I woke to the sound of my bedroom door creaking open.Trying to sit up, I squinted toward it, expecting to see Aunt Mara, but to my surprise, Ryder slipped in.Before I could say a word, he shushed me, taking the few steps over to my bed and slipping in beside me."It's too early... Sleep," he urged, pulling the covers up around us.I was still half asleep and confused. "Why are you here?" I asked, my voice sounding gruff and tired."Your Aunt just left for work, so I'm here to take care of you for the day, remember? But forget about that now. Just go back to sleep," he insisted, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close against his body."Why didn't you stay last night? I wanted you to stay..." I pouted, trying my best to give him an accusing look in spite of my sleepy eyes."Because it felt weird with your aunt here. It's her house and she didn't invite me to stay and it just felt weird. I wanted to... You made it really hard to say no," he replied sincerely, finishing o

"You okay over there?"Ryder asked as I slid deeper into the water, my eyes still closed as my heart tried to find its regular tempo. He'd pulled his hand away a little while ago and had given me a moment to get a grip of myself, but I was still coming down from my high. "Kate?" he tried again, his fingers trailing over my exposed knee. I shuddered at his touch and giggled before nodding and immersing my lips below the water. "You're alright then?" he repeated with a smirk on his lips. I nodded, still partially submerged, a beaming smile on my lips. The water was beginning to get cold now though, and I was eager to get out as soon as I was capable of walking again. He leaned over the bath, his elbows resting on the side of it as he watched me with adoration. Reaching his hand out, he ran his fingers over my cheek, then cupped it gently. I rubbed my face against him like a cat seeking affection. "I'm fucking crazy about you, Kate," he confessed, a hint of vulnerability lacing his

After hanging up, the room felt emptier and so did I. Tyler's absence was a void I couldn't seem to fill. At least I still had the promise of Saturday though. I headed out with a sigh, eager to burrow myself in Ryder's arms. He was standing in the kitchen, hidden behind an open cupboard. "Well, I can offer you cereal," he said, shaking two boxes in my general direction, but as I approached he noticed my miserable demeanor and set the boxes on the counter before meeting me in the lounge with a caring hug. "You okay?" he whispered down into my ear, holding me tightly. I nodded, but the truth was that I was once again fighting back my tears. "I'm sorry, Kate. If it makes you feel any better, he really wishes he could be here. And I'm not just saying that. I know how hard these last couple of days have been for him too," he explained, trying to make the pain a little more bearable by showing me that it was shared. I couldn't find the words to respond, so once again, I simply nodded

"Shit, Kate... I'm so sorry. What can I do? Ice? A painkiller?" he offered apologetically. "Painkiller..." I mumbled, clutching my arm firmly against my chest while tears welled up in my eyes. I breathed. That's just about all I could do. Ryder reappeared suddenly, standing in front of me with a glass of cold water in one hand and two painkillers in the palm of his other hand. I took them greedily. The pain wasn't as bad as it had been at times the day before, but why suffer when there was no need? I knew the pills wouldn't work instantly, but you can't blame me for hoping. He took the glass back and placed it on the coffee table, then he stood there awkwardly, looking at me with an expression of panic. "What can I do? I don't know what to do!" he said, his voice brimming with worry. "Did I fuck it up again?" he went on with concern now. "I'll be fine," I replied, trying to put on a brave face. He groaned before he took his seat beside me again, being sure to move carefully an

The admission hung between us. I took a deep breath before I revealed my own truth. "I don't know what I want to do either. You're my mate and Tyler is my mate, but the pack will need a Luna, and I don't want to be Luna, and I'm trying not to think about it because when I do, I start freaking out, and I'm freaking out now, and I don't know what to do!" I finished, breathing hard and heavy as panic gripped me. "If I won't be Luna, then I can't be his mate... But I want to be his mate. I don't know what to do," I confessed as my lower lip trembled. The thought of losing either of my mates was heartbreaking. I didn't even want to think about it, but I suppose it was a potential reality I might have to face. There was no way Tyler's parents would let him be mated to someone who wouldn't stand as the pack Luna. He himself would need that support. But it was a role I felt I just wasn't cut out for. I wasn't confident and charismatic like Tyler was. People didn't take me seriously. People