*Landon’s POV*

"I'm guessing Ronnie is the girl that was with you," I say as we walk. Ryland's plump lips stretch into a smile, and my heart flutters.

"That would be a correct guess," Ryland tells me. "Her name is Veronica, but we've called her Ronnie since we were kids."

"You guys have been friends for a long time then?"

Ryland nods. "Yup. Ronnie has been one of my best friends for about twenty years now."

"That's a long time." My eyebrows raise in surprise. I can't imagine being friends with someone for so long. Lucca is probably my oldest friend at this point, and I've only known the guy for three years. "How old are you exactly."

"Twenty-four. You?"

"Twenty-five."

"That's a relief," Ryland grins, and I look at him quizzically. "I may or may not have been slightly freaking out about you being much older than me. It's nice to know my mate is the same age as me."

My mate.

The words still send a chill up my spine, but whether it's in a thrilling or terrified manner, I'm not sure. All I know is the sooner we get to an elder and figure this thing out, the better.

We catch up to Ronnie and Kai, with Kai sitting in the backseat shouting something and Ronnie outside leaning against the car door. She stares at me but doesn't say anything, just tosses the keys to Ryland and climbs into the backseat with Kai.

Ryland rounds the car to the passenger side and opens the door before pausing and looking up at me awkwardly. It takes me a second to realize what he's doing, and I have a suppress a grin.

He's holding the door open for me.

I don't tease him for it though. He seems uncomfortable enough that he did it in the first place, so I just offer him a small smile and climb into the passenger seat.

"Finally!" Kai exclaims once we're all in the car. "Does anyone want to explain what's going on?"

"Uh...." Ryland looks through the rear view mirror at his brother. "This is Landon. He's.... my mate?"

It comes out like a question, but honestly I think that's completely warranted. Until we have a better idea of how this... mix-up happened, that is.

Kai's eyes bulge out of their sockets. "Your what!" He shrieks, making Ryland wince and Ronnie swat his arm.

"Kai!" Ryland scolds. Kai shrinks back in his seat sheepishly, and Ryland sighs. "We don't know either. We're going to go see Joan and figure out what's going on. We'll stop by the house first to change and drop you off. Ronnie, are you okay with staying with Kai for a bit?"

"Sure," Ronnie replies, and Kai's jaw drops.

"I'm not a child!"

"Kai, can you just—" Ryland stops himself to take a deep breath, obviously getting frustrated. "Please. Landon and I need to figure some stuff out and it'll make me feel better to know you're not home alone. Please, Kai?"

I understand his concern. I sensed it when Kai tackled me that he's an omega, and an unmarked one at that. If he was my brother, I would be just as worried about him being home alone.

Kai grumbles and crosses his arm but doesn't argue any further. Ryland's shoulders slump as his exhaustion rolls off of him, which makes me flinch. It's been a long time since I've been able to sense the emotions of a mate and it's... well frankly, it's pretty fucking weird.

"By the way," I start, causing all eyes to focus on me. "What pack are you with, anyway?"

"Oh! We're with the Crescent Sun Pack," Ryland answers. "I figured you knew since only two packs were invited to the coronation."

The coronation... Crescent Sun...

"Wait, you're from Roselyn's pack?" I ask.

"You know Lyn?" Ronnie leans forward and I slightly jump. It's the first time she's spoken to me directly.

I nod my head slowly and Ryland smiles widely.

"That's great! She'll be surprised to hear about all this, but I'm happy you already know each other. She's like a sister to me."

I fall silent, staring ahead at the road. The fact that Roselyn and Ryland are close causes a rock to settle in my stomach. Not only is he friends with the girl who took my place as Luna, but Roselyn also knows about what happened with Easton. She could tell Ryland... she could tell him about how my mate died, and how everyone blames me.

And then he'll turn his back on me.

Another person to leave me behind.

Another person to hate me and make me feel even more alone than I already am.

I think I'm gonna be sick.