AllFreeNovel
Share Us
While I had to admit, the thought did cross my mind, I shook my head. “The population has grown a lot since Rowan’s pack moved in, and the houses aren’t sitting empty like they once had. Besides, Kai has done enough for Rose Valley. I don’t want to step on any toes or cause issues—not since he’s been so adamant about making amends.”
While there was a new peace between the two packs, any minor conflict had the ability to stoke up bigger problems that wouldn’t take much to escalate. I didn’t want to be the reason for more issues.
Even if we all hoped for the peace to continue, everyone could feel it.
“That makes sense. I know you two have had a rough time so far, but I swear Griffin isn’t that bad. Maybe he’s still finding his footing here,” she said, seemingly trying to support both sides.
While I could imagine Griffin was on his best behavior around Rowan and Willow, they didn’t see him like I did. They didn’t have to deal with him after he had a bad day and didn’t have anyone else to take it out on.
It seemed I was the closest and easiest target.
“It’s been months already,” I mumbled, returning to my work. “I don’t see him changing anytime soon.”
“Maybe I can say something to him.”
I scoffed. “Like what?”
A humored grin moved across her face. “I’ll tell him to be nice. He won’t want Rowan or Kai to know he’s causing trouble, right?”
Her tone suggested it was a joke, but I didn’t mind the thought of him being brought down a peg or two.
Laughing quietly at the mental image of him being scolded by not only his best friend and the alpha of the Rose Valley pack but his own alpha’s girl too, I tried to hold on to that lightheartedness. I didn’t want to be grouchy all day just because Griffin was insufferable. It didn’t make me much different than him, and the very idea of that drove me insane.
***
I worked on my deep breathing on the walk back home as the day began to cool down and the sun was setting. While distracting myself with work and talking to Willow helped, I wanted the remnants of my bad mood to leave me completely.
Those calming breaths helped to clear my headspace.
As I walked through town, I appreciated the houses and the evidence of people living in them. I checked out the start of people’s gardens, waiting for any possible frosts to pass through before they planted anything. It made me excited for the summer ahead and the warmer weather.
I felt calmer by the time I reached my street. Calm enough to prepare myself for a potential confrontation with Griffin. I told myself I’d be cordial no matter what he said to me, and I’d try my best to stay true to myself.
But the air from my lungs was sucked away the moment I saw him outside my house.
Not Griffin, but Ryan.
It had been months. I spent half a year getting over him—working to forget the feelings I ever had for him all to save myself. I made so much progress.
And yet, he was simply there.
My skin went cold—colder than the evening air around me.
I didn’t know what to do, or what to say. The thought of walking by him and going straight inside was tempting, but from the look of it, he wouldn’t let that happen.
Ryan pulled a hesitant smile for me while he stuffed his hands in his pockets. There was a slight sadness in his eyes. Regret.
“Sara, hey.”
I had to swallow past the lump in my throat. “Ryan.”
Saying his name was difficult enough. It was even harder to look at him.
His smile faltered when he took me in, and he sighed. “I’m sorry for how things ended between us. It wasn’t my finest work, and I know I hurt you. I never should’ve done that.”
“Hurt me?” I repeated, pulling back from the stinging reminder. “I was crushed, Ryan.”
“I know, and I’m sorry for that,” he said again. “It was wrong for me to turn you away like that.”
