Second Chance Mates

-12- 🌹 I'm Not Giving Up

"I'm not givin' up. I'm not givin' up, givin' up, no, not me. Even when nobody else believes. I'm not goin' down that easily. So don't give up on me."
~Andy Grammer, 'Don't Give Up On Me'

~~~

*Ryland's POV*

My hands sweat nervously as I sit next to Landon on the couch. I keep my eyes focused on the our brothers' video game, but I can feel Landon eyeing me.

When he asked about River, I completely choked.

I expected that he would ask about my wolf sooner or later, but I was really hoping it would be later.

My biggest mistake was thinking his wolf wouldn't have picked up on the fact that River is... different. Actually, now that I think about it, it's a miracle Landon didn't notice the day we met.

Whatever the reason, Landon clearly knows now that something is wrong with River. I know I should be honest with him, and I want to be... but after hearing what Joan had to say about River...

I can still feel Landon's eyes boring into the side of my head, as if concentrating hard enough would allow him to read my thoughts. When I make the mistake of flickering my eyes over to him, he takes his opportunity to pounce.

"Ryla—"

"I have to pee," I awkwardly announce, scrambling off the couch and darting upstairs.

Slamming the bathroom door shut, I press my back to the door, letting my head fall back with a sigh. I have no clue how I'm supposed to talk to Landon about River. I doubt he's going to drop the topic any time soon, and I don't want to lie to him, but what else am I supposed to do?

If what Joan said is true...

| FLASHBACK - Joan's house |

"Ryland," Joan whispered lowly. "There's something else you should know..."

I tilted my head to the side, lowering my voice. "What is it? Is it about Landon?"

"Yes and no," she answered, taking my hands in hers. "It's about River. There's a way to bring him back."

My eyes widened significantly. "Bring him back? You mean... he wouldn't be feral anymore? He would be my River again?"

Joan nodded her head. "That's right, my dear. I can't speak of any emotional distress he would be in, but River would no longer be a feral wolf."

"How? What do I need to do?"

"River became feral as a result of your rejection. The broken bond broke his soul, so to speak," Joan explained, making me frown because I already knew that part. "If a bond is reformed, his soul would be healed. River would be free of his turmoil and would return to you."

"If a bond is reformed...." I echoed slowly. "What do you mean by that exactly?"

"The bond can only be reformed if you solidify the connection with your mate," Joan went on, and a feeling of dread settled in my stomach. "You must complete the mating process with Landon."

My face paled. "Joan... you heard Landon. He doesn't want a mate. If the only way I can keep him in my life is being nothing more than a friend, then that's what I'll have to do."

"Ryland," Joan started firmly, looking me dead in the eye. "Resisting the mate bond is just as dangerous as a rejection. It may slow down the consequences, but they won't be any less severe."