Three Alpha Bikers Wants An Open Marriage

Riley’s POV

The words hung between us like a live wire: "I’m going to release Wendy."

I braced myself, arms crossed tight over my chest, waiting for the explosion. Cane and Caden were protective as hell. Overprotective, really. I expected Cane to go all growly Alpha on me, listing every reason why letting her walk free was a terrible idea. Caden would probably back him up with that calm, logical voice that somehow made you feel stupid for even suggesting it.

But Cane just looked at me for a long second, those intense dark eyes softening at the edges, and said, "Okay."

My eyebrows shot up so fast I probably looked ridiculous. "Just like that? You aren’t going to ask me why or say anything?"

Caden leaned back against the heavy oak table in the sitting room, one corner of his mouth tipping into that half-smirk I was dangerously starting to love. "Nope. It’s your choice, Riley. You can do whatever you think is right."

I blinked. Then blinked again. A warm flush crept up my neck before I could stop it. I turned away quickly, pretending to look out the tall window at the courtyard below, but I knew they saw the smile tugging at my lips. These men were going to be the death of me—equal parts frustrating and ridiculously attractive when they actually listened.

"Okay... good," I muttered, trying to play it cool even as my stomach did a little flip. I cleared my throat and glanced around the room. "Where’s Gunnar, anyway? I haven’t seen him since my time with Ethan."

Cane and Caden exchanged a quick look. Just a flicker—nothing obvious but I caught it. That tiny shared glance that screamed "we’re hiding something."

"He went for an important business"

My smile faded. "What kind of important business?"

Cane rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly very interested in the rug under his boots. Caden pushed off the table and walked over to the sideboard, pouring himself a glass of water he definitely didn’t need.

"Riley..." Cane started.

"No." I stepped forward, heart picking up speed. "The moment you three marked me, it was a promise. No secrets. I’m not doing this mates thing if you’re going to keep me in the dark like some fragile little doll. I’ve had enough of that for a lifetime."

The air in the room got thicker. Cane sighed, running a hand through his hair, messing it up in that unfairly sexy way.

"Actually... Gunnar asked us not to tell you," he said carefully. "He doesn’t want you stressing yourself out anymore. You’ve been through a lot, Riley. He doesn’t want to involve you."

I stared at him, something cold twisting in my chest. For a second I didn’t speak, letting the words settle like lead in my stomach.

Then I straightened my spine and looked them both dead in the eyes.

"The moment I was marked, I became involved in anything that has to do with you three. If you’re not telling me where he is right now, I’m walking away. And I mean it."

Caden set the glass down harder than necessary. He and Cane had one of those silent conversations again, the kind that usually ended with me getting my way because they hated seeing me upset.

Finally, Caden exhaled. "He’s in the Dark Cells. Underground."

My eyes widened. "The pack has an underground cells?"

He nodded once.

"Why is he there?" I asked, voice sharper now.

Silence.

Cane shifted his weight, jaw tight. The tension rolling off both of them made the hairs on my arms stand up.

"Actually... Gunnar’s life is short," Cane said quietly. "There’s uhm...a... prophecy. And it has to do with someone destined to kill him in his beast form. Since we’ve marked you and you’re his mate, staying close to him from now on will be very dangerous."

My stomach dropped. "What do you mean? What are you talking about?"

Cane looked like he’d rather swallow glass than say the next words.

"Gunnar is cursed."

The room seemed to tilt. I reached out and gripped the back of the nearest chair to steady myself.

Just immediately Memories crashed over me—Dahlia’s voice in that Rite thing I did months ago, her strange, knowing smile, they all came back in my head.

[He’ll die by your hands.]

"Wait a minute," I said slowly, my voice barely above a whisper. "You said he’ll die by someone’s hands. Who’s that someone?"

Both of them shifted awkwardly, avoiding my eyes. Cane’s shoulders tensed like he was bracing for a fight. Caden stared at the floor, jaw locked so tight I could see the muscle jumping.

"Cane!" I shouted, stepping closer. My heart was pounding so hard it hurt. "Tell me."

He finally met my gaze, eyes full of regret and something that looked a lot like fear.

"I cannot tell you, Riley."

The silence after his words was deafening. My breath caught in my throat as I stared at him, waiting for him to take it back, to explain, to give me anything. But Cane just stood there, looking torn in half, while Caden kept his mouth shut like the words might burn him if he let them out.

I felt the floor shift under me again, like the entire world had tilted on its axis. Gunnar—my strong, quiet, fiercely protective Gunnar was down in some dark underground prison because of a curse.

A prophecy. And somehow... I might be part of it?

The thought made my chest ache so badly I had to press a hand there.

"No," I whispered, shaking my head. "You don’t get to drop that on me and then shut down. Not after everything we’ve been through. Not after you marked me and told me you loved me."

Caden finally looked up, his expression pained. "Riley, baby—"

"Don’t ’baby’ me right now," I cut in, but my voice cracked. I hated how vulnerable it sounded. I was supposed to be stronger than this. I was stronger. But the idea of losing Gunnar—of somehow being the reason—made something deep inside me want to scream.

Cane took a step toward me, reaching out like he wanted to pull me into his arms, but I held up a hand.

"Tell me the truth," I said, forcing my voice steady even though my hands were starting to tremble. "All of it. Or I swear I’ll go down there myself and find out."

The two of them exchanged another heavy look, the kind that carried years of brotherhood. I could see the war happening behind their eyes—the need to protect me battling against the promise they’d made when they claimed me.

Cane finally exhaled, long and slow, rubbing a hand over his face.

"Fuck," he muttered under his breath. "Gunnar’s going to kill us for this."

I didn’t care. I needed to know.

Because if what Dahlia said was true...

If I really was going to be the one to end Gunnar’s life...

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