Page 22 of His to Defend

“What the hell, man? Are you okay?”

He nodded, but heard the word “No” fall from his lips.

His cousin eyed him suspiciously but simply shook his head. “Go sit down. We’re going to eat soon.”

Ryker watched as Axel strode through the room. He went directly to his mate and kissed her on the lips. He always went straight to his mate. They all did. It was a homing beacon. Like a gravitational pull they couldn’t deny. Instinct.

Would he go to Nina? What if he tried not to?

It was a stupid thought because obviously they weren’t mated, nor was she his mate. She couldn’t be. He ignored the voice in his head that tried to remind him of the way his bear had responded to her earlier.

Mine.

Ryker shook it off and stepped into the room. Aware that Nina’s eyes were on him, he walked directly toward the large wooden doors that would lead him to the long dining room table where everyone took their meals together.

He focused on putting one foot in front of the other. Step by step.

No problem.

He didn’t have to go directly to her because she was not his mate.

“I think I’ll go freshen up before dinner.”

Her voice.

Before he even realized what he was doing, Ryker spun, changed direction and in an instant was by her side. Nina looked up from the couch in surprise.

Dammit.

He didn’t even have to look to know that Harper and Axel were exchanging glances.

“Let me help you up.” He extended his hand, completely aware that his gesture might be seen as chivalrous by some, but in truth was a ridiculous attempt to cover up the pull he felt to this woman.

Fortunately, Nina didn’t question him, but put her hand in his so he could help her to her feet. He held on a beat longer than he needed to, and then, with great difficulty, he released her so she could go upstairs to change for dinner.

It wasn’t until later when they were all seated at the large wooden table that Axel leaned over and whispered, “What was it you said the other day about mating, cousin?”

Ryker growled and his fists balled instinctively into fists under the table.

“So I think we have a problem.” It was Luke who made the announcement, drawing Ryker’s attention from Axel and his intense desire to punch him in the face.

“What’s that?”

“I’m glad you asked, Ryker.” Luke grinned. “Because I think you might be the one who can help me out with it.”

He was only partly paying attention, his focus still confused by Nina. He’d hoped the fog would clear after he had her, but it had only grown worse, more intense. “Anything. What’s up?”

“I think we overbooked the Den, and I need you to take a tent. Cool?”

“Sure.” Ryker answered automatically before what Luke said caught up with him. “Wait.” He turned and stared at his cousin. “You want me to move out?”

“Just temporarily.” Luke shrugged. “I just heard from Natalia that she’s going to make it for a few days and we just don’t have enough—”

“Nat’s coming?” Ryker hadn’t seen his baby sister in almost three years. She’d left before everything went down with the Jackson brothers and they’d been exiled. Of course, her departure hadn’t been shrouded in as much drama. As the baby of the family, Natalia never could do anything wrong as far as their mother was concerned and when she’d announced that she didn’t want to go to school, or settle down and take a mate, but travel the world instead, she’d all but bought her the ticket. Last Ryker heard, she was somewhere in Europe working as a server in a pub. Not exactly the glamorous lifestyle his little sister had envisioned, no doubt, but as long as she was happy, Ryker was happy. As it turned out, she could do no wrong as far as her older brothers were concerned either.

“Sure,” Ryker said. “I’ll give up my room for Nat. When’s she getting in?”

“I think in time for the bachelor and bachelorette parties tomorrow.” Kade jumped into the conversation as he put a fresh basket of bread in front of them. “It’ll be good to see little Nat.”