C8 The Alpha's Mate that cried Wolf!

We decide to watch some movies downstairs.

‘Can we make some popcorn first?’ I ask.

‘Sure, I'll make it while you pick a movie.’ I flick through the list; there are so many to choose from that I can't decide. I close my eyes and press play on a random movie. Ryker sits closely beside me holding a large bowl of salty, buttery popcorn.

‘What are we watching?’ He asks.

‘I'm not sure. I couldn't decide so I closed my eyes and picked a random movie.’

‘That's cute,’ he smiles; I giggle. The movie starts and it turns out to be a scary horror film. Halfway through it I have my face in Ryker's shoulder, too frightened to watch the spooky parts anymore.

‘You can hold my hand if you’re scared,’ he says. I laugh.

‘You wish!’ I laugh.

‘I do wish,’ he says, grinning. I smile back at his confidence, and jump in fright when the monster appears on the screen, out of nowhere, capturing and killing the human who tried to get away.

‘Aww, baby. Did the monster scare you?’ Ryker asks, as he swings my legs over his, to cuddle me like a baby. I swat him, laughing, and lay my head on his chest.

‘Shh, I can't hear the movie,’ I whisper; Ryker laughs.

Watching the movie in Ryker's arms, I don't feel so afraid anymore. Seth, Mia, Kane and Hayley arrive home just before the credits. They smile when they see me in Ryker's lap. When the movie finishes, I get up and go over to the others.

‘I'm really sorry about running away this morning guys. I didn't mean to upset anyone.’

‘It's fine, Luna. We didn't realise how new you are to all this. Seth filled us in. We felt so bad for upsetting you,’ Mia says. We exchange little smiles, and I, a hug with Mia.

‘Ryker and I are going to watch another movie. You should join us,’ I tell them.

‘Sure,’ Hayley says.

‘Yep, sounds good!’ Mia says. The boys follow suit, making themselves comfortable. Ryker smiles and pats his lap; he is happy we’re watching another movie so I snuggle into him. I can't refuse the offer if I try. His strong arms and masculine chest are a very comfortable place to be. The girls can't decide on a movie so I take the remote from Mia, before pressing play on something random again. Of course, it’s another horror film, to all the boys’ delight. We girls are definitely not great with horror films; we keep screaming, jumping, and flinching; having our mates holding us closely makes it all worth it.

After the movie, right on dinner time, Alice still has a scowl on her face and tries to avoid me as much as she can. Ryker takes my hand and leads me outside where we wander through the garden in the dark.

‘Sit here and close your eyes for me,’ he says. I sit down with my legs crossed and my eyes closed.

‘What are you doing?’ I ask.

‘I'm going to change into my wolf form. You can keep your eyes closed while you pat me, ok?’ Suddenly, I’m nervous, but trusting him I nod, and keep my eyes closed. A moment later, Ryker, in his wolf form, nuzzles his fury face into my hands affectionately. My hands are shaking; tears roll down my cheeks. Flashbacks of my mother dying keep appearing in my mind. He whimpers to assure me it's okay. I’m too scared to open my eyes but his fur is so soft. I cautiously raise my hand and place it on his soft, felt-like face. He is panting happily like a dog, and his tail dusts the ground in excitement. I let the fur glide between my fingers; I have both hands on the sides of his face. He steps closer and rubs his wet nose on my cheek. I giggle.

‘It tickles!’ I laugh. I put my arms around his neck and he rests his head on my shoulder. I rub my face in his fur; it’s so soft and warm.

‘I think I’ll try and open my eyes; I want to see what you look like,’ I say. He sits down in front of me waiting obediently. I slowly open my eyes, letting the moonlight adjust my eyesight. Exhaling in awe, he is the most impressive wolf I have ever seen: his coat is long black, and sleek; it shines and glistens in the moonlight. There is a sense of greatness and power coming from him; his four-pawed stance is one of pride. He nudges my face with his muzzle. I hold his face close to mine, enjoying the warmth and the connection.

‘Thank you, Ryker,’ I say, a tear rolling down my cheek. He whimpers and licks my cheek.

‘Ryker! That's so gross!’ I laugh, and push him back. I stand and run, and he happily chases me. Laughing as I run through the trees, my long dark brown hair blows in the wind behind me. I zigzag through the trees with Ryker, and his tail wags like a puppy’s. After a while I sit down to catch my breath. He nudges my shoulder and gives my cheek another lick; I giggle and push him away with my hand. Ryker motions to his back.

‘You want me to hop on your back?’ I ask. He nods.

He has to lie down so I can climb onto his back because he is so tall. Once I’m on his back, I grip onto his fur and he runs further into the woods. He runs at great speed; adrenaline courses through my body. The breeze whips past my face and I can't help but smile; the feeling is exhilarating. I hold my arms out, and bask in the wind rushing past us.

Something out of the corner of my eye catches my attention, and races toward us.

‘Ryker there's something—’ Before I can finish my sentence I’m knocked down from Ryker's back with great force into a tree; I roll to the ground.

Growling and teeth-baring ensue in a fight. I look up from where I lie to see a scruffy, small, brown, wolf with a grey patch, snapping at Ryker. I try to stand but everything is spinning. I remain where I am against the trunk of the tree.

Ryker and the other wolf encircle eachother, snapping and growling in a sort of stand-off. After demanding they both shift, with Alpha telepathy, Ryker and the female wolf shift into human form. With his back to me, he is completely naked. As is she. She is very pretty, and has long, blonde hair, brown eyes, a good sized-bust and a curvy, toned figure.

Letting out a growl I glare; she glares back at me and crosses her arms. Did I just growl like a wolf?

’Vanessa! You just hurt your Luna!’ Ryker yells.

‘I am meant to be your Luna!’ She snaps.

‘Vanessa, we will discuss this another time. I need to see if Astrid is okay,’ he says, as he walks over to me. With blurry vision, I realise I must have bumped my head on the tree trunk when I was thrown. Ryker grabs my arms to pull me up. With a hand on my cheek, he asks, ‘Are you okay?’

‘I think I hit my head; everything is spinning,’ I say, rubbing my head with one hand and leaning onto Ryker with the other. Vanessa marches toward us.

‘Don't you walk away from me Ryker!’ She yells.

‘Go home, Vanessa! We will discuss this tomorrow!’ He yells back.

‘I love you, Ryker! I know you love me too. The arrangements have already been made. I’m your mate and Luna!’ She yells. Gasping at her words I look up at Ryker.

‘Is this true, Ryker?’ I ask, praying that it isn't. He lets out a sigh.

‘Yes it's true, but—’ I slap Ryker across the face before he can finish his sentence.

‘You made me come here. You convinced me to give you a chance, and all along, you already had a mate and Luna?’ I yell. Ryker has his hand on his cheek where I slapped him.

‘Astrid, you don't understand. I can explain all this. You are my true mate, my fated mate. Vanessa was just a chosen mate; it's not the same! I didn't want—’

‘Enough!’ I say sternly, I look at Vanessa standing behind Ryker smirking.

‘You can have him!’ I yell, making her grin.

‘Astrid, please hear me out. You don't understand!’ Ryker says, as he tries to take my hand. I back away from him.

‘You know, I was actually starting to think we had something special; that we were meant to be together until your whore arrived!’ I yell. Vanessa glares at my words.

Turning, I run toward the house, crying. Ryker wants to chase after me but Vanessa grabs his arm. I turn to see Vanessa trying to hug Ryker, but Ryker is yelling at her and trying to push her off him.

Everyone inside the pack house asks if I’m okay.

‘Why don't you all ask Vanessa?’ I snap at them, as I run upstairs and slam my door closed. I curl up on the same couch I slept on the night before, and cry until I fall asleep.