Chapter 185
Chapter 185:
Without turning to face me, he nodded slowly.
“I’m counting it as a mini vacation, if you know what I mean,” he shrugged, earning a half-smile from me.
Being an authority figure didn’t allow for breaks, so even though he was here on an official visit, he had to make the most of it.
He turned to face me, his hair slightly disheveled by the wind, making him appear laid-back.
“Came to wish me goodbye?” Enzo joked, a lazy smile on his lips.
“Yes. Group hug?” I chuckled dryly, and his smile widened into a grin.
“I wanted to talk to you about something before you leave,” I said, my expression now serious, glancing at Kade, who nodded and stepped aside to give us some space. “I’ve been thinking, and I believe our packs could benefit from forming an alliance p>
Enzo’s expression turned thoughtful as he nodded, then his gaze moved back to me.
“An alliance? For what purpose exactly? You’ll need to speak with my father on this one. My hands are tied,” he said coolly, a calculating expression on his face.
I nodded, grateful for the opportunity. “I’ll do that. Thank you for considering—and for visiting my pack p>
“Ryder, please,” Jasmine said, her voice soft and persuasive, her hands wrapped around my arms as she leaned against my shoulder. “Can’t my mom stay for a while? I have no clue what I’m supposed to do as a Luna. At least let her teach me p>
I raised an eyebrow, unsure if this was a good idea. Luna Anna had been staying with us since the wedding—not that I wanted her around—and while she seemed to prioritize Jasmine’s well-being, I still wasn’t comfortable with her presence. Especially since I had learned about the veil root that almost destroyed Layla, Jasmine’s wolf. I didn’t trust her family in general.
On the other hand, Jasmine’s pleas were hard to resist. I mean, you need to hear that sexy voice of hers. And I knew she was more eager to spend time with her mom than to learn about being a Luna or whatever half-assed excuse she was dishing out.
I could feel my jaw tick. What I had envisioned as a peaceful afternoon just had to be ruined by all this talk about her mom staying. The worst part was that I…
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I couldn’t say no, not because of her pleas, but the obvious reality that Luna Anna was her mom. If I denied her request, I would do more harm than good.
“Your mom is only spending two weeks here. That’s more than enough for you to learn all you need to.” From the corners of my eyes, I saw her smile fall at my announcement, but I ignored the pout on her face.
“If you still need to learn more, since that’s your reason, I’ll get someone to teach you. No negotiations.” I stated firmly, avoiding her stare. I wished I could tell her about the veil root so that she would stop thinking I was petty and hated her family unjustly, but I knew this wasn’t the perfect time for that.
There was an awkward silence for about a minute, and I wondered if I should have been less harsh.
“Deal!” Jasmine clapped her hands loudly. Her eyes were bright, and the cheerfulness in her voice was infectious. Before I could come out of my surprise, she fell against my chest, her hands wrapped around my neck as she hugged me. I found myself hugging her back despite myself. If this would make her happy, then I’d let her have her way. As for Luna Anna, I was going to keep my eye on her.
Ryder’s POV
I stepped out of the crisp morning air and into the heart of the Viper Pack’s territory. The scent of damp soil and wildflowers wrapped around me like a damp hug. The wind around here was merciless and cruel, just like the pack itself. Kade and I had our hands over our eyes to shield them from the dust. If the unwelcoming weather made me uneasy, Kade’s scowl deepened as he walked beside me, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a mixture of curiosity and caution.
“Damn it,” Kade muttered under his breath as he slapped his arms. I hid a smile as I stared at him. This was the last place I wanted to be. Everything in the pack seemed imposing, as though it was meant to convey a message—power and dominance.