RYAN

//Rose POV//

Two years later_

A smile was on my lips as I sealed the envelope and handed it to the guard.

“Inform me when he receives it.”

I breathed out, as the guard walked away, hoping in my mind that he would reply this time. For the past two years, I've almost done nothing tangible than write to Sebastian even though he never sent back a reply.

It had been two years since he left for college in the capital and I've always waited for the day he will return.

This time I was exceptionally excited and hopeful about getting a response from him. It was my eighteenth birthday and in the note I had penned my only wish to be receiving a birthday card from him.

Today, I looked out of my window to see the serene environment. It was my birthday yet everywhere was so calm. My mother hadn't even shown up to wish me a happy birthday like she always did until my sixteenth birthday.

I was still wolfless and by custom made an Omega but I didn't expect to feel abandoned so soon.

I wondered if my father would have treated me any differently had he been here.

I shook off the dejection when I noticed a convoy drive into the courtyard, the moment he stepped out, I knew it was him. I quickly jumped off my bed and my feet moved the fastest they could out of my room in a burst of excitement.

My jaw dropped the moment my eyes contacted him and for a moment, I couldn't process how handsome he had become. It had been only two years but Sebastian had matured so flawlessly.

My delusions kicked in and different thoughts ran in my head.

Did he return because of me? Could he have read my letter and instead of a birthday card, decided to surprise me with his presence?

Was he unable to fight the mate bond, like me, and missed me like crazy hence he came back to see me?

The workers were busy offloading his pieces of luggage and he stood in front of me with a stoic expression.

"You got my letter," I cut down my excitement, holding myself back from reaching and melting in his toned arms.

"You came because of it, didn't you?"

His expression stayed the same and he said nothing.

I continued, " I missed you like crazy, Seb. I don't think we can fight the bond, cos every day I keep thinking about you." Shamelessly, I uttered my feelings for him.

When he spoke, I felt my mind swaying, regardless of the words he was uttering. His voice had gotten even thicker and it made my heart race.

"Not once did I think of you. I never considered you my mate and I never will."

The self-realization hit me and it dissolved as he brushed past me.

He didn't come because of me. He never thought of me, neither did he miss me.

Was I the only one feeling the mate bond or are my feelings for him more potent than the bond?

I blinked and realized that I was crying again. The workers were still in the hall so I took off, unwilling to let them see my tears.

I didn't stop running until I was far away from the pack, and when I eventually did, I saw that I was now in the forest.

I decided to stay there and mend my broken heart. To make myself accept the fact that Sebastian wasn't in love with me and never will be.

To dissolve my feelings for him and move on.

Should I just reject him instead?

"It's a good day to cry, isn't it?" A deep masculine voice jolted me out of my emotions and I realized I wasn't alone as I had thought.

Instinctively, my hands started to move to wipe my face but I halted, realizing that he already saw me crying.

"I thought I was alone," I said.

"It's a forest, it's almost never empty even though it looks like it is." He answered, his voice calm.

"But if you want I can pretend like I'm not here. I'm pretty sure we're the only ones around right now."

I found myself smiling at his suggestion.

"You don't have to do that." Quickly, I wiped the tears from my eyes.

"Do you want to sit?" He offered, pointing to a gigantic log of wood behind us.

I shook my head no but my feet moved to sit with him.

"I'm Ryan. I don't usually come here but I'm glad I did today. It must be fate. What is your name?" He asked with a lopsided grin and a face that totally proved he was a flirt.

"You sound like a total creep," I noted. "Why should I tell you about me?"

"You're sitting beside me right now."

"Thank you for reminding me of my bad choice, I will leave-

"Wait, I'm kidding!" He was quick to stop me, his hand holding my arm. "Please stay or at least don't go because of me. I'm sorry if I creeped you out."

He wasn't making any move to let go, his green eyes gave a calming sensation and even if I had no idea who he was, I felt like I could trust him enough to sit with him.

"Please," he mumbled this time.

"Fine," I found my voice, brushing his hand off. "And keep your hand to yourself."

"Oh, I'm sorry," I noticed a smile on his lips as he retreated. His gaze dropped to my legs but before I could question him, he spoke.

"You're hurt."

I lowered my gaze and found a cut on my toe. I knew how it got there but I hadn't discovered it until now.

Ryan went on his knee in front of me and gently took off my shoe to observe the cut, I was tongue-tied for a moment as I was also curious.

"Thankfully, it's not deep, but it still needs to get treated so it doesn't get infected."

I was going to tell him to let go when I felt a pair of eyes on me.

I looked up to find Sebastian, his furious gaze almost planting a hole in my skin.

As though making sure that I saw him, he turned around and started walking away.

My mind leaped and I quickly grabbed my shoe and went after him, ignoring Ryan's call...