[Ryder]
I watched the colour drain from the lad's face the moment our eyes met, as though he'd seen a ghost. His reaction was peculiar, rude even, but I managed to keep my expression composed. Celeste had spoken highly of him—Elijah, her dear friend so I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Up close, he was taller than I'd expected, perhaps even taller than me by an inch or so and I had once prided myself in my height. Despite myself, I couldn't help but find him familiar. It was odd—I'd expected indifference, perhaps even annoyance at meeting the young man who was spending time with my mate.
Still, the boy stood frozen, trembling as though the room had turned cold. I studied him carefully, noting every bit of his expression, every twitch of his fingers.
"F-Father?" he mumbled,
