Chapter 9 Long to Belong
Dax hadn't changed one bit.
It felt like she was back in time and her brother-in-law was the same reckless man, constantly looking for trouble and raiding weak packs.
“I hope you didn't lose any of our men,” Ryker hissed as he watched him hop off the bike.
But Dax simply laughed. “Come on, big brother, they followed me after knowing the risks.”
“I've had enough of you having my men slaughtered like dogs because of your recklessness!”
“So we should sit back and get attacked by weaker packs when we know we can beat them?” Dax spread his arms. “Come on, we all know IronFangs MC is the strongest pack. We can raid anywhere, and yet you don't allow us to do that because of your so-called honor and dignity.”
“I didn't become alpha to oppress others. My duty is to protect this pack and earn a living legitimately.”
“Blah blah blah!” Dax laughed. “There’s no honor in a biker club, brother. It's either rob or get robbed. And we can count how many times we've been invaded because we refuse to show our strength.”
Ryker raised his fist and then quickly withdrew it. Fighting his kid brother was something he swore never to do again. It was fruitless and a show of weakness.
When Dax realized that Ryker was once again being the bigger person, he turned to the rest of the pack. “What did I miss?” And then, seeing Lyra, he suddenly whistled loudly.
“Brother, did you get a new bitch in my absence?”
Ryker growled and shoved him back before he could stop himself.
“Yes, I think he did,” Tessa replied loudly, “and apparently he's into bloodsuckers now.”
Dax froze and turned to Tessa. “What did you say?”
“You heard me. She's a half-breed.”
Dax surged forward with a furious snarl, his eyes turning feral. “Absolutely not!” He lunged with his claws out, ready to tear her apart.
Tessa smiled wickedly.
But Ryker stepped between them fast enough. “Back off,” he growled, shoving Dax away before he could reach her.
Dax’s lip curled. “IronFangs has a rule,” he spat. “No bloodsuckers allowed.”
“Oh please,” Tessa shot back, “Ryker broke that rule days ago—”
“Shut up before I lose my temper,” Ryker barked over his shoulder at the brunette.
Dax rolled forward again, chest heaving. “You’ve grown soft, Ryker,” he snarled. “Ever since you lost your wife and your so-called mate, you’ve been weak. Accepting bloodsuckers into our pack because they have a pretty face?”
Ryker’s eyes darkened. “Watch your words or I'll make you eat them.”
Dax laughed, and it was a low, humorless sound. “You can fight me, but you can’t get rid of a bloodsucker? What does she have that’s got you acting like this? Aren’t you satisfied with Tessa?” He stepped closer, snarling. “I’ve always thought maybe it’s time you stepped aside. IronFangs deserves a real Alpha. Someone like me.”
Ryker shoved him hard, sending him stumbling backward. “Do you have any idea how much I sacrificed to keep this pack alive? What I did to keep you alive?”
Dax scoffed. “You saved me from some vampire. Big deal. That doesn’t mean I owe you loyalty forever. You’re weak now. And someone needs to tell you the truth. You don’t deserve to rule.”
Ryker’s claws extended, ready to strike.
But before the first blow could land, Lyra stepped between them.
“That’s enough.”
Lyra sighed impatiently. She'd barely been back and already she was getting fed up with their constant rivalry.
Dax’s head snapped toward her. “Who’s this bitch ordering me around?” he snarled. “I’m not my brother. I don’t bend for a pretty face. I’ll rip you apart, bloodsucker.”
“She’s Lyra,” Ryker said sharply.
Dax froze.
The color drained from his face. “That’s impossible,” he whispered.
But Lyra nodded once. “He’s telling the truth.”
And just like that, the rage melted out of Dax’s body. He stumbled forward and wrapped her in a crushing embrace. His voice cracked as he whispered, “If it’s really you, then the moon heard my prayers and brought you back.”
When he finally pulled away, Ryker cleared his throat. “I’ll pardon your outburst because of the operation you just won.”
Dax straightened immediately and nodded. “We carried out the raids. A few of them confessed. They returned everything they owed IronFangs.”
Lyra frowned. “What did they take from us?”
“The Goldcrest Pack invaded our factories,” Dax answered. “Stole our wares and vandalized the rest. Ryker didn’t want to retaliate because he didn’t want to start a war.” His eyes narrowed, proud and unrepentant. “But I was determined to take it all back.”
Lyra turned to Ryker, fire igniting behind her eyes. “I have unsettled scores with the Goldcrest pack myself.”
Ryker hissed, “This isn't the time to go fighting when we can't figure out what's going on with you.”
“There's nothing to figure out. If our pack is in danger, we protect it.”
Dax seemed impressed and nodded. “I like this new Lyra, you know.”
“We do not need violence and we all know the outcome of the war,” Ryker warned.
Lyra knew how much he valued the safety of the pack. But to what end?
In her past life, she'd tried to stay beside him, support him and admire his need for peace and safety.
But now, she wasn't so sure anymore. She was beginning to think that Dax was right. Ryker needed to show the full might of the IronFang.
Lyra arched her brows at him. “How long will we keep looking the other way when they try to destroy us?”
“No one would dare raid this pack. They can only plan small attacks.”
“And it's high time we end that too before it becomes anything bigger,” Dax replied.
Everyone in the crowd seemed to agree with him and Ryker hissed under his breath. He was a leader, not some stiff ruler, and that meant listening to the choices of his people.
Dax was still gloating about his victory when he looked at Lyra properly and said, “Maybe if you raid the Goldcrest, you can convince us that you're really Lyra and we'll give you the welcome you deserve as Ryker's mate.”
Ryker held Lyra's hands. “You don't have to do any of that. This is your home.”
But she wasn't having any of that.
“I will,” Lyra replied instead, and Dax smiled. “We should raid them again and take back everything. It's high time they knew what we're capable of.”
If this was the chance she got to finally be accepted,
she wasn't going to let it slide.
Dax grinned, a savage spark lighting up his face. “The IronFangs Queen is back.”