The Twisted Path

Chapter 5- Explaining

Ryla felt fear stabbing at her chest with an icy knife. She just found out Kermit was her mate, now she didn’t know if she would lose him, or if she was allowed to tell him anything. Kendall glanced at Kermit. “Well, my friend, I am a friend of Ryla’s father, who are you?” Kermit looked a little relieved at the explanation but persisted. “My mate ran off with you in the middle of the night without as much as telling me where she was going. I think an explanation is in order.” He stated, his irritation showing slightly. “Ah” Kendall nodded. “It’s okay Ryla, what I shared with you is secret but the exception is your mate, you can share it with your mate, I will be here to help though, given I am the one who started this mess.” Ryla turned sheepishly to Kermit. “So, I think I may have found some of the reason that my dad disappeared.” Kermit’s jaw dropped. He didn’t want to say it but Ryla knew, most of the pack assumed her father was dead. Kermit looked towards Kendall, his brow still furrowed. “That does not explain why he sent this man instead of coming himself, tell us why we should trust you” Kendall moved forward and handed the same letter he showed Ryla to Kermit. “Ryla’s father told me if dear miss Ryla here had a mate, than I could let him read this letter as well. But you need to behave yourself, I don’t like your tone.” “Excuse me, MY tone? Try not talking to me like a child the moment you meet me.” Kermit growled. Ryla put a hand on Kermit’s chest and leaned in to whisper. “Please stop with the grouchyness, you know I have waited my whole life to know where my father has gone and now I have a chance. Besides ummm, it’s not like I have a lot to stay for back in my village” Kermit cast her a scowl. “Besides you that is dearest” she giggled a little, making him scowl even more. Her voice got more quiet and insistent. “Please read the letter” she whispered to him. “Please Kermit, this is very important to me, I can’t go back home until I figure this out.” Kermit’s face relaxed as he looked into Ryla’s eyes.

Kermit’s POV

You have to be kidding me, Kermit thought to himself. He had been waiting for weeks to tell his perfect gorgeous mate the good news and she shows up a little bit away from home with this creep I have never seen before? He felt himself relaxing a little. But Ryla was not stupid, she must have a reason to trust this man. Fine. He sighed to himself. “Okay, I will read the letter.” He finally says out loud. Ryla does a little squeal and bounces on her heels like a child. Kermit had to smile in spite of himself at how adorable she is. He reads through the letter and looks at Ryla and Kendall in turn. “This is some serious shit.” He said, shaking his head a bit in disbelief. “So our literal extinction is at steak here, and here is everyone in our village blaming Ryla as a child for him leaving.” Kendall nodded. “You see now why we had to leave so suddenly, with a whole village of people stubborn enough to shun a little girl, do you really think they would listen? Especially given the lovely reaction you had to me to start off, my dear friend.” Kermit felt his hackles raise again. “Can you cut it with the sass you are not making a good first impression on me at all.” Ryla cut in. “By the way, Kermit this is Kendall..” Kendall smiled and waved with two fingers in a lighthearted way. “And Kendall this is my childhood friend and.. mate’.. she said, beaming at the word ‘Kermit’. Then she got serious. “Please for the love of Goddess you two get along. You are going to give me ulcers if you keep on like this. Kermit butt in. There was no way in hell she was traveling alone with this stranger, he thought to himself. “Well, I will do my best to mind my manners because I am coming with you.” While Ryla jumped and hugged him Kendall groaned. “The more the merrier. So happy to have you along.” He stated, his voice dripping with insincerity. This was going to pan out to be an interesting journey indeed, Kermit thought to himself.