nlight

long shadows across the path. The trees towered ab

er pace, her sen

faces of her parents and Ethan. Sarah's eyes we

ah asked, rushing to her side. "We'v

arting between her parents. "I'm fine,

"You were gone for hours

d with her hands. "I'm sorry. I just ne

he wrapped her arms around Crystal.

gaze on the lingering concern

umbled out. "I met a stranger...his

nged a curious glance. Sarah's eyes widened

t...but George was your mate," he sa

confused as well. George was

's face, trying to understand

ing from George's rejection and now you're telling u

she smiled , her eyes sparkling with

nd, gentle and makes me feel safe.

rprise. "The Star Blood Pac

her encounter with Ryder. Her parents liste

, her eyes sparkling with interest.

ain. "I'm not sure. He only asked

t's okay, sweetie. We'll just have

ifted back to Ryder. She wondered when she'd s

r blood

f the lamp casting a warm light on the

of the vampire territories, his mind focused

od filled the air, a comforting

n the past few days. He couldn't explain it but something ha

e had met his mate. The memory of he smile, her scen

on the desk, betraying the turmoil

nd, to track her down and claim her as his own. But dut

e forest, his mind wandering to the possib

aughter, her eyes

Ryder's focus snapped back to the task at hand. He leaned back

f vampire activity near the eastern bor

the map, his mind racing w

d as he studied the m

s movements flui

he said, his voice

s, Ryder's thoughts lingered on his mate, a

he had yet to claim. But for now, duty

ack warriors, Ryder set

into battle, his claws outstretched and fought

ught on, driven by a primal urge to

ay, a flicker of curiosity sparked within him. Wh

ted his teeth and plunged back into the

-

ts eerie shadows on the figure's f

ound her?" he asked, hi

d onto him, a hint of wariness in his gaze. "Ryder had found his mate.

of interests danced in his eyes, "This changes thin

n with tension as the two