The first thing Ryker became aware of was warmth. His mate. Even before he opened his eyes, he could feel Julia beside him. Her scent surrounded him, calming both him and his wolf. The newly formed mate bond hummed softly between them, still fragile but unmistakably there.
His wolf stretched happily inside their shared mind.
"Morning. Mate is beside us."
Ryker smiled.
"I know."
"Open your eyes."
Ryker slowly did. The first thing he saw was Julia. She was already awake. Not only awake... She was staring directly at him. Very intensely. Ryker's smile immediately disappeared.
His wolf looked at Julia, then asked Ryker.
"...Why is she looking at us like that?"
"I think..."
Ryker swallowed.
"...we're in trouble."
Without thinking, he looked away. His wolf immediately burst into laug
