Broken
Rees doesn't seem to like Ryker very much, but I don't think he would lie to me for the sake of keeping me away from Ryker. No, if Rees is lying about us being mates, it wouldn't be for a reason as petty as that.
I care for Ryker, I connect with Ryker. He has been open and honest with me, patient and kind. He pushes me to do better and goes out of his way to help me and those in need. Ryker may be cut off emotionally from most people, but that does not take away from who he is.
The scars on his back are stories that have marked him, molded him in ways that I am still learning about. He is someone who has a strong sense of validity and strength that wields it to leave this place better than it was before - that is someone I have always thought was a myth. That my standards were too high and the perfect person could not exist.