•Mara's POV•

My eyes slowly crack open as some commotion from outside wakes me.

I sit up on my elbow and wipe my eye, trying to feel more awake. Getting out of bed, I walk to the blinds and open them, waiting fro the bursting sunshine to break though.

But it doesn't, instead the luminous moonlight makes my room feel gloomy.

I walk to the digital clock by my bed and see the time is three o'clock in the morning, it's also then that I see the letter that I'm sure wasn't there before.

Sitting back on my bed, I turn my lamp and grab the letter. When I see it's addressed to me, I rip open the back.

'Who could that be from?' Snow asks.

'I'm not sure.' I reply.

I pull out the letter inside and hold it, still folded, in my hand.

'What are you waiting for?' Snow asks.

'What if it's something bad?' I reply.

'What if it's something good?" She asks back.

'I just have a bad feeling.' I say.

'You'll never know unless you read it. Come on, the suspense is killing me.' She whines.

I let out a breath and read it quietly to myself.

"Dear Samara,

Seeing you these last few weeks has been something I only dreamed of, and something your mother dreamed of too. I always thought that the night we dropped you off at that doorstep, it would be out last meeting.

Even though I feel I have failed you as a father, someone daughters look up to their whole lives, I still know you have lived the life your mother and I wanted.

I know you have so many questions, and they are just things I still cannot answer, but I just hope that what I have given you is enough for now.

Yesterday, I made a promise to you that I am regretful to say I just can't keep. I can't just barge into your life now, you're still so young in this world, and I think you need to keep living it like you are.

I'm so happy that you have someone like Ryder, he is a strong man who loves you very much and I know will keep you safe.

Of course, this is not goodbye forever. I know one day will will meet again, and on that day, when you are older, I will explain anything and everything you wish to know. That is a true promise.

There is one more piece of information I want to give you, and that your mother especially wanted to give you, is that the tiger shifter gene is passed down every female.

Mara, I'm am very proud of you. You have grown to be a strong, confident young lady and I give you my best for future years, even though I will not be the one walking you down the aisle, I know that your true father will be.

My love always,

George."

I gentle tear falls from my eye as I trace my finger over his name.

Suddenly the door opens and Ryan sticks his head in.

I quickly wipe the tear away and smile, "Hey."

"Hey," He replies, "I saw the light on."

I nod and pat the bed space next to me. He comes over and sits beside me, his eyes trained on the letter in my hands.

"You got one too?" He asks.

I swallow the lump in my throat and nod.

"Are you okay?" He asks, putting a hand on my shoulder.

I take a breath and put the letter back onto the side table, "Yeah. I just don't know what I feel more disappointed in, the fact that he can't tell me face to face, or that he broke our promise."

Ryan nods, "I know. I even saw him as he was leaving."

"You did?" I ask, looking at him.

He nods, "I let him go though. In a way, I think it really is for the best."

"Why?" I question.

"Because, like he said in my letter, I am about to start a new life here, he doesn't want to be in the way."

"He said something similar in mine too." I reply.

"At least we have each other, things would be a lot more complicated if we didn't know each other." He says.

I nod and rest my head on his shoulder, "I'm just glad it's you, I'm glad we're brother and sister."

He wraps his arm around my waist in a comforting manner, "Me too."

"Where's Ryder?" I ask.

"On patrol, I need to go soon and take over." He replies.

I lift my head, "You're part of the pack now?"

He smiles and nods, "Yep."

I smile and hug him, "That's great Ryan."

"Thanks." He replies, "Well, better go. You'll be alright?"

I nod, "Yep, you go."

He smiles again and gets up, heading towards the door.

He stops before he leaves and looks back at me, "I'm sure he'll keep his word this time, I'm sure he'll come back."

I nod, "Me too."

Ryan closes the door and the room is filled with a suddenly silence. I grab the letter again and read it once more before falling back to sleep.

••••*••••

"Mara. Mara wake up." I voice whispers in my ear.

I groan and swipe them away.

"Mara, wake up or I'll wake you up." They continue.

"No." I mumble into my pillow.

The person sighs and then seems to disappear.

I snuggle deeper into the mattress and am about to fall back to sleep when something slick and freezing cold slips down my back.

I jump up and shake my top, causing the large ice brick to slip out. Turning to the laughing culprit, I point my finger at him.

"Ryder! You're going to pay for that." I sneer.

"It got you up didn't it?" He asks smirking, leaning against the wall.

I curl my lips in anger and charge at him, a flash of surprise crosses his face and his bolts out the door. Instead of following him like I'm sure he's expecting, I stop and grab some clothes before going into the bathroom and hopping into the shower.

When I get out, I see Ryder on my bed, eying my letter.

As I run my damp hair through the towel I walk over and hold it out to him, "You can read it if you want."

He looks at me, "Are you sure?"

I nod, "You're my mate, you should know what he wrote."

He takes it and starts reading, I walk over to the vanity and start putting on my makeup.

"I wonder if he's going to keep this promise this time." Ryder says.

I start putting my hair into a long braid down my back, "I think he will."

"And, what about that tiger gene thing?" He asks.

I smile and look at him, "What about it?"

He shrugs, "It's cool."

I shake my head and finish my braid.

"What's the plan for today?" I ask, standing up.

Ryder purses his lips and look up, like he's thinking, "Well, I think your parents said something about wanting to see you."

I nod, "Well then, lets go." I say and pull him up.

We exit the house, not seeing anyone on the way, and I hop on the back of Ryder's motorbike.

It only takes about five minutes before we get to my house.

"I never get enough time on that bike, one day you're going to have to take me somewhere a long way away." I say, grabbing his hand as we walk up the driveway.

He just smiles at me.

I frown at the car in the driveway, not knowing whose it is.

We walk through the front door, seeing it's unlocked, and greet mum and dad in the kitchen.

"Hey guys." I wave as we enter.

"Good morning darling." Dad says, kissing the top of my head.

"Hi sweetheart." Mum says, enveloping me in a hug.

"Let's not saying anything about yesterdays incident." I say to Ryder.

"Sure." He replies.

"So, what's up?" I ask.

"Well," Mum begins, "We talked ages ago about you getting your own car, and-" But she didn't need to finish.

"That's my car?" I ask.

Mum and dad smile and nod, "Sure is." Dad replies.

I jump up and pull Ryder outside with me, he laughs and leans against the passenger side.

Dad comes and talks to me, but I lose track of what he's saying as I look at Ryder, in all his glory, leaning against my new white Mazda 6, and looking hotter than ever.

Dad dangles the keys in front of me and that's when I break out of my trance, "Got it?" He asks.

I nod and clear my throat, "Got it."

He rolls his eyes, "I write them down and give them to you later, I knew you weren't listening."

I smile, "And that's why you're my dad."

He smiles back and hugs me, "Stay safe."

I nod and motion to Ryder, "Let's go for a drive."

He smirks and get in the car, I feel even more happier when I see it's an automatic.

"I'm totally safe right now, right?" Ryder asks.

I scoff, "Of course you are." Before racing down the street.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Hello!

Well I hope you have all been having good lives since I haven't updated in ages (Sorry again).

But I have been working on not only this chapter but the chapters leading to the ending, which is going to be chapter 50, only two chapters away!

Please comment and vote!

Thanks! xx