THE CONTRACTED MATE

RYDER'

y in my arms. I could feel her heart ra

d gave the nurse space to atten

s darted around the room, taking in her surroundings with confusion evident on her face. I knew she was trying t

ow that she was under my protection. But I also wanted her to know that

t I maintained my mask of co

he stuttered, her voice

nd I knew that I had to be careful. I

d her back. "You're in Ryder's estate," she explaine

ed the room again. "Incident?" s

back from the pale look on her face. And I knew that I had to

my voice low and even. "You

and I could see s

matter what it took for after all she is no

ove a whisper, but I he

admired her bravery. "I am Ryder,

composure. But I just nodded, my expression serious. "Yes.

al, and I knew I had to be gentle yet strict. "I

lad to hear that. Can you tell me what happened? H

assing second and word that came out of her mouth. "I see. Well, Kali, you're safe now. You'

her eyes, and for the first t

der. Thank you

e about yourself. What do you li

e refused to reveal the one thing I wanted to hear from her mouth. It was then, that I knew I had to ask her what

tion that had been on my mind since I first saw her

g a shift in the conv

aking on a more serious and

see the fear in her eyes as she furrowed her br

uage. "Let's just say I've done my researc

ut her curse. But I just leaned back in my chair, my eyes never leaving hers. "And that's

ear to one of shock and confusion . "What is i

as unthinkable after all she is a stranger who I met

felt hot. My inner wolf howled at me to take her, to claim her the

fair share of curses that's

deal