MATED TO FATHER, FAT Chapter 47: GET TO HAVE YOU

Chapter 47: GET TO HAVE YOU

RYKER

Why the fuck was I standing up for her?

The question racked my brain while I stood there dead staring down at Commander Bruno like I had every right to intervene in whatever bullshit power play he was running. My blood was boiling, actually raging, hot enough that I could feel it pulsing in my temples and making my vision narrow to a single point focused on this arrogant prick’s face.

I knew Bruno. Everyone knew Bruno.

Self absorbed asshole who got promoted to Commander after we neutralized Victor.

Did I just say we? I meant after I neutralized Victor.

Anyways, he was not because he was the best soldier we had but because he was the only one left standing who had enough rank to fill the position. He had skills, I would give him that much, but he was also arrogant, condescending, and hated women with a passion that bordered on pathological.

Rumor had it he turned his wife into a punching bag, sometimes let other men fuck her in his presence just to get off on the degradation. When my father had confronted him about it the wife claimed she did it willingly, some sick fetish they shared.

I had always hated him but never had a solid reason to destroy him.

Until now.

"She disrespected the sentinels," Bruno announced, his chest puffing out like he was making some grand moral stand.

I looked at him with all the contempt I could pack into a single expression. "How? By asking to watch your training?"

"What good will it do for her to watch?" Bruno challenged, his voice dripping condescension. "She is just a woman. She doesn’t know what it takes to be a soldier."

The sentinels were still standing at attention, robotic fools who wouldn’t move until ordered. Amaris had gone quiet beside me and I could feel her presence like heat against my skin.

"She is not just a woman," I corrected, my voice dropping dangerously low, a power play I had learned from Alpha Corvin, unfortunately. "She is the Luna. Your Luna."

"Luna to be," Bruno corrected with a smirk.

My fist clenched so hard my knuckles cracked. "You arrogant prick. You think you have power? I will show you who exactly is Alpha here."

Bruno’s face twisted into the ugly disgusting fool he was. "Alpha?" He scoffed. "You think we don’t know your father wants to breed a replacement? And you think because you defeated Victor, who by the way was at his lowest grieving when you fought him, that makes you some kind of hero?"

The words hit their target but I refused to flinch.

Nia stepped forward, her hand reaching out. "Ryker don’t—"

"Commander Bruno," I cut her off, my eyes never leaving his. "I challenge you to a duel. When you lose, you will be stripped of your title."

Amaris moved before I could process it, her hand wrapping around mine. I turned and looked down at her, at those amber eyes filled with genuine concern and fear, at her hands so soft against my calloused skin.

My wolf responded immediately and I groaned internally.

Fuck. Why does she have to have this kind of effect on me?

"Ryker please," she pleaded, her voice low. "You don’t have to do this. It’s not worth it."

I pulled my hand away because I could not think straight when she touched me like that, when her skin was on mine making every coherent thought scatter. "Stay out of this you woman. This is not about you."

Her eyebrows shot up. "Then who is it about?"

I grumbled incoherently, frustrated with desire and a hint of rage until I did not know which emotion was driving anymore. "Womannnnn," I let the word drag out like an insult.

She stepped back, hurt flashing across her face.

I turned back to Bruno. "What do you say Commander? Or are you too much of a pussy to fight me? Is it only your wife you have the balls to punch?"

Bruno’s face went red and his jaw clenched. "Deal. And if you lose, you get the fallen soldier’s punishment."

A collective gasp rippled through the assembled sentinels.

"Deal," I agreed without hesitation.

Amaris grabbed my arm again, spinning me to face her. "Are you crazy? Why do you want to fight?"

Bruno stood there with an evil smirk spreading across his face, already imagining my corpse riddled with bullets.

Amaris looked at Nia, who had gone pale. "What is the fallen soldier punishment?"

Nia’s voice came out barely above a whisper. "The person is stripped naked and shot at for one minute. He can run but—"

"What the hell?" Amaris whipped back to me. "Do people even survive that?"

"No," Nia finished. "They don’t."

Amaris yanked me to the side away from the crowd, her fingers digging into my arm hard enough to bruise. "Ryker. You don’t have to do this. You really don’t."

"I have to," I countered.

"He is a Commander," she hissed. "You are going to die."

I laughed, the sound harsh. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"This is not funny Ryker." Her voice cracked slightly. "I can’t lose you."

The confession hit me harder than I expected and I stood there staring at her not sure what to say or do because girls like her were not supposed to care if guys like me lived or died.

"Then give me more reasons to win and live," I finally managed.

She looked up at me, her eyes searching mine. "I am terrified to ask but what?"

I stepped closer, close enough that I could smell whatever soap she used. "If I win, I get to have you to myself Amaris."

"What do you mean by have me?" Her voice had gone breathless.

"Amaris," I leaned in until my mouth was near her ear, "you know exactly what I mean. What do you say?"

She closed her eyes and I watched emotions war across her face, watched her process the bargain I was offering. When she opened them again and turned away she looked resigned.

"You better not die."