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“I came up here the other day after our argument, and again after talking to my mom about everything, and she set me straight,” I tell her, earning a weird look, and honestly, I probably deserve it.

She’s back now, so why come here, especially when we were fighting?

It took me a while to understand, too.

“When you were gone, I used to come up here. I slept here, refusing to leave. I’d cry myself to sleep missing you. Your absence was like a hole in my chest. The bond caused a physical ache, and some days I thought dying might have been less painful, easier.”

It sounds pathetic saying it out loud. At first, when she came home again, I never intended to tell her. She didn’t need to know how weak I was, and I wasn’t trying to guilt her. She didn’t have a choice any more than I had.

Serena turns to face me, and I see the sadness in her eyes, the guilt, and I know I need to keep going. I need to get to the point.

“When your scent finally disappeared, I kinda went off the deep end. I lost it. I didn’t know how to live without you, Serena. You’re my mate, but you’ve always been more than that. You were my best friend. One of the few people who looked at me and saw a person, a child, and a friend instead of a prince.” My chest heaves, and I realize I sound almost hysterical.

Fuck, this isn’t what I was planning; this isn’t how I wanted this to go.

I’m messing up again. I run a hand through my hair, pulling it in an attempt to ground myself.

Why is this so hard?

“Hey.”

I crack an eye open, not even realizing I’d closed them, to find Serena right here, so close. All I want is to hold her, but I need to make sure she really understands first.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that.” She frowns, and I see the emotions swirl in her eyes before she looks down, her hand reaching for mine, intertwining our fingers together. “I don’t know how that feels, and I’m sorry you had to go through italone, but I’m not going anywhere again, Garrett. I’ll be here. No matter how much we fight or argue, I’m not leaving. Life isn’t all rainbows and love, it’s hard.” Her voice cracks, and I see the tears as they gather in her eyes even as she tries to blink them away.

My throat feels thick as I fight my own sadness that threatens to choke me before I can say what I need to.

“It is hard.” I nod, reaching up to wipe away the tear that rolls down her cheek, offering her a smile even if it is sad. I want her to know she’s okay; whatever she needs, I’m here.

Always.

“It’s not fair, and it’s not promised. I realized that when you were gone and I made a promise to myself that I would find you and I’d never let you go again…” I trail off, hooking a finger under her chin to force her gaze back to mine.

I need her to understand.

“I’m sorry.” I let all of my emotions bleed into those two words, hoping she sees just how much I truly mean them.

Her eyes search mine and she opens her mouth to say something, but I shake my head, needing to finish.

“I love you, Serena, with every piece of me. My soul is yours, my heart, hell, even my beast. I went out looking for that little girl that was taken from me, but that’s not who you are anymore. The need to protect you is written on my soul, and while I can’t stop that, I do promise to trust you more, to be by your side should you need me. That we will face everything together, whether it be Ryker, Draven, or whatever else the gods throw at us next. I promise to stand by your side for it, good, bad, and annoying other mates. I don’t care.” A smile curves her lips; it’s small but real, and my heart flutters, knowing I get her for the rest of my life. “You were right. I was wrong. I might not like him, but I don’t think Ryker would have chosen this path hadhe been raised by anyone else and it’s impossible to deny his lessons are helping you in a way I only ever wish I could.”

Serena’s eyes light up, and I quickly hold my hands up before she can get ahead of herself.

“That doesn’t mean I like him or trust him!” I tell her, but she only rolls her eyes. “I just don’t think he’s as monstrous as I thought he was—” Pressing her lips to mine, she cuts off my rambling, and yeah, that’ll do it.

Her lips are soft, and she tastes like home. My beast grows restless, pressing to the surface as he pushes me to mate her, to make her ours.

She’s already ours!

I growl back at him, annoyed that he’s acting as if our mate bond is nothing.

She needs to be ours completely!

Stupid greedy wyvern…

Though I can’t say I hate the idea, I also don’t want to push her; we have forever.

Our kiss starts slow and gentle, but quickly becomes more. Unable to resist, I run my tongue along her bottom lip, curious if she’d grant me access or not.