Page 74 of Tangled Fates

“There’s a lot of stuff in here we could sell.”

I leaned against the table.

His nostrils flared when he smelled me.

“We need to pack up this shit and get going,” he snarled, closing the box before grabbing a few more, leaving the room.

“Ryder, we need to talk about that.” I grabbed a random box, following him down the stairs.

“We should leave in an hour. We can be home and get started on this next job I have that should start before Beltane,” he said, opening the door, walking outside.

Was it already Beltane? Shit. How much time had passed by? He set the boxes down by the tree near the exit, turning around to go back into the tower. Leaving my box, I ran back to catch up to him, still trying to wrap my head around how much time we had been here.

“Ryder, can we just talk for a moment?” I asked, going up the stairs after him.

“Let’s get out of here before we sit down to talk,” he grunted.

“We can’t live without her,” I said, getting irritated.

“We are not bringing her,” he snapped, turning around to look at me.

I laughed at his assumption.

“Why wouldn’t I bring our mate?” I said, taking a step up to him.

His lips wobbled, a moment of vulnerability echoed on his face.

“Not our mate,” he snapped, his whole face changed into fury.

“She is! I know losing Serena fucking hurts, but?—”

“Don’t fucking finish that sentence!” Fur sprouted on his arms. “You know I fucking loved her. Don’t make our love seem insignificant,” he roared.

“I would never do that,” I clipped. “I know you loved her, we all did in our own way, but I’m just saying?—”

“I won’t give her up just because some blonde bimbo?—”

“Watch how you speak about my mate. Keep fucking pushing me and I don’t care if you’re my best friend or the queen of England, but you give her the respect she deserves.”

“But you won’t respect Serena!” His eyes glowed yellow.

“I haven't said one disrespectful thing about her!” We were nose to nose when I felt Oria’s fear. “I’m just telling you that?—”

“I don’t want to fucking hear it.” He pushed me back.

“Guys!” Gray yelled when I pushed Ryder.

Ryder shifted the moment Gray came close to us. He lunged for me, digging his claws into my chest snapping at my neck. I threw him off me, using my vampire speed to punch him while he was in the air. I grabbed him by the scruff, but Ryder turned his head too quickly, biting me in my arm.

I growled when we both fell down the stairs, landing hard by the door. We lunged for each other, falling out of the door.

“Come on, guys!” Gray tried pushing my shoulder, getting bit by Ryder, making me even more pissed off.

“Stop!” Gray pushed both of us away.

I was too pissed off to listen, charging at Ryder again, dodging his bite, grabbing his scruff and punching him in his ribs. A loud yelp left his snout as I hit him again before he swiped at me with his huge paws and claws.

“Fuck!” I snarled, letting go of him and kicking him.

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