Page 24

"What?" Jason growled ferociously. I watched as Krista turned to him and placed his head in the crook of her neck, whispering things in his ear.

Whatever she said seemed to work because his breathing became normal again but his eyes were still pitch black.

I looked over at Cameron who seemed to be in another world.

I look to Evan and Sean, "Explain, now." I ordered them. They looked at each other and hesitate to open their mouths. I growl, "I'm furious as it is, if you don't start talking now, you are both going to wish that you had." I threaten them, meaning each word.

Evan sighed, "We started becoming suspicious a few weeks ago.

Rogues were getting into the territory to easily, so we realized that they must be studying our patrolling schedule.

" Sean started next, "Two weeks ago is when we got the first note.

It was laid on top of a dead bear that was torn to shreds.

It read, "We want what is ours." And it was signed RH.

We didn't take it lightly but we thought it was just some sick rogue trying to mess with us.

That changed when a brick came flying through a window with another note just three days ago.

" Evan finished for him, "This time it said that you belonged to them and that they would kill anyone that got in their way.

" He said. My heart was beating quickly but I noticed the pointed look that Sean gave Evan. They were mind linking.

I narrow my eyes and in a blink of an eye, I was in front of them both.

I growled lowly, "What aren't you telling me?

" Evan looked straight into my eyes but looked down a few seconds later.

"The leader said that you were his true mate.

That you were his packs Luna and that you would carry his children.

" My wolf growled with such anger, she had never wanted someone's blood so bad.

I grabbed a lamp from a table and threw it across the room, the impact making it shatter into pieces.

I kicked the filing cabinet I was standing next to and it crashed loudly into the wall.

"I am going to kill him." My wolf said taking over my voice.

I felt nagging in the back of my mind so I opened my link and roared, "What?

!" It was silent for a second, but then his voice spoke.

"Jade what's wrong?" he asks. I laugh, "Nothing is wrong Ryder.

Everything is just fucking dandy." I growl and block my connection with him.

My head snaps over to Sean and Evan, "Do not answer him.

Let's see how he likes it for fucking once.

" Evan's eyes cleared up, letting me know he was no longer mind linking.

"He's angry." Sean informs me. I roll my eyes and scoff, "Am I supposed to care?

" I ask. I sit down in Ryder's chair, "What has been done?

Knowing Ryder, he has already started planning something, correct? " I ask with a raised eyebrow.

Evan and Sean share a look and I clear my throat.

"Are you going to tell me?" They glance at each other, but Evan speaks, "We have been ordered by the Alpha King not to tell you anything.

We've already gone against his order. Our wolves are struggling Luna.

" He says lowly. I growl, "Whether the Alpha King likes to admit it or not, I am stronger than him.

I have more experience and more power. So, I am going to ask you again.

What has he been planning?" This time my wolf takes over and my voice gets deeper, my command stronger than before.

They give into my order and tell me everything.

The scents that have been picked up, the increased training, the patrol increase, and schedule change.

I knew that Ryder was lying to me, but I never imagined that he would keep something like this from me.

This is about me. People could be hurt because of me.

My wolf was beyond furious and I was right there beside her.

I clench my fist and nod as they finish.

"Thank you. Though this should not have been kept from me, at least I know you are both loyal to this pack and your King. " I say to the both of them.

They bow, "Thank you Luna." I look over to my brothers and Krista.

They all look incredibly pissed. I notice Cameron shaking and his breathing is ragged.

My wolf and I calm as the worry for him takes over.

I walk over to him and sit next to him. I place my hand on his shoulder, "Hey Cam.

Are you okay?" I ask concerned. Cameron looks at me with dark stormy blue eyes that are usually bright blue like my own.

He stares at me for a second before standing up and storming out of the room.

Jason starts to go after him. "Jason." I call and he looks at me.

I shake my head, "Leave him." Jason looks reluctant but sighs as he takes a seat next to me.

"What are we going to do?" Jason asks me.

I turn my head to him, "We are going to do what they said.

We are going to finished what was started. "

"Jade, he's here." Sean said. I knew he was referring to Ryder.

I roll my eyes, "Lovely." I stand up and sit on the edge of his desk.

I watched as Evan picked at his fingernails and Sean shifted his weight from each foot.

"Calm down and take a breath. I won't let anything happen, it isn't your fault.

" I tell them softly and they both relax slightly.

I may be pissed at them and Ryder for keeping this from me, but I know that they had no choice.

Seconds later the door flew open to show my mate standing there looking angry.

"What the hell is going on?" he orders. I growl along with Jason.

Krista just glares at her brother while Evan and Sean look down.

Ryder looks at me, confused. I look at my nails, "Did you ever have planned to tell me Ryder?

Or did you think that you could solve everything on your own?

" I ask. "What are you talking about?" he asks.

I look up and narrow my eyes at him, "Oh I was sure you would have figured it out already.

I'm talking about the rogue pack that wants me.

" I state bitterly. Ryder's eyes widened and then narrow as he looked over to his Beta and Delta.

"How did you find out?" he asks me as he glares at them.

"Leave them be Ryder. They have done nothing wrong.

They stayed loyal until I forced it out of them.

The real question here is, how long did you think it would have taken before I found out?

Or better yet, why the hell did you keep this from me? " I growl.

Ryder looks back to me with silver swirling in his eyes, "I did what I thought best to keep you protected.

" He told me. A growl ripped through my chest and I stood, "That wasn't your call to make!

" I yell. He narrows his eyes, "When it comes to protecting my mate, it is.

" He argues. I walk up to him and stare him straight in the eyes, "This is my battle.

They want me. They killed my parents, kidnapped my little brother, tore apart my pack, and made a promise to me to come back.

Your opinion doesn't matter here. " I state deadly.

Ryder stares back at me and growls. "Jade, you are my mate, this pack's Luna, and the future Queen of Werewolves.

My job is to protect you. You have no battles.

" I chuckle darkly, "You obviously don't know who I am.

Tell me Ryder, when is the last time I listened to you?

Oh, that's right, I haven't because I'm not a pack member to order around.

Like you said, I am the future Luna Queen, not a pup who needs protection.

I will not stand on the sidelines while other people fight my battles.

I will not stand idly by why people get hurt because of my past. If you think I will, you have another thing coming.

" I rant. When I finished, I glared at him one last time and walked around him and out the office.

God! He frustrates me beyond belief! Keeping this to himself wasn't his call to make. He could have told me! I would be less pissed if the man I just mated and agreed to marry, hadn't lied straight to my face about something so important.

I walk down random halls. I have never been to this part of the Castle.

As I walk down the hall, I hear a guy giggling.

I tilt my head in confusion and cover my scent.

I walk silently down the hall until I reach the door that I hear giggling coming from.

I breathe through my nose and I'm hit with the familiar scent of butterscotch, Cameron?

I slowly and silently push open the door.

I look around but stop when I see my brother with a smaller guy sitting on his lap.

The guy was hugging Cameron tightly and Cameron was sniffing his neck while Cameron sat on the edge of the bed.

As I study the scene, a smile takes over my face and I lean against the door with my arms crossed.

I shake my head but the smile never leaves.

I was so happy for Cameron and I can't believe he hasn't told me.

"So Cameron, when were you going to tell me that you found your mate?

" I ask, a smirk taking over my face as his head snapped up and his blue eyes met mine.

I raise an eyebrow as the guy tenses up and hides his face in Cameron's neck.

Cameron looks down at his mate and whispers something in his ear, making his body relax.

I smile softly at the pair. Cameron never really came out to the family, but he would drop subtle hints that we all picked up on.

We knew he was scared to admit it, so we never said anything to pressure him into it.

'Can I meet him?' I ask Cameron through the mind link.

Cameron's eyes widen but then he smiles at me brightly, nodding.

Seeing Cameron this happy made my heart melt, he deserves to be happy, both of my brothers do.

Cameron put his lips next to his mate's ear and started whispering lowly.

After a moment of talking, the guy nods and Cameron smiles as he pecks his mate's cheek.

The guy slowly moved off of Cameron's lap and sat closely next to him on the bed.

Cameron wrapped an arm around the guy's waist, which made him physically relax.

I study the guy. I could tell he was shorter than Cameron by a few inches, around my height.

He has sandy blonde hair and when he glances up at me, I could see his hazel eyes as well as the few freckles that scattered across his nose.

He was adorable in my opinion, especially since he was wearing an oversized baby blue sweater and black skinny jeans.

I smile at him, "Hi. I'm Jade, Cameron's sister.

" I say and he glances at me again. "Hi.

" He speaks softly, he was a very shy person.

I walk over to the bed, "May I sit?" I ask him and he gives me a small nod.

I take a seat next to him, "What's your name?

" I ask. I notice him glance at Cameron who gives him a reassuring smile.

"Wyatt." He tells me quietly. I smile at him and nudge his shoulder with my own, "There's no need to be shy around me.

I swear I'm nice, I won't bite...well at least I won't bite you.

" I joke which makes him laugh a little.

I glance at Cameron who is smiling at Wyatt with so much love that it makes me question my anger towards Ryder.

I shake my head of those thoughts and focus back on Wyatt.

"So Wyatt, how old are you?" I ask. "I'm 17.

" He says a tad louder than before. "When did you two meet?

" I ask them both curiously. Wyatt looks at Cameron so Cameron looks at me.

He scratches the back of his neck, "Uh, I actually met him the night of my 18th birthday.

After the party was over, I bumped into him when I was walking to the main kitchen.

I hadn't met him earlier because he and his parents went to visit family in England.

And, well, you know where I was before that. "

I nod in understanding, "Well I'm glad Cameron found you.

He needs someone to keep him in line." I tease and Wyatt giggles.

Cameron narrows his eyes playfully, "Shut up.

" He mutters and I chuckle. I think about what went down a little bit ago and frown, "How are you doing?

" I ask him. Cameron frowns as well and I see Wyatt lean into him more.

Cameron hugs Wyatt to him with a small smile in his direction.

He shrugs, "I'm dealing, hearing that just brought back some memories I've tried to block. " He says.

My heart aches for my brother and the guilt ate away at me because I wasn't there in time to save him from the rogues.

I have no idea what he went through but I can only imagine.

"What about you? I saw Ryder coming up when I left.

" He said. I clenched my jaw and sighed, "We were great until that phone call.

I mean, we marked each other, mated, and got engaged.

" I said a held up my left hand to show him my ring.

Cameron raised an eyebrow and smirked, "You can really get busy in one night sis.

" I roll my eyes, "Shut up." I sigh and twists my ring around my finger, "I just wish he told me.

I would be so less fucked up right now if my mate hadn't lied to me.

" I say. "He was just trying to protect you Jade.

" Cameron told me. I let out a weak laugh as I continued to play with my ring, "That was his argument.

" I turn my head to look at him, "What if you were me?

" I asked Cameron. I looked at Wyatt, "Not that I'm saying you would," I tell him and look at Cameron again, "What if Wyatt had lied to you? About this of all things?"

Cameron opens his mouth to reply but closes it.

I raise an eyebrow and he sighs while shaking his head, "I see your point.

I would be angry, but I would try and see it from my mate's point of view.

Your first instinct is to never place your mate in any kind of danger.

Ryder is just following his instinct, it's even worse for him.

He's the Alpha King, you being his mate already comes with targets on your back.

I lived through this with you and I would still be hesitant to tell you.

These rogues are targeting you personally.

Not our family or our packs, but you, and that hits home for your mate.

" Cameron tells me. I keep silent as I stare at the dark carpet on the floor.

"I am on your side and I always will be.

All I'm saying is to give him a chance and see it from his point of view.

That's all. You would want that at least if the roles were reversed.

" I think over what he said and then smile as I look at him.

"When did you grow up?" I ask. Cameron rolled his eyes, "You're only a year older than I am.

" I looked at Wyatt who was watching us with a smile, "Good luck with this one.

" I tell him and pat his shoulder. I stand up and kiss Cameron's forehead, "I better go.

I'll see you two later." I smile at Wyatt, "It was nice to meet you and I'm sorry this conversation was very deep.

" I said and he nodded with a shy smile.

I start to walk away but turn around and point at Cameron, "You better tell Jason soon because he'll kick your ass for not telling him.

" Cameron chuckles, "Yeah yeah." I smile at the two and the walk back out, closing the door behind me.

I thought over what Cameron told me again and put myself in Ryder's situation.

I sighed when I realized he was right, I would do anything to protect Ryder, even if it meant lying to him.

I walked back to his office and the guard opened it for me, they also doubled up on guards.

I nodded at the guard and looked inside the office.

Evan sat on the couch with some paper work in his hands. "Hey." I called.

Evan looked up and gave me a small smile.

I sighed, "I'm sorry about earlier. What I did was wrong and I lost my temper and control of my wolf.

For that, I apologize." I tell him. Evan shakes his head, "It's okay.

I understand. Mates can do crazy things to a person.

" I nod in agreement, "I won't tell you otherwise.

" I say with a light chuckle. "Is there anything I can do for you?

" Evan asked. I nodded slightly, "Uh yeah actually, I was wondering if you could tell me where Ryder went? "

"I think he went down to the gym and dance studio.

" He says. I furrow my eyebrows as I remember I had made plans to renovate the floors and build a pack house.

"Wait, he actually went through with it?

The pack house and studio?" I asked. Evan nodded, "Yeah we started the day you gave him the plans and finished right before you came back.

" I smiled and thanked him. I left the office and took the elevator to the down to the studio.

When the doors opened, it was how I imagined it.

It was open, half was a gym and then other was a dance studio with two poles and a mirror wall.

I looked around until I spotted Ryder sitting on a bench.

He was bent over with his head in his hands.

He was shirtless and had sweat rolling down his back.

I felt kind of guilty because I drove him to that.

I make my way over there and sit down next to him on the bench.

Ryder looked over at me and I noticed his red eyes, yeah I was definitely feeling the guilt today.

I gave him an apologetic smile and placed my hand in his hair, brushing it back because it had fallen while he was working out.

"I'm sorry." He said. I smiled softly at him and shook my head, "Don't be.

I'm that one that is sorry. I understand why you did it.

..it's just...this isn't an easy subject for me.

" I try to explain as I continued to run my fingers through his hair.

I look in his eyes, "I wish you wouldn't have lied to me, even if I do understand why, I wish you hadn't.

I'd rather have a tough time dealing with it, with you, rather than having to find out myself and deal with it myself.

I love you and trust you. I want you by my side through this, not arguing with you from behind. " I tell him.

Ryder stares at me and nods, "I'm sorry.

I want to protect you and when I read those notes.

..I lost control. I can't let them hurt you.

You're mine." He said and growled possessively at the end.

He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into his lap, making me straddle him.

I wrap my arms around his neck and lean down to leave a gentle kiss on his mark.

"I'm yours. Now and forever. I promise." I whisper in his ear and run my fingers up and down his spine, making him shiver under my touch.

Also ignoring that he was covered in sweat, not the time.

"I love you." He says into my neck. I smile and lean back to kiss his lips, "I love you too Mi Rey." (My King)

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Can we all just take a moment to realize that I updated TWICE in ONE DAY! Woohoo! Go me! Comment how you liked it and make sure to leave a vote. Love you guys!