Ryder's POV The silence that followed her departure was deafening. It hung heavy in the air like a storm cloud, charged with so much unspoken tension that it felt suffocating. I stood there for a moment, paralyzed by my own inability to move, to make things right. The sun had set, the sky now a canvas of dark blues and purples, yet all I could see was her—the way she turned her back on me, walking away like I wasn’t even there.I wanted to scream, to shout at the universe for being so cruel, for making me fall for the one person I had pushed away the hardest. But no matter how much I cursed myself, no matter how much I tried to fight the pain in my chest, it wouldn’t change the fact that she was gone from me. I took a deep breath, my mind swirling in a mess of confusion, anger, and desperation. How could I fix this?I couldn’t just let her slip away like this. I couldn’t let her believe that I didn’t care—because I did. I cared more than I’d ever let myself admit. I had to make her
Ryder's POVI froze. She was standing now, her hands at her sides, her eyes soft but guarded. “I don’t know if I can forgive you. But I’m willing to listen... if you really want to prove it.” I didn’t know what I had expected, but it wasn’t this. I turned back to face her, my heart leaping in my chest. “I’ll do whatever it takes, Amara. You have my word.” And this time, when I said it, I meant it.I stepped closer, the air around us thick with unsaid words. Her eyes flickered to my hand, and for a moment, I thought she might pull away. But she didn’t. Instead, she stood still, her chest rising and falling with each breath, her body frozen like she was trying to decide what to do next. I took the chance. Slowly, I reached for her hand, my fingers brushing against hers, tentative but sincere. She didn’t pull away.I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding and gently laced my fingers through hers, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine. The contact sent a jolt of elect
Ryder's POVThe following days were… different. Not perfect. Not easy. But different. Amara didn’t completely shut me out, and that was enough to keep me moving forward. She wasn’t ready to forgive me yet—not fully—but she wasn’t running away anymore either. It was as though we were walking a tightrope, carefully balancing between what we were and what we could become. This morning, I decided to push my luck. “Amara,” I called out, leaning casually against my car, waiting for her outside the school entrance. Her head snapped up, eyes narrowing as she spotted me, her lips already forming a protest. “Ryder,” she said, her tone sharp as a blade. “What are you doing here?” I smirked, unable to help myself. “Good morning to you too, sweetheart.” “Don’t call me that,” she hissed, walking past me with purposeful strides, her bag slung over her shoulder. But I followed, determined to keep pace with her. “Relax,” I said keeping my tone steady.----The walk back home after our small truc
Ryder's POVThe silence between us was warm, filled with a strange sense of peace I hadn’t felt in years. Amara’s head rested on my shoulder, and I could feel the soft rhythm of her breathing. It felt fragile, like the moment might shatter if I moved too suddenly or said the wrong thing. I broke the silence, my voice quiet. “You know, I used to hate the stars.” She stirred, her head tilting up to look at me. “What? Why?” “They reminded me of all the things I couldn’t reach,” I admitted, keeping my gaze fixed on the sky. “No matter how much I wanted them, they were always too far away. Untouchable.” She was quiet for a moment, her eyes softening. “And now?” I turned to her, my heart aching at the vulnerability in her expression. “Now I think the stars are worth admiring... because they remind me of you.” Her breath caught, and for a second, I thought she might pull away. But instead, she stayed, her gaze dropping to where my arm was still around her shoulders. “Ryder,” she whisp
Amara's POVAs the morning settled into its usual rhythm, I tried to shake the memory of Ryder’s warmth and the quiet moments we had shared. But no matter how hard I tried, the way his voice softened when he spoke to me, the way his hand had lingered in mine—it all lingered in my mind like an echo. I sighed and wandered into the hallway, hoping to distract myself. But as I turned the corner, I nearly ran straight into someone else. “Amara,” Caden said, his deep voice pulling me from my thoughts. I blinked up at him, startled. Caden stood tall, his features softer than Ryder’s but no less striking. His blue eyes shimmered like glaciers, cold yet brimming with hidden emotions. His dark hair was slightly messy, as though he had been running his hands through it all morning. “Caden,” I murmured, stepping back slightly, suddenly all too aware of the proximity between us. “You’ve been avoiding me,” he said, his voice low and filled with an edge of something I couldn’t place. “I’ve bee
Amara's POV The rest of the evening passed in a haze of frustration and confusion. I avoided Ryder and Caden as best I could, retreating to my room where I could finally be alone with my thoughts. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the memory of their expressions—Caden’s quiet regret and Ryder’s burning intensity. It was late when I decided to step outside for some fresh air. The house felt suffocating, and I needed to clear my head. Wrapping a cardigan around my shoulders, I slipped out onto the back porch, letting the cool night air wash over me. I wasn’t expecting to see anyone else there, but of course, fate had other plans. Ryder was leaning against the porch railing, his head tilted back as he stared up at the stars. He looked so different like this—calm, almost vulnerable. The harsh edges I had grown used to seemed to soften under the silver moonlight. He heard me before I could retreat. His head snapped toward me, his piercing eyes locking onto mine.
Amara's POV The nurse wrapped my ankle tightly, reminding me to keep weight off it. I nodded absentmindedly, my thoughts not on the injury but on Caden. His touch, his words, the way he looked at me—it all played on a loop in my mind. When I finally hobbled out of the office on crutches, I wasn’t surprised to find Caden waiting for me, leaning casually against the wall. He straightened when he saw me, his expression softening. “Didn’t think I’d let you limp around alone, did you?” he teased gently. “I’m fine, Caden,” I said, though my heart betrayed me with a flutter. “Yeah, you’ve said that a lot today,” he replied, taking the crutches from me and holding out his hand. “Come on. I’ll carry you again.” My cheeks flushed. “I can manage.” He raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. “Amara, you’ve been through enough. Let me do this for you.” There was something so earnest in his voice, so unshakably kind, that I couldn’t argue. With a resigned sigh, I let him sc
Amara's POV Days had passed, and the air around me was heavy with tension. I tried to focus on anything but them—Caden and Ryder—but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't escape the undeniable pull toward both of them. I hated myself for it, hated that my emotions and my wolf were at constant odds. You can’t deny them forever, my wolf whispered. I sighed, brushing her aside. "Yes, I can," I muttered under my breath. That evening, I found myself in the brothers' house again, trying to keep my distance as much as possible. Caden had been unusually quiet all day, his soft glances at me almost unbearable to ignore. I was sitting on his bed, absentmindedly flipping through a book, when I heard the bathroom door creak open. My heart skipped a beat as Caden stepped out, steam billowing behind him. He wore nothing but a towel slung low around his hips, his chest bare and glistening with water droplets. His damp hair clung to his forehead, and his usual calm, composed demeanor was repla
Amara’s POVThe morning sun streamed through my bedroom window as I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my sweater. My hair was still damp from my shower, and I was debating whether to leave it down or tie it up when I felt a warm presence behind me.Before I could react, strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me against a familiar, solid chest.“Morning, princess,” Jaxon’s deep, teasing voice murmured against my ear.I rolled my eyes but didn’t pull away. “You do know there’s this thing called personal space, right?”Jaxon chuckled, his breath warm against my neck. “Never heard of it.”His arms tightened slightly, holding me close as he dipped his head. Before I could protest, I felt the sharp nip of his teeth against the sensitive skin of my neck.I gasped. “Jaxon—”He pulled back just enough to admire his work, a smug grin tugging at his lips. “There. Now everyone knows you’re mine.”I spun around, narrowing my eyes at him. “You marked me?” I reached up, touching the tend
Amara's POV The days passed in a blur, each one filled with moments that chipped away at the walls I had built around my heart. Caden, Ryder, and Jaxon were proving themselves in ways I hadn’t expected. They were changing—slowly, steadily—but undeniably.Every morning, one of them would wake me up with breakfast, though it usually ended up being a playful argument over who would get the honor.“I made it first,” Caden would grumble, holding out a plate of toast and eggs.“Yeah, well, I made pancakes,” Ryder would counter, flipping one onto a second plate.Jaxon, always the wildcard, would slide a cup of coffee in front of me with a lazy smirk. “And I made sure you get caffeine before dealing with these two idiots.”I’d roll my eyes, but deep down, the warmth of their efforts settled in my chest like a quiet comfort.Throughout the day, they went out of their way to make sure I felt safe, taken care of—even cherished. Ryder would insist on driving me anywhere I needed to go, opening d
Amara's POV The SurpriseBy the time I had finished eating, showered, and dressed, Caden was nowhere to be found.I searched the entire house. No sign of him.Where was he?Just when I was starting to get frustrated, my phone chimed with a text.Come outside.Caden.I slipped on a pair of shoes and headed out the front door, curious.My jaw dropped.A horse-drawn carriage was parked in the driveway, decorated with a garland of flowers. Caden stood next to it, dressed in a suit and tie. He held a bouquet of roses in one hand and a picnic basket in the other.My face grew hot.He was insane. Absolutely, utterly insane.I marched up to him, crossing my arms.His eyes sparkled with amusement.I shook my head.He grinned.I sighed.Then, I grabbed the roses and kissed him.After All...It was a perfect day—blue skies, gentle breeze, the smell of fresh earth and blooming flowers. We strolled through the town, stopping for a bite to eat, admiring the architecture. He held my hand the entire
Amara's POV The mansion was quiet, save for the soft crackling of the fireplace and the distant rustling of the trees outside. The night air was cool, but inside, the warmth from the fire wrapped around me like a blanket. I was curled up on the couch, a book resting open on my lap, though I wasn’t paying much attention to it. My mind was too preoccupied. With him.Caden.I could still feel his touch from earlier—the way his fingers had brushed against my skin, the way his lips had lingered against my shoulder. It was different with him. It always had been.A creak from the doorway made me glance up, and there he was, leaning against the frame with that signature smirk tugging at his lips. He was dressed casually—gray sweatpants and a fitted black shirt that did nothing to hide the way his muscles flexed beneath the fabric. His golden hair was tousled like he’d just run his fingers through it.“You’re still awake,” he mused, stepping into the room. His voice was a soft rumble in the q
Amara's POV The mansion was quiet, the kind of stillness that only came when the world outside was asleep. The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast long shadows across my room as I lay beneath the covers, staring at the ceiling. My mind was restless, replaying every touch, every stolen glance from earlier. Caden. The way he held me. The way he looked at me like I was something precious. A soft knock at my door pulled me from my thoughts. I knew who it was before I even answered. Caden. He leaned against the doorway, his golden hair tousled from running his hands through it, his black t-shirt hanging loosely over his toned frame. His eyes, however, were focused—on me. “You’re still awake,” he murmured. “So are you.” A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “Couldn’t sleep.” I sighed, sitting up against the headboard. “Me either.” Without hesitation, Caden crossed the room and slid into the bed beside me. His warmth instantly su
Amara's POV I leaned in, my lips barely a whisper away from his. “Then take me,” I murmured. Caden’s breath hitched, and then— His lips crashed against mine. The kiss wasn’t slow this time. It wasn’t teasing or hesitant. It was raw, hungry, filled with everything we had been holding back. His hands roamed up my back, pulling me closer, pressing me flush against him as if he couldn’t bear even an inch of distance between us. I gasped into his mouth, and he took advantage, deepening the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine in a way that sent shivers down my spine. His grip on my hips tightened, grounding me as heat flooded my entire body. My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling slightly, and he let out a low, satisfied groan that sent warmth pooling deep in my stomach. God, this man was dangerous. We broke apart just enough for me to catch my breath, but Caden didn’t let me go. His lips trailed down my jaw, pressing soft, open-mouthed kisses along my neck, lingering at the sens
Amara’s POVThe fire crackled softly in the massive fireplace, casting a warm glow throughout the dimly lit living room. Caden and I had somehow shifted from lounging on the couch to lying on the thick, plush rug in front of the hearth. His arm was lazily draped around my waist, his fingers tracing light circles against my hip. It should have felt strange—being this close to him after everything—but instead, it felt… natural. I stared up at the ceiling, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest behind me. “You’re quiet,” I murmured. Caden chuckled, his breath fanning against the back of my neck. “Just enjoying the moment.” I turned slightly, resting my head against his shoulder, my fingers absentmindedly tracing the hem of his hoodie. “That’s new. You usually don’t shut up.” His golden eyes gleamed with amusement. “Are you saying you don’t enjoy my charming commentary?” I smirked. “I’m saying I enjoy the rare moments when you’re not talking.” Caden let out a dramatic sigh,
Amara’s POVThe warmth of Ryder’s body against mine, the slow rise and fall of his chest, the steady rhythm of his breathing—it was grounding. It had been so long since I felt this… at peace. But I knew better than to trust it completely. I pulled away slightly, tilting my head up to look at him. “Why are you doing this, Ryder?” My voice was quiet but firm. He turned his head, his green eyes locking onto mine. “Doing what?” “This.” I gestured between us. “Sitting here with me. Saying all these things. Trying so damn hard to fix something that’s already shattered.” Ryder sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “Because I don’t believe it’s shattered,” he said. “Cracked? Yes. Broken? Maybe. But destroyed?” He shook his head. “Not a chance.” I exhaled sharply, my heart warring with my mind. “I don’t know if I can forgive you.” His jaw clenched, but he nodded. “I know.” “I don’t know if I can forgive Jaxon or Caden either.” He hesitated before replying. “I know that too.” “Then why
Amara’s POVThe drive back was quiet, but not in an uncomfortable way. Jaxon’s hand rested lazily on the gearshift, his fingers occasionally grazing my thigh, sending small shivers up my spine. The radio played softly in the background, an old rock song that he hummed along to under his breath. I stared out the window, my mind still spinning from what had just happened. From that kiss. I had told myself I wouldn’t fall back into this—not with him, not with any of them. And yet, here I was, sitting in his car, my lips still tingling, my heart still racing. “You’re thinking too hard,” Jaxon murmured, glancing at me. I exhaled, shaking my head. “No, I’m not.” “You are,” he countered, smirking. “I can practically hear the gears turning in that pretty little head of yours.” I rolled my eyes, but a small smile tugged at my lips. “Maybe I just like thinking.” “Or maybe you’re just trying to find a reason to run,” he said, his voice softer this time. I stiffened slightly, my fingers t