“But Ryker,” I said quietly, “she’s your mate. You’ve been waiting for her your whole life.”
His face fell.
There was something so deeply heartbreaking about it—because in the past, whenever we talked about mates, about finding that one person chosen by fate, his eyes would shine. His voice would light up with the kind of hope you can’t fake.
But now… there was no light in him.
“She was with someone,” he muttered, almost like it was a punishment to say it aloud.
“Maybe he’s just a friend,” I offered, though I knew how weak it sounded.
Ryker let out a dry, humorless laugh. “I don't know, but I definitely knows she doesn't want to go to dinner with me."
“Maybe she’s confused. Maybe she’s scared. The bond affects everyone differently—”
“But it’s not affecting her at all,” he cut in, h
