Page 13

Multiple growls echo throughout the room. "What?" Ryder growled. I sighed, "I'm not going to repeat myself when you clearly heard what I just said Mathews." Ryder narrows his eyes at me.

"When did this start?" Sean, Ryder's Delta, asks me. "About 7 this morning, so about....37 minutes ago." I tell them as I look at the time. "Did you have planned on telling us anytime soon?" Jason asks, crossing his arms.

"Not at first. I didn't even know what was going on. There was no reason to cause drama if it turned out to be nothing." I say, but continue, "But now I know it's more than nothing." I say and pinch the bridge of my nose.

"What do you mean? How do you know it's not just some stupid pup messing with you?

" Evan asks. I glance at him, "I don't but he was here.

I got a call and then a text. Only reason I know this is because someone deleted the call from my log.

" I say. "WHAT?!" Ryder roars. Everyone in the room flinches slightly except me.

Ryder starts pacing a mumbling under his breath.

'Go calm our mate.' Jasmine says.

'Jasmine.' 'Do it Jade. You and I both know he didn't kiss Stacy, at least not willingly.

He feels guilty and his wolf Dalton gives him hell everyday for messing up with us.

Jade please. I need my mate. We both do.

' Jasmine tells me. I sigh and watch Ryder breathe harder and growl loudly while pacing. 'Fine.' I say.

I sigh and walk over to him. I stand in front of him and grab his face with my hands, making him focus on me. "Hey. Shh. Calm down. It's okay, he's not here anymore and I'm okay." I say and look straight into his black eyes.

Ryder's eyes flash from blue to black, but he wasn't fully calmed down.

I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him to me.

He's arms immediately go around my waist and pull my body flush against his.

I mind link the guys who are still standing in the room to go.

They nod and leave, closing the door behind them.

I run my fingers through his hair as he puts his head in my neck and breathes deeply. "I'm here Ryder. It's okay." I sooth him. I hear him breath deeply and then let out a sigh, tightening his grip on me. "It's okay." I whisper.

I hear him whimper and I pull back slightly, "Hey. What's wrong?" I say. Ryder looks up at me with so much sorrow in his eyes I feel my heart break slightly. "Ryder? What's the matter?" I say and place my hand on his cheek. Ryder closes his eyes and leans into my touch.

He opens his eyes and looks at me with guilt and sadness in his eyes.

"Jade I'm so so sorry. What happened was an mistake.

She came onto me and I tried pushing her off but I was in shock because it happened so fast. I missed you so much.

My wolf has not let me go one day without making me remember what I did.

I'm sorry. I tried to find you but I couldn't. I wanted to explain but you left before I could.

I'm sorry Jade. I hate myself for what I did.

I'm sorry." He rants and I see his eyes rim with tears.

I stare at him speechless. I give him a small smile, "It's okay Ryder. It's okay. I understand now that you didn't do it, but at the time I was hurt. I'm sorry I didn't let you explain." I say.

Ryder rest his forehead against mine, "I'm sorry Jade." I shake my head slightly and put my finger against his lips. "Stop apologizing. It's okay. I forgive you." I whisper, looking into his eyes. "Really?" He asks surprised. "Yes Ryder, really." I say.

A breathtaking smile graces his face, "Thank you. I've missed you so much." He says and puts his face back in my neck. I sigh, "I've missed you too. It was a long month alone." I mumble against his shoulder. Ryder chuckled, "Tell me about it."

We just held each other for a moment until Ryder pulled back and looked me straight into my eyes, "God I'm so happy you're back." He whispers. I smile slightly, "It's good to be back." I tell him. Ryder hums in response and moves his head so his cheek is brushing against mine.

Ryder turns his head so his lips are pressed against my cheek.

"Please don't leave me again." He whispers, his lips grazing my skin with every word.

My heart aches at the desperate plea in his voice and turn my head to look at him, "I'm not going anywhere.

" I tell him, our faces so close together I can feel his breath mixing with mine.

I lean in and connect our lips. Sparks erupt on my lips and my wolf howls with happiness. Ryder immediately responds and pulls me tight against him. His tongue traces my bottom lip and I open my mouth enough for him to slip his tongue in.

Ryder growls with approval and moves his hands down to my hips. I run my fingers through his hair. I pull back, panting a little. Ryder rests his forehead against mine with a smile on his face. I smile at him and move to rest my head on his shoulder, breathing in his scent that I've missed.

Ryder hugs me tight and runs his fingers up and down my arm. I sigh in content and snuggle deeper into his neck. I felt Ryder place a kiss on my temple, "My mate." He growls softly. I smile and nod, "Yours." I whisper with my eyes still closed.

After a while I pull away from him, "Come on. We've been here for almost an hour." I tell him and head for the door. A hand grabs my wrist and I'm pulled back into a strong chest. Ryder wraps his hands around my stomach and places a kiss on my bare shoulder.

"Ryder." I breathe. "I just got you back. I don't wanna share with anyone else." He mumbles against my neck. I let out a laugh and he pulls back to smile at me. "What are you smiling at?" I ask suspiciously. "I love it when you laugh." He tells me.

I laugh again, "You are so cheesy." Ryder chuckles and gives me a cheeky smile, "You love it though." I shrug, "It has its moments." I say. Ryder places his head in my neck and sways us side to side. I put my hands around his neck and relax into his chest.

"Alright this time I serious. We have to go. The Alpha King can't just disappear for a day. Let's go." I tell him and grab his hand as I drag him out of the room. Ryder spins me around and I let out a surprised squeal which is cut off when he places his lips on mine.

I kiss him back but pull away when he tries to deepen it. "Ah ah Mathews. No distracting. Come on." I say and walk down the hallway. "Can't blame a guy for trying." I heard him mumble under his breath and I chuckle lightly.

'Where are you guys?' I mind link Jason.

'Ryder's office.' He says. I tell Ryder and we make our way to the seventh floor.

We walk inside and Ryder sits in his chair and I sit on the desk.

Jason is leaning up against the wall while Cam is sitting in a chair across from Ryder and Sean and Evan are sitting on one of the couches.

"Alright. So this stalker problem. Tell us what's happened." Evan said. Ryder growls lowly and I feel him lift me up and place me in his lap. I roll my eyes but don't make a move to get up, knowing that this was calming to him.

"I got a call this morning about 7. I answered and no one said anything .

When I was about to hang up this guy finally spoke.

He sounded young but not to young. A teenager possibly, but there's the chance that this person could've just made their voice deeper.

They said how easily angered I was and that I was impatient.

And so on, he didn't tell me his name but said all in good time.

I got a text in the kitchen say that he was sorry for disturbing my sleep but that Cameron would have done it anyways.

I was angry that the person had been around my family.

I went to the room and I noticed a faint scent.

" I explain to them. Ryder had his face in my neck, taking deep breaths of my scent to calm him.

"Another thing is the scent wasn't rouge.

It's a pack member...a Royal pack member.

" I say with a sigh. At that Ryder growls darkly as do the rest of the boys.

"Relax okay. I think it is just a kid. The person made a slip up and called me Luna.

A person that had something else on his mind wouldn't have called me Luna. " I explain.

"How are we supposed to find the culprit?" Cameron asks. I pull out my phone and look at it. My gaze goes to Ryder's computer, hmmm. I hook my phone to his computer and quickly get to work. "What are you doing Snow?" Jason asks. "Shh." I hush him and the room goes silent.

A few minutes later I break the silence, "There.

Tyler Wades. The text was sent from his cell phone.

" I tell him. Ryder growls. "Who is he?" I ask.

"Well your theory on a kid is right. Tyler Wades is a 11 year old boy.

A rebel orphan. He was found in the woods.

His parents dead but he had been hidden in a tree, the rouges didn't find him. " Sean explains to me.

I feel my heart ache for the kid. "I'm gonna make him regret he did anything to you." Ryder growls. I sigh and stand up, "No you're not." I tell him. "What do you mean I'm not? He disrespected his Luna and my mate. He needs to learn his place Jade." Ryder tells me.

"I said no! He is a pup who lost his parents Ryder, not some savage rouge.

I know exactly what he is going through because I've been there.

I was just like him. I acted out because I didn't know how to deal with it.

So no. You will not touch or talk to him.

Is that understood Ryder?" I said and gave him a look that dared him to go against me.

I glanced at my brothers who had there heads hanging down and I sigh, feeling guilty for bringing up our parents.

Ryder stared at me for a moment before he shook his head, "Fine.

You win. But he can't keep sending you these texts and calls.

" He tells me. I nod, "I'll deal with that.

Where's the orphanage?" I ask. "Second floor, third door on the left.

" Cameron tells me. I nod, "I will see you guys later.

" I say and walk out of the room before anyone can say anything.

I make my way down to the second floor. I open the door and see a bunch of kids either running around or talking to each other.

I walk inside and go to one of the women watching the kids.

"Hello." I say. The woman glances at me and then smiles, "Luna, what a pleasant surprise.

I'm Hannah. What can I do for you?" She asks.

I give her a kind smile, "Actually I'm looking for a child, Tyler Wades. Do you know where I might find him?" I ask. "Ah Tyler. Let's see. Try the library on the fifth floor. He likes to stay in there quite a bit." She says. "Thank you Hannah." I say. "Anytime Luna." She replies.

I walk out of the orphanage after saying hi to a few of the kids and go to the fifth floor. I walk the hall until I find white double doors with plaque with 'Library' written on it.

I slowly open the door and walk inside, closing the door softly behind me. I look around until see a head of dark hair sticking above on of the red plush chairs. I walk over quietly and sit down in the chair opposite.

I look up and see a young boy there with dark brown hair and brown eyes, when the sun would hit his eyes there was a slight green tint to them. His skin was slightly tanned and judging from him sitting he was about 4'10.

"Tyler I presume?" I ask. He stares at me for a few seconds before giving his head a slight nod.

I give him a small smile, "I'm Jade, but I'm guessing you already knew that huh?

" I ask. Tyler just stares at me. I sigh, "I know you are making the calls and sending the text to me Tyler.

" I say. Tyler looks down but other than that doesn't deny it.

"Why'd you do it?" I ask. Tyler still looks down just shrugs his shoulder. I sight softly and stand up to squat down in front of him, "You know the Alpha isn't very happy with you." I see his pupils dilate and fear slightly takes over his features.

"Hey, hey. Calm down. It's alright. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I know why you did it Tyler and I understand." I tell him. His eyes snap to mine, "What do you know? You don't understand." He says. I hear his voice and know I was right about him making it deeper.

I give him a sad smile, "My parents were killed by rouges a little over three years ago.

They took my baby brother in the attack and left me and my older brother in the after math.

We had to put a grieving pack back together after their Alpha and Luna died while mourning for our parents and little brother.

I think I know a bit more than you might believe Tyler. " I explain to him.

Tyler's eyes peer at mine until he looks down.

"I miss them Luna. I miss them a lot." He says and I hear his voice crack at the end.

I lift his head up, his eyes held tears, just one blink and they would fall.

"I know you do Tyler, but remember they are always with you.

Right here." I say and point at his heart.

Tyler nods sadly. I sigh and pick him up. I sit back down in the chair, "It's okay to cry Tyler. I wish I had sooner than I did." I say to him. I feel a splash of wetness on my shoulder and I look down to see tears falling from his eyes.

Tyler's tears start falling faster until he is sobbing in my arms. I rock him back and forth and kiss his forehead. "It's going to be okay." I whisper to him.

I continue to rock him and then start singing to try and calm him down.

"I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,

And each road leads you where you wanna go,

And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,

I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.

And if one door opens to another door closed,

I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,

If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile.

But more than anything, more than anything

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

Yeah, this, is my wish.

" I sing softly and eventually his cries stop and I look down to see he had fallen asleep.

I smile down at him and kiss his forehead gently. I stand up slowly and walk to the second floor. As I reach the second floor I see Ryder looking around. He looks at me as soon as he smells my scent. "Jade!" He basically yells. I glare at him and shh him.

At that he looks down to the sleeping Tyler in my arms. I hear him growls quietly so I send him a look to shut it. I walk to the orphanage and see Hannah. She sees Tyler and then points at a door that has his name on it with a bunch of posters and such.

I open the door and walk over to his bed. I lean down and gently place him on his bed, pulling the covers up to his shoulder and tucking him in tight. I kiss his forehead one last time before I walk out and close the door behind me.

I turn around to see Ryder leaning up against a wall with a smile on his face. "What?" I ask. "You are an amazing Luna." He says as he walks up to me and wraps his arms around me. "And you will be an amazing mother." He whispers the last part in my ear.

I smile and peck his cheek, "Come on you big dork. I know you have Alpha duties to get done. Don't think I didn't notice all the papers in your office." I said. Ryder groans, "I don't wanna." He whines like a five year old. I chuckle and roll my eyes, "Come on you big baby. I'll help you."

We spend the next few hours in his office doing pack work.

When I finally look up from my paper I see that it is dark.

I look at the time and it reads 10:23. We stayed up here the majority of the day, but on the bright side we got almost everything done except a few small things that can be handled by Evan and Sean.

I stand and stretch. I look at Ryder who is reading over the pack budgets.

I walk over to him and place my hands on his shoulders.

I feel his muscles relax instantly. I lean down to his ear, "Come on it's late.

Let get something to eat." I tell him. He looks over to the clock and lays the paper down.

Ryder stands and wraps me in a hug, "Thank you.

" He says. "For what?" "Helping me with the paperwork.

" He explains. I smile at him, "It's my job.

No need to thank me Ryder." I say. "All the same.

Thank you." Ryder tells me. I just smile and shake my head, "Come on.

I want food." I tell him and run out of the office.

I get down to the second floor before I'm scooped up in a pair of arms.

I scream slightly and laugh, "Ryder put me down!" I whisper-yelled because people are sleeping. "Sorry no can do princess." He says as he takes us down to the kitchen and sets me on the counter.

Ryder stands between my legs with his hands on my hips. I have my hands knotted together behind his neck. "Whatcha want for dinner?" I ask. Ryder thinks for a minute and then smirks, "I can think of something." He says suggestively. I hit the back of his head, "Food related you nasty."

Ryder chuckles, "I don't care." He says.

I nod and push him back slightly with my hands but he doesn't budge.

"There's a price for you to get down." He say.

I tilt my head, "What's that?" "Three kisses.

" He tells me. I roll my eyes but place three quick kisses on his lips. He smiles and then moves back.

I jump down and go to the fridge. I look around until I see some hamburger meat. I grab it and place it on the counter. Then look it the cabinets for some sauce and noodles. When I find them I set them with meat. "How does spaghetti sound?" I ask while grabbing a pan and pot.

"Sounds perfect." He says I fill the pot with water. I sit it on the stove to boil and put the meat in the pan. I get the cutting board and cut up some tomatoes. When the meat is done I put in the sauce and then the tomatoes. I add a spoon of sugar and mix it all together.

I strain the noodles and pour the sauce into the pot. I mix it all and then grab two bowls and fill them. "What do you want to drink?" I ask him as I place the bowls on the bar where he is sitting. "I got it Jade. Sit down." He says starting to get up.

"Ryder sit back down and tell me what you want to drink." I say. He sighs, "A coke please." He finally mumbled. I nod and grab two cokes from the fridge and open them before setting them done next to the bowls. I pick up two forks and place them inside the bowls.

I finally sit down next to Ryder and we eat in a comfortable silence. When we finish, I grab the bowls and wash them along with the pot and pan. "Hey I got that. You cooked let me clean up at least." Ryder tells me. I shake my head again, "It's fine. Plus I'm almost done anyways." I tell him.

I feel his arms around me and his head on my shoulder.

"You know this mate thing involves me taking care of you too.

" He says. I laugh softly, "Exactly we share it.

Right now it's my turn. I think me making dinner and washing dishes doesn't really qualify as taking care of you.

" I say. "I think it does, so that's what matters. " He said.

"Fine you can make dinner next time we stay up late. Alright?" I say as I place the last dish on the drying rack and turn around in his arms. "Alright." Ryder says before placing a sweet kiss on my lips. We pull apart and I yawn. "Come on baby. It's late and you are tired." He says.

Ryder picks me up so I wrap my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. Ryder takes us to the elevator and rocks me side to side as we go up. The elevator dings and he starts walking again. He opens the bedroom door and I climb down from his arms and go to the closet.

I see all of my things are still there so I grab a pair of black shorts and a black tank top. I quickly change and go to the bathroom. I brush my teeth and put my hair up in a high ponytail. When I walk back into the bedroom, Ryder is laying on the bed in his boxers.

I crawl in beside him a curl up under the covers.

The bed moves as Ryder shuffles around but soon I feel him under the covers and he pulls me to him.

He puts his arm around me and tangles my legs with his.

I felt him place a kiss on my temple, "Goodnight baby.

" He whispers in my ear. "Goodnight." I say and snuggle deeper into his warmth.

My breathing evens out and soon I'm consumed by darkness of sleep.