Forbidden Love

Chapter Thirty-Four

Skylar

I wake up feeling calm. I was free of pain and worry.

Well, at least I wish I was. Instead, my entire body ached, my head being the worst part. It was pounding and I felt like it was hitting against my skull.

"Ryder?" The name escapes my mouth before I realize it.

The room, I notice, is empty though. It was mildly dark. Not too dark that I couldn't see though.

I hear a click and I instantly tense.

Nate?

It wasn't Nate. It was a bleary-eyed Cairo, who's skin was paler than usual. Her cheeks though, were red and her eyes puffy.

"Skylar!" she shrieks, and then wraps her arms around my torso.

My hands immediately tighten around the white blanket. A hiss of pain escapes me. That's what made me remember.

Ethan, Alec and three other wolves had bombarded into the room. After that, I'd faded in and out of unconsciousness. When I opened my eyes again, someone was carrying me while racing through the woods. Then my eyes closed again. When I woke up again, I saw Ryder's mansion.

And all I could think was, I'm finally home.

Well, then I passed out again. Now, this is my fourth time opening my eyes. Maybe I'll actaully stay conscious this time.

"Sorry! Sorry!" Cairo shrieks, placing her arms by her side.

"It's fine," I say, offering her a small smile. It felt good to be at home. But I was still scarred, physically and mentally. I can't even imagine going back to school anytime school. But I would, because anything would be better than sitting around thinking.

"How are you,"Cairo asks softly. "Wait, that's a stupid question. I know you're not okay. How could you when you were kidnapped? And tortured."

At my very visible flinch, tears roll out of her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Skylar. I just don't know what the right thing to say is. And I've been thinking about it for a while now. I was always optimistic on your return.

"But now here I am, and I have no clue what I should say. 'Oh my gosh you're back and I missed you so much!' doesn't sound like the best option. But, I want you to know that I missed you."

This time, a big, genuine smile spreads across my face. "Thanks, Cairo. That was the perfect thing to say."

She opens her mouth to speak again, but the door opens. Ryder walks in looking perfect. His blonde hair was rumpled in that 'I just rolled out of bed way.' And his muscles looked great and defined in his wife beater.

"Love you," Cairo says, kissing my cheek and giving me a pretend flirty smile.

I hold back a laugh and just smile. "Love you too."

She walks out, and Ryder instantly speaks.

"I love you, Skylar. And I want us to start over. I was wrong for treating you the way I did. I should've greeted you with a "you look beautiful. My name is Ryder Grant." But I didn't, instead I tried to kiss you. And that was wrong." I never thought about the fact that I didn't know Ryder's last name.

"And you're right, I do like control. I couldn't control my parents death, and now I want to control everything so that another loved one won't be killed. But I can't control you. You weren't born to be controlled, and I love the fact that you always defend yourself. It was a surprise. Someone talking back to me. And I didn't know how to react, so I got angry. I love you more than I thought I could love a person. And I don't expect you to say that you love me back, because I haven't done anything to deserve your love."