Rylan's Heart by Serena Simpson Page B

with her gift of a jacket. It was just a damn jacket. Still it caused some part of his heart to warm by a few degrees.
    Let’s not forget her smile. His inner voice chimed in making things worse. He couldn’t forget her smile, that was the problem. The sun and the moon came together in her smile making it all he could see no matter what time it was. Then add those generous mouthwatering curves. It had truly surprised him that a woman like her was still single.
    Some men were idiots, but he sent a silent thank you to all of them. Now she was free and had no idea who he was, and she was lost.
    “Some tracker you are. I thought Arbrin could sense their mates.”
    “We can.”
    “Then why are we still outside a building we know she is not in?”
    Why indeed? In order to sense her, he would have to let his defenses down. Not just let them down, rearrange them. He would never be able to harden his heart again if she truly touched it. Then it would mean opening his mind to her. She would see what had been done to him.
    He would disgust her. Who would want a male who had been tortured? Xolon, the Sudir that took him captive as a child had beat him, starved him, and drained him of energy. He also used him. How could she want that?
    “We have to find her another way.” He wouldn’t tie her to him with his past. There was no way he could keep her or Mckayla, if he did that.
    “Whatever you say. I just hope she is in one piece when we find her.”
    “What do you mean?” Rylan moved faster than ever and pinned Voyager to the wall.
    Voyager just smiled at him. “I heard she was being hunted. Do not worry though, I am sure they will leave enough to identify her.”
    He dropped Voyager. His heart ached as he called her name. Every traumatic experience he suffered at the hands of Xolon flashed through his mind, clawing him deep. Aviana. He couldn’t have them both.
    He looked Voyager deep in the eyes defiantly. Let the male see who he was. Straightening, he dropped his shield and fully took in the world around him for the first time. The pungent scents of the city assailed him making him want to raise his shield. Blowing all the air out of his lungs, he deeply brought it back in, tasting it for information.
    The wisp of a connection he shared with her fluttered over his senses. The one he denied even as he pursued her. He pulled it to him, whispering softly on the wind that he was coming.
    “She’s this way.” He turned around and began walking, not caring if Voyager came with him or not.
    “Was that so hard?” Voyager asked him with and uplifted brow.
    “Why is this happening?”
    “This is the soul-bonding trials. Did you stumble upon it by mistake?”
    “Of course not. I know what it is, but I don’t understand why it is unfolding like this.”
    “The trial gives you want you need not what you want.”
    Rylan gave Voyager a scathing look. This trial was exposing his weakness. He wanted to stay strong, aloof, that was the best way to protect Aviana.
    There was a small caress against his mind causing him to stumble. Aviana was reaching out looking for help and she found him—her mate. Her touch was soft and sensuous. It teased him, bringing back thoughts of her lying under him in her room. His body hardened as his steps quickened, he wanted her. Not just physically, he wanted to be one with her, see her thoughts, and know her heart as she would know his.
    They turned the corner into gang territory. She was here somewhere, he could taste her on the wind, but where? There were several warehouses but they were empty. He checked dumpsters afraid he’s find her broken body in one of them. The whole time Voyager stared at him.
    “What are you staring at, you freak of nature?” He finally lost it. No more Mr. nice guy; he wanted his female back. Every person between him and her needed to start praying.
    “Freak of nature? I think you are the first person to come close to what I am. Arbrin, what is your Matra telling