Ayla's POV
Morning passed without any of the boys disturbing me.
I'd watched them leaving through the window earlier. Ryker caught my gaze as he stepped outside but looked away quickly, something unreadable moving through his expression before he dropped it.
"He looks like he lost a fight with himself," Tala mused. "And lost badly."
I shook my head. I'd seen Ryker fight before. He'd never looked like this — like whatever he'd gone up against had gotten the better of him from the inside.
A soft knock pulled me from my thoughts. I rose slowly and crossed to the door.
I smelled him before I opened it. Sandalwood, steady and warm, curling under the gap.
"Ah," Tala said, far too pleased with herself. "You noticed before you even opened it."
"Don't," I said.
She gave me a look that said
