Riven nodded slowly, his expression open yet tinged with hesitation. He knew Eli was someone he could trust, and he didn't want to hide the truth—especially not after everything.
He could not in good faith throw Ronan under the bus again. That would only bring him more troubles.
"Yes," he said quietly. "Ronan won't have any issues with it. We are… A couple now."
He spoke the words gently, almost cautiously, as if testing how they'd sound in the open. And for a moment, it felt strange to admit it like that—to label it so plainly. But it was the truth. Whatever had happened between them, whatever was continuing to happen—it was real.
Eli's eyes widened, the pink hue of his irises practically glowing under the indoor light. His mouth opened slightly, a silent gasp escaping before he could stop it.
A couple.
So it was true, Eli thought. The Alpha really had forced Riven to stay.
