Page 51 of His to Defend

No, since he’d mated her.

The guilt still ate at him. More every day.

But he couldn’t think about that now. He couldn’t let that guilt in. Not now.

Ryker pushed himself. The ridge was to his left, the blue sky going on for what seemed like forever, but Ryker only barely noticed the view because as much as he tried to keep them out, thoughts of Nina filled his brain, clouding any other thoughts, blurring his instincts.

As much as mating had cleared things up, the mess he’d made of everything just made it worse again. He couldn’t think. Couldn’t process. Couldn’t—

Dammit.

He cursed and roared as he tripped over a log. His massive bear form summersaulted and crashed into a tree. He landed with a grunt and immediately shifted back into his human form.

“That was impressive.”

The voice startled him, and he flipped over to his knees as he scanned the bushes around him.

Ryker didn’t have to look hard to see his cousin Luke leaning against a tree, his arms crossed and a grin on his face.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a bear your size trip. A little clumsy, are you?”

“Fuck off.” Ryker turned and leaned against the tree. He rubbed his head and the dull ache that had already begun. “How long have you been standing there anyway?”

“Long enough to see you running hard enough to crash and burn.”

Ryker grumbled. The last thing he wanted to do was talk to anyone.

Luke stepped away from the tree and tossed Ryker an armful of clothes. His clothes. “I brought you these. Saw them back there and thought you might need them.” Ryker looked up in question. “No one runs that hard for long,” Luke explained. “It was only a matter of time. You’re lucky you didn’t go straight off the ridge.”

“That would have been better.” Ryker tugged his T-shirt over his head before pulling his jeans up and slipping into his boots.

“Would it?”

“Yes.” He rose from the ground to stand in front of Luke. “And don’t think I’m not tempted to try it again. Maybe this time I’ll get lucky.” He kicked a rock and turned to stalk off. Only twenty-four hours left before he could get the hell out of there.

“Running away again?”

Ryker froze. He knew Luke was egging him on, but he couldn’t resist. He was itching for a fight and if Luke wanted to oblige, who was he to turn it down? He spun, his hand curled into a fist. “Does it look like I’m running, asshole?”

“Sure does.” Luke straightened his shoulders and stared directly into his eyes. He was a Jackson. He wasn’t about to back down.

Perfect.

“There’s more than one way to run, Ryker. You’ve already demonstrated how graceful your bear is.” He chuckled and Ryker’s rage grew. “And the other day during Axel’s wedding, you did a great impression of a little boy running home from the playground because things didn’t go his way. What’s it going to be today? Things getting a little too hot for you in the kitchen, Ryker? Can’t handle the heat?”

Ryker roared and swung his arm, but his cousin was too fast. Luke ducked his punch and lunged for his waist, knocking him to the ground. Ryker was bigger than him, but Luke had the advantage of being clear-headed. His instincts were sharp, while Ryker’s were muddled. The red-hot rage flowing through him only clouded them more, and Luke overtook him easily. He straddled Ryker, his arms pinned beneath each of his knees, and smiled down at him.

“Feel better?”

“No.” Ryker grunted and pushed up so Luke tumbled to the side. He was up on his feet quickly and swung a punch that connected with Ryker’s jaw. The pain crashed through him, and only fueled him to lash out. Finally one of Ryker’s punches connected and Luke stumbled backward as he brought his hand to his lip.

When he pulled it back, he laughed. “How about now?” he asked. “Feel better now?”

He did. A little.

“Not yet.” Ryker lunged forward again. Another punch connected and he felt the bones in his hand crunch with the impact. “Fuck.”

Ryker pulled back, his hand cradled in his good one. No doubt he’d broken Luke’s nose as well, but to his intense annoyance, his cousin laughed again.