Page 6 of Tangled Hearts

“I’m not good enough for her,” I said, struggling with the internal battle I had with myself.

“You know that’s a bad excuse,” he said, giving me a pointed look. “You know the goddesses and gods don’t give out mate bonds without some heavy consideration.”

I scowled at his comment. This was supposed to be about him, not me.

“Don’t give me that look. You know I’m right, but all I’m saying is some of us never get the chance to find our mate. We never find that person who completes us in every way.” He looked solemn. “Don’t pass it up because I know you’ll regret it in the future.”

“My brain and heart are on different pages,” I said, finally saying the words out loud. “I want her, like I need her to survive, but I’m still…. hung up on my ex.”

Saying I loved Serena felt wrong and it only made me feel even worse.

“Hung up?” He scowled at me.

I chuckled. “I still have feelings for Serena.”

“I don’t think you ever truly stop loving anyone, it might fade and lessen, but I think they will always be a part of you no matter what,” he said, thoughtfully. “She will always be with you, Ryder. It sounds like she helped make you into the man you are today and knowing Oria, she will never make you forget her.”

My heart felt like it was starting to constrict.

“Damn, Catzilla. I wanted to hate you, but you’re making it really hard to.”

Soren walked up to us.

Maxton looked at Soren with a bored expression, but I could feel some of his hostility.

“I also heard you love our girl,” Soren said, stopping close to us, his hands in his pants pockets.

Maxton growled, getting up, turning away from us.

“Hey, I’m sorry,” Soren said quickly, stopping Maxton in his tracks. “I’m not saying it to make you feel bad, but you gotta know where I’m coming from if you love her.”

Maxton slowly looked over his shoulder. “I do. I would rather die than see her get hurt. There was once a time that I thought she was mine.”

“I just want to keep my mate safe.” The vulnerability in Soren’s voice made me study him.

The bond had changed him and I never thought I would see the day my best friend was head over heels for a woman.

“I’ll protect her, and once Laima has been taken care of, then I will leave,” he said, glancing at me before leaving.

“He’s right, she’d never make you choose,” Soren said.

“I’m just not ready,” I said.

I don’t know if I ever will be.

3

ORIA

It was the day after we arrived here at the safe house. Still no word from Gray, our phone calls going unanswered. The house was full of tension and I felt like Maxton was avoiding me. I hadn’t really looked for him, but I had only seen him in passing. He wouldn’t even look at me.

Ryder made us some lunch, but I couldn’t bring myself to eat it. I was too nervous concerning Gray and the beautiful man who had been my cat since I could remember. The latter was not at the table with us, probably outside, avoiding me. I knew we needed to talk, but I hated that I couldn’t remember anything. I was afraid of what he was going to tell me that would change my world so drastically, even more so than it already had. The last few weeks had given me whiplash.

“You need to eat, Blondie,” Soren said, laying a hand on my back.

“I’m not hungry,” I said, standing up, needing to do something. “Is no one worried about Gray?”

Soren’s jaw flexed. “We are, but he has two days before we get nervous.”

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