Sera's POV
The coffee shop was warm and busy, filled with the murmur of conversations and the hiss of the espresso machine. Normal sounds. Safe sounds. A stark contrast to the storm raging inside me.
Ryan sat across from me, his expression unreadable. He took his time, stirring his coffee slowly, letting the tension build.
"You want to know about Elena," he said finally. "About who she really is."
"I want the truth. All of it."
He set down his spoon and met my eyes. "Elena is Damon's mate."
The words landed like stones in still water. Ripples spreading outward, touching everything.
"His mate," I repeated numbly. "His destined mate."
"Yes. From before you. Before the memory loss. Before any of this." Ryan leaned back in his chair. "Eight years ago, Damon and Elena were together. Dee
