CHAPTER 63
CHAPTER 63
ALPHA QUEEN VESPA
The weight of my thoughts pressed down on me with each step toward Riker's house. My fingers drummed against my thigh as I reached his door. Once I was in front of his door, I knocked once abs waited for him to open.
"Two of our northern alphas are attending the celestial conjunction," I blurted out the moment Ryker opened the door.
Ryker's eyebrows shot up. He ushered me inside, his hand warm against my back. "Come in, tell me everything."
I paced his living room, recounting what I'd learned while Ryker leaned against the wall, arms crossed, nodding as I spoke. I told him about the invite from Arlo and hoe the alphas had accepted.
"They seem too excited, and I'm sure they would not listen even if I say they should not attend."
I paused, biting my finger.
"I do not know why I feel bad about this. I want to go there too, and watch them while they are there. I'm not aware of the reason, but.. I don't know why u want to attend all of a sudden."
"So why did you stop attending the event?" he asked when I finished, his head tilted with curiosity.
My steps faltered. I looked away from him, shoulders stiff.
"Vespa?" Ryker moved closer.
"It's nothing." I waved dismissively.
"Clearly it's something." His voice softened as he caught my gaze.
I sighed, my fingers picking at a loose thread on my sleeve. "I just felt like not attending. The last time, I felt like the Alpha's wife didn't like me, so I stopped going."
Ryker's eyes narrowed slightly. He pushed off from the wall and moved to the kitchen. "You should attend this time," he called over his shoulder as he pulled ingredients from cupboards. "Especially since the other two alphas from the Northern territories will be there."
I followed him, watching as his hands moved confidently between chopping vegetables and stirring a pot. The rich aroma of spices filled the air.
"It's a good opportunity to reconnect," he continued. "Show your presence."
"Maybe," I mumbled, leaning against the counter.
Ryker scooped up a spoonful of sauce. "Try this." He blew on it gently before holding it to my lips.
The flavour burst across my tongue. "That's incredible."
His eyes crinkled at the corners. "Secret recipe."
"From your mother?" I asked.
"From a cookbook I found in a dumpster," he laughed.
I snorted, nearly choking on the food. "You're terrible!"
"You believed me for a second." He grinned, turning back to the stove.
Once he was done, he served the food on a plate while I watched without offering to help.
We carried our plates to his small dining table. Ryker raised his fork with another bite. "Open up."
I rolled my eyes but complied. His gaze held mine as I took the food from his fork, and something electric passed between us.
"Remember that time in Blackwater Marsh?" I asked, breaking the tension.
"When you insisted that quicksand was a myth, then immediately sank up to your waist?" Ryker laughed.
"You didn't have to wait so long to help me out," I grumbled, but couldn't keep from smiling.
Ryker fed me from his plate, and I did the sane. During this sharing of meals, I completely forgot the stress I was going through. The reason I had come all the way to Ryker's mansion. All I cared about was the food and the moment we shared.
The food was good. I loved well prepared dishes, and eating them made me forget a lot for the period of time.
The evening stretched on, plates emptied, stories shared. My muscles relaxed for the first time in days.
Later, as Ryker cleared the dishes, I remained at the table.
"I've thought about it," I said. "I'll attend the celestial conjunction with the others."
The dish in Ryker's hand clattered to the counter as he spun around. His face broke into a very sincere smile.
"I'm glad you decided to go." He reached across the table, his fingers brushing mine.
A warmth spread through my chest. Whatever awaited me at the conjunction, at least I'd made the right choice tonight.