Page 89 of Tangled Fates

She shook her head at him before getting up and going to Ryder. He held his arm out and pulled her against him immediately. I couldn’t keep the smirk off my face as I glanced at Gray, who had the same expression.

He didn’t stand a chance with her.

Tay scrutinized them before he got up, rolling his shoulders.

“My offer still stands, Ria,” he said, flexing his hands.

“I appreciate the offer, but I will not go with you,” she said quickly, like there was no doubt in her mind about going with him.

“Ok, but if you ever need me, all you have to do is call,” he said, running a hand down his face. “Go get your stuff because we need to go now.”

“Come on, Blondie.” I held out my hand to her.

She came quickly when I nodded at Gray and Ryder.

“I’ll bring your stuff down,” I said, picking up Blondie before rushing inside.

She held onto me tight, laughing into my neck until I had gotten us to her workshop where her bag was.

“I’m jealous at how fast you are and you're not even out of breath.” She smiled as I set her down.

“There’s a lot of things I can do without getting out of breath,” I said suggestively.

Her face fell instantly.

“I wish we had more time together before all of this had to happen.” Her lip trembled.

I brought her close to me, wrapping my arms around her, sitting my chin on the top of her head.

“Me too, Blondie. I wish you never had to suffer any of this, the heartache, the loneliness and the doubt,” I said, pulling away to look down at her. “Once we figure out what we need to do, we can get past this. I promise that I will spend the rest of my days with you, giving you the love you deserve. You will never be alone again, Blondie.”

“I love you,” she said quickly, before sealing her lips against mine.

I never contemplated hearing those words in my lifetime. Meaningless nights were all I had ever known and all I expected to receive from life, but those three words branded my soul.

“Are you sure?” I asked, against her lips.

I knew I was being dumb, but I still couldn’t believe it.

“During the sunshine and through the rain, I’ll love you, Soren,” she said before kissing me, and I could feel her love throughout my body. Our bond hummed in my chest with reverence. It still felt incomplete, but I knew it was only a matter of time before the guys mated with her and the four of us could start our life together, harmoniously.

“I love you, Oria. Your sunshine has brought me home,” I said, kissing her one more time before I felt the urgency to leave. “Come on, beautiful. Let's get out of here, because I have so much to show you.”

She gave me the biggest smile before grabbing another bag, filling it with vials and other things. She grabbed a necklace with a bunch of stones on it.

“I’ll be back, I need to get my vest and the guy’s things,” I said, running up the stairs. I grabbed everything we had come with, including our tactical vests and our backpacks. I grabbed a few dry foods from the kitchen, along with a few drinks. Thankfully we had those potions, but I didn’t know what our plan was after we left here.

I ran back to Oria, seeing her holding Catzilla. Shit, how did I not realize we’d be taking the cat. He hissed at me like he knew I had forgotten about him.

“Loki, you need to get used to him because he’s stuck with us,” Blondie said while scratching his head.

The grumpy cat gave me the side eye like he couldn’t believe it.

“Shit, you have three people you have to get used to.” I laughed as we walked down the stairs.

He hissed and I couldn’t believe that this was going to be my life, but then I realized that Ryder was essentially a big dog, so I couldn’t wait for them to get on each other's nerves.

Ryder, Gray and Tay were near the exit, looking grumpy. Excitement coursed through me at bringing my mate home.

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