nlight

long shadows across the path. The trees towered a

r pace, her sens

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

h asked, rushing to her side. "We've

rting between her parents. "I'm fine, M

"You were gone for hour

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

he wrapped her arms around Crystal

gaze on the lingering concer

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

ged a curious glance. Sarah's eyes widened

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

confused as well. George wa

's face, trying to understand

ng from George's rejection and now you're telling us

she smiled , her eyes sparkling wit

nd, gentle and makes me feel safe

rprise. "The Star Blood Pa

her encounter with Ryder. Her parents list

her eyes sparkling with interest. "

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

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

fted back to Ryder. She wondered when she'd se

-

blood

the lamp casting a warm light on the m

of the vampire territories, his mind focuse

d filled the air, a comforting f

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

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

on the desk, betraying the turmoil

d, to track her down and claim her as his own. But duty

forest, his mind wandering to the possibi

ughter, her eyes s

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

vampire activity near the eastern bord

the map, his mind racing

d as he studied the

movements fluid

he said, his voice

s, Ryder's thoughts lingered on his mate,

he had yet to claim. But for now, duty

ck warriors, Ryder set o

nto battle, his claws outstretched and fought

ught on, driven by a primal urge to

y, a flicker of curiosity sparked within him. Who

ted his teeth and plunged back into th

-

ts eerie shadows on the figure's

und her?" he asked, his

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

of interests danced in his eyes, "This changes thi

with tension as the two