My Ex Left Me Years Ago Then I’m Married to a Billionaire novel Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Adrian’s POV

The urgent knocking came again, more insistent this time. Skye started to rise from her chair, but I placed my hand gently on her shoulder,

Let me, I said quietly, my instincts on high alert.

She nodded, sinking back into her seat as I moved toward the door. As I approached, my heightened senses detected a familiar scent.

When I pulled the door open, Ryder stood on the threshold, his hand raised to knock again. His thick, unruly brown curls were slightly damp, as if he’d just showered, and his boyish face was animated with that perpetual energy that seemed to radiate from him.

Upon seeing me, his eyes widened in surprise, his usual carefree demeanor momentarily giving way to hesitation.

Alpha Adrian?” he stammered, clearly thrown off balance. “You’re… here?”

Before I could respond, Skye appeared at my side, moving to stand next to me in the doorway.

“Ryder,” she greeted him with genuine warmth. “This is a surprise. Is everything alright?”

The uncertainty in his expression quickly gave way to his usual carefree grin, though I noted the slight tension that remained in his shoulders.

“Everything’s fine,” he assured her, reaching into his jacket pocket. “I just wanted to bring you this.”

He pulled out a small glass vial filled with amber liquid–identical to the one I’d given Skye earlier. My jaw tightened involuntarily.

“It’s for your muscles,” Ryder explained, extending the vial toward her. “After all those push–ups today, I figured you’d be hurting.

“That’s so thoughtful,” Skye exclaimed, accepting his gift with a smile that made something twist uncomfortably in my

She glanced at the vial in her hand, then back at him. “Have you eaten dinner yet?”

“Not yet,” he admitted, his eyes brightening with obvious hope.

‘Well, you’ve arrived just in time then,” she said, stepping back to welcome him in. “Adrian and I made plenty. Join us?”

And just like that, our intimate dinner for two became an awkward party of three.

chest. “Thank you, Ryder.”

I forced a neutral expression as Ryder settled into the chair beside Skye’s, his movements entirely too comfortable for my liking.

Their easy rapport grated on my nerves. How had they become so comfortable with each other in just a few weeks? I’d known Ryder for

years, had watched him grow from a gangly adolescent into a capable young adult, yet I’d never seen this side of him–this earnest eagerness to please, this focused attention.

*Remember that weekend we went hiking to the canyon?” Ryder asked Skye, reaching casually to refill her water glass before she even requested it. “You said you’d never seen the desert stars properly. We should go camping sometime–the night sky out there is unbelievable.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Skye agreed, turning to include me in the conversation. “Adrian, have you been to the canyon Ryder’s talking about?”

Her attempt at drawing me in only highlighted my exclusion. I nodded curtly, swallowing the bitter taste of jealousy that had nothing to do with the food.

‘I surveyed the entire territory before establishing Oasisborn,” I replied, my voice carrying more edge than I intended. “I’m familiar with all the landmarks within our borders.”

The conversation continued through dessert, with Ryder praising the apple tart profusely once he learned I had made it. His compliments se which somehow annoyed me even more. When the meal finally ended, I expected him to take his leave, but to my growing frustration, he b

the dishes instead.

+ genuine,

“Let me help with cleanup,” he insisted, already carrying plates to the sink. “It’s the least I can do after crashing your dinner.”

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Chapter 46

I caught the flash of surprise in Skye’s eyes–pleasant surprise at his thoughtfulness. Something cold and primal stirred in my chest

Your shoulders must be killing you after today, Ryder commented to Skye as he rinsed the plates. Want me to massage them? My mom taught me all the pressure points for muscle recovery.”

Before I could intervene, Skye shook her head. “Thanks, but I’m okay. I’ve got the oil you brought. I should be fine by morning?

Ryder’s smile faltered briefly before returning, less carefree and more defiant. “And if I

am?

“Since when did you become so traditional?” Ryder challenged, his casual demeanor giving way to something more serious. “I thought the whole point of leaving Stormhowl was to escape all those rigid pack rules. If I don’t have a mate and she doesn’t have a mate, why shouldn’t I pursue her?” He crossed his arms. “Marcus is pursuing Venus, and you haven’t objected to that.”

His comparison stung. “Creating a new pack doesn’t mean abandoning every principle from our past,” I countered, struggling to maintain my Alpha composure. “Some traditions exist for good reason.”

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