Second Chance Mates

-08- 🌹 Enough Of Loneliness

^ Picture of Lyn even though she's not in this chapter lol

"Haven't you had enough of all of this? Haven't you had enough of loneliness?"
~Lewis Capaldi, 'Don't Get Me Wrong'

~~~

*Ryland's POV*

"I'm not sure if these will fit, but you can try them on. The bathroom is down the hall," I say as I hand a shirt and a pair of shorts to Landon.

When he reaches forward to take the clothes, our fingers brush, sending tingles up my arm. Landon lets his hand linger for a second before yanking his hand back with a blush. I can't help the slight sting that follows that, but I have to remind myself that this is new for the both of us. We have to take things slow.

He scurries down the hall and locks himself in the bathroom. I sigh and turn back around, heading towards my room. It doesn't come as a surprise when I see Kai sitting on my bed, arms folded over his chest.

I shut the door gently behind me, knowing whatever is about to happen might get kind of loud. It is Kai, after all.

"Why are you so calm about this?" Kai jumps right in. I shake my head, grabbing a pair of jeans and stepping into them.

"I don't know. Maybe I'm in shock," I ponder. "I never thought I'd get another chance at having a mate, but here he is. Whatever the Moon Goddess did to give us both another mate, I'm not going to take it for granted. I've watched so many of my friends be happy with their mates. Don't you think I deserve to have a mate, too?"

Kai's face softens. "Of course I do, but...." he pauses and sighs. "Aren't you worried?"

"About what?"

He squirms on my bed, chewing on his bottom lip nervously. "About what would happen if he were to reject you," he whispers.

The blood in my body freezes over, my limbs locking in place. My entire body becomes restricted with the fear of being rejected a second time. I lost River the first time.... would I lose myself the second time?

I can't.
I can't go through that again. I'll do anything — everything — to keep Landon from rejecting me.

Please, Goddess. I don't know if you actually listen to us, but please.... please don't put me through that again. Please don't give me another mate, just so you can tear him away. Please...

"Ryland," Kai says softly, suddenly standing in front of me and gripping my arms. "You're okay. I'm here. Breathe. Come on, you can do it. In through your nose, and out though your mouth."

I follow his calm instructions, taking deep breaths until my body doesn't feel as rigid. Kai keeps holding onto me as I start to relax. He watches me, checking for any signs that I might start freaking out again.

"I'm okay," I breathe out, my voice a little hoarse. Kai's eyes run over my face before he nods and takes a step back.

A knock at the door pulls our attention, and I rush over to open it. Landon is standing there, nervously shuffling his feet and scratching the back of his neck.

"Um.... I'm ready to go when you are," he says. My gaze flickers down his body, and my heart begins to pound in my chest. The sight of my mate in my clothing fills me with excitement, and I want nothing more than to scoop him into my arms and hold him close.

"Let's go," I say before I accidentally slip up by moving too quickly and scaring him off. He follows me down the stairs to where Ronnie is waiting on the couch. She gives me a nod as we make our way towards the door.