Chapter Three
Rylee
Rolling to my side, I snuggle in, debating whether I should get up. It’s Saturday, so I don’t have any plans. I didn’t accept any fights this weekend, not knowing if I would be done dispensing justice. I could stay in bed and read, my favorite pastime.
My bedroom is my haven. My bed is custom made.
Below the mattress, bookshelves wrap around the tall frame, and beneath the head of the bed is a small cubbyhole.
All I have to do is reach down and grab a book.
It wouldn’t matter which one because they are all my favorites.
I love reading paranormal. It’s interesting to see if the author describes shifters in any way close to our world.
Other times, I forget to compare and get lost in the story.
My room is decorated for my comfort. The bed is a queen, and covered in white, fluffy blankets.
The frame and the dresser are gray wood.
A large, cushioned chair sits in the corner, with more bookshelves beside it.
There is an attached bathroom and a large closet.
No one has been inside this room except my best friend, Haven.
I don’t invite men here. Haven’s mates and Heath are the only men who’ve been in my home.
It is my safe place, and I have tons of locks and security to keep it that way.
My stomach rumbles, and I groan. I suppose I should leave my cocoon.
Swinging my legs over the side, I sit up and yawn.
My hair falls on my face, so I sweep it back.
I ease to the floor and slide my feet into my slippers before going into the bathroom.
As I use the toilet, I rub my eyes. Regardless of the events of the past few days, my life is usually calm.
The most excitement I have is fighting in the ring, or going out with Allie or Sally.
They make sure there is always something to talk about.
Haven hasn’t been over since she mated, but we’ve talked on the phone regularly.
She is bonding with her mates. I can’t imagine the energy you need by having four mates.
I shudder and walk to the sink. She has her hands full, yet she’s happy about it.
Having a mate hasn’t been something I’ve thought much about.
I don’t know how I would react. The idea of a fated mate is interesting.
Someone who is yours alone, but I like my life.
My past is messy and filled with trauma.
When a female shifter meets her mate, she goes into heat, and her mate is the only one who can relieve it.
The universe wants you to populate the community.
I spent years not in control of what was happening with my body.
Having a mythical force dictate who I can love and be with makes me want to challenge it.
Rubbing my empty stomach, I leave the room and walk past my bed.
I unlock my bedroom door and move toward the kitchen.
Opening the fridge, I scan the contents.
Cooking is not something I am good at. I live on takeout and box meals.
I enjoy a good frozen meal, and my microwave gets a workout daily.
One good thing about having Haven’s mates here was that I got yummy meals.
Remy is a chef and runs a restaurant in town.
I’m a regular customer. I was spoiled for a couple of days, and now I’m back to scrounging shit together.
I grab a water and a taco I picked up the other night.
Unwrapping the cold shell, I put it on a paper plate and toss it in the microwave.
While it’s baking, I start making coffee.
It’s probably not great to have leftover fast food and coffee for breakfast, but I don’t care.
The timer goes off, and I take it out, sliding it across the counter.
My kitchen has a small island, and more often than not, I sit at it instead of the table beyond it.
I can’t wait for the whole pot of coffee to brew, so I hold my cup under it until there is enough to start, then put the pot back.
I sit on a stool, take a drink, and press the button on the counter to open the curtains.
A wall of windows is directly across from me.
The living room and kitchen are open. There is a sitting area, a desk, and shelves filled with books at the back of the space, farthest from the front door.
I spend hours sitting by my shelves, reading, or staring at the horizon.
I blow on the taco before taking a bite. Chewing slowly, I realize there should be a rule against eating soggy tacos in the morning. I smack my lips and frown when my phone rings. My expression clears, and I grin.
“Shouldn’t you be sleeping in? I would think your mates would have worn you out,” I say.
“I actually went to bed early,” Haven says.
“Sure,” I snort.
“I did wake up to two sexy jaguars beside me,” she hums.
“La, la, la….” I press my palm to my ear for dramatic effect.
“Goof,” she laughs. “What are you doing?”
“Eating a bad taco and drinking coffee.” I take another bite, then drop the remaining food and pick up my cup.
“Shit, Rylee. That sounds disgusting.”
“Actually, I loved it.” I grimace.
“You need to eat better,” she lectures.
“Says the woman with a personal chef. I remember when they had to force you to eat.” Haven is a painter, and when she gets immersed in her art, she loses track of time.
“So, what are you doing today?” she asks, and I allow her to change the subject.
“I thought about reading after a bath. Perhaps, reading in the tub,” I hum.
“So, a full day,” she snarks.
“Why? Are you climbing out of your mate's nest to greet the world?” Even though it was gross, I take another big bite, chasing it with coffee.
“Perhaps.” We both laugh. “Sally invited us out tonight.”
“Where?” I stand up to pour more coffee.
“Ryker and Bash’s club.”
“What’s the occasion?” I pour creamer into my cup.
“A friend of her mates are in town. She hasn’t met him yet, and wanted to welcome him.”
“More like, put him in the middle of chaos.” I return to my seat.
“Is that a no?”
“Of course not. I love the club and the chaos.” I lean back and cross my legs.
“Have you talked to Allie?”
“Not for a couple of days.”
“Sally said the newcomer is her friend, and I wondered how they were connected,” she says.
“Have no idea. I’ve been busy,” I mumble.
“Doing what?”
“Torturing someone.”
She laughs, and I don’t respond.
“Fuck, you aren’t kidding,” she gasps. Haven knows about my past. I didn’t give her all the details, but she knows enough.
“It was him,” I whisper. I was a teenager, and our teacher made us participate in a pen pal program. Haven was the name I got. We started slowly, but soon became true friends. We helped each other through our crappy childhoods and reconnected as adults.
“Rylee,” she says softly.
“I did it. He’s gone.”
“Good. Fucking. Riddance,” she growls.
“It was therapeutic," I say.
“I bet,” she mumbles. “Did he cry?”
“Yes.”
“That probably felt good.”
“Once his voice leaves my head, it will.”
“Do you need to talk it through?”
“No. I think I worked everything out.”
“I’m always here for you. I know I’ve been wrapped up in my mates, but I would drop everything to be there. Even if you need help burying the body,” she says.
“I know, but Heath took care of that.” I stand up and wander toward the window, my cup in my hand. “I thought I was doing it on the sly, but apparently, he had someone stalking me. He showed up and finished the job.”
“Who is stalking you?”
“Kade and Cash. They meant well, and I’m kind of glad now.” I lean against the glass. “I want to forget about it. It’s finally over. All of them are dead. They can’t hurt me or anyone else.”
“I’m proud of you. That took guts.”
“Thanks. I almost puked out my guts when I tried to cut off his cock.”
“Oh, shit. I don’t blame you. You made me picture it,” she groans.
“Imagine being there,” I point out.
“Stop. Please.”
“Alright, alright.” I take a drink. “What time is the party?”
“We are meeting at seven. Sally should be sending out a group text soon.”
“What are you doing until then?” I ask.
“Hmm…”
“Don’t say it,” I snap.
“You’ve seen my mates.”
“Yes, and they are like brothers. I don’t want to think about it.”
“Fine. I’m going to eat breakfast,” she sings.
“No fair,” I whine, and I hang up as she laughs. Sliding my phone in my pajama pants, I take a sip and stare out the window.
I didn’t meet Haven in person until recently.
We had talked about everything, yet I didn’t reveal that I was a shifter until she was driving to see me.
She took it rather well, and it’s a good thing she did.
Once she arrived, we went to my fight, where she met Hunter, Remy, Bane, and Lawson.
I was annoyed at first, but only because I was looking forward to having her all to myself.
It didn’t take long for me to get the stick out of my ass and be happy for her.
I’ve known Hunter and Bane for years. They work for Heath, and I was thrilled when they found their brothers, Lawson and Remy.
They are jaguars and good men. There hasn’t been anyone in my life who was just mine.
Haven was human before she met them. No one here knew her, and I was looking forward to spending quality time with her.
I couldn’t help being a little sad. Many of the shifters here have a mate or multiple mates, so although they have accepted me into the fold, and we have many gatherings, no one here is just mine.
I suppose that is one reason having a mate is somewhat appealing.
Pushing away everything else that being mated comes with, they would be dedicated to me and only me.
There is no use thinking about it. I doubt anyone could handle me and my past.
After spending some quality time in the bathroom because of the taco incident of twenty-twenty-six, I soaked in the tub for an hour. I had to refill the water three times. I was lost in a book, and the heat felt good on my skin. I de-pruned and began the process of getting ready to go out.