Chapter 7 The next morning , I woke up in a strange room , curled up in bed beside a man I still wasn't entirely familiar with . I thought I'd toss and turn all night . But to my surprise , I'd slept like a rock . Still half - asleep , I buried my face into what I thought was my pillow and nuzzled closer . ? " Something felt off . The texture under my cheek wasn't fabric - it was warm , solid muscle . Reality slammed back into me . I froze , then slowly peeled my arm away and dared to glance upward . And met a pair of calm, deep eyes , already wide awake , gazing at me with a faint smile . My cheeks flushed crimson . " S - Sorry , " I stammered , sitting bolt upright . " I ... I didn't mean to - I move a lot in my sleep . " Richard reached up and tousled my hair with his usual gentleness . " No need to apologize , Rae . We're bonded . " After washing up , he looked over at me and said , " Come on . Let me show you our den . " I didn't think much of it and followed . To my utter shock , the newly prepared marital den was located right next to my parents ' lodge within the Silverclaw territory . I lit up with excitement , practically sprinting from room to room on the ground floor . I wanted to see everything . Richard stood at the edge of the den , arms crossed , watching me with quiet amusement . I had thought it would take me a long time to let go of Logan . But the truth was , the love had worn down little by little , and once I finally released it , what remained was mostly relief . One week after the bonding ceremony , Logan still hadn't reached out A small part of me was disappointed - so this is what he'd rather do , then . Devote himself entirely to protecting Emma , his precious childhood sweetheart . If I hadn't bonded with Richard , that week would've been hell . The way rumors would've torn me apart in our pack ? I don't even want to imagine it . But it didn't matter anymore . Logan , I won't wait for you any longer . When I saw Richard walking toward me , that hint of disappointment faded . I smiled , finally feeling free . This is my life now , and I have someone worth treasuring . Richard had been surprisingly good to me . Far better than I expected . Honestly , in my original plan , I'd only chosen him because he was neutral . He had no mate , and according to pack gossip , no one special in his heart . I thought it would be a convenient political match - nothing more . But his kindness his consideration it almost made me believe he cared about me . Genuinely 1/3 Chapter 7 No wonder my parents seemed so calm when I bonded with Richard . They'd seen this coming . The conversation was spiraling fast , and my mom's temper was flaring I panicked . Desperate to stop the incoming storm , I pointed toward the door and blurted , " Richard ! " Just as I hoped , she paused . I darted out of the room . The lodge was quiet - too quiet . I slipped outside and found Richard and my dad sipping tea under the pavilion . Without a word , I grabbed Richard's arm and pulled . He raised an eyebrow but stood without resistance . My dad gave a knowing wave , and Richard let me lead him away . " You okay ? " he asked softly . " You seem a little ... off . " I shook my head . I didn't know how to explain it . He wrapped his arm around me and held me close . Just then , an angry voice shattered the peace . " What do you think you're doing ?! "