?Chapter 90:

“Save it,” I snapped. “You stole my life, Ryder. You took everything from me.”

His expression hardened, and he let out an exasperated sigh.

“I did what I had to do.”

“For your pack, for your power,” I countered. “Not for me.”

“Isn’t it?” he challenged. I red at Ryder, my words spilling out in anger. “You stole my life, Ryder. I was a normal person, always on the go. I was in fucking college trying to make something meaningful out of my life after Jason messed it up. Now, all I do is sit around and be yourdy.”

Ryder’s brow furrowed as he leaned forward, his forehead resting on mine.

“Thest time I checked, I’ve provided morefort than any of your career choices could ever do.”

“I’m notzy, Ryder.” I rolled my eyes. Was it so hard to get a point across? “I need to spend my days somewhere else apart from my room. Every day is predictable, the same fucking routine. This idle existence is driving me crazy.”

“Ladies don’t work,” Ryder huffed.

“What do they do then? Crawl after you and attend to your every whim?” I chuckled dryly. No way was I going to live this way. In my opinion, this was way worse than being a housewife.

If I was being totally truthful, he was the only drama in my world, the only spontaneous thing that added color to my bleak days. But I wasn’t telling him that.

A thoughtful look crossed his face, and he made a grunting sound before scratching the back of his head.

“Tell me what you want, and I’ll make it happen.”

I scoffed. “You think it’s that easy? You think you can just wave your hand and fix everything?” But could he?

Ryder’s eyes locked onto mine, a daring look on his face. “Try me, baby vixen.” He chuckled.

I parted my lips, about to mumble a crude insult, but hesitated. Did he really mean what he said? I wasn’t even sure if I should trust this man who had caused me more pain than I cared to admit.

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“Fine,” I said finally. “I want my freedom. I want to work, to have purpose. I want to see my family.”

I knew I was pushing my luck with the freedom part and seeing my family, but I had to at least try.

Ryder nodded. “Forget about thest one. I’ll make arrangements for the rest. Everything is going to be on my terms. Anything else?”

I took a deep breath, my hands close to my thighs, my fingers rolling against each other—a nervous habit I’d had for years.

“I didn’t take the pills.”

Ryder’s gaze snapped to mine, intensity burning within.

“That’s new,” he said, and I lowered my eyes, but not before noticing the glint of amusement that sparked in his eyes.

I shrugged. “I couldn’t bring myself to do it. It felt wrong.” Ryder’s face rxed, a hint of a smile ying on his lips.

“Good,” he said.

I narrowed my eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Ryder’s smirk widened into a half-smile. “It means I get to take you out on a proper date.” I blinked, caught off guard.

“You said… you mean… a real date?” I stuttered, my gaze on him widening.

Ryder nodded. “Yes. We’ll do it like you want.” I couldn’t help but stay quiet.

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