18

Ryan resumed and got out of bed,
"You can stay here as long as you like, and if you desire to leave, you can go."
He walked out of the room and left me with my thoughts. This needed to be clarified. Here he was, acting like the mate I have always wanted, the one I always needed.
I knew in my heart that I would never be able to just up and leave again, not when he showed me there was more to him apart from his usual brooding personality.
"For everything, I know that you might never forgive me, but I want you to know that I truly am sorry. I was an asshole to you the entire time you were here, and when you ran away, I didn't even search for you.
When my beta talked some sense into me, I searched for you. If I hadn't come looking for you when I did, I'm afraid of what they would have done to you." He confessed, looking at me with guilt and regret written across his face.
I wanted more than anything to hate him, but I couldn't find the strength to hate him. I was hurt without a doubt, and t probably won't be able to forgive him for a long time, but at least I knew that he regretted how he treated me.
I always hoped that one day he would change and be my mate for me, but at the same time, I didn't know if I could trust him yet,
I needed time to heal, both physically and emotionally. God knows that I wanted him, but at the same time, I wanted to make sure that he wasn't just putting up a nice guy act for my benefit.
Waking up in the same bed as my mate was the best feeling in the world; I wanted nothing more than to have his arms wrapped around me.
Being the weird person I was, I buried my face in his pillow and inhaled his mouthwatering scent. I could smell his scent for days and never got tired of it. His scent was all I needed to make me feel safe and calm. His pillow was officially my new favorite thing in the whole world... Well, until I decide if he was worth forgiving.
After having my face buried in his pillow for minutes, my stomach decided to let me know it was time to eat. With a sad sigh, I raised my head from the pillow and looked at it dejectedly. I didn't want to leave bed, but I was starving.
With a defeated sigh, I left the room, searching for the kitchen. I had yet to learn where anything was inside this house, so it took me some time before I finally found the kitchen.
As soon as I walked in, the sweet aroma of bacon made my stomach growl in hunger, and my mouth watered at the scent.
I walked over to the island, where I saw.
A note with my name and a covered plate. I read what it said and was left a bit shocked, with a warm and fuzzy on the inside.
Ryan left a note for me beside my breakfast. The message said that I should enjoy my breakfast and call him if I needed anything.
Call him.
With what?
I shrugged and dived into my bacon, eggs, and toast. After I had eaten everything off my plate, I washed it with some orange juice I found in the fridge.
With nothing to do, I returned to the room I was in. As soon as I walked in, I saw something that I was sure wasn't there. It was a gift. I walked over to it and saw a note beside it.
"Open me," I read aloud.
I wasn't sure if it was for me, but I was the only one here. Who else could it be for? Not overthinking about it, I unwrap the paper.
It was a phone box. I opened the box and took out the phone. He got me a phone, so I could call him if I needed anything.
I went through the phone and saw his number was the only one. Of course, he'd add his number to my contacts. I smiled a little at his thoughtfulness and hugged the phone.
I had never owned a phone in my life until now. There were a lot of things that I never had until I met Ryan. He always ensured that I had everything I wanted, but the only thing I needed the most was still out of reach.
Marina's POV
"Damn. You look hot. Ryan won't be able to take his eyes off you when he sees you in this," Sophia gushed.
"You think so?" I asked unsurely.
"If I were a guy, I'd hook up with you," she gave me a playful wink. "I don't know. It's not a bit.
revealing?" I asked, looking at my reflection.
"I'm not doing this again. You've found fault with every dress you've tried on, and this is like the tenth dress you've tried on."
"I know, but-"
"But nothing, you look gorgeous, the dress is gorgeous. You need to eliminate all those negative thoughts running through your mind and remember that you are beautiful."
"I do look hot, don't I?" I laughed and checked myself out in the mirror.
I was wearing a beautiful long dress. It was a red dress with thin straps, a plunging v-neckline, and a thigh slit. The dress was perfect, and it made me feel beautiful.
"That's my girl! Now go get changed so that we can leave this place already," she said, shoving me into the changing room.
I changed into my plain shirt and jeans, with my dress hanging from my hand. As soon as I walked out of the changing room, Katie grabbed my arm and dragged me to the checkout.
I gave the cashier Ryan's credit card, and she gave me a weird look.
"Ryan King? Did you steal this?" she asked, looking at me skeptically.
"What? Of course not!" I answered her
Question.
"I'll need to verify this with him," she said, picking up the phone.
"Are you kidding me right now!?" I asked in disbelief.
"Look here, you little bitch, I'm famished, so it would be much appreciated if you would just let us pay for the dress so that we can be on our merry way," Katie snapped. The girl completely ignored Katie and put the phone to her ear.
I pulled out my phone right away and dialed Ryan's number. Even now, after weeks of being back in the North pack, he still gave me my space. I never really talked to him unless I had to, and this situation qualified as of those 'must talk to him' situations.
He answered almost immediately. I explained the situation to him, and he asked me to pass the phone over to the girl giving me a hard time. I did what I was told.
Whatever he was saying to her could not have been good. Her eyes would widen in fear from time to time, and she would gulp nervously. After she hung up the phone, the manager appeared, and the girl was fired.
All I wanted was to pay for my dress. I wasn't expecting him to get her fired, but he was Ryan King, and Ryan King always got what he wanted.
I paid for my dress and left the store. I felt terrible that she had lost her job. The guilt was
Weighing me down, but at the same time, she was very disrespectful.
"I'm starving," Sophia announced as soon as we got outside.
"You're always hungry," I laughed.
"What can I say? I'm eating for two," she shrugged.
Sophia was four months pregnant. I went to see her when I felt better enough to communicate with people. She was a crying mess. She was so happy to see me that it made me feel bad for leaving when I did.
All the pack members welcomed me back with open arms, despite their Luna leaving them when I should have been here for them. It was weird how much these people cared for me; I just left them quickly.
But then I remembered why I left in the first place. They had sided with that bitch. Although I should probably hate them, I couldn't. She had brainwashed them with her lies, which is a good thing she is now thrown out of the pack.
At that time, I was in pain and depressed. I needed to leave. But how was I going to let them all go? I was supposed to guard them. For them, I was meant to be present.
They still welcomed me back without open arms despite my guilt and shame. They weren't fair to me.
I snatched up some food, and Sophia and I returned to the pack home. Because I did not want to spend the night alone in that vast empty house, I stayed at the pack house again. I liked being surrounded by others the best.
As soon as we returned to our hotel, I immediately headed there. There was a bunch of roses on my bed. As soon as I saw it, a cheesy smile began to form on my lips.
Every day, Ryan would deliver me a flower arrangement and perhaps some chocolate to win my trust and forgiveness. It was charming and considerate.
I grabbed the bouquet and inhaled the rose fragrance. Even if I tried, I couldn't take the silly grin off my face. He has repeatedly shown these past few weeks how he has changed. I was aware, knowing I didn't desire to be without him any longer.
He was my companion. Though that happened in the past, he did injure me.
For our lives, I couldn't keep putting what had occurred in the past above his head. If these declarations of love are any indication, he wants me just as much as I do. I like him more than anything.
The yearly ball for the North pack happened tonight. I decided to give him tonight the opportunity to claim me for himself.
Although I was really anxious, I knew this was what I desired. I had no qualms about jumping right in. He was, after all, my mate. I would only wholly dedicate myself to him. I wanted nothing else but to finish the mating process after decades of separation.
I took a long breath to settle down; I was a bundle of nerves. I was afraid I would not have been as good in the sack as other girls he had slept with, even though I knew I wanted it.
I had little experience. He has dated females who were adept in the bedroom.
What happens if I'm not chosen?
What if I make a mistake?
My head was suddenly overflowing with all of my uncertainties and unfavorable ideas. The moment wasn't right to be thinking in this way. I have to keep in mind that I was sufficient.
I prepared for tonight while having that mindset.
I stood toward the side with myself while everyone else had a companion. I felt apprehensive about entering the ballroom. I knew they would welcome me as quickly as I ascended the stairs.
I would be expected to descend the steps on my own. I gathered all my confidence and started to drop. They called my name as I walked down the steps with my head bent low.
I could understand all the rumors and grumbles as I started making my way to the bottom of the stairs. A hand materialized before me just as I took the final step down.
I followed the hand to its owner and saw none other than Jayden. He had a smile on his face as he waited for me to take his hand.