Chapter 8 The Road to Hell
The trip to the city got quieter step by step - each mile pulled them deeper into stillness, like breath held too long.
We slipped out of Blood Moon’s stronghold when the night was thick. Ryker skipped the usual crew - no soldiers, no backup trucks tagging along. Instead, just him and me piling into a dark SUV, built so tough it’d laugh at concrete walls.
"Silas will hold the fort," Ryker had said as he tossed our bags into the trunk. "If I bring warriors, the Emperor will see it as an act of aggression. If I come alone, I am just a loyal subject answering a summons."
"A loyal subject who plans to show them a monster," I reminded him.
Ryker stayed serious. Then he pulled open the car’s side door. Hop in
By then, we’d been driving for three hours straight. Rain still pouring - no break at all. It hammered the glass, turning everything beyond into smears of dark and shadow.
I saw Ryker behind the wheel.
He steered using just one hand, fingers loose yet alert. His black shirt’s cuffs were pushed up, showing off strong arms along with tattoos curling near his wrists.
He moved like danger. Smooth, sharp, never showing off. Yet deadly calm - the kind that freezes your breath.
You’re making thoughts way too noisy,” Ryker said quiet-like, gaze stuck on the soaked pavement.
I jumped slightly. "I didn't say anything."
"You didn't have to. I can smell your anxiety, Elara. It smells like burnt sugar."
I folded my arms tight across my chest. Not nervous - just getting ready
"Preparing for what?"
"For the Tribunal. Kade is going to lie. He’s going to say I’m a witch. He’s going to try to get me executed."
Ryker's fingers clamped the wheel - leather groaned from the pressure.
"He won't get the chance," Ryker said, his voice dropping to that low, dangerous rumble that vibrated in my bones. "The Emperor is a tyrant, but he loves rules. The Ancient Laws state that a husband can defend his wife’s honor by combat. If Kade accuses you, he has to fight me."
My gut knotted up. Still, you’re hurt
I checked his shoulder. Under the dark shirt, a bandage hid the burn left by the Witch Hunter’s shot - still fresh, not fixed. The wound stayed raw.
"I’ve fought with worse," Ryker dismissed.
"Ryker," I said softly. "You don't have to die for me. This contract... it was just business."
Ryker hit the brakes hard.
The SUV slammed to a stop on the empty road, wheels sticking to the slick pavement. As that happened, my belt snapped taut across my chest.
Ryker loosened his belt, then swiveled on the seat toward me. Inside the car stayed pitch-black - just the glow from the dash flickering, throwing shade over his marked-up features.
"Stop saying that," he growled.
"Saying what?"
"That it’s just business." He leaned closer, invading my personal space until I was pressed back against the door. "Do you think I would drive into the Lion’s Den for a business partner? Do you think I would threaten the High Council for a contract?"
My breath hitched. "Then why are you doing it?"
Ryker looked right at me. With his golden eyes, he studied my face, then paused on my mouth. Just for a beat, it felt like he might lean in close. There was tension hanging there - something invisible tugging us nearer, almost magnetic.
"Because," Ryker whispered roughly, "you are the only thing in this world that makes the noise stop. And I will burn the Capital to ash before I let them touch you."
He moved away just as I started to reply, putting the car into drive again.
"We’re stopping for the night," he said abruptly. "The storm is getting worse, and I can't fight Kade if I fall asleep at the wheel."
We stopped at a cheap motel by the road about an hour after that.
A dump with a shaky neon light - humming like something furious. The Oasis? More like a spot folks picked to ditch corpses instead of catching Zs.
Ryker ducked into the store to hand over the money, so I stayed behind in the car, hoodie tugged forward to cover my features. A short moment after, he came back holding just one key.
He popped open my door, saying they’d just got a single room left.
Sure thing. Life’s got a twisted way of laughing at you.
We headed to Room 4. Then, Ryker turned the key, shoved the door wide, checked inside for danger - only after that did he let me step through.
The space felt tight. A mix of old smoke lingered, mixed with sharp citrus from cleaning stuff. In the middle stood one big bed - queen size - with a busy flower-pattern cover that looked like it had seen better days.
Ryker shut the door tight after we walked in, clicking the bolt into place. His bag landed hard on the tiles a moment later.
You grab the bed," he said as he moved to the old, dirty armchair tucked in the corner - while I'll stick with the seat
"Don't be ridiculous," I said, taking off my wet jacket. "You’re twice my size, Ryker. You won't even fit in that chair. And you have a shoulder wound."
"I’m fine, Elara."
"You're stubborn," I countered. "We are married. We’ve slept in the same bed before. Just get in."
Ryker froze. He looked at me, his eyes dark. "The last time we slept in the same bed, I was exhausted and you were terrified. Tonight... the adrenaline is still high. My wolf is close to the surface, Elara. I don't trust myself."
"I trust you," I said.
The words stayed there, just floating around.
Ryker stared at me, like I'd suddenly hit him. "You better not."
I said it. I moved to the bed, yanking the sheets loose. Get under them, Ryker - Luna commands you
A small grin tugged one side of his lips. "Takes charge real quick."
"I learned from the best."
He let out a breath, worn down. Then he pulled off his boots, tossing them aside - his shirt followed soon after.
I couldn't help looking - just didn't matter how hard I tried. His chest looked like raw strength shaped by fights. Blood had started oozing through the wrap on his shoulder.
Come here," I whispered gently.
I had him sit at the bed’s edge. From the bathroom, I grabbed the first aid box - then fixed his bandage slow. My hand skimmed his hot skin; each touch made his muscles jump.
He watched me. His eyes felt thick - like fire on my skin.
Once done, I switched the light out - suddenly, everything went black.
We lay down.
He kept to the far right side. Meanwhile, I held my spot on the left. A single foot separated us - yet it seemed endless. Still, that gap carried more weight than distance.
I shut my eyes, hearing the rain tap outside. Still, sleep wouldn’t come. My skin felt icy. Yet I sensed he wasn’t sleeping either - his breaths came too steady.
Ryker?" I said softly to the night.
"Go to sleep, Elara."
"I'm cold."
Silence.
After that, a deep breath. “Get over here.”
I slid over the bed.
Ryker's arm snaked around my waist, yanking me back till I hit his chest. His heat burned through me. Like standing next to an open oven.
I sank into him right away, his arms around me making everything feel okay.
Better?” he muttered into my hair.
"Much," I murmured.
We stayed like that for ages. His heartbeat pressed into me, warm and close. Quick - way too quick. Racing without rest.
After that, his hand shifted.
His big, calloused hand moved off my waist, creeping higher along my belly. This was no mistake. Fingers followed the curve of my ribs, barely touching through the thin fabric of my shirt.
My breath caught.
"Ryker?"
"You smell like rain," he whispered, his voice thick with need. "And lavender. It’s driving me insane."
His fingers crept up, then his thumb grazed below my breast.
I sucked in air. That feeling shot right down low, making me shiver. I twisted around inside his hold, now front-to-front with him where it was black.
I couldn’t make out his face well - yet the shine of golden eyes stood out instead.
"Ryker," I breathed.
"I should stop," he groaned, his forehead resting against mine. "We have to be at the Tribunal tomorrow. I need to be focused."
Then quit,” I said quiet, but my gut yelled keep going.
Ryker exhaled hard, uneven. Then his fingers slid up my neck - slow - with his thumb brushing where my pulse jumped.
"I can't," he admitted. "I’ve wanted to taste you since the moment you walked across that ballroom floor."
This time he just went ahead without asking. His mouth slammed into mine.
It wasn’t soft. It felt hungry - like he couldn’t wait. Almost frantic, as if he’d die without it. One breath, then his lips crashed on mine. Not asking. Taking instead. Like every move meant survival.
I looped my arms around his neck, tugging him nearer. Our chests mashed tight, heat building fast. The firm line of his cock nudged my belly, so I let out a soft gasp instead.
Ryker snarled when he heard it. Rolling fast, he shoved me down - his body on mine, solid, just right.
"Tell me to stop," he warned, hovering over my lips. "Tell me to stop, Elara, because if I take one more step, I won't be able to turn back."
I glanced toward him where the light didn't reach.
Keep going," I said quietly.
Ryker's eyes widened suddenly. His hand moved fast, grabbing the edge of my shirt - aiming to rip it away.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Someone slammed hard against the motel room’s entrance.
"OPEN UP! ROYAL GUARD!"
Ryker stiffened - sudden stillness where fire once flared, now swapped out with icy intent that cut like a blade.
He slid away from me, snatching the pistol off the nightstand without slowing down.
Stay put,” he told me.
He headed to the door, shirt off, like some grim reaper. Then yanked it wide - no hesitation.
Out there, beneath sheets of cold rain, waited half a dozen royal guards - clad head to toe in thick metal gear.
"Alpha Ryker," the captain said, looking nervous as he stared at the gun in Ryker’s hand. "The Emperor has grown impatient. He sent us to... escort you the rest of the way."
Ryker glanced their way. After a pause, his eyes swung to me - curled up under the sheets, gasping slightly, face warm.
He looked again at the guards, showing his teeth in a scary grin.
"You interrupted my wife," Ryker snarled. "You better pray the Emperor kills you quickly, because if I have to do it, it will take all night."