Ryker followed closely behind Mary as she examined the strawberries that were growing in long, white rain gutters. The strawberries were bare root strawberries that he purchased. Ryker then filled the gutters with a moist soilless mix, trimmed the roots before planting the roots into the soft soil.

"I have just arrived, but I believe this may be my most favorite place of all. This place has a calming ambiance. It shuts out the outside world. There is no noise or voices," she whispered softly while walking down the gray pathway.

It was one of Ryker's favorite places, too. He came here often to plant most of the vegetables and plants. He tended to them daily. Alexei stops by when Ryker doesn't check on the greenhouse too.

Ryker noticed that she looked but didn't touch. Her arms stayed by her side the whole time. Almost as if she was afraid of ruining what was in front of her. Her brown eyes were bright with interest. A soft smile played on her lips. A million reasons were running silently in his head.

Ryker knew what he had gotten himself into. It started with his unwillingness to let her go. He knew that without a doubt. He had to ask her to come to his pack. He promised her opportunities as an excuse. Lord above, she was inching closer to his heart, and he was apprehensive about that fact.

He learned his lesson with Lottie. It tore him apart when she left him. Yet... he hopes...

Ryker reached for a ripe strawberry. He plucked it from the vine. Mary's attention flew to his hand before looking at him.

"Would you like to taste?" he said.

Mary didn't argue. Grabbing for the strawberry before bringing it to her lips and then taking a bite with her lips wrapped around the fruit. His entire body reacted to her eating that strawberry.

Without thinking, he stepped closer and touched her chin. Leaning forward, he took her lips between his. Mary parted her lips willingly with no fight. His entire body was on fire. Ryker broke the kiss a second later. Pulling away, he looked to see her reaction.

Deny. Push me away. Stop me, Ryker thought.

When she offered no protest or outrage for the stolen kiss, his hand boldly slipped to cradle her cheek. Leaning forward, he took her lips back into his again. His good conscience was deafening. It shouted for him to stop, but the feel of her soft lips and her sweet presence was intense. There were many reasons he should act like a gentleman and walk away, but Ryker was never good to start with. Like a paralyzing fog, it numbed all logic inside of him. Ryker couldn't stop kissing her even if he wanted to. It didn't help that she was kissing him back too.

Push me away, Mary, Ryker scolded her in his mind. His other hand moved to grip one of her arms, digging his fingers into her muscles. Pushing her to push him away.

She moaned instead, and he hardened in response.

Curse you, Mary, Ryker growled deeply within his chest. His fingers further digging into her arms out of pure frustration at her response.

It puzzled him greatly. Why did she not push him away? He was ruining her innocence. Ryker was taking like some kind of barbarian when he knew he should treat Mary like a female of value. Growling, he yanked her an arm length away. His hands firmly set on her arms.

Mary should know better. Her virtue should be everything. In a society like this, giving it away would be a great disappointment, especially if she wanted a mate.

Although females could lose their virtue as quickly as males, it was knowingly frown upon. For someone like Mary, she deserved better. She deserved more than someone like him. He would take everything she gives in a second. He'll devour her---savor every single part of her body and make her scream with need.

Ryker wasn't stupid and oblivious. He likes Mary, more than he wants to admit. He likes how sweet she was and the way she displays her emotions and thoughts. Mary was not like the girls he slept with, but she also reminded him so much of Lottie. This was what stops him.

Lottie fooled him notably with her innocent display. He thought she was his soulmate. Although he never had much to begin with, Ryker thought she loved him for who he was. A foolish thought to begin with.

Yet a small part of him wanted more. Ryker wanted to kiss Mary and take what she was giving. She went to the Mating Ball. She had every intention to kiss his brother, but kissed him instead. Although the thought turned him sour with jealousy, the truth was she was looking for a mate. It was the only reason that he could find proper for her. Plus, he had also looked into her background thoroughly. Everything she said was true so far.

Ryker broke away the kiss. Mary back was leaning against a post. His eyes sought her brown ones. They were glinting with lust. The lips he kissed, swollen and thoroughly kissed.

"Why didn't you push me away?" He questioned.

Mary batted her lashes in confusion. Her bottom lips puckering slightly.

"Did you want me too?" She replied.

Ryker didn't understand her at all. Didn't she worry about her virtue? He couldn't care less about virtue, but what about her mate? He may think differently. To Ryker, virtue wasn't as important as other traits. He wanted a female who was faithful, loyal, and strong. Mary was everything he wanted in a mate. Maybe that was why he fought so hard with his feelings.

As quick as that thought came, he knew he had committed a crime. Ryker shouldn't have taken advantage of her like this. She deserved more. Mary was sweet and kind, and he had roguishly swept in and stolen many kisses. He had even felt her body. As barbaric as he was, he still had some sense of honor inside of him.

"Mary," he breathed while thrusting his fingers through his hair in frustration.

Mary waited for him to continue, but it seemed it was hard for him to form a sentence with all the reasons and thoughts that were running through his head.

"Why did you go to the Mating Ball?" he asked.

She sure wasn't expecting that question because it took her a minute to respond.

"Well, I, you know, my reasons are like everybody else's," she responded.

"You don't want a mate?" he pushed further. The question was direct, and Ryker could see that Mary's pride was slowly making an appearance. He was aware of her age. In their society, this age was past the norm for mating. It wasn't a crime. It only meant that the female wasn't a preferred mating partner, which made her undesirable.

Ryker didn't realize how sensitive the topic was, though. Although Mary wanted to find herself a mate, she also was prideful.

"Don't you want a mate?" she reiterated his question to him, but she didn't wait for him to respond. She pulled away from him and walked to the walls of strawberries.

"You and I know the importance of a mate," she continued, not looking at him. He followed her but stood behind her.

"We do," he agreed.

"Then us appearing at the Mating Ball was not a coincidence, Ryker. We're both old enough to understand the purpose behind it." She spun around to look at him. "I want a mate, but that doesn't mean I'm desperate for one. Kissing you—it was a chance to grab at something I wanted, but that is among many other things that I want."

Ryker understood what she means, but the only words that resonated in his head were that she was seeking a mate. Mary seeking a mate and he was tarnishing her reputation. He felt disgusted with himself.

"I'm sorry for kissing you," he apologized.

"You don't have to apologize because I kissed you back," Mary replied boldly.

"You're inexperienced and I should have known better than to take advantage. You came here to seek new opportunities, and it was insensitive of me to take advantage of your situation," he added.

The passionate kiss they shared lingered in the air, but no longer on their minds. The worsening situation made Mary feel insecure. She understood his good intentions, but the truth behind it hurt her. He wasn't interested. Otherwise, kissing her wouldn't be a problem.

"I understand," she chuckled to hide the hurt. "It's just a few kisses. You're not interested in someone like me. I won't hold it against you."

"I didn't say that," he quickly rebutted.

Frustrated, Mary threw up her arms before snapping, "Well, what do you mean then?"

"You deserve more, Mary. You deserve to be treated with respect. I told you before and I would tell you again. I desire you, which means I am interested in you," Ryker responded.

"And?" She still didn't know the direction of the conversation.

Obviously, Ryker knew that he has already pulled himself in too deep to dig himself back out. Truth was, he liked her too much, and that truth irked him, no doubt about it. Yet to think of another male courting her, or to even show an ounce of disrespect towards her, didn't sit well with him. As crass and as much as an asshole as he was, he felt it was important she felt respect.

So, where does that leave him exactly?

"I think we both feel the same way for each other physically, but while I would love to push you up against the post right now and have my way with you, I also want to know more about you." He'll offer courtship but still guard his heart.

Mary knew where he was going now. He was asking to court her—to get to know her more. She couldn't believe her ears. Did he truly mean it? He was interested in someone like her?

Last night he told her he desired her. Today, he admitted to being interested in her. Now, he was asking to court her.

Ryker and her... they were different people. He was a beautiful male with features that any female would swoon over but she was... plain.

"Really?" she barely whispered.

"You don't believe me?" he whispered back.

One of his hand reached out to grab onto one of her wrist, pulling her stunned body closer to him. Once she was close enough, he slid his hand up her arm to rest firmly on the part where her shoulder and neck connected.

Cardamon and clove sweetly wrapped around her. Ryker's beautiful hazel eyes were clear as ever. She could see the small specks of copper, grey, and evergreen. Mary's eyes slid down to his lips and then to the stubble beard around his jaw. Such roguish features.

An opportunity.

It was what she wanted in the first place. To feel and experience. To love and begin.

Ryker leaned down, pulling her close to him with his lips just above hers.

"Well?" His lips skimmed her lips, and they tingled to life.

"Ok," she said with a shrug.

One corner of his lips lifted amusingly before he captured her bottom lip between his. Mary sighed and leaned her weak body against him.

When he pulled back from the kiss, she was still leaning against him.

"I wanted to show you something else," he changed subject.

It took a bit for her to catch up. Her knees were a little weak from his kisses and aromatic scent. When she registered every word, her eyes widened slightly in question..

"I offered an opportunity to learn and employment. Would you like to visit one of our famous restaurants up in these mountains?" he asked.

Mary didn't know if she could handle any more surprises. Within one day, she found herself being courted by a very handsome Alpha male and now he was going to take her to a restaurant. If this was a dream, she never wanted to wake up.