“You should get some rest,” I said softly, starting to rise. “I’ll get you some water.”
Ryder’s grip tightened slightly. “I heal faster than humans. By tomorrow, I’ll be much better.”
“You’ll get rest. Doctor’s orders,” I said, crossing my arms as I looked down at him.
I went to the kitchen, filling a glass with cold water. My hands trembled slightly as I returned to the living room, the reality of everything washing over me in waves.
“I’ll leave this here,” I said, setting it on the coffee table. “Can I help you lie down?”
“I can manage,” Ryder grunted as he worked to reposition himself.
“So what happens now?” I asked, crouching beside the couch.
Ryder’s eyes found mine, steady and certain despite his pain. “Kellan will lick his wounds and retreat. He knows he came close to death today. As for my pack... there will be adjustments, but they follow me for a reason. They trust my judgment.”
“And us?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
“That depends on you, Everly Montana,” he said, reaching for my hand again. “I know what I want. What do you want?”
The intensity in his gaze made my heart flutter. This man — this werewolf — had put himself between me and danger without hesitation. He’d been willing to kill to protect me and his pack.
“I want to try,” I admitted, the words feeling both terrifying and right. “But not if your pack is against it. This shouldn’t be hard for us, right?”
“They will accept you,” Ryder said, his voice hard. “They will protect you as if you were one of us.”
“You really want this?” I asked, shaking my head. “I’m nothing special. I’m just… I’m just me.”
A smile curled Ryder’s lips. “You’re everything. You’re special to me.”
“Did the doctor give you something?” I asked, raising a brow. “I think you might be delirious.”
Ryder laughed, but winced. “Ow, ouch.”
“Sorry,” I said, pushing myself to my feet. “Get some rest.”
I watched him for a moment, his eyes growing heavy as everything caught up with him. His breathing was slow, becoming deeper and more regular despite the occasional wince with the slightest movement.
Sighing, I sank into the recliner, drawing my knees to my chest. Was I really considering this? A real and serious relationship with a werewolf? I said I was done with men, but I guess we were all breaking rules. If Ryder broke his for me, then I could break mine for him. Maybe he really was different. Only time would tell.
All I knew for sure was that my heart was aching at the sight of him wounded. I’d been so afraid of losing him that I hadn’t been able to stand.
Something about him was different.
And when he looked at me… when he touched me… when our eyes met, it was all just right. It was like we were two pieces of the same puzzle, fitting perfectly together.
I shook my head, a small smile forming on my lips despite everything. I owed it to myself to find out what these feelings meant. What if this was it? What if this was the real thing?
A human and a werewolf — who would have ever thought? No one would believe it if I told them. But then again, no one would ever know. This would be our secret, mine and Ryder’s and his pack’s.
The rational part of my brain was screaming that this was insane, that I should run as far and as fast as I could. But then I looked at Ryder’s sleeping form, his face peaceful despite the cuts, stitches, and bruises, and I knew I wasn’t going anywhere. Not that the imprint would let me leave, anyway. Whatever came next, whatever challenges we’d face, I wanted to face them with him.
I just hoped everything was really over. That things wouldn’t be so hard, and no one would have to risk their life for me, or for their pack. But something told me that Kellan wouldn’t give up so easily. I was afraid he’d be back.
Hopefully, I was wrong.
