The Rider Alpha's Runaway Luna

CHAPTER 7 THE RACE

Kyra couldn't focus on her job because Ryker was everywhere and the mate bond was burning under her skin like acid. She was supposed to be managing the wardrobe for twelve different racing teams but all she could think about was the alpha who'd just announced he was moving to Portland and the son who was currently sitting in the stands asking Zara a million questions about his father.

"You look like hell," Marcus said, appearing at her elbow with concern written all over his kind face. "Want to tell me what's going on with you and the Rider Alpha?"

"Nothing's going on," Kyra lied, checking her clipboard for the tenth time and seeing none of the words. "He's just here for the championship like everyone else."

"He's been watching you for the past hour," Marcus said gently. "And his team told me he's extending their stay indefinitely, which is unusual for someone who usually leaves right after winning."

Kyra's hands started shaking and she had to set the clipboard down before she dropped it. "He found out about Kade," she admitted quietly. "And now he's decided he wants to play father."

Marcus went still and his expression hardened because he'd been there when Kade was born, had given Kyra a job when she was desperate and pregnant and alone. "Does he know the whole story?" he asked. "About the contract and the rejection?"

"He knows enough," Kyra said bitterly. "But it doesn't matter because he's an alpha and alphas take what they want, and apparently he wants my son."

"Our son," a deep voice said behind her, and Kyra spun to find Ryker standing there in his racing leathers with his helmet tucked under one arm. "And I'd appreciate it if you stopped telling people I abandoned you when you're the one who ran."

"Get out of my workspace," Kyra said through clenched teeth. "You have a race to prepare for."

"I'm prepared," Ryker said, moving closer until she could smell leather and motor oil and him. "I wanted to see you before I go out there."

"Why?" Kyra asked. "Need a good luck kiss from your rejected mate?"

Something flashed in Ryker's eyes that might have been pain. "I wanted to tell you that Kade's sitting in the VIP section with your sister," he said. "Kai got them the best seats in the house so they could watch the race."

Kyra's stomach dropped. "You gave my son VIP tickets?" she asked. "Without asking me?"

"He's my son too," Ryker said. "And I wanted him to have a good view when his father wins the championship."

"You're so arrogant," Kyra breathed. "You think you can just buy your way into his life with tickets and promises?"

"I think I can be there for him," Ryker said. "Which is more than you're letting me do."

Before Kyra could respond, the arena announcer's voice boomed over the speakers calling the racers to the starting line. Ryker held her gaze for another long moment, then turned and walked away, leaving Kyra standing there with her heart in her throat.

Marcus touched her shoulder gently. "Go watch the race," he said. "I'll handle things here."

Kyra wanted to refuse but her feet were already moving toward the stands, toward where Zara was sitting with Kade who was bouncing in his seat with excitement. She climbed the stairs and slid into the seat next to her sister, trying to ignore the VIP treatment that clearly marked them as connected to one of the racers.

"Mom!" Kade grabbed her hand, his eyes shining. "Did you see? We get to sit in the special section and there's free food and everything!"

"I see that," Kyra said, forcing a smile. "That was very nice of... him."

"His name is Ryker," Kade said. "And he said I should call him that until I'm ready to call him something else."

The implication made Kyra's chest tight. "Kade, we need to talk about—"

"The race is starting!" Kade interrupted, pointing at the track where motorcycles were lining up. "There he is, number seven, that's Ryker's bike!"

Kyra looked down at the track and found Ryker immediately, his black and silver bike gleaming under the arena lights. Even from this distance she could feel him, could sense the moment his attention shifted to the stands and found her. He raised one hand in acknowledgment and Kade went wild, waving back with both arms.

"He saw us, Mom, he saw us!" Kade shouted over the crowd noise.

The starting g*n fired and the bikes exploded forward in a roar of engines and burning rubber. Kyra watched despite herself, watched Ryker take an early lead and hold it through the first three laps. He rode like he did everything else, with absolute confidence and control, and she hated that she found it attractive.

"He's so fast," Kade breathed, his eyes glued to the track. "He's beating everyone."

"He's very skilled," Zara said, then leaned over to whisper in Kyra's ear. "You okay? You look like you're about to be sick."

"I'm fine," Kyra lied, watching Ryker navigate a dangerous turn that made the crowd gasp. "I just wish he'd fall off and break his arrogant neck."

"Liar," Zara said. "The mate bond is killing you, isn't it? Being this close to him after six years?"

Kyra didn't answer because her sister was right and admitting it would make it worse. The bond was screaming at her to go to him, to claim him, to complete what they'd started six years ago, and it took everything she had to stay in her seat.

The race continued and Ryker maintained his lead, pulling further ahead with each lap. Kade was on his feet now, cheering every time Ryker passed their section, and Kyra saw other people in the stands starting to notice their enthusiasm.

"Who's the kid cheering for Thorne?" someone behind them asked.

"Don't know, but Thorne keeps looking up here," another voice responded. "Think it's his family?"

Kyra's blood went cold because this was exactly what she'd been afraid of, people asking questions and making connections. She grabbed Kade's hand and tried to pull him down but he was too excited to sit.

The final lap approached and Ryker was so far ahead it was almost embarrassing for the other racers. He crossed the finish line a full ten seconds before second place and the crowd erupted in cheers. Kade jumped up and down, screaming his excitement, and then before Kyra could stop him, her son cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled at the top of his lungs.

"That's my dad! That's my dad and he won!"

The words echoed through the sudden silence that followed, and Kyra felt every eye in their section turn toward them. Zara grabbed her hand and squeezed hard while Kade continued to beam with pride, completely oblivious to what he'd just done.

Down on the track, Ryker had removed his helmet and was looking straight up at them. Even from this distance, Kyra could see the satisfaction on his face, could see him mouth the words "my son" to Kai who stood next to him.

"Kade," Kyra said weakly. "Baby, you can't just tell everyone—"

"But he is my dad, right?" Kade asked, turning to her with complete trust in his eyes. "I asked and you didn't say no, and he smells like me, and he said he's staying, so that means he's my dad."

Kyra opened her mouth to deny it, to protect her secret for just a little longer, but the words wouldn't come. Instead she watched Ryker make his way toward the stands, watched him climb the stairs two at a time with his eyes locked on her face.

"Yeah, baby," she whispered, pulling Kade close. "That's your dad."

Ryker reached their row and Kade broke free from Kyra's hold, launching himself at the alpha with complete faith that he'd be caught. Ryker caught him easily, swinging him up with strong arms and laughing at something Kade said that Kyra couldn't hear over the roaring in her ears.

Her secret was out. Her safe life was over. And Ryker Thorne was standing in the VIP section holding their son like he'd never let go.