Ryker, page 7
part #2 of The Moonstone Pack Series
His protective instincts flared, and a twinge of jealousy at the thought of another man touching her, even in the context of training, slid into him.
Don’t be an idiot, he scolded himself. I’m the only man here.
“Since there’s an odd number,” Ryker said, taking a step toward Ivy, “I’ll be your partner for today. Work for you?”
“Sure,” she said, her cheeks flushing pink as she averted her gaze.
Ryker tried not to think about how adorable she looked when she blushed, and instead focused on teaching the women some basic self-defense techniques. He stood tall, his muscles tensed with anticipation as he prepared to demonstrate the move. He could feel Ivy’s gaze on him, a weightless touch that sent a frisson of heat skating across his skin. Ignoring the heat that rose within him, he focused on what he was teaching the women.
“All right, ladies,” he called out, his voice a low rumble. “Now I’m going to show you how to break free if someone grabs your arm or wrist. Remember to use your strength and weight to your advantage,” he instructed Ivy, demonstrating a move that would allow her to break free from an attacker’s grip. “You’re stronger than you think.”
As they continued to practice, Ryker found himself drawn deeper and deeper into the spell that Ivy seemed to weave around him. The way her scent enveloped him, the subtle curve of her waist beneath his hands, the soft sighs that escaped her lips as they moved together—all of it served to heighten his longing for her.
Despite the growing intensity of his feelings, however, Ryker also recognized the importance of maintaining a sense of professionalism during their training sessions. He couldn’t afford to let his emotions cloud his judgment, especially not when the safety of the entire pack was at stake.
Still, he had to remind himself repeatedly to concentrate on the task at hand, but it was becoming more difficult by the moment.
But then Ivy twisted in his arms, jerking her wrist out of his grasp.
“Good job,” he said, trying to ignore the way his heart raced at the sight of her flushed face and determined expression. “You’re a quick learner.”
“Thank you,” she said, her eyes shining with gratitude and something else—a flicker of desire that mirrored his own.
With a deep breath, Ryker stepped back, allowing space to grow between them once more. He raised his voice so all the female shifters could hear him. “Now let’s talk about what to do if someone grabs you from behind.”
He moved up behind Ivy, wrapping his arms around her. “Okay,” he instructed, “the first thing you want to do is drop your weight and lower your center of gravity. This will make it harder for your attacker to lift or control you.”
He felt her body shift beneath his grip, a subtle but powerful movement that sent a thrill through him. He continued, “Next, you’ll want to strike the most vulnerable areas—the groin, the nose, the throat…”
Ivy’s elbow shot back suddenly, connecting with Ryker’s ribcage. The blow was surprisingly powerful, leaving him momentarily breathless. Her foot came down hard on his instep, causing him to wince in pain. Then she spun in his arms, her fists lashing out violently, pummeling him everywhere she could reach.
“Ow!” Ryker exclaimed, loosening his hold on her. “Yes, exactly like that, but maybe not so…forceful during practice.”
Ivy didn’t respond but instead continued punching at him, even after she no longer made contact—a whirling dervish of terror and anger.
Oh fuck, Ryker thought. She’s not practicing. She’s fighting for her life.
“Hey,” he said, grabbing one flailing fist as it punched out toward his face. “You’re okay. You’re safe.” He managed to snag her other arm, then pulled her to him, using his body to force hers to stillness. “You’re safe,” he repeated over and over, until finally she quit fighting him—though it took several more seconds for her body to stop shaking.
Eventually, Ivy turned her face up toward him, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“Hey, it’s all right,” Ryker reassured her, releasing her and rubbing his side where her elbow had struck him. “You’re even stronger than I expected. Impressive, really.” He tried to sound lighthearted, but concern furrowed his brow as he studied her.
Ivy’s eyes were clouded with emotion, and she seemed on the verge of tears. What had caused her to react so violently? What hidden pain lurked beneath her gentle exterior?
“Keep practicing,” he said to everyone before turning back to Ivy and pulling her a little to one side of the group. “Is everything okay?” he asked softly, his protective instincts flaring to life. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but I’m here for you if you need to talk.”
She hesitated, her gaze darting away from his. In that moment, Ryker was torn between wanting to hold her close, to comfort her, and respecting her boundaries. She finally looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
“Thank you,” she whispered, a heartbreaking vulnerability in her voice. “Maybe… Maybe another time.”
“All right,” he agreed, giving her a small smile. “Just know that I’m here for you. Whenever you’re ready.”
As they rejoined the group, Ryker couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a darkness in Ivy’s past, a shadow that threatened to engulf her.
Ryker watched Ivy’s trembling hands as she wiped away the remnants of her tears. As much as he wanted to delve deeper into her past, now wasn’t the time. Instead, he resolved to switch to a more straightforward practice, one that would hopefully ease Ivy’s distress while still providing valuable self-defense training.
He moved over to the box he’d brought with him that morning and began pulling out items.
“All right, everyone,” Ryker announced, his voice steady and commanding, “we’re going to shift gears a bit. I want you all to think about how you can use everyday items around your home to protect yourselves in case of an attack.”
The women exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued. Ryker noticed Ivy’s breathing had steadied, her focus returning to the task at hand. He allowed himself a small smile, hoping this change would help her regain her composure.
“Grab anything you see around here that could be used as a weapon,” Ryker instructed, gesturing toward the assortment of objects scattered across the training area. “Once you’ve found something, come back and we’ll discuss how it can be used effectively.”
The women scattered, rummaging through the assortment of items in search of makeshift weapons. Ryker took the opportunity to observe Ivy from a distance, concern for her simmering beneath the surface. Her long, wavy blonde hair caught the sunlight, casting a golden halo around her as she picked up a sturdy-looking branch.
“Good choice,” he said as he crossed the space between them. The scent of wildflowers and sunshine radiated from her, stirring a deep, primal desire within him that he struggled to contain. “Now let’s talk about how you can use this to defend yourself.”
As they discussed various techniques and scenarios, Ryker couldn’t ignore Ivy’s magnetic pull. Every brush of her skin against his sent a jolt of electricity through him, igniting a fire that threatened to consume him.
“Liam,” Ivy’s voice broke through his thoughts. “What do I do if someone tries to disarm me?”
“Great question,” he said, mentally shaking himself back to the present. “You’ll want to use your body as leverage. Let me show you.”
At least she’s working to learn to defend herself, he thought, even as he carefully watched her practice the moves he demonstrated.
But he was careful not to touch her again as they trained.
There’s something terribly wrong in this pack.
For one thing, the females should have been taught to defend themselves long before now. Had Deacon avoided training them in order to make them easier prey?
Ryker fought down a growl rising in his throat.
If that was the case, he would make sure no Idaho Pack female ever again found herself unable to fight back—either against other packs or against males within their own pack.
The training session continued, each woman gaining confidence in her newfound skills. Ryker took solace in the fact that they were now better prepared to defend themselves and their home. But his mind kept returning to Ivy, to the silent pain she carried with her like a heavy burden.
As the women collected their belongings and dispersed, Ryker found himself lingering near Ivy, his protective instincts refusing to let him leave her side.
“About earlier,” he said. “If you ever want to talk, I really am here for you.”
Ivy hesitated, her eyes darting away from his before she shook her head. “Thanks,” she murmured, avoiding his gaze. “But I don’t think I’m ready yet.”
“Whenever you are…” He offered her a reassuring smile as his voice trailed off. “Just remember, you’re not alone.”
She nodded and gave him a tiny smile before turning away and leaving the training area.
As Ryker watched her go, wondering what it would take to break down those walls she had built around herself—and if he could be the one to help heal her wounds—the desire he’d repressed all day suddenly slammed through him, and his cock jerked in response.
His gaze lingered on the empty spot where Ivy had stood, her graceful figure now lost among the trees that surrounded the training area. The scent of pine and damp earth filled his nostrils, as if the forest wanted to swallow every trace of her presence. Yet her unique fragrance still clung to him, making it nearly impossible for him to focus on anything else.
“Liam?” A voice broke through his thoughts, and he turned to see one of the female wolves hesitating nearby, her eyes clouded with uncertainty.
“Uh, yeah? What is it?” He forced himself to concentrate on the present.
“Are we done for today?” she asked, her tone cautious as she studied his expression.
“Yeah,” he said with a nod, swallowing the lump in his throat. “You all did great. Keep practicing, and I’ll see you next time.”
“Thank you.” She offered him a brief smile before scurrying off to join her friends, leaving him alone once more.
As the last echoes of their chatter faded into the distance, Ryker found himself drawn back to his earlier thoughts, unable to ignore the magnetic pull that Ivy had over him.
He admired Ivy’s spirit, even as he worried about what might happen if the compound actually were to come under attack. He would do everything in his power to keep her safe, but he also sensed that there was something about her past that haunted her, something that rendered her vulnerable in ways he could not yet understand.
At the thought that perhaps the pain in her past was due to Ellerson or his men, Ryker’s jaw clenched.
There are far too many threats to these women—both inside and outside the pack.
Chapter 10
IVY STUMBLED AWAY FROM the training session, her legs shaky and her heart pounding.
Confusion clouded her mind as she attempted to process what had just happened between her and Liam. She’d been able to feel his raw power coursing through him, stirring something within her that she didn’t quite understand—or rather, that she didn’t want to understand.
She knew she shouldn’t give in to the mate bond she feared she might be developing with Liam, knew that it was dangerous to let herself get close to an outsider.
But she couldn’t resist the pull, the magnetic force that drew her to him.
Every time she looked at him, everything else faded away, leaving only the two of them in the world.
The silver ribbon of the connection between them was electrified, pulsing through her with desire and need, pooling in her core.
Ivy had trembled as Ryker’s gaze found her, even when he was working with the other pack females.
She’d watched as he strode toward her, his movements fluid and graceful, like a predator stalking its prey.
His fingers had grazed against hers, sending a jolt of electricity through her body.
The memory of Liam’s hands on her body sent tremors rushing along her nerve endings. The way he had gripped her waist, strong and secure, made her crave his touch even more.
But then she’d flashed back to her worst times in Blake Deacon’s pack, and then to the day her father had sold her to Deacon.
During those brief moments with Liam, though, she’d felt safe and protected—something she hadn’t experienced in a long time.
Maybe not ever.
She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away. “No,” she whispered to herself, “I can’t feel this way.”
I can’t be bonded to an Idaho Pack member.
The males in her pack were vicious, cruel, violent—and she’d already seen proof of Liam’s violent nature when he’d fought Stefan in the ring.
No matter how kind and gentle he’d seemed when training her, he was ruthlessly savage against his enemies.
And that kind of brutality always comes out against weaker pack members, Ivy reminded herself. She’d seen it all her life.
Male wolf shifters can never be trusted. Not really.
She couldn’t control the heat that surged through her body or the connection between them that burned in her veins.
But she did not have to accept it.
“Are you okay?” A voice interrupted her inner turmoil.
Ivy looked up and saw one of the other female wolves from her pack, Danica, approaching with a worried expression. “Yeah, I’m fine,” Ivy lied, forcing a smile. “Just got a little overwhelmed during the training session.”
“Liam can be pretty intense,” Danica agreed, her eyebrows furrowing. “But he… Well, he seems like a good guy, you know?”
Ivy nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She couldn’t deny the pull she felt toward him. But deep down, she knew she feared being controlled by another male wolf.
No matter how attractive Liam Black might be, he’s not trustworthy.
“Anyway,” Danica continued, seemingly oblivious to Ivy’s internal conflict, “why don’t you go take a shower and relax? I’ll see you at dinner.”
“I’ll do that.”
She made her way to the women’s bunkhouse, desperate for a hot shower. The steamy water would help soothe her aching muscles and wash away the remnants of Liam’s touch that still clung to her skin. She needed to regain control over her emotions and push him out of her mind—at least for now.
Peeling off her clothes, she stepped under the cascading water, luxuriating in the steady stream that enveloped her body. Ivy closed her eyes and allowed herself to get lost in the sensation, her thoughts drifting back to Liam, to how his hands had felt on her body.
Every nerve ending had come alive under his touch, making her yearn for something she knew she shouldn’t want. But the memory was so vivid, so tantalizing, that it was impossible to ignore.
“Damn it,” she muttered, frustrated with herself for wanting so badly to give in to her desires. “He’s just another wolf, Ivy. You can’t let him have this power over you.”
But as much as she tried to deny it, Ivy knew that Liam wasn’t just any other wolf—he was the one she was inexplicably drawn to, against all odds and logic. And as she stood there beneath the cascade of hot water, trying in vain to wash away her conflicting emotions, she wondered if she’d ever truly be able to keep him at arm’s length.
As the water poured over her, Ivy tried to focus on the physical sensations, hoping to distract herself from the pull of Liam’s presence.
But she couldn’t shake the memory of her violent reaction during the training session when Liam had grabbed her from behind. Her instincts had kicked in, causing her to lash out like a cornered animal.
Still, his touch had ignited something within her, a fire that refused to be extinguished—but fear gnawed at the edges of her desire, threatening to consume her.
“Get it together,” she muttered to herself, fighting back tears that threatened to spill. She couldn’t afford to let her guard down, not even for a man as intoxicating as Liam.
Finally, feeling marginally more composed, Ivy shut off the water and wrapped herself in a plush towel. She dressed quickly, choosing a simple yet flattering dress that hugged her curves and fell just above her knees. It was feminine and comfortable—two things she valued in her limited wardrobe.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Ivy exited the bathroom, prepared to face whatever lay ahead.
Liam’s scent filled Ivy’s senses as she stepped into the main part of the bunkhouse, her damp hair clinging to her shoulders. She’d hoped the cascading water would wash away her confusion and longing for him. But there he was, leaning against a wooden post, his muscles visibly tensed under his shirt.
To her surprise, the bunkhouse was otherwise empty.
“Liam?” Ivy asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Her pulse quickened, and she struggled to maintain control over her rising desire. “What are you doing here?”
He looked up at her, his eyes dark. “I wanted to talk to you about what happened during training today,” he said. Liam took a step closer, his scent wrapping around her like an embrace. It was intoxicating, and she found herself leaning toward him, drawn in by the magnetic pull of his presence. The proximity of their bodies made Ivy’s skin prickle in anticipation.
“Look, about that,” he began, rubbing the back of his neck. “I didn’t mean to upset you or anything. I just wanted to demonstrate how quickly things can happen in a real fight.”
“I know,” Ivy admitted, feeling heat creep up her neck. “It’s just…I didn’t expect to react so violently. I’m sorry if I hurt you.”
“No—you’ve got impressive reflexes. And besides, I’m tougher than I look.”
Ivy smiled back, despite the tension that still hung between them like a thick fog. “Thanks,” she murmured, her eyes flicking to his lips for a brief moment before darting away. She needed to keep her distance, to protect herself from the possibility of heartbreak.
