RYAN’S POV “There are so many things about each other that we don’t know,” Ana stated, somewhat absently. I looked over at her and replied, “You can ask me anything that you want to know, and I will answer honestly and openly.” Ana considered the offer for a moment before asking apprehensively, “Even if it is painful to discuss? What if it brings up terrible or traumatic memories?” I thought about what she asked and felt moved by her concern, “Regardless, even if it is hard to answer, for whatever reason, I will still answer. You have every right in the world to know about my past. At this time, I know more about your past than you do about mine,” I answered sincerely. Ana then inquired, “Would you tell me about your parents? What happened to them? I know that I have lived in this pack my entire life, but I was kept away from the general public for the most part. The only

ANA’S POV When I woke up the following day, the sun was filtering through the opening of the curtains in front of the balcony. I didn’t remember closing the French doors before we went to sleep. I stretched like a feline to activate my muscle groups. When my hand landed on the side of the bed Ryan had laid on when we made it to the bed, I realized that it was not only empty but also cold. That only meant he had been gone for a significant amount of time. Although I was not too happy about waking up alone, I wouldn’t complain. The reality was, if I hadn’t been so emotionally exhausted by the end of talking to Ryan, I would have more than likely insisted that he make his way back to his own room; I understand that we are mates and that at some point, cohabitating would happen…sooner rather than later if truth be told. The mate bond is nothing to mess with. It seems to have a stronger pull on each other’s hearts and souls than the moon has on the ocean tides. Nevertheless, I wasn’t rea