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Luckily, I have a solution.
“We can fix that pretty easily, you know.”
Ryker goes still. Around me, the world keeps spinning, traffic keeps going, and we probably could’ve crossed the street twice already, but we stand on this corner together as if we’re the only two people in the whole fucking world.
“What did you say?” he demands.
“What? Maybe it’s time. The full moon is in four days. Let’s do it. Let’s do the Luna Ceremony and become bonded mates.”
For two months, Ryker has been after me to say yes. He vowed he would get me to change my mind, that every single time I stubbornly told him that I’ll never be his mate, I was only lying to myself. He was right, too. I’ve known all along that I’d choose him again. I just wanted to wait until the right moment.
Now seems good.
And then Ryker’s jaw goes tight, his dark gold gaze turning almost black as he says one word: “No.”
No?
No?
I freeze in place while my wolf throws her head back in an anguished howl.
11
It hurts to think I’m being rejected again. That I put myself out there, finally accepting Ryker, only to have him reject my offer to bond with him.
The old Gem would’ve lashed out. Not gonna lie. The new Gem kinda wants to do the same. But I’ve gotten to know Ryker Wolfson these last two months. This male would only reject me if he felt like he had a reason to.
Last time, I didn’t wait around for an explanation. This time?
I’m expecting one.
“Explain. Please.”
“It’s simple, Gemma. I won’t bond you to me just to piss off your mom’s ex-mate.”
Oh, come on. He can’t possibly believe that? Kudos on remembering not to refer to that piece of shit as my dad, but still.
“That’s not what this is about—”
“It’s not?”
“No.”
The look Ryker gives me lets me know thatheknows that I’m lying.
My frustrated breath comes out in a rush of hot air. “It’s not! Look, I’m not gonna stand here and tell you that it won’t make our lives easier. If we’re bonded, Shane will have to stop with this crap. He wants to mate me so I can help him become an alpha. Fuck no. And I’m sure my sperm donor has a similar plan. We can bond and put a stop to it, but that’s not the only reason why I’m saying yes now.”
Ryker moves into me, another one of his blatant dares. “Then why are you?”
Because I love you.
I open my mouth. I try to force the words out.
I can’t. Not until I hear him say them first.
“Yeah,” he shoots back. “That’s what I thought.”
Okay. I’ve had one hell of a night. I had to listen to my mom worry that her psycho ex was gunning for me. Shane’s howl scared the crap out of me, then I went and dealt with him. I had another awkward conversation with Aleks.
