Ryker leaned against the wall, chest heaving as he eyed Diego with a glare. He wasn't angry about what Diego was putting him through–sure, it pissed him off a little, but it was more about what else that indicated. That Jo had been through the same thing.
And that was seriously setting him off.
"You're temperamental," Diego said, crossing his arms.
Not usually. "You must bring out the best in me."
"I shouldn't. If you're this reactive to someone you just met, I'd be seriously concerned about anyone you have a history with."
"Yeah, well, when we have a history you torturing my girlfriend, I'd say that makes for a pretty bad start to this little friendship, wouldn't you?"
Diego's eyes flashed as he moved closer, the tension in his body causing Ryker to straighten defensively. "You shouldn't let the fact she's your girlfriend affect you so much." His eyes shifted to a wall behind Ryker, then returned to him before he gave a small shake of his head. Ryker frowned, confused. He thought they knew about him and Jo? But maybe they didn't know about them being mates? Or what that really meant?
Ryker scowled. "Do you like this kind of thing? Is torture fun for you?"
Diego stared at him blankly. "Shift again."
"No," Ryker growled. He had been shifting back and forth for hours now. He wasn't even sure he could do it any more. And when he wasn't shifting, he was running through obstacle courses and dodging things that Diego was throwing at him with his mind. Which seemed ridiculous, like something out of an X-men movie. But Diego had telekinesis, and Ryker had agility on his side.
"You don't have a choice," Diego said. A tire came hurling at Ryker from the side of the room, and he dodged out of the way. Not fast enough, though; the tire smacked his arm. "Shift."
"Forget it."
The tire came after him again, but it stopped midair as Diego lifted his hand to his ear. His expressionless face wrinkled into a glare and he turned, hurrying toward the door.
"Where are you going?" Ryker asked. Did it have something to do with his team? Jo was on his team. Was Jo in trouble?
"Not your concern."
"Like hell."
"I'll be back." Diego crossed over and opened the door. Before it could close, Ryker had shifted, hurled himself forward, and flung a paw around the door, yanking it open. Since he couldn't wear the bracelets when he shifted, they were currently sitting on the floor of the room.
"Get back in there right now, you're going to make it worse–"
Whatever Diego had been about to say was cut off because he got a whiff of Jo's scent. Doors were closing and locking on their own, but Ryker raced forward down an open corridor, following his nose. Or at least he was. After a few seconds, he was lifted off the ground and then dropped from two feet. He easily landed, but Diego shoved him telekinetically into a wall.
Ryker snarled, but Diego had his face pressed up against the wall so that he couldn't bite at Diego's face even if he wanted to.
"You are making this situation worse," Diego hissed quietly, once he was right in front of Ryker's face. "Stop acting crazy when it comes to Jo."
Ryker growled and shifted back, hoping to surprise Diego. Right now the only thing that filled his mind was concern for Jo, especially as the echo of her rage pounded through him, feeding into his own anger. It was impossible to hold back right now.
Just as Ryker lunged at him, hands curled into fists, Diego managed to pin him back against the wall, looking thoroughly irritated and exhausted, sweat beading his brow and slicking hair against his forehead.
Good. Taste of his own medicine.
"Ryker!" Diego snapped. "We can do this all day, or I can go help Jo."
That ripped a growl from him, but part of his mind was forced to register and acknowledge what Diego was saying. Diego had more power here, at least right now, and clearly wasn't going to let Ryker come with him. Diego could potentially help Jo. Right now, Ryker couldn't.
And that killed him.
"I'm already out here," Ryker panted, looking Diego in the eyes. He had to try, one more time. "Let me come in case I can help. I promise I won't get in the way."
Diego eyed him, lips pursed. "You've got to act rational."
Ryker nodded, not completely trusting himself to speak right now. But he knew he would, as long as he could see Jo and see that she was okay. Just being near her calmed him.
If she was hurt though...
That's why he couldn't trust himself to speak.
"Fine," Diego snapped, stepping back. His voice got louder as he finally released the telekinetic pressure on Ryker. "I don't have time to make sure you return to your cell, dog." Ryker growled, but Diego ignored him, his eyes flitting briefly to a camera in the corner then back at Ryker. Was this part of playing a part for his boss? Damn, but this place could mess with your head trying to keep up pretenses like this all the time.
Diego started moving. "You stay behind me while I deal with this situation, got it?" He looked back at Ryker. "And shift back, nudity isn't permitted in public areas."
Deciding it was better not to say anything right now before his inner Alpha insisted he attack this disrespectful human, Ryker gritted his teeth before forcing a shift. It was a good thing he wasn't actually Alpha yet, because even with Jo's safety involved, he wasn't sure he would have been able to take all this ordering around if he was.
As Diego moved into a jog, Ryker picked up the pace. He was massive enough that he didn't need to run, but he did start a steady trot of sorts. If he had been allowed to pass Diego and follow his nose to Jo, he would have, but he didn't want Diego to telekinetically slam him into the ceiling. Instead Ryker stayed right beside him and tried not to think of biting the guy's leg off. Jo first. Then dealing with Diego.
Doors reopened as Diego passed, so whoever was in charge must have cleared him and either didn't care that Ryker was tagging along or wanted to see what would happen.
They didn't have to go too far before they encountered a brawl in the middle of the hallway. Ryker stopped as Diego lifted his hand, and someone came flying toward him. It was a lithe blond woman who had scratches on her face and a wild smile. She hit the floor hard but sprung to her feet like a gymnast.
"You better get a handle on that new fireball of yours, Diego, she's insane," she said, brushing her stray messy hair back from her face. Ryker surged forward, catching her attention. "Oh my god, you brought the mutt? Are you crazy?"
Ryker recognized her scent and snarled at her as he passed, spotting Jo. He got the satisfaction of seeing her take a step back before he jumped into the fight, slamming into a brown-haired, olive-skinned guy who had an arm around Jo's waist. The guy let go of her, mostly because he had to.
"Hey!" the guy said. He was around his and Jo's age and he looked supremely irritated. "I was helping!"
There were a couple guys exchanging punches, and then there was a woman on the ground holding her face, her nose bleeding all over the place. However, Ryker was more concerned about Jo. She was staring at him like she couldn't believe he was there, but she also had a murderous expression on her face.
Moving past him, she sunk her hand into his fur for a moment and then stomped toward the woman. Surprised into not moving, Ryker growled and nipped the edge of her shirt with expert precision. He pulled back, keeping her from going after the woman on the ground.
"Let go," Jo said, "Ryker!"
He pulled again, clamping down harder. The fabric began to tear. Jo didn't seem to care, still trying to move forward, so he changed tactics, releasing her shirt and darting in front of her. Now, he also effectively served as a barricade.
Jo grunted, trying to get up and push past him–they both knew she wouldn't use her fire on him. Not unless they'd already gotten to her and completely changed who she was as a person. Ryker had to believe that wasn't the case.
"They're the ones that brought you in," Jo snarled, flames dancing in her eyes. Her rage was kinda distractingly hot, especially as much as he missed her and now she was all up against him and...
Now was not the time!
Babe. Ryker pushed against her mind, and thankfully she was still letting him in. Guess she didn't see a need to keep him out anymore. Well, and of course, he'd actually been the one to close the connection the last time. Babe, if that's the case, this is my fight.
Her eyes focused on his.
Ours!
Okay, that was also hot.
Damnit, focus. Diego was saying something into his earpiece about how they didn't need to send in reinforcements. Ryker had a feeling it'd be bad for the team if it came down to that, and he had to communicate that to Jo.
Jo, if this gets out of hand we're all in trouble. Not just those guys.
Jo continued to look at him, clearly fuming, but at least she seemed to be listening. And thinking now.
Jo...And he couldn't help himself, he pressed himself against her, rubbing his head against hers. And thankfully she responded automatically, her arms going around his body, holding him to her as she pressed her face into his fur.
Her voice came to him, accusing. You're manipulating me.
Ryker wasn't afraid to admit what they both knew to be true. Yeah, I am.
"Are we all calm now?" Diego was saying. "Does anyone need to go to the infirmary?" He placed himself between the two teams, taking turns to scowl at both groups. "Why don't we each go back to our barracks and cool down by writing up an incident report for the disciplinary committee." As protests started to rise, Diego rolled his eyes. "Boss' orders, you can't be surprised, brawling in the public hallways."
"Just keep that bi–"
"Alice, enough," Diego said sternly, effectively stopping her complaint as Jo growled into Ryker's ear at the same time. "Take your team and go." Diego turned away from them, clearly dismissing the other team. "All right you guys, let's go as well." Ryker eyed Diego, but Diego didn't say anything about returning to the cell. Was he now allowed to stay with the team?
He certainly wasn't going to ask.
Ryker moved, and Jo fully stood up, her hand on his shoulder. She flicked her eyes toward the other team, and Ryker pressed against her leg, keeping her from moving toward them if she felt so inclined. Her anger was still pouring into their bond, like ocean waves slamming against a rock wall. He knew she was riled up, but he didn't want her to start fighting again.
Diego marched the team down the hallway, talking quietly to the taller of the two guys he didn't recognize. The other one was trailing behind, dabbing at a bloody nose. Ryker would have eavesdropped, but Jo was flooding their bond with anger and relief and surprise.
Ryker bumped his head against Jo's side. What happened?
Nothing, Jo responded, glowering, Nothing important. Don't worry about it.
Why'd they attack you guys?
I attacked them, Jo said, her mental voice popping like a bonfire with frustration. Because they were saying stupid shit.
Jo. You can't do that.
And you can't tell me what to do.
"What's with the dog?" the shorter of the two new guys asked as they walked, gesturing to Ryker, who immediately growled.
"He's a wolf, not a dog," the taller one said.
"That's Ryker," Diego said, "The reason you got in a fight in the first place, apparently." The taller guy must've been filling him in on the details.
"They started it," the shorter one said, "And we would've finished it."
"Just walk," Diego said, sounding tensely exasperated. "And shut up."
Jo's hand rested on Ryker's back and then dug into his fur. Don't leave.
I'm not going anywhere.
Diego could just try to throw him back into that other room. Not happening. Now that he was with Jo, he wasn't leaving her side, not for anything.
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A/N: Sorry for the sporadic posting lately, the holidays are keeping me busy, but promise it'll get better in the new year! Hope the longer chapter helped make up for it a little, and as always, thank you for your votes and comments, they mean a lot!