Alecia opened her eyes, they felt very heavy. A yellow light blasted into them, blocking her vision. She blinked a couple times. It was a car light. What was going on? A black wool coat covered her. Alecia rubbed the smooth fabric with her fingers. It must be made out of some kind of rich material. The strands were so delicate, like rose petals newly fallen to the ground.

“Do you believe me now?”

She tensed, turning to see Ryder typing on a laptop. What was she doing with the Alpha in a car? His gray eyes held a glare in them as he focused on the screen of a laptop.

Gabriel had drugged her. She placed a hand on her head, pressing hard as it all came back to her. The cup flying through the air. Brown liquid dropping everywhere as two large hands grasped her, yanking her to him. She closed her eyes and took several small breaths, but her nerves wouldn’t settle. Why had Gabriel drugged her? He was going to rape her. She had been a fool.

“How long have I been asleep?” She pushed out as her fingers shook against her face.

“About an hour.” He closed the black laptop and set it in the backseat.

“Thank you,” she mumbled.

“You’re

welcome.”

She pulled the coat off and handed it to Ryder right before she turned to open the door.

“Hold on.” Ryder placed a hand on her shoulder. “You’re probably still dizzy.”

She leaned back against the seat as he got out and walked over to the passenger side. The door opened and Ryder reached for her hand. She placed her hand in his, letting the large strong fingers enclose around hers. This hand had struck out for her - keeping her safe. She looked up at his mesmerizing blue eyes, full of a lightness as he helped her to her feet. His feelings for her must be strong to make him so protective.

Ryder placed an arm firmly around her waist. She took two steps, but the building in front of her swirled. She fell back against his chest, her hands gripping his shoulder.

“Just rest a moment.” His warm breath brushed against her forehead.

She nodded, and closed her eyes, leaning her head against his shoulder. It felt like a rock. A rock for her. Where would she be now if he hadn’t taken such an interest in her? A shudder rolled over her. She would not think about that. But why would a guy who used women not have finished what Gabriel had started? His actions didn’t mesh with what her friend had said and her friend had said Gabriel was the one to trust. What was going on? Why was the Alpha helping her, keeping her safe . . . even though she had told him she would never sign his protection

She took a few more steps, leaning against his shoulder as they made their way into the building and to her room.

They stopped in front of the door. Maybe if she spent some time with him, she could judge his character better for herself instead of relying on someone else’s word even if it was her friend’s. “Would you like to come in?” she asked.

“Sure.”

She unlocked the door. Once inside, Ryder closed the door behind them. Alecia turned to

look at him, focusing on his gray eyes that had a soft touch to them. Maybe he wasn’t what Helen said he was. He couldn’t be. If he was, he would have taken advantage of her. A smile crossed her face as she took a few steps towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck. A warmness filled her as he circled his arms around her, pulling her close against his broad chest. She stood on her tiptoes and rested her chin on his shoulder. “Thank you for taking care of a girl who wouldn’t give you the time of day.”

Ryder’s hands immersed in her hair, sending strange sensations through her body. “Can I take you to dinner now?”

“Sure.” She smiled.

Ryder pulled her from him and kissed her head, making her close her eyes as a sigh escaped her. She looked up at him, and tried to find something to say, but all she could think of was her sister. “Would you like to see some pictures of my family?”

“Yeah,” he said, his seductive smile spread across his face, transforming him from dangerously handsome to dark and sexy.

Alecia took his hand and turned to sit on the bed, but his phone interrupted her. He slid it awake and looked at the number.

“Hey,” he said and walked out the door, closing it behind him. What was going on? Alecia stared at the door for a couple seconds before her curiosity got the best of her. She went to the door and pressed her ear against it.

“Just make sure your contribution gets to my godfather, and I won’t say a thing.”

His godfather? He must be talking about earlier, but what did he mean by contribution? It sounded like someone was buying his silence.

It was quiet for a second. “If she asks, I’ll tell her that. Bye.”

She took two quick steps from the door and sat on the bed before Ryder opened the door.

He smiled, but a steel look filled his eyes. “That was Gabriel’s father. He wanted me to tell you he’s sorry for his son’s actions, and that he won’t be bothering you anymore.”

Alecia knit her brows. “We should call the cops. Don’t you think?” She asked, but she knew it was no use. No one would believe the words of a human girl over a werewolf.

Ryder clasped his hands together nodding and looking down as if lost in thought. “I don’t know if you can prove what happened. The drug is out of your system by now, but we could....”

“No.” Alecia looked down at her fumbling hands. No, she wouldn’t be able to. It would be their word against his since Ryder had stopped Gabriel. Rape was too hard to prove. So many news stories detailed rapists getting away with their crimes. So how hard would it be to prove attempted rape? Impossible.

“Do you want me to?” Ryder held up the phone.

Alecia slowly shook her head. Again he was protecting her from what would be a painful experience. She suddenly wished she could just sing the documents and hand herself over to him. He seemed to know how to take care of her very well.

Ryder lowered the phone - the softness returning to his eyes. “Let’s get your mind off of him and look at some pictures.”

She nodded and reached under her bed for her picture album.

Ryder sat next to her, slipping an arm around her waist. Did he realize how hot her skin burned? She imagined her face must be bright pink by this point. She opened the photo album. There was no way she would be able to concentrate with him so close.

• * * *