Mated to my Alpha's Rival

Chapter 32

Elias' POV

I was undoubtedly content.

A small smile rests on my face, which hasn't gone away for the past two days since we completed the mating bond, as I trace circles on Ryder's bare stomach. My head rests on his upper chest, as we both take a needed break from our recent activities. "What are you smiling about?" Ryder asks me, clearly able to feel my happiness.

"I'm just happy," I tell him genuinely. Ryder has one arm folded behind his head, while his other hand gently caresses my shoulder.

"Me too, baby," he says softly. "Me too."

After some comfortable silence, I can't help myself from speaking up, "Ryder," I address him.

"Yeah, baby?"

Ever since I've marked Ryder, I've been able to feel the weight of his past. Although I can feel all the mixed heavy emotions, I'm unable to place exactly where they are coming from, besides knowing it's from Ryder. "You don't have to answer this, but what happened to your parents and brother?" I ask him gently.

Lifting my head off his chest, I look up at Ryder. But he is looking past me, his gaze far away from the present time. I stay silent, allowing him to think on his own.

Minutes pass, without a word between us. "Ryder?" I ask softly.

His gaze returns to me, "um-," he clears his throat. "They were murdered," he tells me, making my heart fill heavy. I only knew that his family were no longer present, unsure whether or not they were still alive.

"I know you might not want to hear apologies, I know I never did when people found out about my parents, but I am so sorry Ryder," I tell him sincerely.

Ryder nods his head slowly, before gently leaving a peck on my forehead. "Thank you Eli, it's okay, I'm okay," he tries to convince me. But, the heavy feeling on my chest claims differently. "I can still hurt from it, but what is done is done, I cannot change it," he reminds me. Biting my bottom lip to stop myself for prying too much, I nod my head in understanding.

"I've got you now, you're my family, and so are Blaze and Arabella, along with my pack, so I'm okay," he tells me, smiling at the fact.

"We are all lucky to have you," I say smiling with him.

We cuddle again, caressing each other. "Which reminds me that I am meant to meet up with Blaze and Arabella today," Ryder speaks up.

I hum, "yeah, I also need to meet up with Kai and Silas, probably at the diner."

"Weird.. that's where I'm seeing Blaze and Arabella," Ryder recalls.

I think to myself for a bit, "would it be like a terrible idea to try get them all together?" I ask Ryder, testing out the option.

Ryder chuckles, "probably, but they will eventually need to come to terms with the fact that they will be seeing each other more often now." I nod, agreeing with him.

"Oh god, we might regret this later." I say making both of us laugh.

*

Arabella and Blaze were already sitting inside the diner as Ryder and I walked in, deep into conversation as they sat across from each other in six seater booth, next to the window.

"Blaze, Arabella," Ryder greets them both, while letting me sit in the middle besides Arabella as Ryder takes me seat next to me. Leaving two empty spaces besides Blaze on the other side of the booth.

"Jesus Christ, I can't even smell either of you," Blaze exclaims. "It's like both of your scents have merged together."

"I wonder why," Arabella deadpans, while shaking her head at Blaze.