RALPH

I looked down at her, feeling a mix of amusement and hurt that he had accepted Zac's offer. It was clear that Zac was the one she was referring to. I stepped close to her, close enough to hear the rhythm of her heartbeat. I stared into her eyes. “Why would you do that to your mate, Keilah Rivera?” I queried, taken aback by my own admission of accepting her as my mate. Yet, despite my astonishment, I reassured myself that it was the right thing to do for the time being.

Her eyes widened at my question, clearly taken aback that I called her my mate or that...