Chapter 47 Sweet Temptation
Ryker sat alone in the backyard, staring right into nothing as the smoke wafted in his face.
He was deep in thought, and a cigarette was burning between his fingers. The old wooden stump beneath him creaked softly under his weight, but he didn’t move.
His shoulders were tense, his jaw locked so tightly it ached. His mind was roaming, wandering between jealousy and rage and regret and all the things he couldn't fix.
He exhaled slowly, smoke curling upward as his brow furrowed deeper.
Too many things were going wrong.
Too many threats closing in, and all he could do was sit still and watch it all happen.
For once, it didn't feel like his sheer strength could fix this.
The IronFangs MC was known all through Ashvale for their tenacity and ruthlessness. But yet, here he was, crumpled by just one woman.
“Damn it!” he hissed in frustration.
Just then, the low rumble of a motorcycle ruined his quiet time.
Ryker didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. He already knew the sound of every motorcycle in the pack.
Tessa rode into the yard and parked near the garage, cutting the engine before swinging off the bike.
She locked it casually, then strutted toward him like she owned the place, swaying her hips a little frantically.
“Hey, handsome,” she said lightly, sliding her arms around his neck from behind and tugging him closer. “That frown doesn’t look good on you.”
“Hello, Tessa," he said in a flat tone.
He knew what she wanted and he wasn't even in the mood to jokingly tell her off. He just wanted to be left alone. Simple.
“Do you mind sharing your cigarette?" She asked sweetly, winking at him.
Ryker hissed under his breath and stiffened but didn't respond to her comment. “How did the search go?” he asked, voice clipped.
Tessa sighed dramatically, resting her chin on his shoulder. “I don’t know why you think the Titanium soldiers would be out there, but yeah, we combed through it still and found nothing. Come on, we both know that’s not how Darius operates.”
“Still, it was worth trying.”
“I don't agree with you. We have better things to do in the pack than go out there chasing shadows."
“Looking for Darius’ trail isn't chasing shadows, Tessa."
She pulled away and leaned against the tank. “The man isn’t dumb, Ryker. He knows we’re expecting him. He won’t just attack now.”
“That doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth a try,” Ryker snapped, finally standing. “He might want to surprise us. We need to double patrols around pack territory. We can’t afford to be left unguarded.”
Tessa crossed her arms. “What’s all this stress for anyway?”
Ryker turned to face her, blinking in confusion.
“We all know what Darius wants,” she continued coolly. “Maybe we should just give it to him.”
His eyes narrowed. “You can’t be serious. What are you saying?”
“That we give him back his so-called daughter.”
Ryker’s voice hardened instantly. “Lyra is not his daughter. Irene Cross is dead. Lyra was reborn in her body. Don’t you get that?”
“How do you even know if this is true? What proof do you have? Why do you believe her?"
Ryker looked at her like she'd lost her bloody mind. “Are you saying that the woman inside this pack is Irene Cross? Come on, Tessa, that would just be dumb."
Tessa scoffed. “What difference does it make?” she hissed. “We can’t risk our lives to protect some freak hybrid abomination.”
“Enough!” Ryker growled, the sound vibrating with alpha authority. “I know what I'm doing and you’ll do as told.”
Tessa didn’t back down. She folded her arms tighter. “Alpha Ryker, you said this pack isn’t like the others. You said we’re one family, looking out for each other. But ever since she came back, you’ve been acting strange.”
She stepped closer. “You don’t listen to anyone anymore. Anyone at all.”
Ryker turned away and tossed the cigarette to the ground. “This is still our family,” he said quietly. “And Lyra is a part of it.”
“Oh really? Is she?”
“She is, and we protect our own. We don’t sell them to madmen.”
Tessa laughed bitterly. “He has every right to want his daughter back. We should have taken the five million ransom when we had the chance. Now we’re dragging war to our doorstep.”
“That’s enough, Tessa. I don't want to speak about this.”
“No! You can't escape it! You're risking our lives by fighting against Darius,” she pointed accusingly. “And all for what? For your ex-wife?”
Ryker stiffened. “Go get some rest, Tessa. You’ve had a long ride.”
“No,” she snapped. “Don’t dismiss me. I’m a member of this pack too.”
“I said go get some rest,” he growled, turning toward her. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”
Tessa shrank back at the command, and her voice trembled as she spoke again.
“You’ve changed since she returned. You don’t want to see me anymore. You’re always angry. Always yelling.” Her eyes glistened. “And I know she doesn’t even want you.”
Ryker stared at her.
He saw the hurt, jealousy, and anger she felt. But he felt nothing.
He had never loved Tessa. What they shared was physical desire. It was convenient and empty. And now that Lyra was back, he didn’t want any other woman. Despite how much she challenged him, frustrated him, and unsettled his world, she was the only one his wolf recognized.
“That’s enough,” he said firmly. “You’ll find your mate, Tessa. You’ll forget all about me. This shouldn’t upset you this much.”
She wiped her tears angrily. “So that’s it? You use me and dump me the moment she shows up?”
“I can’t give you what you want,” Ryker replied. “We made that clear.”
Tessa’s lips trembled, and he could see the tears gathering in her eyes before she blinked them away. “Fine. Pick her over me.” She stepped back. “But I’ll be here when she betrays you like the vampire she is.”
She turned and walked away without another word.
Ryker exhaled deeply, running both hands through his hair before crushing the cold cigarette beneath his boot. His chest burned with anger, frustration, and something dangerously close to fear.
It felt like his world was falling apart, and all because of Lyra.
He didn’t hear the footsteps creeping behind him until it was too late.
“I’m not ready for this conversation, Tessa,” he muttered. “You should just leave. You’ll only upset yourself further.”
But he had no response.
He sighed, staring ahead, hoping she’d leave him alone.
Then a hand suddenly slid around his waist, and Ryker reacted instantly.
He spun, grabbing the wrist and twisting it behind him with ease.
He heard a sharp cry of pain.
“Ryker! It’s me!”
He froze.
Turning fully, he gasped when he saw Lyra staring up at him.
His grip loosened immediately. “Lyra...”