Second Chance Mates

-11- 🌹 Lost On Me

^ Picture of Xander Grey

"Counting days, counting days since my love up and got lost on me. And every breath that I've been takin' since you left feels like a waste on me."
~Lewis Capaldi, 'Bruises'

~~~

*Landon's POV*

My hand runs through my hair in frustration as I look over the spreadsheets on my desk. From the way business has been going lately, my cafe is barely staying afloat. It's bringing in enough money to survive, but it doesn't leave a whole lot left over for myself after I pay for utilities, supplies, and my employees' paychecks.

I groan, covering my face with my hands. The last thing I need right now is extra stress.

No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to focus on anything other than Ryland.

I look at the spreadsheets, and all I can see is his smile. I tilt my head back, focusing on the golden light above me, but it only serves to remind me of Ryland's honey-glazed eyes.

"Shit," I curse under my breath, squeezing my eyes shut. These are definitely not thoughts I should be having about a friend.

'For the love of the Moon above, shut fuck up.'

My eyes fly open as I nearly fall backwards out of my chair. 'L-Leo?' I think back hesitantly. The only time I've heard my wolf speak to me in five years is when we first saw Ryland.

'I swear, if I hear you call our mate your friend one more time, I'm going to force you to shift just so I can bash our head through a window.'

Despite his aggressive threat, I smile widely as tears spring to my eyes. 'You're back! Are you back? What made you come back? Also, fuck you for leaving and also I missed you.'

'I missed you too,' Leo chuckles. 'I'm sorry I was gone for so long. It's just... without Elias...'

'I know,' I murmur sadly. We feel connected to our mates because of the bond the Moon gives us. Our wolf halves feel a heavier connection than our human halves do, since the wolves are closer to the Moon. When Easton died, taking Elias with him, it hit Leo harder than I was prepared for. Still, I could never blame Leo for the way he needed to grieve.

'Back to the ridiculous shit you've been spewing lately,' Leo starts again, making me roll my eyes at that rude humor I've missed so much. 'You seriously need to get over thinking of Ryland as your friend. He's our mate. You can't possibly be just friends.'

'We are,' I say flatly.

'Why? What could possibly make you think that's a good idea?'

'Are you seriously asking me that?' I demand, feeling a bit angry now. 'Easton was my mate. I promised to be his for the rest of my life, and last time I checked, I'm still alive. I don't have anything else to give to Ryland.'

'Dig deeper and find something to give him,' Leo growls. 'We cannot lose him.'

'Come on, Leo! Are you really okay with moving on? What about Elias? Did you forget about him? Does your promise to him mean nothing?!'

Leo falls silent, and I start to panic at the prospect that I made him angry and forced him to disappear again. Holding my breath, I silently wait for him to speak first.