Entering the room, Ryder found Reana standing with her back to the door, slowly peeling off her clothes.
Reana seed to be lost in thought as she stood there, unmoving, except for her clothes slowly falling off.
Ryder crept behind her, his as wrapped around her waist as he pulled her into a hug from behind. "What’s eating your mind?"
Reana glanced over her shoulder at him, "You should be resting."
Ryder smiled, planting a soft kiss on her temple, "I’m fine. I don’t need rest."
Reana stayed silent for a while. She’d been thinking about his situation: his wolf rot, to be precise. On this journey, he’d used a lot of strength. Would it affect him?
"Your wolf rot," she began and felt him stiffen behind her. Reana sighed quietly. She understood he might feel uncomfortable with his illness being discussed, but she felt it should be addressed so she could find him a cure. "Have you talked to Healer Dira about it?"
Reana felt his hold on her tighten as he rested his jaw on her shoulder, "I fear that too many people knowing about my weakness could get into trouble."
He was right. Especially now that she adored him. Many people would want him dead.
Still, he needed to be treated. "Healer Dira will protect your secret. She just has to check to see if we can find a solution."
Ryder’s reply didn’t co imdiately. "Alright. I’ll see her tomorrow."
"Hm," she hmd and closed her eyes as she relaxed into him, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She knew that Ryder’s wolf rot was a serious issue, and the sooner they found a cure, the better.
She was grateful that he had agreed to see Healer Dira. Though, she was not confident that the healer would be able to help him, at least, trying wouldn’t be bad.
As she stood there, wrapped in Ryder’s arms, Reana felt a sense of peace settle over her. The journey had just begun. It would be a long, tortuous journey, but Reana felt she was ready for it.
She’d decided to rig the competition. No matter what, Ryder must co out victorious. Ruder had thought about it for days. She couldn’t mate with soone she didn’t like. As for Ryder, although she was suspicious of him, provided he didn’t put her or her pack in harm’s way, she was willing to ignore the mystery surrounding him.
When he’s ready to open up to her, she’ll be there to listen. She thought.
"Thank you, My Luna," he suddenly said.
Reana opened her eyes, turning her head slightly to look at him. "For what?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ryder’s eyes t hers, and she saw a deep sincerity there. "For caring about ," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "For wanting to help ."
Reana’s heart swelled with love for him, and her lips curled into a faint smile, feeling a sense of joy that only he had been able to invoke her. "I’ll always care about you, Ryder," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "I’ll always want to help you."
Ryder’s face softened, and he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a gentle kiss. "What if I make you mad? Will you ever forgive ?" He shook his head, rephrasing the question, "What will ever make you discard ?"
Reana turned around, locking eyes with him as she scrutinized his face for a mont in silence. "Lies."
Ryder’s heart skipped a beat as he gazed into Reana’s piercing eyes. His throat bobbed, feeling it constricting.
How could he not know what she hated? Lies and deceit stood above the list, them cheating and betrayal.
What drove him to ask? Did he think her feelings for him were unconditional? That she would forgive him anything, no matter how egregious the offense?
Ryder’s heart sank, and he felt a wave of fear wash over him, realizing his own arrogance. He had assud that he could tap into whatever boundless love she had for him.
Ryder thought her love had increased from their previous lives, just as his own had increased trendously. Even if Reana killed everyone in his pack, destroyed all he built, betrayed him, cheated on him, or did anything that would make people mad, he’d never, ever be mad at her. He’d want her, love her no matter what she did.
He’d forgive her again and again. That was how much he loved her.
He swallowed hard, realizing once again that she’d not changed. Her love was not blind, and her forgiveness was not guaranteed.
anwhile, Reana’s gaze didn’t leave his. She saw the torrent of emotions coursing through his facial expression and her heart sank, knowing that he’d indeed lied to her. "Have you lied to ?"
She gave him a chance to co clean. Hoping he wouldn’t disappoint her.
He locked eyes with her. They were clear, too clear and honest. "Yes." he admitted. "Many tis."
Reana felt her heart ached as if it had been pierced by a sharp blade. The pain was swift and intense, and she felt her breath catch in her throat. She had expected denial, or excuses, but not this. Not a simple, honest admission of guilt.
And surprisingly, she didn’t feel the anger she was expecting to feel. She didn’t feel the disappointnt that should have followed. Instead, she felt...understanding?
Ryder’s eyes never left hers, and Reana saw the regret and sorrow there.
"Why?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"To be by your side."
"By my side?" her brows creased. This was for her?
Ryder nodded, his eyes still locked on hers. "I wanted to be with you, to protect you, to be near you. I knew that if you knew the truth, you would push away. So I lied, to stay by your side." His voice was laced with emotion, and Reana saw the depth of his feelings in his eyes.
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