RYN


    For <b>a </b>moment. I couldn’t breathe; it was as though all the air had been sucked from the room, leaving only a crushing silence that drummed in my ears.


    My heart pounded, each beat painfully loud, thudding with a mix of disbelief and betrayal.


    I opened my mouth to speak<b>, </b>but <b>nothing </b>came out.


    How can this be?


    My mind raced, darting between fragments of memories and realizations, each one cutting deeper.


    Theon shrugged off Chelsea and took a step forward to me: “Ryn, I can exin.”


    I stumbled back from him, needing to put some distance between me and the awful truth.


    Tears I thought were depleted rose like a fountain behind my eyes. My wolf whimpered in the wake of them. Memories of giving myself to Theon shed before my eyes. Memories of <b>Sadie </b>and Miro warning me echoed in my mind.


    This was worse than anything I’ve ever prepared myself for a twist of fate that felt like a cruel joke, leaving me <b>raw</b>, exposed, and utterly shattered.


    Hooked at Sadie. “You were right all along” I whispered.


    “Right about what<b>?</b>” Theon queried but I was walking towards Miro, ignoring him.


    “I saw your text. You said the antidote was here<b>?</b>”


    “Yes, but you need to listen to Theon”


    “Where’s the antidote?”


    Suddenly, I was grabbed by the arm, and whipped <b>around</b>. Refusing to look at Theon, I fixed my gaze elsewhere, feeling


    numb.


    “Ryn, look at me.” Theon ordered, but I refused. “Everyone, out! Now!”


    The power in his voice sent deadly shivers down my spine, making my wolf feel the need to submit, but I refused. I heard the reluctant shuffling of feet as Sadie and Chelsea left the room but Miro stayed put.


    “<b>That </b>includes you, Ro.” Theon said, his gaze fixated on me and mine, staring into space.


    Miro approached us, hesitating by my side before leaving without a word.


    Now it was just us two.


    “Ryn.” Theon said. “Look at me.”


    Still, I refused.


    <i>“</i>Okay.” Theon nodded to himself<i>, </i>then he dragged me to the table. In one move, he swept everything off, including the hemlock nt and then carried me to sit on the table.


    Now, he nted both hands on either side of me, his gaze burning me alive.


    14:45 Sat, Jan 4 & GG


    I it to “I can easily force you to look at me.‘ Theon said, releasing a shaky breath. “But I don’t want to me your choice. However long it takes you, I’ll stay here. We’ll both be in <b>this </b>position until you’re ready”


    I blinked, hating the fact <b>that </b>he meant what he <b>said</b>, still I didn’think I had it in me to look at him, because then, I might see the man I havee to fall in love with and the pain of his betrayal will sting like death’s kiss,


    Silence settled upon us.


    “I did it all for you, Ryn<b>.</b>” Theon exined. “The phoenix flower n didn’t work out so I had to go to Chelsea <b>as </b>ast resort. She wouldn’t help unless I married her, so I arranged for that to happen. That’s it.”


    I blinked, letting his words sink in, then I looked at <b>him</b>.


    I wasn’t prepared to see the world of pain and hurt in his startling blue eyes,


    This is the most vulnerable I have ever seen of him and that’s when I believed him. I touched <b>his </b>face and he leaned into it, but a boy. closing his eyes as <b>he </b>sighed <b>in </b>relief. For the first time, since I’d known him, he didn’t look like a god, nor a man,


    A little boy who just needed a ce to rest.


    “Thank you for caring about me.” I said to him, and he held my wrist and kissed it. Then he kissed down my arm, and traveled to my <b>face</b>.


    I couldn’t stop him. I didn’t want to.


    When his lips captured mine, I shuddered. How did I forget he tastes like home too?


    1 opened up, letting him in, loving his strong<b>, </b>supportive hand holding my face. His kiss was gentle, as if he had all the time in the world to explore me. I didn’t like that. I wanted him to kiss me like it’s goodbye <b>because </b>I know for certain that after 1 take the antidote, things will change.


    His other hand travelled to my waist and pulled me closer.


    For a brief second, I imagined himying me down on the table and taking me here.


    I pushed the thought away, knowing my wolf has no self–respect and would dly spread my legs wide for him if she were in control. novelbin