I can’t believe I agreed to this. To me, this was moving too fast. I understand his need to protect me but this was over the top, wasn’t it?

I stumbled on a step as my entire body ached. It’s been a while since I had to shift and fight to protect. And then I lost some blood. It’s been one of those days where you just want to curl up under a blanket.

“Blake,” I gasped as he took the opportunity to pick me up.

“Ryley,” he mocked and I huffed.

“You’re se*y when you pout,” he purred and I pushed my lips into a line. His warmth sank into my body and I melted into him, resting my head on his shoulder.

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“I will allow this only because I’m exhausted.” I yawned, snuggling my face into his neck. His scent covered me in a blanket of comfort and I found myself completely relaxed. I felt safe with Blake. I knew nothing was going to happen with him by my side. But I also know that I carry a huge burden. One I’m not sure he would be willing to help me carry.

“Then in the morning, you will talk to him. If you want this to work, then you need to open up, Ryley. No more holding back. This is not just our future but Channing’s.” Lily said. I heard her but I didn’t answer. I was having a hard time staying awake. This is how I felt sleeping next to Dorian. He had made me feel safe. And now I was going to put my trust and faith into yet another alpha, who has the power to break me.

Blake would never, I thought as my aches disappeared and I drifted off to sleep snuggled into Blake.