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“I told her it wasn’t her, it was me,” I insist, though I can already hear his comeback.
“You fuckin’ idiot,” he says. I nod, knowing he’s right.
"How do I fix this?" I finally ask after a few moments of silence. I hate knowing I've hurt her. I was so worried about keeping her physically safe and then preoccupied with keepingmy distance, I didn't see that I was crushing her bright spirit. In my attempt to keep my mate out of harm's way, I ended up rejecting her, and now I may have lost my chance with her forever.
“Give her the night to cool off,” Griffin suggests. “Phoenix already has a movie going for the two of them, and I’ve been instructed to get all the supplies for an epic fort, so Eden will be staying with us for the night.”
“Okay, thanks,” I say, though I’m still panicking. “I’ll have this place looking all put together and immaculate in the morning. I’ll show Eden I can take care of her and that she can depend on me,” I ramble more to myself than to Griffin.
“Maybe use this time to practice what you’re going to say. She deserves one hell of an apology and explanation. I’m honestly still not sure she believes the whole shifter thing either, so maybe think about how and when to shift for her.”
“Fuck, you’re right.” So much to think about and do tonight to prepare for tomorrow. I don’t deserve a second chance with my mate, but I’m sure as hell going to try.
“Good luck, man. And, no pressure, but the mating moon is in two days, so…”
“Shit,” I hiss for what feels like the hundredth time today.
“Better get to work,” my friend teases.
I hang up and then pick up the wrench I was wielding. Looks like I’ll have to fix up this place and fix up my Eden’s broken heart. I just hope she can forgive me.
CHAPTER NINE
EDEN
Isquare my shoulders and take a deep breath as I walk up the steps to my cabin. Last night is still a whirlwind of chaos, tears, and rejection, but Phoenix helped distract me with the girls’ night we were originally planning. After assuring my best friend for the hundredth time that I’m okay, I made my way back over to my own home, but I can’t seem to actually step inside.
This is where it all happened. Where I confronted Ryker, put my whole heart and soul out there for him to see, and yet… he didn’t want me. I barely believe shifters exist, let alone fated mates. I mean, I haven’t seen anyonepoofthemselves into a woodland creature yet, so for all I know, everyone here is crazy, including Phoenix.
But the pain I felt at his rejection…thatwas real. The searing loss of something I didn’t even know I had was a palpable thing. Still is. I feel like there’s a chunk missing from my chest. I’m surprised no one else can see it. If fated mates aren’t real, then why am I in so much agony at the loss of mine?
The morning breeze picks up, sending a shiver down my spine. I hurry up the steps and push my way inside, though Iremember Ryker saying I shouldn't start a fire in the fireplace until he gives it another good cleaning. Too bad he won't be around for that.
It’s okay, I tell myself. Cleaning the fireplace and starting a fire will give me something to do at least.
I only make it about five steps inside my cabin before doing a double-take.Did I step into the wrong house?I wonder as I peer around the freshly painted walls, free of unsightly cracks and holes. The fireplace is spotless, and I notice the few bricks that were cracked and crumbling apart have been expertly replaced.
My jaw hangs open as I float through the living room and into the kitchen, which has new cabinetry and a beautiful light fixture in the center of the ceiling. The counters have been scrubbed clean along with the appliances, which will probably need replacing in the next few years. Still, scrubbing everything clean makes all the difference.
Ryker must have stayed up all night to do all of this, I think to myself. But why? If he hates me and doesn’t want to claim me as his mate, why would he go through the effort of cleaning up and fixing my cabin?
“I can make any changes you want,” comes his deep, familiar voice from behind me. Every muscle in my body tenses as my heart beats wildly in my chest. Despite my hurt and anger, I can’t help the butterflies taking flight in my stomach just knowing Ryker is close. It’s torture, and yet I can’t step away. “I wasn’t sure what kind of light fixture you’d prefer, but there weren’t many options at ten in the evening, apparently,” Ryker continues, sounding anxious.
I take a cleansing breath and look at him over my shoulder, my heart leaping into my throat when I see how exhausted he looks. I'm angry and confused, yes, but I still hate seeing him like this. As I turn to face him fully, I take in his mussed hair, the dark circles under his eyes, and the nervous way he's fidgeting.
“Why…?” I whisper, still not even sure what I’m asking.Why is he here? Why did he do this? Why doesn’t he want me as his mate?
"I'm cursed," he blurts out, taking me by surprise yet again. I blink at the six-and-a-half-foot giant in front of me, wondering if I misheard him. "I know it sounds silly, and I shouldn't believe in shit like that at my age, but it's true. A witch cursed me, and now everyone close to me ends up dead or hurt. I wasn't rejecting you because I didn't want you. I was trying to protect you."
Ryker shoves a hand through his hair, tugging at the strands as if he could somehow pull out a better explanation for me.He thinks he’s cursed?
The distraught man begins pacing in front of me, and I can feel the tension and frustration coming off of him in waves. This fated mates thing is all new to me, but I already know we’re connected on a deep level.
"Hold up," I finally say, putting my hands up, palms out, to stop him and get his full attention. Ryker stops in front of me and crosses his arms over his chest, those blue eyes peering right down into my very soul. "In the last twenty-four hours, I've learned that not only are there creatures called shifters who can morph from human to animal form whenever they want, but these shifters have mates given to them by Fate herself, made just for them, and no one else. Right?" I ask, needing some feedback.
Ryker nods, taking a step closer to me.
“And now you’re telling me we can’t be together because of a curse a witch put on you when you were a kid? Are you kidding me?”
