Page 76 of Tangled Fates

Worry strummed through our bond.

“So, what if we just leave you and hope she leaves again?” I snapped.

“I… I don’t know,” she stuttered.

“Because if that's the case, then I would rather go up against your mother than wait for an opportunity that might not happen anytime soon,” I said, trying to keep my anger in. “I just got you, and you expect me to leave you?”

“I’m just staying?—”

“No, that's not a fucking option,” I growled.

“Would you let me talk?” Oria snapped at me, fury blazing in her eyes. “It might be a possibility, but can you let me try a few things before we start panicking.”

“There is no sense in worrying if we don’t have to, brother,” Gray said softly. “Give her the rest of today and if nothing works then we can start figuring out Plan B.”

“Please give me today,” Oria said looking at Ryder.

He looked at Gray and I, nodding subtly before shifting and taking off. Oria sagged in relief or was it defeat? His rejection must hurt, but I didn’t know if it was going to affect her like it would him.

“Come on, Sunshine, let's get cracking and hopefully we can figure out something.” Gray held out his hand for her.

She grabbed it, glancing back at me while they walked away.

Are you ok? Her voice was hesitant.

I just need a minute and then I will help you. I’m sorry I yelled.

It’s ok, we are stressed, but please try to not do it again. We can’t afford to fall apart.

You’re right, Blondie. I’ll be right up.

She glanced back again, and I gave her a nod. I watched as my brother took her to the tower. My nerves were too much to handle when all I could think about was leaving her here and the possibility of never getting her out.

27

RYDER

The beautiful blonde, voluptuous, mouthwatering woman was my mate. When I first laid eyes on her, I wanted to grab her and take her to a room, and mark her as mine with my teeth and my cock. She looked afraid for just a moment that sent a thrill to my cock, until she realized who we were.

Mate. Mine. Forever. Home. Peace.

But she wasn’t any of those, she was my own personal hell sent by fate to rub salt in my wound after losing the woman I loved.

My heart shattered when I realized my actions, the comfort I sought from this woman and how quickly I had forgotten about Serena. My feelings had been in a constant war with themselves and my wolf. The logical part of me knew that I should accept my mate, the woman I was made for, like she was made for me. My emotions said my only love would be Serena and no one would come close to how amazing, selfless and perfect she was. It was a disgrace to her memory if I even thought of another woman.

I was failing terribly because she invaded my every thought. I wanted, no, needed her, with my every breath. Every fiber of me demanded I go to her tell her I was an asshole, but even thinking that made me queasy. How could I possibly move on so quickly from Serena and in doing so, feel like I was forgetting her?

I didn’t want to forget her, especially after her sacrifice. She had been a lot of my firsts and I had hoped she would be all my lasts.

My throat closed with all the emotions I was trying to keep at bay. All I wanted was to leave this place, mourn in peace and hope one day I could breathe again without it hurting or feeling like I had failed.

My wolf craved to go to her, and to appease both him and I, we sat down underneath the workroom window listening to our mate as they figured out how to get out of this magical barrier.

Her voice soothed us, but it made the war in my head harder to deal with. I knew the bond was going to be hard to ignore, I could feel it taking root in my soul, desperately seeking her out. The longer I was with her, the harder it would be to leave her, the bigger the heartache.

I took a deep breath, taking in her scent, committing it to memory.

Mate.

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