Jacob sighed. He should have known his mother would see right through him. He turned away from Kagome and said, "I like him, mom. He would never want me though."

Kagome frowned. She never liked seeing her pups sad. She said, "You might be surprised."

Kagome took the barrier down, and they went back into the healing chamber. Ryan said, "Come here, Jacob."

Jacob walked over to Ryan and bowed. Kagome had to fight her motherly instinct at seeing her child bow to someone. Ryan said, "You are to sleep in my room from now on, and you will answer my questions truthfully whenever I ask you something."

Jacob said, "As you wish."

Ryan sighed. This is a strong youkai. He should not be bowing to anyone. Ryan looked at Kagome and saw the sadness in her eyes. Ryan asked, "What has been going on since I was shot with the arrow?"

Kagome smiled and said, "The wolf elders are in the dungeon. Most of your brothers and sisters are taking mates, and I have a mate now."

Ryan smiled happily and said, "I am happy for you, mother."

Jacob just sat on the floor with his head bowed. This is the least I can do after I shot him with the arrow. I am just sad I have disappointed my mother. We are only doing what we must to apologize. Kagome saw that Jacob was talking with his inner beast.

She sighed sadly knowing she was never going to see her son look up into her face ever again unless Ryan ever ended up loving Jacob. She said, "We shall leave you, Ryan. You need to rest."

Ryan nodded. Everyone except Jacob left with Kagome. Ryan looked at Jacob and saw that he would not stop staring at the floor. He asked, "Is the floor interesting to look at?"

Jacob shook his head. Ryan sighed. He said, "I told you to answer me."

Jacob said, "No, it isn't."

Ryan noticed that Jacob hadn't even moved to sit in one of the chairs that were just made empty when everyone left. He asked, "Why don't you sit in a chair?"

Jacob said, "I did not think master would like it. I am sorry if I disappointed you."

Jacob was close to crying. This is torture. We deserve his hate. We tried to kill our mate. He will never be our mate.

He will always just be our master. Jacob could feel the tears silently falling down his cheeks. He lowered his head even more in the hopes that Ryan wouldn't be able to tell he was crying. Ryan saw Jacob lower his head even more. I wonder what's wrong.

We've hurt our mate. He is not our mate, and he is not hurt. We can smell his tears. Ryan stopped arguing with his inner beast and smelled the air. He was surprised to find that his beast was right.

Ryan said, "Come here, Jacob."

Jacob knew that most masters expected their slaves or servants to crawl to them. Jacob crawled over to Ryan and asked, "What can I do for you, master?"

Ryan's inner beast growled at this. Why are we so upset that he called us master? It is because we know he is a strong youkai. Ryan shook his head. He asked, "What is wrong?"

Jacob gasped in surprise that Ryan would care about him, but he kept his head down. He said, "It is nothing, master."

Ryan sighed. Why is he saying it is nothing for us to worry about. He thinks we will be like the other masters who have slaves/servants. Ryan said, "Jacob, I care if something is bothering you."

Jacob said, "I know, master. I just know you will hate me if I tell you."

Ryan sighed and said, "Let's go to sleep."

Jacob laid down on the floor and went to sleep. Ryan sighed sadly and shook his head.