Page 97 of Tangled Fates

“Always yours,” I said, running my hands in his hair.

We stayed connected for a few moments as the bond settled. It felt similar to Soren’s, but I could feel their differences like night and day. There were like two sides of the same coin, together they made each other whole.

“Shit, Sunshine are you ok?” He pulled away from me, looking over me.

“More than ok,” I murmured, feeling tired.

“I didn’t mean to?—”

“I’m ok,” I said, kissing him softly.

My eyes grew heavy as he pulled me off of him, setting me on the bed. He kissed my temple as sleep tried to pull me under.

“Thank you, goddesses and gods for giving me a mate, a perfect mate. She’s everything I didn’t know I needed, changing me for the better and giving me happiness I only dreamed of. I’m home.”

He kissed my temple again as sleep finally won and we fell into a deep slumber.

33

RYDER

We craved her. Being so close to her, having her body pressed against mine was the sweetest torture. She was a slice of heaven I wasn’t sure I deserved. If it wasn’t for that grumpy cat, I would have done something that I don’t think I was ready for.

My whole body vibrated with need as I left the room. My wolf was pissed off at me, he needed her like he needed air to breathe and while he was ready to go all in, my heart… my heart still belonged to Serena.

Just thinking about her sent my emotions haywire, but the bond with Oria made me feel even more confused. It felt like a betrayal to Serena, but also made me feel like an asshole to Oria. She didn’t deserve my hostility, but she came into our lives at the worst time.

Finding your mate was supposed to be a blessing.

My wolf was feeling extremely protective of her, and logically, I knew he had every right to be. Our mate bonds were created by the moon goddess herself, but it was usually between wolves. Having a mate outside of your race was unheard of and I definitely knew she wasn’t a wolf. Hell, I had no idea what she was, and it made me wonder what else the goddess had in store for me.

My faith in the gods and goddesses had been slipping as the years had passed. We were made from them, given life by them and they left us here on earth to do what? Fight against each other? Kill each other and try to decimate entire races? To take our loved ones?

The last fifty years felt like one slow climb to complete war with everyone. It was tiresome, and waiting for the last shoe to drop was exhausting. I exhaled harshly, wishing I could turn my brain off for a moment.

“Hello, gorgeous. It's been a while since I’ve seen you.” Breast Friends stood in front of me laying a hand on my chest.

We had one night together a few months ago and I had deeply regretted it since then. Sadly, all I remember is drinking with her and waking up in a room with her by my side.

“Hello,” I murmured. “Excuse me, I have to get going.”

“Oh, come on baby, I haven’t stopped thinking about you since the last time,” she purred.

She was a gorgeous woman, probably every man's fantasy come true with her curves, her large breasts and those baby blues. But she wasn’t Serena or Oria.

“I’m sorry that won’t happen again,” I said, wishing she would just leave me alone.

“Come on wolfy, we had?—”

“No!” I snapped.

I was clenching my fists, to stop the urge I had to manhandle her out of my way.

“Hey, how about you go handle the men at table four, sweetheart.” Cora, the owner, came over and made her leave.

Cora had been a close friend of mine; she was a succubus that had made a name for herself with her ladies and her small hotel. It helped that as a succubus, her talent was seduction. Once, I had seen her take a whole room of straight men and well, let’s just say they all found out they enjoyed the company of men.

She sighed before leaving Cora and I.

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