Chapter 110 Breaking Point
Ryder POV
I stand outside our bedroom door for ten minutes after Jolie asks for space.
Every instinct screams at me to break down the door, to hold her until she understands that nothing happened. That Seraphina means nothing. That Jolie is everything.
But I forced her into enough situations already. I made enough decisions for her because I thought I knew best.
So I walk away, even though it feels like tearing out my own heart.
Cass finds me in the garage, methodically cleaning weapons that are already spotless.
"Heard there was some drama." He leans against the workbench. "Want to talk about it?"
"Jolie walked in on me and Seraphina talking." I inspect a blade I've already checked three times. "She thinks something's going on."
"Is there?" Cass's voice is carefully neutral.
"No." I set down the knife harder than necessary. "We were discussing the wedding, security concerns. That's all."
"Then why do you look like someone kicked your dog?" Cass crosses his arms. "And why is Jolie locked in your bedroom instead of here with you?"
"Because Seraphina had her hand on my chest. Because we were standing too close. Because when Jolie saw us, we both pulled apart like we'd been caught doing something wrong."
"Had you?" Cass asks bluntly.
"No." I meet his eyes. "But I should have maintained better boundaries. Should have stepped back the second Seraphina got that close. Instead, I let the conversation continue because part of me wanted to hear what she had to say."
"About what?" Cass picks up the knife I abandoned, examining it.
"About Jolie walking into danger." I run a hand through my hair. "About me being too soft now. Too afraid of being controlling to actually protect my mate."
"And you think she might be right." Cass says it like a statement, not a question.
"I don't know what I think anymore." I grab another weapon. "Jolie's planning to walk into an obvious trap in a few days. I've run every scenario, and they all end badly. But she's convinced it's the right political move, and I'm letting her do it because I'm trying to respect her choices."
"That's called being a good mate." Cass points out.
"Is it?" I look at him. "Or is it being a coward? The old me would have thrown her over my shoulder and locked her in the compound until the threat passed. Would have dealt with the political fallout later."
"The old you was an asshole." Cass sets down the knife. "The old you didn’t understand what it means to love someone enough to let them make their own mistakes."
"What if this mistake gets her killed?" The fear I've been suppressing comes out raw. "What if I'm so busy trying to be supportive that I miss something crucial? That I let her walk into danger I should have prevented?"
"Then you trust that she's as strong as you know she is." Cass's voice is firm. "Ryder, Jolie isn't some weak wolf who needs constant protection. She's the Moonfire Luna who broke seven Council Elders, definitely she can handle herself."
"Not if they have weapons specifically designed to counter her powers." I voice my deepest fear. "Cass, what if Celeste is immune to empathy? What if that's the whole point? They create an emotionless operative, put her in position, and when Jolie tries to defend herself, her main gift doesn't work."
"Then Jolie adapts." Cass sounds more confident than I feel. "She's not just empathy, Ryder. She has moonfire, divine judgment, the ability to enhance other wolves. And she has you and the entire Iron Fangs pack at her back."
I want to believe him. But all I can see is Aria's face. The woman I loved before Jolie, murdered because I couldn't protect her.
"I can't lose her." The words come out broken. "I can't go through that again."
"So you're going to push her away first?" Cass asks quietly. "Keep her at arm's length so it hurts less when something happens?"
"No." But even as I say it, I wonder if that's exactly what I'm doing. "I'm trying to give her space. She asked for it."
"She asked for space to process what she saw." Cass corrects. "Not space to feel abandoned while you spiral into worst-case scenarios out here."
He's right, I know he's right.
But the image of Jolie's face when she saw me with Seraphina keeps replaying. The hurt, the betrayal.
"I don't know how to fix this." I say my voice wavering slightly. "Every time I try to protect her, I end up hurting her. Every time I give her freedom, I worry I'm letting her walk into danger. I can't find the balance."
"Because there isn't one." Cass moves closer. "That's what love is, Ryder. Constant fear mixed with trust, wanting to keep someone safe while respecting their right to make their own choices. It's messy and terrifying and there's no perfect answer."
"Helpful." I mutter.
"I'm not here to be helpful." Cass grins slightly. "I'm here to tell you to get your head out of your ass and go talk to your mate. Before Seraphina finds another opportunity to drive a wedge between you."
"Jolie asked for space." I repeat.
"And she's had an hour of it." Cass checks his watch. "Now she needs her mate to show up and fight for their relationship. So stop hiding in the garage and go be the alpha she fell in love with."
He's right. Giving Jolie space is important, but abandoning her to process alone is cowardice.
I head back toward the house, determination building with each step.
But when I round the corner to our hallway, I see something that stops me cold.