Chapter 7 Chapter 7

Ryker

Fuck.

I shoved my hands into the pockets of my track jacket, staring blankly across the white-lit studio. My skin still felt like it was humming from the seconds I’d spent standing behind her in that cramped dressing partition, touching the warmth of her spine.

She smells so damn good, Lyca paced hard in the back of my mind, practically panting. Vanilla and something wild. I want to scoop her up, pin her against this wall, and bury our face in her neck.

Lyca! Cut it out! I snapped back, clenching my jaw so tight my teeth ached. We are rejecting this bond. It’s a joke. A wolfless mute? Absolutely not.

Keep lying to yourself, idiot, my wolf scoffed. “You didn't reject the zipper help, did you? You rushed in there like a desperate pup.*

Before I could tear into Lyca again, the photographer clapped his hands, cutting through the bright lights. He was shouting instructions, his mouth moving fast as he gestured wildly toward the backdrop.

I looked over at Amber.

Instead of moving right away, she stood completely still, her eyes locked intently on the photographer's face. She was reading his lips, carefully decoding every syllable before she shifted her posture.

Look at her, Lyca rumbled, a wave of fierce, possessive pride washing over us. She can't hear a word, but she’s watching every movement. She's stunning. Look at those hips, those curves—she’s built for us, Ryker. Not like the stick-thin Elite cheerleaders.

I almost let the laugh break out.

My gaze involuntarily fell on the custom jacket and fitted athletic pants she’d found in the bag hugged every line of her body, showing off a thick perfect body that made my heart flutter a bit.

A low growl vibrated in my throat before I could stop it.

She’s perfect, Lyca purred. Go closer. Pull her in.

"Captains! Closer!" the photographer yelled, motioning with his hands. "Jackson, step in! Wilder, put your arm around her waist. Look like you actually tolerate each other!"

I stepped forward, closing the distance between us. The moment my shoulder brushed hers, a sudden, scorching heat flared through my veins.

Amber stiffened instantly, her eyes snapping up to mine with a hard glare. She didn't want me near her, but as I wrapped my arm around her waist to pull her into position, something shifted in the air.

Her breath hitched. A tiny, stupid shiver ran straight down her spine, and her eyes widened for a split second.

She didn't know about the mate bond. She couldn't hear Lyca or smell the traditional wolf markers the way we did. But human or wolfless, her body felt it. The electric pull was undeniable.

Unable to help myself, I leaned down, burying my face against the crook of her neck to inhale the intoxicating vanilla and musk of her scent, letting out a rough breath against her sensitive skin.

Amber flinched hard, her body going rigid against my side as a sudden, breathless gasp slipped past her lips. She turned her head sharply away, her chest rising and falling in rapid, shallow breaths.

I froze, my hand still locked around her waist.

Instead of backing down as I kept pressing in close, her elbow snapped back with force, driving straight into my midsection.

Air left my lungs in a hollow rush. I doubled over slightly, a sharp groan tearing past my teeth as slight pain flared through my gut, making my vision swim.

Serves you right, asshole! Lyca howled with laughter, practically rolling around in my head. Goddess, I love her! Look at that form! She completely floored us, and honestly, you had that coming a mile away!

"F-fuck," I wheezed under my breath, gritting my teeth through the nauseating wave of pain while trying to look like nothing was wrong for the cameras, waiting a long second for my breath to return.

Amber didn't look remotely apologetic. Instead, she twisted around to face me. Her hands flew up, cutting through the air between us in a flurry of sharp, furious signs.

She's telling you that if you touch her waist like that again, she'll break your nose, Lyca cheerfully supplied in the back of my mind as Amber’s fingers snapped through the air.

I stared at her hands, completely lost. I didn't know a single sign.

She says you're an arrogant jerk, and she'd rather take a slap to the face than stand here another second, Lyca continued, translating every fast, angry flick of her wrists. And she wants you to let go right now before she makes you regret it.

"Control yourself, Jackson," I muttered back, keeping my face straight for the camera while my fingers gripped tighter around her waist. "We need this shot signed off by the admin today, or we're both doing extra work. Smile."

Amber’s hands flew up one last time, her fingers moving in a sharp, derisive motion.

She told you to go to hell, Ryker, Lyca supplied smoothly, howling with laughter. And honestly? Deserved.

Before I could answer her, the camera shutter clicked rapidly one last time. The photographer lowered his camera, smiling brightly as he wiped his forehead.

"Fantastic! Perfect chemistry, you two! Absolute gold for the board. That's a wrap!" the photographer called out, his mouth moving clearly so Amber could catch it too. "You can head out."

Amber didn't wait another second. She yanked herself out of my grip, stepping away from the backdrop with a murderous glare before turning on her heel and marching straight toward the exit.

I stood frozen in the center of the studio, my chest heaving, the heat of her skin burning into my palm while my stomach still burned from her elbow. Lyca was howling inside my head, mocking me every step of the way, demanding I chase her down and finish what we started.

Instead, I clenched my jaw, turned around, and headed straight for the locker room showers. I needed ice, cold water, and a long time to cool off before I lost my fucking mind entirely.