“I hope so. This week, we learned how to treat Alphas and Omegas…” River continued, telling Ryker all about the werewolf medicine they covered this week in her classes.
He listened intently and asked a few questions as he entered the park. He passed three more runners before reaching the enclosed dog run.
Unlocking the gate, he slipped inside with Marlowe. The dog bounded with excited energy. Ryker unhooked the leash, and Marlowe raced away, a series of joyful barks filling the air.
Ryker followed, chuckling at his dog’s enthusiasm. This was exactly what he needed.
He fell into a steady run, the ground absorbing the sound of his footfalls as he pumped his arms and legs. Running had always cleared Ryker’s mind, and the stress from his mother’s visit diminished with every passing minute.
“How was training this morning?” Ryker asked when River took a breath.
They never outright spoke of the Incident, and now that Ryker knew Brynleigh’s family had died at his sister’s hand…
Well, the situation was fucking complicated.
He knew one thing for certain: he would never tell River how Brynleigh had lost her family. She already felt enough guilt for what she’d done without having to put a face on the grief and devastation she’d caused.
“It went well. I’ve got my magic under control.” River inhaled. “And actually…”
“Yes?” he prompted.
“I think I’m going to Mature soon.” He could hear the smile in her voice. “I can feel it. My power is growing, but it doesn’t seem as wild as before. It feels like I can control it better. Does that make sense?”
Hope sparked in Ryker’s chest, and a grin spread across his face. “It does make sense, and that’s fucking amazing news.”
He felt lighter than ever as he ran down the trail.
Like most species that called the Republic of Balance their home, fae Matured in their twenties. Not only did Maturation extend lifetimes, but it also increased power and control. When River was fully Mature, managing her magic would be easier than ever. While Ryker would never stop worrying about his sister entirely, this was a boon they desperately needed.
After ensuring that she would tell him the moment she Matured, their conversation shifted toward the tattoos River wanted to get after graduation. She had an entire sleeve planned, and Ryker was pretty certain that, given enough time, his sister would cover every available inch of skin in ink.
Their mother hated tattoos, but Ryker was sure that was just a coincidence.
By the time River finished describing the floral design she planned on getting on her lower back, the mist had picked up and turned into a steady rain. Ryker bid his sister farewell, reminding her how much he loved her and how proud he was of her before hanging up.
Switching to the upbeat playlist he usually played while he ran, Ryker whistled for Marlowe.
Moments later, the dog bounded out of the forest, his black fur plastered to his sides and his tongue lolling out of his mouth. His front paws were brown and caked in dirt, and Ryker knew that somewhere in the park, a hole the size of Marlowe’s head now existed.
“Gods above, you sure know how to make a mess, don’t you?” He scratched the dog behind the ears.
Marlowe barked in agreement, his tail wagging. He looked delighted by the mess he’d made.
Chuckling, Ryker reached within himself and drew out some water. It flowed from his hands and ran over the pup in gentle streams, washing the mud away until black, silky fur was the only thing that remained.
“There, good as new.” Ryker released his magic, attached the leash, and led Marlowe out of the park. “Come on, boy. Let’s go see if your mom is home.”
And if Brynleigh was hurt, Jelisette de la Point would pay.
CHAPTER 28
I’ll Always be Here for You
By the time Ryker and Marlowe returned to the apartment building, the rain had become a full-blown thunderstorm. They were both soaked to the bone and despite the water magic running through Ryker’s veins, he was freezing.
A hot shower was definitely in his future.
Thank the gods; his phone was waterproof. He could dump it in the Emerald Sea, and it would come out unscathed. It was one of the many technologies the fae had brought during the Great Migration.