Second Chance Mates

-13- 🌹 Be More Adaptive

^ Picture of Landon

"Teach me to be more adaptive. Green finch and linnet bird, nightingale, blackbird, teach me how to sing. If I cannot fly, let me sing."
~Sweeney Todd, 'Green Finch and Linnet Bird'

~~~

*Landon's POV*

It's been three weeks now since I've met my honeybee. Whether it's me going over to his house, or Ryland coming to see me at work, we've made an effort to see each other every day. A surprisingly easy task, it turns out, since Leo has been encouraging me to relax and let him in.

We mostly just talk, call each other dumb names, and play video games. But no matter what we do, we always seem to laugh for hours.

I've found it extremely addicting to make him laugh. Knowing that I'm the cause of that melodic sound of pure joy gives me a thrill, and fuck, I can't get enough of it.

When I'm at work, I find myself looking towards the front door constantly, just waiting for the appearance of those dark honey eyes.

Over time, I've found that I'm no longer just being adaptive of my situation, but that I'm growing to accept it. The butterflies in my stomach whenever Ryland is around is indicative that I'm starting to have... real feelings for him.

But it hasn't been perfect.

Every so often, guilt still stabs me in the stomach like a red hot blade. Leo reminds me that I'm not cheating on Easton by spending time with Ryland, since it's been five years since Easton died.

It's not like I want to spend the rest of my life alone. Especially with Leo constantly reminding me of what a great life we could have with our mate.

Speaking of Leo, he's growing increasingly restless when it comes to River. Every time I've tried to approach the subject with Ryland, he manages to switch topics before I can even blink. I'm dying to know why he's being so secretive, but I also know that I'm being hypocritical since I have my own secrets I haven't shared.

Ryland has invited me over for a movie night tonight, so maybe this will be the perfect opportunity for us to actually talk things over.

The guards at the pack gates let me through without any issue. The Alpha of the Crescent Sun Pack was kind enough to put me on a special list that gives me clearance to visit whenever I please.

I knock on the front door and wait less than three seconds for the door to swing open. Ryland's smiling face greets me, and Leo purrs.

"Landon," my name sounds like melted caramel dripping off of his tongue. "Come on in."

I return his smile, feeling my heart pounding in my chest as his scent invades me. Stepping forward, I pull him close to my chest in a tight hug. I bury my face in the crook of his neck, inhaling his scent of honey and vanilla.

We've grown more comfortable with hugging each other recently. His touch provides a comfort that I haven't known in a very long time, and I absolutely crave it.

"Mhmm," Ryland hums contentedly as he breathes in my own scent, and his body melts against mine.

Extremely reluctantly, I pull away from him. "Where are we watching the movie?"

"Is my room okay?" Ryland asks, pointing up the stairs. "Kai is playing some video game with his friends online and he insists that he gets to use the big TV in the living room."

I chuckle, remembering Xander had mentioned that to me. "Sounds good. Lead the way."

I follow Ryland upstairs to his room that reflects every bit of sunshine within the wolf himself. His pale yellow comforter brightens up the room, especially with how the light bounces onto the poster-covered walls. Some of the posters I recognize, such as his Les Miserables one. But some I haven't heard of, like this one with a picture of a kid with a broken arm. I haven't seen that musical, but Ryland is obsessed with it.