Chapter 132

RYKER’S PO.V

There was something intoxicating about Camilla. Maybe it was because I was hopelessly in love with her or maybe it was because she could do no wrong in my eyes. I loved being able to take my time while exploring her body, I loved being able to hold her close right after and know that there was nothing and no one urgently waiting to get our attention. I loved the pace. Growing up, my father had always told me that a man was defined by what he did during times of war but I disagreed, I believed that a man was defined by what he did when there was peace, how he treated the people around him and how he handled his affairs.

I would never delude myself into believing that I was a good man but I treated my family with the respect that they deserved and for me- that was everything. As I looked down at my mate who was curled up by my side with her head lying gently on my chest, I chose to believe that maybe I had done something right and maybe I wasn’t the worst of men.

I kissed her forehead softly and she mumbled a few words before continuing to snore softly. I should have been sleeping as well considering how exhausted I was but sleep eluded me. It felt almost impossible to close my eyes and achieve that peace but I was fine with just watching Camilla. If that was all I did for the rest of my life then I would die a happy man.

I felt a nudge at the back of my mind. It was almost soft and hesitant as if the person was unsure. I instantly pulled down my wall and I recognized the presence as belonging to Riley. I stayed silent not wanting to push her because I knew my sister and I knew that if I pushed her, she would quickly shut down and hide away.

“Are you busy?” she asked softly. “It’s fine if you

are

I just wanted to know if you were available so that I could talk to you for a while.” I started to speak but she cut me off. “You know what, never mind, I should never have brought this up in the first place. Forget that I even-”

“Riley,” I interrupted and she went silent. “Do you want me to

O come to your room?”

There was a pause. “Yes please, I just don’t know what to do anymore.”

“I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

I broke off the mind link immediately. I looked down at Camilla and while I didn’t want to leave her side, I knew that Riley needed me. I had expected her to reach out to me but she was proud- maybe even more so than me and I didn’t expect her to do it until she was out of options. I must have either overestimated her pride or underestimated how well she thought of

I gently pulled myself out of bed and I let out a sigh of relief when Camilla didn’t stir. I pulled on my clothes in record speed and rushed over to her room. Her door was open and the moment I saw her, my heart cracked. I closed the door behind me but she didn’t look up from her spot at the edge of the bed. I took the spot next to her and held out my hand but she didn’t take it, instead, she placed her head on my shoulder. It reminded me of when she was younger and terrified of my father. I would spend the night in her room and sit by the edge of the bed.

I suppose that was where my insomnia began because I was terrified that if I closed my eyes, he would come in and hurt her so I would stay awake the entire night. It was taxing and stressful but every time she hugged me and called me the best brother, it made things worth it.

“What do you

think I should do?” she asked after a moment of silence.copy right hot novel pub