“Ready for the full moon,” he quipped, punching Ryker in the arm. “The guys were wondering when he was ever going to catch you.”

Ryker rolled his eyes and punched him back. “Yeah, well I would’ve liked to see you do any better. She wasn’t exactly an easy girl to follow.”

Cedric turned to me and grinned even wider. “On behalf of the pack, I want to thank you for getting him out of the shitty ass mood he’s been in for the past year.”

Lifting my brows, I glanced up at Ryker and smiled. “So basically, he’s saying you’ve been a dick? I thought you could control yourself better than that, Mr. Alpha.”

He leaned down, whispering in my ear. “You’re one to talk, angel. I can feel the desire inside of you when you look at me. Trust me, it makes things very hard.”

Cedric watched our interaction, clearly amused. “If you’re done mind-fucking each other, I just wanted to officially welcome you to the pack and tell you that we’re all happy you’re here.”

Nodding, I smiled and said, “Thank you.” Knowing very well they weren’t going to be too happy when we told them about the two packs most likely hunting me.

Ryker rubbed my back and sighed. “It’s time.”

Taking a deep breath, I let it out slowly and walked with him to the front of the room. Ryker walked up with confidence and it was the only thing that kept me going. He believed in his pack, and knew without a doubt they would stand by and protect me. I just didn’t want to ask them to.

“You’re not, angel . . . I am.”

All eyes turned our way as Ryker cleared his throat, ready to make his announcement. It was amazing how so many different wolves were part of his pack, with an Arctic wolf as the alpha. Never in a million years would I have thought such a thing possible.

“As you all know,” he began, “I spent the last five years watching over Bailey, and then some in the previous years. When the time comes, she’ll be your alpha as well. She didn’t initially come here willingly. Through reasons I have yet to figure out, her family had promised her to another wolf, not telling her about the magic of mates. It turns out, that other wolf was my brother.”

The energy in the room spiked as words of rage and disgust spewed from everyone’s mouths. Questions were thrown at us, asking why my family would do that to me, but Ryker and I didn’t have the answers. Instead, he held up his hands, signaling for silence.

“We don’t know why her family didn’t tell her about mate magic or why she was promised to Kade, but I do know that—”

“I know why,” a voice called out.

The room fell silent as an elderly woman with long white hair and weathered skin approached the front wearing a white, silky robe. She was old, much older than any wolf I’d ever seen.

“Seraphina,” Ryker replied in my mind.

Slowly, she waltzed up to us, keeping her solemn gaze on mine. My heart thundered in my chest, but Ryker grabbed my hand, and it calmed me. I wanted answers, but I had to admit, I was nervous about hearing them.

Ryker bowed his head out of respect. “Thanks for coming, Seraphina. As always, I am open to your wisdom.”

Seraphina held out her hand to me. “Come, child. Take my hand.”

Her crystal blue eyes were kind and gentle, but had a sadness behind them. I took her hand and she pulled me to her, holding on tight. Her eyes closed and she mumbled something under her breath. “Too many secrets and lies have befallen you. Especially from those you love.” More mumbled words escaped her lips, and then out of nowhere, a spark of power radiated through the room and through me. Gasps erupted from the pack as it traveled through each and every one of them. The magic was familiar, like I had felt it before.

Before opening her eyes, she grinned. “My suspicions were right.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, whispering the words.

Tears forming in her eyes, she lifted her hands to my face. “You’re not a Whitehill. You, my child, are royal.”

The crowd gasped, and when I looked at Ryker, he was wide-eyed in surprise. “I don’t understand. Care to elaborate?”

“It means your bloodline is the most powerful of all wolves,” Ryker explained.

Seraphina spoke up next. “He’s right. You are from the direct line of ancient wolves who disappeared about three centuries ago. No one knows where they went or, until recently, if they were still alive. When they ruled, the packs were at peace, living in harmony with one another.

“Over the years, greed poisoned our magic and the packs slowly drifted apart, forming new alliances. Now that we’re separated, the magic of the moon grows weaker. Our abilities to find our mates all but disappeared, making it harder for our wolves to find happiness. It is my belief, dear child, that you are the one who can help us.”

“How is this possible? How can I fix the dying magic?”

She smiled and took my hands. “By sealing the bond with your one true mate. Ryker was born special too. Look around you.” I did as she said and gazed at the people in his pack. “Over the years, he’s brought all of these people together under one united front. No other alpha has the ability to do that anymore. It’s how the royals led their people centuries ago. And when you complete the bond, your combined power will be the first step in setting the natural balance—to restore what we’ve lost.”

One by one, the wolves in the room all dropped to their knees. Confusion swept over me. “I don’t understand. How can my parents be Whitehill’s and I’m not? Wouldn’t they be royals as well?”

Ryker joined me, his gaze wary. “I don’t think they are your biological parents, Bailey.”

“What he says is true,” Seraphina added. “I don’t know how you ended up with them, but they aren’t your family. If they were, they never would’ve promised you to Kade.”

I couldn’t even wrap my head around what she was saying. “How is that even possible? They’re my parents. They’re all I’ve known.”

She nodded wearily. “I’m not saying they didn’t love you. It’s possible they were forced to do what they did.”

Dread settled in the pit of my gut, the anger bubbling right underneath the surface. I didn’t even know who I was anymore. “Why can’t I remember any of my encounters with Ryker, or with my real family? It’s all just a black hole when I try to think back.”

She looked down at my hand, furrowing her brows. “They were wiped clean. When I touched you, I could feel the dark magic still binding itself to your memories, locking down your thoughts. Only a very powerful witch can do such a spell.”

“But who?” Then I glared at Ryker. “Did you have a witch like that in the Yukon pack?”

Releasing a heavy sigh, he nodded. “Her name was Maret.”

I felt violated, robbed. “How do I get them back?” I growled the words.

Seraphina hesitated for a moment. “The only way would be if the witch willingly reversed the spell, or if you killed her.”

“She took away the memories of my real family. One way or another, I’ll get them back.”

She sighed. “I know you want them back, but it’s not worth risking your life to get them. Right now, your only concern should be staying safe until the full moon comes.”

“Which is what I want to discuss with you all,” Ryker announced, turning to the group. “If the Yukon pack is on the hunt, I have no doubt they’ll come this way. If they see me with Bailey, there will surely be a fight. I don’t want to bring that kind of war to your doorsteps. Bailey and I will be leaving tonight until the threat’s passed. Cedric is my second in command; he’ll make the decisions while we’re gone.”

“What if we’re willing to fight?” one of the wolves asked. His name was Rafe, one of the wolves I met at the bar. He was tall and stout, a warrior at heart. I enjoyed talking to him about his building projects. I had no doubt he’d kick ass in a fight.

Ryker was about to answer, but I put my hand on his arm. “Give me a second to speak.” I looked up at him and he nodded.