Dust still clung to my black training clothes, mixing with the sweat on my skin.
I smelled like dirt, but Ryder didn’t seem to care. He kept one strong arm around my waist, half-carrying me the whole way back to the pack house.
“You did better than you think,” he murmured again, his voice low and warm against my hair.
I just leaned into him. My body hurt, but his touch made everything feel a little less heavy.
The way he looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered made my chest flutter even through the pain, but all I could do was squeeze his hand tighter.
My stomach growled, loud enough that Ryder chuckled.
“Hungry, little Luna?” he teased gently.
I nodded, cheeks warm.
We stepped onto the porch. Ryder reached for the big front door, but before he could push it open,
