Ryker’s hands are still on my face, but I can feel the tremor in them now. Not anger shaking through him—fear. Pure, animal fear that his Alpha mask can’t hide. His shoulders lock, then shudder once, like his body is trying to shake the panic loose and failing.
I’ve seen Ryker bleed. I’ve seen him furious. I’ve seen him cold with strategy.
I have never seen him like this—like the ground beneath him is giving way and he’s the only one who can feel it.
My wolf lifts her head, not in challenge this time, but in alarm. He’s breaking, she whispers.
I don’t hesitate. I reach for the mind link, not to Eldin, not to Alaric—
Dr. Elisabeth Whittlock, I send, pushing urgency through every word. It’s Elena. I need you in our room—now. This is an emergency.
The reply hits almost instantly, steady
