I didn't expect Ryder to take me outside to his private courtyard but I was happy that I could enjoy the sun. I had told Ryder that I wanted to stay in the room for the day but as soon as I felt the warm rays on my skin I wasn't in anyway inclined to leave. Already there was food on the table and I took the seat in front of the plate that had an assortment of my favourite foods on it. We sat there for a few minutes with Ryder just watching me as I ate. He still did it even though my weight was now at a good level. "Can I ask you something?" It had been twenty minutes and I was now picking at small bits of food on his plate that he hadn't eaten. "You can always ask me anything." He had moved in closer to sit next to me and his hand gently caressed my knee, his soft gaze moving to look over my face. Swallowing down the last of the food, I drop my hand back to sit on top of his. "Are you worried about the rebels?" Ryder's eyes flicked over my face in a curious manor as he shifted in his seat lightly. "Of course I am. So far a number of their threats have been useless, even there attack on the castle was weak. Taking you was a bold move though." "You think they're going to attack again?" Squeezing his hand I try to get him to relax a little. "Yes. In taking you, George showed that he would do anything to get to me. He's persistent to get what he wants if he's going to risk so much." Ryder seemed to be getting uncomfortable with his words and he slides his arm around my back and pulled me to his lap. His nose is instantly buried in my neck breathing in my scent. Stroking through his hair I turn to press a kiss to his forehead. Ryder seemed to be in a very vulnerable state at the moment and it had me worried more than it should have. "You make me vulnerable Lottie." He whispers, his hands skimming over my body. "Every time I think about the possibility of him attacking, I remember what he did to you. To me, you are in danger until he is dead." "There will be more threats after him, even I know that." Ryder's arms were wrapping around me so tight I didn't doubt he would ever let me go. "Don't remind me." Finally he pulls his head back so he can look into my eyes again. The soft hazel I am so used to has a glassy look to them. "I have to go do some paperwork and stuff in my office. Do you want to come with me or go back to the suite?" "Can I read some of your books?" When Letty was still teaching me I used to spend every afternoon in his office, whether he was there or not. It didn't happen as often anymore and he had just presented me with the opportunity to go again. Ryder tilts his head and his eyes glimmer a little. "You can if you want to." His words were held with mischief and I gave him a questioning look before he quickly stood up with me pressed to his chest. Dropping me back to my feet Ryder continues to smirk even as he pulls me in the path towards his office. We're half way there when we come to stop on the first floor landing. I was too caught up in my thoughts on what was going on in Ryder's head that I hadn't noticed Alexander walking in our direction. I hadn't even noticed how tense Ryder had gotten and how my guards were suddenly now a lot closer to me. My hand was already in Ryder's but when Alexander's cold eyes move down my body and settle on my stomach, I place my other hand around his elbow. An uncontrolled shudder moved through my body at the cold sensation his look caused. "I told you not come anywhere near Lottie, father. That doesn't change because she's with me." After what Alex had tried to get Ryder to do to me, I wasn't surprised that he was unsettled but I didn't believe he would go as far as saying that his father couldn't see me. Alex's eyes moved back to Ryder and I watched as he straightened his back trying to match his son's height and power that he emitted but failing miserably. "Word gets around quickly." He says still trying to keep up his act. "Especially when your mothers guards children are her guards. I have nothing against her if she is doing her job to produce an heir for you." Both Ryder and my guards growl loudly and I'm pushed back behind Ryder a little. "Her job!" Ryder seethed. I felt another shudder that I couldn't control run through me, this time at the power I felt run though my mate. "If anything it would be an honour for her to give me a pup." The two stared at each other for a few moments. The guards behind us were staring down the guards behind Alex, only I was the one that turned my head to see what was going on. None of them seemed like they were going to move any time soon. "Ryder," I say softly, my eyes still on Alex. I tugged at Ryder's arm but he didn't budge. Turning back to him I see that he's shaking a little. "Come on. Let's go to your office." Ryder still doesn't budge. My eyes move back to Alexander and I see his jaw twitch as something flicks through his eyes and they move so quickly to me that I scarcely noticed the glance. Alex's jaw clenches, his lips pursed as he finally breaks the stare down. "Yes," he says tensely, admitting that he wasn't as strong as his son. "Take her to your office." Alex turned with a nod to my guards but his emotionless words were all Ryder got. Even as Alex walked away from us, Ryder still stared after him with rage in his eyes. He wouldn't move. Flicking my eyes towards Reynolds I notice that his hand is held out towards me, ready to pull me back away from Ryder if he were to unexpectedly shift. "I'm fine." Ryder hadn't even seen Reynolds hand but he still pulled me in and away from my guards' hand. Shakes were still pulsating through his body, I didn't know if he was fine but he was certainly pissed. Lifting my hand I grip his jaw and force him to look down at me. He resisted my touch but ultimately his head turned and I meet his pitch black eyes.