Chapter 11 Ryker
Ryker POV
I watched Maya through the rearview mirror as Kade pulled the vehicle to a complete stop on the side of the road. Her face had gone pale white, her breathing shallow and quick. The moment the door opened, she stumbled out and fell to her knees. My chest tightened as I followed her, gathering her hair away from her face as her body rejected everything inside.
This was what Marcus had done to her. Reduced a strong wolf to this—terrified of even crossing a border. I kept one hand steady on her shoulder, letting her know I was there, that she wasn't alone. Owen brought water and tissues without being asked. Good man.
"I can't," Maya gasped, wiping her mouth with trembling hands. "I can't go in there."
I knelt beside her on the cold ground, my hand moving to cup her face gently. "Yes, you can. Look at me, Maya." Her tear-filled eyes met mine. "You've already done the hardest part. You came this far. The border is behind us now. We're together in this, and I won't leave your side for even a second."
Her whole body shook like a leaf in a storm. I pulled her against my chest, letting her feel my heartbeat, steady and strong. "Breathe with me. Just like we practiced. In for four counts."
We breathed together there on the roadside, her ear pressed to my chest. Slowly, gradually, the shaking eased. She wasn't calm—far from it—but she was functional. That would have to be enough.
I helped her stand, keeping my arm around her waist to support her weight. Owen handed her the water bottle and she rinsed her mouth, spitting onto the grass. She took a small sip, then another, testing whether her stomach would accept it.
"Better?" I asked quietly.
She nodded, though her eyes still held that haunted look. "As good as I'll get."
We returned to the vehicle. I made sure she was settled before climbing in beside her, immediately taking her hand in mine. Her fingers were ice cold despite the warm morning. I rubbed them gently between my palms, trying to bring warmth back into her skin.
Kade started the engine and we crossed into Silvercrest territory. I felt the shift immediately—the air itself felt different here, heavier somehow. Through the window, I studied the landscape with an Alpha's eye, noting everything. The buildings were older than in my territory, some in need of repair. Wolves moved about their business, but there was something off about them. They didn't laugh or talk freely like my pack members did. They kept their heads down, moved quickly, avoided eye contact.
This was a pack ruled by control and intimidation, not respect and loyalty. My jaw clenched. Maya had lived in this atmosphere for five years. No wonder she flinched at sudden movements.
"How are you doing?" I asked her softly.
"I recognize everything. That building there—" She pointed to a rundown structure. "That's where I used to get my meals. Once a day, if I was lucky." Her voice was flat, emotionless, like she'd disconnected from the memories to survive them.
My wolf snarled inside me, wanting to tear apart everyone who'd allowed this to happen. But I kept my expression neutral, my touch gentle. "You'll never go hungry again. I promise you that."
She looked at me with those sad eyes. "You keep making me promises."
"And I'll keep every single one." I squeezed her hand. "That's what a mate does."
The packhouse came into view—a large stone building that might have been impressive once but now just looked cold and unwelcoming. Several vehicles were already parked out front. Other Alphas had arrived for the Council meeting. Good. Witnesses to everything that was about to unfold.
Kade parked in front of the main entrance. Our escort vehicles pulled up behind and in front of us, wolves emerging with military precision. I'd brought my best fighters, men and women who knew how to handle themselves in any situation. They formed a protective circle around our vehicle.
"Stay close to me," I told Maya. "From this moment until we leave, you don't leave my sight. Understood?"
She nodded, her face set with determination despite the fear in her eyes. I climbed out first, then turned to help her down. The moment her feet touched Silvercrest ground, she swayed slightly. I kept my arm around her, pulling her against my side.
The packhouse doors opened and Marcus Chen stepped out, flanked by his Beta and several pack members. He was a tall man, well-built, with sharp features and cold dark eyes. His smile was wide and welcoming, the perfect picture of a gracious host. But I saw the rage burning behind those eyes when his gaze landed on Maya.
"Alpha Ryker! Welcome to Silvercrest." Marcus descended the steps with his hand extended. I shook it firmly, meeting his grip with equal pressure. His smile never wavered, but his eyes promised violence. "Thank you for accepting my invitation to the Council meeting."
"Alpha Marcus." I kept my voice neutral and professional. "Thank you for hosting."
His gaze slid to Maya, still tucked against my side. Something dark flashed across his face—anger, possessiveness, hatred—all there and gone in a heartbeat. "And I see you brought my niece. Maya, it's good to see you looking so... healthy."
The word "healthy" dripped with sarcasm. Maya's entire body went rigid against me. I felt her trying to shrink back, to make herself invisible. Not a chance. I pulled her forward slightly, making sure Marcus could see her clearly.
"Yes, Maya has been recovering well in my care." I let my eyes travel over her face deliberately, noting the fading bruises still visible beneath the makeup Zara had carefully applied this morning. "Though as you can see, some evidence of her previous treatment remains."
I said it loud enough for the other Alphas who'd emerged from the packhouse to hear. Alpha Rodriguez from the eastern territory raised an eyebrow. Alpha Tanaka's expression darkened. They could all see the yellowing marks on Maya's face, the way she held herself like someone expecting a blow.
Marcus's jaw tightened, his smile growing strained. "Accidents happen during training. Maya was always clumsy."
"Those don't look like training accidents to me," Alpha Rodriguez commented, moving closer to get a better look. "That's systematic abuse."
"My pack business is my own," Marcus snapped, his friendly mask slipping for just a second before he forced it back into place. "Shall we go inside? The Council meeting will begin shortly."
But I wasn't done. I turned to Maya, making a show of examining her face with gentle fingers. "The bruises are healing nicely. Zara says with proper care and nutrition, you'll be fully recovered within another week." I looked at Marcus with ice in my eyes. "It's amazing what regular meals and safety can do for someone's health."
Several of the watching Alphas murmured agreement. Marcus's hands clenched into fists at his sides. He'd been publicly called out in front of his peers, and there was nothing he could do about it without looking guilty.
"How... considerate of you to take such personal interest in her recovery," Marcus said through gritted teeth.
"Maya is my mate." I let the words hang in the air, clear and undeniable. "Of course I take personal interest in everything concerning her wellbeing."
The word "mate" sent shockwaves through the assembled Alphas. Eyes widened. Whispers started. Marcus's face went pale, then flushed dark red. He hadn't known. I'd kept that information quiet deliberately, saving it for maximum impact.
"Your... mate?" Marcus struggled to keep his voice level. "How interesting. When did this development occur?"
"The bond has always been there. We only recently discovered each other." I kept my arm firmly around Maya's waist. "Which makes her treatment in your pack even more disturbing. Abusing another Alpha's mate is grounds for severe consequences."
I was backing him into a corner publicly, and he knew it. If he admitted to the abuse, he'd face Council sanctions. If he denied it, he'd be calling me a liar in front of witnesses. Either way, he lost ground.
"I assure you, Maya was treated according to pack law," Marcus said stiffly.
"Pack law doesn't permit starving wolves or beating them unconscious," Alpha Tanaka interjected coldly. "I think we need to discuss this at the Council meeting, Marcus."
Marcus's expression turned murderous, but he couldn't refuse without looking even worse. "Of course. We can discuss whatever concerns you have." He gestured toward the packhouse. "Please, come inside. Refreshments are waiting."
I guided Maya up the steps, keeping her close. She was shaking again, but doing her best to hide it. Every step into this building must feel like walking into a nightmare. I leaned down to whisper in her ear. "You're doing so well. I'm proud of you."Her fingers gripped
my shirt tightly, holding on like I was the only solid thing in her world. Maybe I was.