Chapter 44

Just a few words, and immediately the anger and doubt in my chest disappeared.

“Not allowed. Aurora will be angry with us,” I said firmly, trying to maintain some semblance of control.

“You do not want to kiss me or hug me? I miss you, too," Ryder's voice softened, but his frustration was palpable. "All right, I'm going to sleep then, and I have no plans to wake up early tomorrow. Bye!"

Ryder was angry!

As I scrambled to come up with a plan to calm him down, he called, but I didn't notice until it was too late.

He called again.

"Why?" I asked, my heart racing with worry.

“Wait for me in your room,” Ryder said abruptly before ending the call.

I didn’t know whether to feel relieved or apprehensive at Ryder's words. Since returning to the North, I hadn’t dared to enter his room again. The memories of our last encounter there were too painful.

“Are you still there?”

I was startled by Ryder's voice coming through th