Page 35 of Exiled Mate

The word seems to echo in my ears.

There’s a roaring noise. A sound that’s somewhere in between a freight train and a waterfall. Rylan moans underneath me, but I can’t see him.

It’s too bright.

Everything around us is lit up, illuminated by a glaring, brilliant glow.

“Terra.”

My name sounds like a prayer on Rylan’s lips. It’s much more solid than his voice was a second ago.

I lean down. “I’m here, baby,” I whisper.

There’s so much light, I think for a minute that we might both be dead. That the break I felt in my heart when Rylan fell is real. And that I’m dying with him.

I’ll miss my mom. I’ll miss Ember.

But the prospect of a future with Rylan, even one where we’re both dead…

I don’t hate that.

One of Ryland’s hands drifts up to my shoulders. He runs his hand down my spine.

His hand…

I spin.

“Oh, shit. Rylan. Your hand,” I gasp.

It’s whole again. No evidence of being stomped on. Nothing to show that he was just put through a meat grinder of a fight.

I look down as Rylan moans.

His chest. His stomach. Everywhere that once was a gaping, open wound is slowly closing.

None of this should be closing. Not unless…

Rylan’s eyes open, and the electric blue of his irises is ringed with a dark, emerald green.

Mates. We’re fated mates.

I don’t need to say it out loud. Rylan’s lips spread in a grin, and he nods.

“It’s only ever been you, Terra.”

When I throw my arms around him this time, I’m still crying. But these are tears of joy.

Because being held by my mate, the love of my life…

Nothing could make me happier.

Chapter 10

Rylan

In the locker room after the fight, Ember pronounces me healed. Miraculously.

“That fated mates stuff is no joke,” she says as she looks over the places where my stomach has knitted itself back together.

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