A sharp growl bursts from my throat. "Don''t you darepare me to that b*tch!"


    Ryker''s voice is calm but firm. “Then stop acting like her. You had every reason to keep your distance from men for a long time. But Finn isn''t like those others. He senses when something''s wrong. He''s not the jerk I ripped off you ten years ago. He wouldn''t even touch you without your say-so. And now that I have Ken, I understand how difficult it is to control those urges. Finn''s practically a saint."


    I shake my head, frustration bubbling up. "Saint or not, he won''t want me once he realizes I can''t give him this." I gesture vaguely around the room.


    Ryker''s brow furrows. "Give him what, exactly? You keep tossing that phrase around, but it means nothing without context."


    "Children, Ryker," I choke out, my voice cracking. "A family. I can''t give him that." A sob fights its way up, but I swallow it hard, wiping away the single tear that escapes, determined to avoid his pity.


    "He told me about the nightmare you had in the cave," Ryker says softly. "He knows someone hurt you. He even asked what he could do to help. He''s aware of more than you think, and he''s still here, trying. How do you know you can''t have a family?"


    I take a shaky breath, the weight of my scars pressing down on me. "The healer you brought me to when I first arrived at Dark Moon said there''s too much scar tissue for me to carry a pup. Those bastards did too much damage. I can''t recover from it." I exhale slowly, feeling the sting of hopelessness. Only Ryker has ever seen me this vulnerable. He found me broken and helped me grow stronger. I nce toward my mate, peacefully sleeping on the bed, two kids quietly vying for his attention, their little faces glowing with affection.


    "Look at him," I whisper. "He deserves to have a pup of his own."


    Ryker''s eyes soften. "Have you even asked him if it matters? He''s been through his own hell. Maybe that''s not even on his list of priorities."


    "But it will be, someday," I argue quietly. "And I don''t want him to resent me for not being able to give him that..." Before I can finish, Ryker''s hand gently covers my mouth.


    "If he doesn''t resent you for everything else you''ve been through, I doubt this will ever be the breaking point. Kennedy forgave me after I finally got my act together- thanks to you and my mom.” A small smile tugs at Ryker''s lips as he remembers. "Besides, the whole family thing may not even be an issue."


    I tilt my head, curious. "What do you mean?"


    “I think Trinity might have imprinted on him," Ryker says quietly.


    I blink in surprise, turning to face him fully. "What?"


    "Her reaction is different from the other three," he exins. "Seth told me she didn''t talk to anyone until Finn came around, and since then she hasn''t been out of his reach."


    I interrupt, "But she let me shower her."


    "That''s because she senses you''re his mate. You''re an extension of him. I don''t think her parents survived, and she''s too young to be alone. Her instincts chose Finn-and apparently you to be her protectors, her guardians."


    “Oh, Goddess,” I murmur, feeling a wave ofpassion for the little girl.


    Ryker nods. "I need to look into it more, but I''m pretty sure I''m right. So... go be with your family. Give him a chance. You might be stuck with him for the next fourteen years.” With that, he gently pushes me into the room, closing the door behind me and leaving me alone in the quiet darkness.


    ***


    After several uneven breaths, I finally give in and climb into the bed beside Gabriel. At least they left me some nkets. I curl onto my side, sliding my hand beneath the pillow to support my head, only to be startled by a sudden warmth as Finn intertwines our fingers. A fresh sob threatens to spill out, but he squeezes my hand softly, a silent reassurance that he''s here. He heard me. And maybe, just maybe, he understands.