Chapter 21 Tailed Episode
The road stretched ahead of them as the four bikes raced forward.
Lyra felt the vibrations thrumming up her spine, but she kept her arms crossed tight, refusing to hold on to Ryker. Frankly, she didn’t need to because right now, she was trapped on the tank like he’d threatened.
“I won’t let you fall off and hurt yourself, you stubborn wench!” Ryker had hissed at some point during their ride and then bundled her up, kicking and screaming, in front of him, wrapped his hands around her sides and continued the ride.
A few hours later, the sun finally softened into the orange glow of evening as they crossed out of IronFang territory. Her back ached, her thighs throbbed from hours on the bike, and her bladder felt like it was about to explode.
Dax and Rex rode just behind them, occasionally calling out something that got lost in the wind. Still, Lyra felt the rare calm that came from being surrounded by nature. For once, she wasn’t the Luna, wasn’t the Queen of IronFangs. She was just Lyra, a tired woman after a long day.
Right then, Lyra leaned forward and tapped Ryker’s shoulder.
“Ryker,” she called over the roar of the engine, “we need to stop.”
He didn’t even turn his head. “We have to cover more distance. Once we cross the river, we’ll be in the Bronx Pack valley. We stop there.”
“No,” she groaned. “I’m tired. We’ve been riding for hours. I need a break.”
“You’ll get one,” he said with a firm tone. “Just a little more.”
“I have to pee!” she snapped loudly, her voice filled with irritation.
Ryker instantly hit the brakes so hard her head leaned against the crook of his neck. “Why didn’t you just say so?!”
Lyra practically staggered off the bike the moment it stopped, holding her head as dizziness washed over her.
Behind them, Rex’s bike rolled up first. “Everything okay?” she called, climbing off and stretching her muscular arms.
Dax parked beside her, pulling off his helmet. “We should cross the river first. We’re almost at the valley.”
Ryker shook his head sternly. “My woman wants to stop, so we’re stopping.”
Rex chuckled under her breath. “Whipped,” she whispered to Dax.
Lyra glared weakly at all of them. “I just need to pee. And rest. Please. I’m exhausted.”
Dax’s expression softened immediately. “Okay. Fine,” he sighed. “We’ll stop.”
He revved his engine and guided his bike off the road toward a flat clearing shaded by tall trees. The others followed.
“How about you two set up camp,” Dax said, hopping off. “I’ll escort Lyra—”
“No,” Ryker cut in instantly. “You’re setting camp with Rex. I’ll take Lyra.”
Dax threw his hands up. “Fine! Goddess forbid anyone else walks the Queen to pee.”
Lyra didn’t even bother arguing. She was too tired. And too full.
Ryker grabbed her hand gently and led her toward the thick brush. Lyra stopped once they reached a darker patch beneath the trees.
“Won’t you turn around?” she demanded.
“No.”
“What do you mean, no?!”
“You’re my wife,” he said, leaning back casually against a tree. “I’ve seen everything before. Everything.”
“And that’s the last you’ll be seeing.” She shoved his chest, sending him two steps back. “Turn around.”
He huffed and turned, though reluctantly. “Hurry, stubborn woman.”
Lyra moved deeper into the bushes. She’d barely buttoned back her jeans when something sharp stabbed her foot.
“Ow!” she hissed, but before she could move, something coiled around her ankle.
Then she felt a needle bite.
“Arrrrrrrerrrrrgh!” she shrieked at the top of her voice.
“LYRA!” Ryker charged toward the sound so fast he nearly ripped branches off the trees.
He found her on the ground, clutching her foot, breath shuddering erratically with a thin stream of blood trailing down her ankle.
“Fuck,” he breathed, scooping her up. “Lyra, look at me. What happened? What is it?”
“Snake,” she sobbed, hyperventilating. “I got bitten, Ryker, I got bitten—”
Her chest tightened rapidly, breaths coming out in panicked, shallow gasps.
“Shit. Shit!” He lifted her higher in his arms and ran.
Back at the clearing, Rex was unpacking when she heard Lyra’s scream echo through the trees. She grabbed a flashlight and sprinted toward the sound. When Ryker burst into the clearing, Rex was already shining the light on Lyra’s leg.
“What happened?” she yelled.
“Grab the blanket, now!”
Rex didn’t hesitate. She dropped to her knees, spread out a blanket, and Ryker laid Lyra down gently. Her breathing was ragged, lips trembling, eyes wide and unfocused.
Dax ran over instantly. “What’s going on?!”
Ryker was already rummaging through his medical kit, items flying everywhere. “Where the hell is it, damn it!”
“What happened to her?!” Dax gripped Ryker’s shoulder, forcing him to look up. “What did you do to her?”
Rex grabbed Dax’s arm. “She’s having a panic attack!”
“No,” Ryker growled, shoving Dax off. “It’s worse. Lyra is allergic to reptiles. Even seeing them can send her into shock.”
Dax froze. “What? I didn’t know that.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about my wife,” Ryker snapped.
Finally, he found a small syringe. He ripped the cap off with his teeth and knelt beside Lyra. Her body shook violently now.
“Hush, sweetheart,” he whispered, his voice as low as he could make it. “I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”
Her body jolted once and her hands clawed at his shirt before suddenly going limp.
Her breathing steadied and she stopped gasping for breath.
Ryker exhaled sharply, forehead dropping to her shoulder. “Thank the moon.”
Rex let out a shaky breath, putting a hand over her heart. “Damn. I thought she was dying.”
“She’ll be fine when she wakes,” Ryker murmured, brushing hair from Lyra’s face with trembling fingers. “She just needs to rest.”
He wrapped the blanket around her and pulled her into his chest protectively.
“She’s so stubborn,” he whispered, almost to himself. “And she always gets herself in danger.”
Rex stood, wiping dirt from her pants. “Take it easy, Alpha. I’ll keep first watch.”
Dax lingered, arms crossed and eyes tight.
Ryker looked up. “Is there something you want to say to me, Dax? You’ve been intolerable since Lyra returned.”
Dax didn’t back down. “Lyra is the Queen of IronFangs. Until that changes, it’s all our duties to protect her, not just yours.”
Ryker’s jaw ticked but he didn’t respond.
Dax turned away. “I’ll gather firewood.”
As he walked off, Ryker pulled Lyra closer, holding her like she might disappear if he loosened his grip even slightly.