Ryker continues to peer into the shadows of my hooded face, his expression incredulous. 'Do you take me for some kind of fool, Astrid?' he questions, his eyes narrowing.
'No, I don't think that. Please, I just want to go home. Please let me go,' I plead.
Ryker moves back, but only a few inches. 'If you are not my mate, then I will let you go,' he says.
Summoning every ounce of courage I can muster, I speak with a hint of defiance, 'I can assure you; I would never want to be anywhere near an arrogant, vain, obnoxious human being like you. So there, have I convinced you that I am not your mate? Now move and let me go!' I shout.
Ryker's jaw clenches, his fists ball into fists, and his eyes narrow further with anger. 'How dare you refer to me as a human!' he growls animalistically.
Realizing that he has no intention of moving out of my way, I slide down against the wall, hug my knees tightly, and allow my tears to flow freely. 'I don't know what to tell you. I don't even know what being a mate means,' I confess through my tears.
Ryker steps back and pauses, staring at me in disbelief, his expression a mix of anger and confusion.
Heavy footsteps draw near, and I glimpse Jim approaching with concern and anger. 'Alph... I mean Ryker! What's the meaning of this?' Jim shouts at Ryker, who wordlessly steps aside. Jim crouches down to face me, his expression filled with worry. 'Astrid! Are you okay?' he asks, but I'm frozen with fear, unable to respond. Jim's gaze shifts to the newly damaged wall. 'And why is there a hole in my wall?' he demands, shooting a furious glance over his shoulder at Ryker.
Tears stream down my cheeks, catching Jim's attention. He attempts to help me stand, placing his hands on either side of my ribs to lift me, but a cry of pain escapes my lips as he presses on my broken ribs. 'Astrid, are you hurt? Your ribs? Please tell me they aren't broken,' Jim pleads, worry evident in his voice.
Ryker's face softens with genuine concern, and he takes a tentative step toward me. I flinch and instinctively move behind Jim, clutching his shirt tightly. 'Stay away from me!' I scream at Ryker.
Ryker recoils, stepping further back. He looks away, his cheeks tensing with irritation and an unexpected hint of sadness at my rejection. He seems lost in thought for a moment, his gaze returning to me. Just as he's about to speak, Jim intervenes, his voice full of anger. 'Ryker! What did you do to her? Astrid is just a young, innocent girl! Please, tell me you didn't break her ribs?'
Ryker glares at Jim, insulted by the accusation. 'No, I didn't even touch her. I didn't want her to leave, and I wanted to see how strong her wolf was, being a rogue. So, I punched the wall, expecting her to follow her primal instincts and retaliate, to fight me off. Instead, she became upset. I told her I'd let her go if she wasn't my mate, but then she said I was an arrogant, vain, and an obnoxious human being. I was angry at the insult, so I growled, and then she became even more upset,' Ryker explains.
Jim shakes his head at Ryker, gently touching my arm to reassure me. 'Well, she got most of that right,' Jim retorts. 'Because you are being very arrogant, vain, obnoxious, and—'
Ryker cuts in, raising his hands in surrender. 'Okay, okay, Jim. Point taken! I'm an asshole! Got it, thank you! But Astrid is acting like she doesn't know what a mate is, and she doesn't even seem to realize that she's a rogue,' Ryker argues.
Jim sighs deeply, his hand sliding down his face. 'That's because she doesn't know,' he tells Ryker.
Ryker gazes at Jim in bewilderment and then looks back at me, but I'm equally perplexed. Summoning courage, I release my grip on Jim's arm and stand beside him. 'Look, I don't know what game you're both playing, but I don't want to do this anymore. Just let me go home, and neither of you will have to worry about seeing me again,’ I tell them, my voice filled with desperation to escape from here.
Jim turns and gently grasps my arms. 'Astrid, please, I'm so sorry about Ryker. Please don't leave your job here at the diner. You know you're safer here than at home,' he pleads with a concerned expression.
Ryker takes a step closer, curiosity evident in his voice. 'What do you mean by that?' He inquires, directing the question at Jim.
I point my finger directly at Ryker, my frustration obvious. 'Mind your own business, Ryker!' I snap at him.
He meets my words with a hurt expression, then turns his head away, stubbornly crossing his arms.
Turning back to Jim, my voice trembling, I continue, 'I was safer here until Ryker showed up, making an enemy of himself. So, thank you for being so kind to me, Jim, and employing me all this time, but I can no longer work here,' I tell him as tears stream down my cheeks. I lean up and kiss his cheek, a gesture of gratitude that earns a low growl of jealousy from Ryker.
Tears well up in Jim's eyes, and he shakes his head, pleading, 'Don't leave, please.'
'I have to, I'm sorry,' I reply, firm in my decision. I then turn to face Ryker, stepping as close as I dare. 'And you!' I address him with anger in my voice. 'I feel sorry for the one you seek and refer to as your mate! To be with someone like you would be a curse,' I state matter-of-factly.
Ryker's jaw drops, and his eyes subtly glisten. He looks deeply hurt and annoyed at my words and can no longer bring himself to meet my gaze.
As I storm off to leave, I suddenly feel a warm tingle on my wrist. I gasp from the sensation and turn to see Ryker gently holding my wrist. His free hand pulls my hood down as quick as a blink. Our eyes instantly connect and widen with shock.