Ryker's POV
I stared at the spot where Ayla disappeared into the trees, jaw clenched so hard my teeth ached.
Every muscle in my body had pulled taut the moment she turned her back on us, and the urge to go after her—to close the distance and force the situation to resolve in some way I could actually understand—was almost unbearable. I knew it was wrong. I knew it wouldn't help.
I took a step forward anyway.
Kael's hand closed around my arm before I got anywhere. His grip was firm and deliberate—a warning wrapped in a command, Fenrir lurking somewhere behind it.
"Don't," he said quietly.
The single word stopped my feet. It didn't do anything for the frustration burning underneath my skin.
I yanked my arm free and spun on him. "She's leaving."
"I know," he said, his eyes still fixed
