---- took some pretty good shots. From now on, you're in charge of all my photos." Ryder froze in place as if he couldn't believe what he'd just heard. But the very next second, he pulled me into his arms with overwhelming joy. "Honey, you're... you're not mad at me?" I was confused. "Why would I be mad?" "Twas a creep, watching your life from the shadows. A total pervert who didn't even have the courage to approach you." I stopped him sternly before he could go on. "Don't talk about yourself like that. To me, you're the most charming werewolf in the world. You're my one and only mate, the person I'll entrust my whole life to. You're nothing like a pervert!" He was always so cold and composed, but he actually cried when he heard my words. "Honey, I never dared to hope you'd love me back. Just having you by my side was already more than enough for me." I covered his mouth. "Don't say nonsense like that. ---- The one I love is you. You've already taken over my heart completely." I could never quite understand why Ryder was so insecure in front of me. He was clearly the pride of the pack, admired and pursued by countless she-wolves. But I had, by chance, learned about his past. He was an orphan, taken in by the former Alpha. From then on, he underwent strict and relentless training. It was that upbringing that shaped his distant, icy personality. He had always believed that his adoptive father didn't truly care for him. But in truth, his adoptive father had placed deep hopes and expectations on him. Ina sudden flash of memory, I remembered the very first time I met Ryder. It had been deep in the forest, where he was undergoing harsh training. I had gotten lost and stumbled upon him. He was alone and wounded. I saved him and wrapped his injuries with trembling ---- hands. "Hi, I'm Sophia Miller. Are you okay?" He had looked so disheveled back then, pain etched across his face as he groaned in agony. I never imagined the werewolf from that day was actually Ryder. Now I understood. It was those early experiences that left him with such a deep sense of insecurity. Yet, it didn't matter. Soon, we'd be welcoming our second pup into the world. I was willing to spend the rest of my life proving to that sensitive soul that I loved him deeply. One day, I knew he would believe it.