25. Oria

25

ORIA

T he drive to Ryder's pack was long. Even though I slept most of the way, it felt like we had been in the car for days instead of just ten hours. We stopped twice and each time they took turns cuddling with me. After the impromptu sex, I felt drained and all I wanted was snuggles. It was if my bond demanded I stayed close to a mate.

Gray held me in the backseat as we drove through some mountains. The landscape was changing from desert to lush green forest. It soothed something in me that we were close to the mountains. A part of me missed my home and the monotony of doing chores. Now I was on the run from the person who said she would keep me safe. A person who I thought was family, but I didn't even have that anymore.

"What are you thinking about, Sunshine?" Gray rubbed his hand up and down my back.

"How I don't have a family anymore," I said. Hearing it out loud made it hurt more. "That the one person I thought was family, was a cruel woman who took me because she needed me and pretended like she cared."

"Families are sometimes overrated and the only ones that matter are the ones you choose in life whether they are blood or not," he said, kissing my forehead.

"You sound like you are talking from experience," I said, pulling back to look at him.

He clenched his jaw looking out the window.

"I'm sorry, you?—"

"Soren and I come from a very prominent family," he said, interrupting me. "My family is all about looks and how everyone perceives us. I was the son who was quiet, a little awkward, and I just wasn't as charismatic as my siblings. I studied, read a lot instead of putting myself out there. Our family valued connections, power, secrets and what other people could do for us. We ran an enormous organization that required us to be aware of everything that surrounded us and our business. I was grumpy and quiet, so they paid more attention to Soren. He was groomed to take over our family business, while they left me behind the scenes."

"Oh Gray," I said, cupping his cheek.

"I spent most of my life at home hoping for things to change until I realized nothing was going to change unless I made the change." He looked at me, the hurt swirling in his beautiful eyes. "So, when Ryder came to steal something from our family vault. I helped him and soon after that, Soren followed."

He took a deep breath, covering my hand on his cheek. His emotions were a thunderstorm of hurt and disappointment.

"So, the moral of the story is, even though your chosen family might not be blood, sometimes that bond is stronger than your own blood." He cleared his throat. "I never in a million years expected to have my own little family. You might be my mate, but at the end of the day, I choose you, Oria, and I think that's more powerful than any blood relations."

"I choose you too, Gray, and I will always choose you in every lifetime," I said, kissing him.

He opened my mouth with his tongue, sensually kissing me like a promise, like he chose me. I kissed him softly before leaning back.

"I don't mean to pry, but have you seen them since you left?" I ran my hands through his hair.

"Once, about ten years after we left," he said, closing his eyes as I massaged his head. "My sister and father found us and tried to convince Soren to come back. They promised they would give him the freedom he desired, but that he needed to grow up and come back home. Neither of them acknowledged me when they came to us, acted like I wasn't in the same room with them."

"Those assholes," I said, feeling protective. "They don't know what an amazing person you are and what they are missing out on. You shouldn't have to change any part of you to be loved. I never expect you to do that because I love you for who you are and not what you can give me or this family."

Gray studied my face before bringing me in for a kiss again. It was rougher than the one we just shared. It was messy and raw with so much emotion.

"I didn't even know I was waiting for a person like you," he said against my lips. "I never knew life could feel like this or be like this. You make me feel like I'm home."

"I'm glad that you aren't like Soren," I said, bringing our foreheads together. "I don't need two of the same people. I love that you are different. I like that you are so smart and sweet while Soren is headstrong and stubborn. You will never live in Soren's shadow with me because I love you equally. I love your differences."

His body sagged as tension left his body.

"I know it's dumb, but thank you for saying that," he said.

"It's not dumb. Your feelings are never dumb," I said, hugging him tightly.

"I love you, Oria, in every lifetime," he said, squeezing me a little tighter.

Thank you. Soren said in my mind. He's suffered long enough thinking he's in my shadow, but he just doesn't know how great he is.

My heart grew, feeling their bond and love.

"We are about to cross into pack lands," Ryder said. "I don't want to be rude, but can everyone stay quiet?"

Ryder looked at Soren.

"I won't say anything," Soren grumbled.

I laughed knowing it would be hard for him to stay quiet. Ryder looked over to Max who nodded, but I knew Max wasn't the type of person to say something out of line.

"We aren't walking into a hostile pack?" I asked.

"No, it's just wolves are very particular about hierarchy, and they see vampires as a threat," Gray said, adjusting me on his lap so I could look out the window. "The Balder pack lands are beautiful."

It didn't take long for the scenery to change to an open area as the car slowed. Two wolves stood in the street blocking our way. Ryder stopped in front of them about ten feet away. He exited the car, and my body grew tense immediately wanting to exit the car with him.

"This is normal," Gray said, rubbing my arms up and down. "He's like royalty here."

The wolves came up to him, one of them barking before they jumped on him. I lurched forward ready to get out of the car when Ryder's laugh stopped me.

"He's fine, Blondie." Soren turned around to look at me. "Every time we've come back here, they make a big deal, like the prodigal son is back."

"He's the oldest so, of course, they love it when he comes home," Gray said.

"If he's the oldest, doesn't that mean he will take over the pack?" I asked, seeing Ryder laugh again as he got up petting the wolves.

"Maybe, but Samira and Wyman are still young," Soren said, as Ryder made his way back to the car.

He slid into the driver's seat, his happiness was infectious, and I was glad we had come here. He drove the car down the path with the two wolves keeping up with us. Occasionally I'd see another wolf join in the running until we had at least ten wolves running with our car.

We pulled up to an enormous wood house with peaks on the top that looked to be two stories tall. There was an array of people out in front like a welcoming committee. Ryder got out first, walking fast to the older woman in the middle of the crowd. No one inside of the car moved, so I stayed put, even though I was itching to get out of the car. My bond was on edge as he hugged an older man and then another man and a woman who looked closer to Ryder's age. Another beautiful woman came up to Ryder, hugging him tightly that made jealousy burn in me.

"Are we going to sit here the entire time?" I snapped, seeing the woman hold on longer than necessary.

"He's telling them we are here," Soren chuckled. "Even though we usually come with him, I think he's also telling them about Max and you."

"He better say it's his mate in the car," I mumbled, making Gray chuckle.

"Are you jealous, Sol?" Max looked over his shoulder with amusement in his eyes.

I scowled knowing I had nothing to worry about, but her hands on him made me feel like breaking them. Taking a deep breath, I looked away to attempt to get my jealousy under control.

"Ryder!"

The yell brought my attention back to Ryder where the woman was making her way around the car.

"You're up, Sunshine." Gray pushed me forward as the door opened.

The woman immediately locked eyes with me, her smile growing even bigger. She held out her hand to me. I was hesitant to take it until I saw Ryder behind her. I put my hand in hers and she helped me out of the car. She studied me, my cheeks grew pink from the scrutiny and embarrassment because I knew I looked unkempt.

"Hi, I'm Samira," she said.

"Hello, I'm Oria," I said, not knowing if I needed to bow or curtsy.

"You're gorgeous! I'm so happy he's found his mate." She hugged me again before she passed me to a man who hugged me as well.

"We are so glad he found his mate," he said, squeezing me tightly.

"Samira, you didn't save the best hug for me?" Soren said, making her laugh.

"I'm Wyman," he said, releasing me.

As more people came up to us, Ryder intercepted them.

"Let's give her a breather, and I can introduce everyone to her." He led me to the car as Max exited.

The murmurs stopped as they took in Max.

"This is Max, my bond mate," Ryder said.

Samira and Wyman immediately welcomed him.

"I'm cooking breakfast, come inside." Samira ushered us forward while Wyman dispersed the crowd.

Ryder ushered me into the house, and I immediately fell in love with it. The room we walked into had a small table with beautiful flowers on it. It led into a big room with high ceilings, a big fireplace and windows that faced out into the forest. A big table was to the right that led into an open kitchen.

"Please sit," Samira said, ushering us to the table.

"What do you want to drink?" Ryder asked me.

"Uh…" I was a little overwhelmed and couldn't think of anything.

"Coffee?" Samira asked.

I could feel Ryder's gaze on me.

"That's fine," I said. "Do you need any help?"

"Oh no, please sit down," she said, bringing mugs over. "Would you like coffee, darling?

"Uh, yes please," Max said shyly.

Ryder pulled out a chair for me and I sat down gratefully when Max sat on my left. I immediately grabbed his hand, looking over at him. He looked exactly how I felt, overwhelmed and out of place.

A young woman came over with a coffee pot. She said hello to the twins like they were good friends. She looked a lot like Ryder, and I assumed it was a relative of his. She filled Max's cup, giving him a smile before moving onto my glass.

"Oria, this is my sister, Kella," Ryder said with pride.

"Nice to meet you, Kella," I said, noticing they had the same color eyes.

"You too!" she squeaked, before blushing and running off.

I looked at Ryder, feeling like I did something wrong.

"Kella is still young, and she is very shy meeting new people," Ryder said, looking back at the kitchen. "They are also shocked that I found my mate and that you aren't a shifter."

"Was I supposed to be a shifter?" I was confused.

"No, it's just custom for our people to have shifters for their mate," he said, before taking a sip of his coffee.

"So, I'm not who they thought I'd be?" I looked in the kitchen wondering if they were disappointed.

"Having mates from different types of paranormals is unheard of," Max said. "I've only seen one mating that was between a Fae and a shifter, but for the most part, mates stay within their respective race."

"Oh," I said, still feeling confused.

"There is nothing wrong with our bond, Sunshine," Gray said. "It just makes our mating a little different and special."

"Do people normally have more than one mate?" I asked.

"It's more common than having different mates," Max said. "My aunt had two mates."

I felt naive thinking our union was normal. Was that why everyone looked at us funny? Or why were they so intrigued? Was it because I was different and not in a good way?

"Heaven." Ryder touched my shoulder.

I looked up as my thoughts dispersed.

I gave him a smile, hoping it was enough so he wouldn't ask what was going on in my head. A loud scream made me flinch as Ryder and the guys looked towards the kitchen.

"Shit." Ryder got up and went to the kitchen. I stood up wondering what had happened.

"My eye!" a girl screamed.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think it was going to do that!" A boy yelled.

I got up immediately, pushing my way to the girl.

"I can't see," she cried out and I saw it was Ryder's sister. "My face burns."

"We have to take her to go see the pack doctor," Samira said, holding on to Kella.

"If she burned her eye there might not be much the doctor could do," I said, gaining the attention of the kitchen. "I could take a look at it."

Ryder shook his head at me.

"So, I'm gonna be blind forever?!" Kella panicked.

"Let me just take a look at it," I said, ignoring Ryder.

"Take her to the guest bedroom," Ryder said immediately.

I followed, they set her down on the bed as I pulled a gem from my necklace. I whispered the incantation before putting it over her burn. She instantly relaxed.

"Keep your eyes closed, it will hurt less," I said, looking over at Ryder ushering everyone out while easing their worry that I was an alchemist with a healing background.

"Can I use a sleep charm while I look at your eye?" I asked, pulling another charm off my necklace.

She looked up at Ryder.

"You can trust her, Kel," he said to her.

She nodded at me.

I whispered the incantation, setting the gem on her chest. Her eyes fluttered close and she slept.

"You can't offer assistance like that," Ryder scowled at me.

"Excuse me?" I was taken aback by the tone of his voice.

"No one can know about your magic, the less people that know, the better," he said, pacing the room. "So, if for some reason one of my family gets greedy or taken, they have no information to give."

"She could end up blind, do you expect me to just sit here and do nothing?" I snapped.

"If it means saving you?—"

"Ryder." I whispered.

"We are also shifters so she should heal up just fine. I don't know how long it will take her, but our bodies heal themselves quicker than humans," he said, looking over at his sister.

"Oh, I didn't know that," I said, now feeling embarrassed.

"Heaven, everything we do is under a microscope, one wrong move and this could end up with you being taken away," he said, stepping closer to me. "We have to be careful because I won't lose you. If they take you, we might never see you again and I'd hate to see what would happen if the four of us had to look for you. We would tear the world to shreds and have no remorse for it because your life is worth more than this measly world we live in."

"Ryder," I said, as he touched our foreheads together.

"I love you, Heaven, and if I have to be the bad guy, I have no problem being that person," he said. "I know you want to save everyone, but their life is not worth yours in any fucking lifetime."

The bond was humming with intensity.

"Ok, but I'd like to save whomever I can," I said, looking up at him.

"Once we figure out how to defeat Laima and Taylin, we can save whomever you want, but right now it's too risky," he said, capturing my lips in a kiss.

It was passionate, a little unhinged and enough to make me want to wrap my arms around him and tell him to fuck me right now.

He sucked on my bottom lip before pulling away. "I want to be able to kiss you like that for the rest of our lives. I don't want to have to stop because I'm worried or we aren't in a secure location. I never want to hold back with you, and for that to happen, we need to be alive and ready for them."

He kissed my forehead before he let me heal his sister and we finished breakfast with his family. They were so close you could feel the love between them, and I craved for this someday. A room full of the people with whom I loved, sharing a meal.