Page 6

I look at the ancient, decorative clock that sits on my newly acquired desk.

The stroke of the hour hand hitting three marks my sixth hour behind locked office doors.

I've been in this office for hours on end working on my plan, drawing blueprints, looking over budgets, and establishing recruitment efforts.

I hate that the maids and butlers have to live in those tiny rooms, so things are about to change.

For as much as they do to keep this place and the people inside of it running, they deserve a place to relax as equals.

Over the past few hours, a few pack members have come to check on me, but I've politely dismissed each of them.

Well, except for the guy who brought me lunch - I definitely opened the door for him.

The rest were all sent by Ryder and I imagine it won't be long until he comes up here himself.

With that thought, I focus back on the work in front of me.

A couple of hours later, another knock sounds heavy on the wooden door. I look around at the collection of papers on my desk and quickly pull blank folders over them to hide their contents.

I walk to the door and pull the door open, not exactly surprised to find Ryder standing on the other side.

I lean against the frame of the door with one hand holding the door itself close to my side.

I allow my eyes to trail up and down Ryder's frame, once again covered in his outfit from this morning.

Once my eyes reach his, I smirk slightly as I find Ryder doing much of the same to my body.

"Yes?" I question with a raised brow, bringing his attention back to my face.

Ryder brings his arms in to cross across his chest. "It has been reported to me that you have hidden away behind these locked doors for," he pauses to glance at his watch, "seven hours.

Considering you have yet to be assigned any duties, you can call my interest peaked.

" Ryder's eyes flow up and down my body once more.

"I would not have taken you as the type to stay cooped up inside an office all day. "

I let out a breathless chuckle. "Well, your routine reports on my schedule are correct. However, sir, you are wrong."

Ryder's eyebrow shoots up in question. "How so?"

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Though we are mates, it has been less than two days since we met.

He doesn't know a thing about me and I wish he wouldn't assume that he does.

"Contrary to popular belief, I know how to effectively manage my time.

Meaning, despite the fact that I enjoy and prefer being outside, I know when work needs to be done inside. "

Ryder watches me intently as I speak, his eyes never wavering from mine as though he's trying to read something within them. Once free of listening, Ryder nods. "I see. Would you care to divulge what has kept your attention so keenly these past few hours?"

I shake my head. "Nope. Not until I'm finished." With that said, I step back from the door, closing it in his face and locking it in one swift movement.

"Jade! Open this door! I wasn't done talking to you," he growls, the annoyance clear in his voice.

I roll my eyes and laugh as I walk back to the desk.

"Huh, that's funny cause I was done talking to you.

" I reach my destination and sit back down in my chair, removing the folders from atop the plans.

I hear Ryder growl angrily from outside the door and I chuckle at his display of frustration.

A few short moments later I hear his footsteps retreating as his scent grows fainter.

I look over the prints of the castle grounds and focus on the empty plot of land that sits two miles west of the Castle itself. I also have the prints for the Castle's first sub-level.

Once I am done planning and proving my plan is possible, I will show everything to Ryder. He's not going to be happy I "broke" into his office, but a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do. A little "Robin Hood" action, if you will.

My plan is to build a "mini castle" on the empty plot of land for those who live on the first sub-level of the Castle.

The overall goal is to have proper-sized rooms with plenty of space for everyone who will live there.

From there, we will add in amenities for the servants to utilize when they are not working such as a large kitchen, a theater room, a pool, a library, a playground for the pups, a maybe a few others rooms if I can work out the kinks.

Of course, as the Castle has itself, there will be an underground level for members to bunker in if an emergency were to arise.

As for the first sub-level of the Castle, the plan is to entirely gut the floor and replace it with a recreation center for all ages.

There will be two locker rooms along the back wall, but the rest of the space will be transformed to have a dance studio, a climbing wall, an obstacle course, and a lot of gym equipment.

The Castle finances show more than enough money readily available in the recreational budget, so everything can be paid for with no issue.

Over the next two hours, I finalize the last details and make sure everything is in order for my presentation to Ryder.

Though the process is tedious, I finally finish.

I lean back in my chair and rub my temples as I remind myself that all that work and the work to come is for a good cause.

I shake my head and begin collecting all the papers, putting them in my drawer and locking it when I am done.

I stand, stretch, and walk out of my office but unlike Ryder, I lock it.

I can't have anyone find out my plans until tomorrow.

I check my phone and see it is now eight in the evening.

I sigh and rub my sore neck from constantly looking down.

I have been in that office for half a day.

I guess time really does get away from you when you're busy.

I head up to the tenth floor and open Ryder's door, closing it softly behind me. I look around and see that Ryder is not here. I find myself wondering where he is and what he might be doing. I quickly shake those thoughts from my head. It doesn't matter where he is, Jade.

I go to the closet and grab a pair of black leggings and a red crop top.

Still standing in the closet, I quickly change into new clothes.

I look along the closet and see the new clothes, shoes, and such still there.

I check a few of the tags and I see all of the clothes are weirdly in my size.

Ryder bought me clothes or at least sent someone out to do it.

I walk out of the closet with that new information. It's interesting that he bought me clothes...especially since he didn't have to. He probably bought them so that when I'm forced into the public eye, I don't look like some commoner.

My thoughts are immediately interrupted when I jump at the sight of Ryder sitting on the bed.

"Good Goddess, Ryder," I breathe with a hand on my pounding heart.

I hadn't even heard him come in, I was so lost in thought.

A small smirk peeks at the corner of Ryder's lips and my eyes are instantly drawn toward them.

Damn this mate bond. Once again refocusing my thoughts, I roll my eyes.

"If you are going to hide your scent, I'd prefer if you didn't do it to scare the absolute shit out of me," I say, putting my hands on my hips.

Ryder chuckles, but not in a humorous way. "I would prefer if you refrained from keeping things from me, so it seems we both have a problem. " Well, he doesn't sound happy.

I roll my eyes, ever so slightly annoyed.

"Just because you are the King of Werewolves doesn't mean that you are entitled to my every thought," I snap at him and head to the other side of the bed.

Before I can continue, Ryder has me up against a wall and his arms are pressed against the wall on either side of my head, trapping me.

I feel his whole body pressed against mine and I fight hard to stay focused on the situation at hand.

"Do not talk to me that way mate," he whispers in my ear. I feel my wolf get a little restless at our closeness.

I turn my head and find his eyes. Something sparks inside me when I see the familiar silver swirling inside of them.

"Or what?" I push back, challenging him to do something further.

I watch Ryder's eyes as they become almost completely silver.

There's a war going on inside his mind and his eyes are showing me the previews.

As I begin to think that he just might give in to whatever temptations lie beyond his eyes, he closes them.

Ryder takes in a slow, deep breath and when his eyes open again, they are back to blue.

Ryder studies my face with an almost disappointed look.

"Why must you always fight, Jade? It doesn't have to be this way," he pushes, searching my eyes.

Why do I fight? That's a question I can barely answer myself.

I harden my stare. "Don't you remember, Ryder?

I was a member of the Lunar Shadow Pack.

It is what I was raised to do." I pause as my chest rises harshly, my conflicting emotions causing a hurricane to swirl wildly inside me.

I remember my parents and how my brothers and I were trained to take over the pack for our entire lives, to serve our purpose as protectors of the Royals.

"Live for the Crown. Fight for the Crown.

" My parents' dead bodies flash in my mind, bringing on the sting of tears. "Die for the Crown."

I duck under his arm, walk to the door, and throw it open.

I walk fast down the hall and to the elevator.

I step in as Ryder calls out my name and the doors finally close as he comes into view.

I slam the button for the first floor, impatiently tapping my foot.

That ravenous anger is building inside of me, so I need to get out of here before I explode.

Why do I get this angry? I thought it was a Yin-Yang wolf thing, but Ryder seems much more in control of his emotions than I am.

The fact that I don't know the answer to my question and the fact that I have no idea how to get the answer frustrates me even more.

The doors finally open with a ding as I reach the main floor.

I make my way down the hallway and pass by a group of girls who are wearing clothes that, in my opinion, fit way too tightly to be comfortable.

I pass by them, nodding my head in acknowledgment.

"Slut," one of them says but tries to cover it with a cough.

I immediately halt my steps and slowly spin around on my heel.

Two of the girls are giggling like someone actually said something funny and the other one just stands there smirking with her arms crossed over her chest.

I raise my eyebrow, thinking there is absolutely no way this stranger of a person is talking to me. "Excuse me?" I ask.

Queen Bee continues to smirk at me. "You heard me." Wow, epic comeback. Let me find a corner to go cry in.

I smile tightly and cross my arms as she has. "I obviously didn't. Perhaps you should learn to speak up," I retort in a short tone.

A murderous glare shines from her eyes as she takes two steps closer to me.

"You obviously don't know who the hell you are talking to, pup.

My name is Stacy Henderson, the future Luna Queen, so I highly recommend that you drop to your knees, beg me for forgiveness, and show some respect," she spits venomously.

I stand there just staring at her in shock for like a good ten seconds before I completely lose it.

I laugh, like full-on hands on knees and tears streaming down my face laugh.

The audacity of this woman. Either she doesn't know who I am or she's the bravest/dumbest she-wolf I've ever met.

After a few moments of laughing my ass off, I'm able to stand and wipe the tears off my face.

I clear my throat, still with a smile on my face.

"Wow, Stacy, thank you. That was hilarious.

I'll give you that," I point at her, "you're funny," I say with another chuckle.

As I look at her, I think I see actual steam coming from her ears.

Suddenly she makes the bold choice to stomp up to me, which is surprising considering how tall her heels are, and throw a slap toward my face.

Okay, so definitely the dumbest she-wolf I've met.

Within the blink of an eye, I snatch her hand in a death grip before it can get anywhere near my face.

I smile sinisterly, happy that I now have a reason to teach her a lesson.

"Wow, dumb move blondie," I tell her. With a quick jerk of my arm, I send one punch to her face.

Stacy dramatically falls to the ground, crying and holding her nose which has crimson blood running out of it.

As she looks up, she looks not at me, but behind me.

"Ryder! Baby, she hit me," she screeches.

I raise my eyebrow and turn around to see Ryder standing there looking pissed.

Maybe he does have anger issues after all.

He glares at Stacy before he turns his glare onto me. What the hell did I do wrong?

Ryder begins his march toward the scene in front of him.

"Jade," he yells so suddenly that I almost jump back.

He pauses before me, getting inches from my face.

"Despite your feelings for me, you have no excuse to go around and assault my pack members," he growls dangerously, his eyes once again shining silver.

His aggressiveness to the situation puts Jasmine on high alert, so she pushes towards the surface, making my eyes surely swirl with silver as well.

I'm speechless as he breaks his glare away and walks past me.

I turn to watch his movements, surprised when he offers Stacy a hand and helps her to her feet.

"Stacy, let me look," he says sternly and she moves her hand away.

It takes him a few seconds to tell her what I already knew.

Ryder sighs, "It's broken. Rachel, please take her down to the pack hospital.

" Again, Jasmine is pushing for control, but this time it's because she sees Ryder touching and caring for another female.

'Easy, Jasmine. Let's see where this goes,' I tell her.

One of the girls, who I am assuming is Rachel, takes Stacy by the armand leads her away while the rest of the posse follows.

Ryder watches them as they walk down the rest of the corridor and I watch him, wary of his movements and possible reaction now that we're alone.

The truth is that I don't know who Ryder really is or what he is capable of.

As soon as the girls turn the corner, definitely out of earshot, Ryder whips his head back around to me and begins taking steps in my direction.

His face does nothing to hide his anger.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Jade? Are you in such little control of yourself that you have to take out your anger and violence on the first person you see?

She is a member of mypack, you have no right to lay your hands on anyone without a good reason.

" By this point in his tirade, he again stands inches from my face.

"I know you're brother said you have anger issues, but you will control yourself," he yells at me in his Alpha voice.

His words hit me like a semi and pain blooms in my chest. I take a step back from the force and Jasmine growls lowly in my head.

How dare he speak to me like I am a petulant child?

He is the one that forced me to be here in the first place!

Though I would never admit it to him or anyone else, the words he spoke hurt and clawed at my heart.

I search his angry eyes, trying to tell if this is actually how he feels or if he is saying these words in anger alone. "You truly think that low of me?" I find myself asking.

"What the hell else am I supposed to think, Jade?" He scoffs, rolling his eyes. "In the past forty-eight hours that I have known you, you have fought with your brother twice, almost knocked my Delta out, you constantly pick fights with me, and now you have physically assaulted a pack member!"

I laugh humorlessly, shaking my head in disbelief.Quite a list he has against me there. I stare down at the wooden floors that sparkle under the chandeliers. I run my tongue back and forth along my teeth, a symptom of my frustration. With a roll of my eyes, I lock onto Ryder's.

"One, the relationship I have with my brother is one you could not possibly begin to understand.

Either way, he is my brother and siblings have arguments.

Two, your Delta insulted me and I was not raised to let people walk over me.

Royal or not, you should never let your sexist Delta insult any female in such a way.

Third...Ryder the truth is simple. I don't know you and you don't know me.

We are strangers, but you feel as though whatever you say goes.

Though that might be the case with everyone else in your life, I can assure you that I will not sit idle as you make your demands.

Plus, it seems to me that my presence in this pack is not as your equal, but as your property. "

I take a breath to calm myself before continuing, but I know my eyes shine a brighter silver at the thought of Stacy. "As for your pack member, I have never resorted to violence against another unless I had a valid reason," I finish my defense, crossing my arms.

Ryder rolls his eyes, obviously not believing me for a moment. This is what I'm talking about. He doesn't believe a word I say. "Really? What was your reason, Jade?" he asks.

A low growl flows from deep in my chest at his obvious dismissal.

Fine, since he knows everything, let's see how he feels about this bit of information.

"Self-defense. I had been walking by when she initiated the argument by calling me a slut unprovoked.

After a few exchanged words, she tried to hit me.

I hadn't done anything to her but apparently, she's my future queen and your future wife," I explain to him.

Now that I really think about her claims, it makes me wonder if he actually has had an intimate relationship with that she-wolf in the past...or if he still has one. Those thoughts alone make Jasmine roar inside my head.

Ryder continues to stay silent, but his eyes continue to stare at me narrowed.

Nothing to say now, Mr. Big Bad Wolf?

I shake my head and feel tears prick my eyes.

"You are the one who brought me here, Ryder.

If you truly think that lowly of me then go fuck yourself.

Why don't you go check on your future wife?

I'm sure she's missing you," I spit, turning away and running down the corridor.

"Jade, wait," Ryder calls after me. I run faster as I feel my body begin to shake. Despite my limited knowledge of the Castle's layout, I miraculously make my way to the Castle doors. However, a new obstacle presents itself as five guards that are standing in front of the door.

"Move," I growl out, the urge to shift getting stronger. The guards look at one another but the leader shakes his head. "Apologies, Luna Queen, but we cannot do that."

"Jade," I hear Ryder roar from not far behind me.

I growl at the guards and make the decision to release my aura.

The guards instantly bow down to me. "Open the doors and move," I command them and they comply without further argument.

As soon as the doors are open, I rush into the crisp air and push my power back inside of me.

I hurry down the massive set of stairs as the cold air outside nips at my bare skin.

"Jade! Stop," Ryder commands in his Alpha voice.

I pause on the stairs and look up to see him standing at the top.

My eyes are glowing silver now and I laugh, my voice much deeper.

"Sorry Alpha King, we're equals. Your Alpha voice doesn't work on me.

Nice try though," I say with a wink. I jump down the rest of the stairs, shifting mid-jump.

"Jay," he bellows my nickname as I land on the gravel. I snap my wolf head up to him and let out a warning growl.He has no right to use that name.

I see his eyes glaze over and I know he's mind linking someone.

As soon as I realize this, I'm surrounded by wolves.

I look up at Ryder, slightly annoyed. He is making this into such a big deal.

I just need some fucking space so I don't tear off his head.

'Really?' I ask through our mind link.

Ryder shrugs his broad shoulders. "I can't let you leave, Jade," he says.

The way he says it goes all over me. There he goes again, acting like I'm a piece of property and not his mate.

I look at the wolves surrounding me, I'm definitely larger than a few of them.

I roll my wolf eyes and jump over the shorter wolves, sprinting into the forest.

I hear a loud growl and the sound of bones breaking.

I run faster knowing the sound was Ryder shifting.

I mask my scent and sprint like I never have before.

I'm faster than normal wolves, but so is Ryder.

It's not like I can really run from him.

I'm sure he wouldn't stop looking for me until I was back by his side as a political chess piece again.

I can hear him closing in on me so I take a sharp right and run straight before going left and doing a U-turn.

This throws them off track and I lay low beyond the bushes as they run right past me.

Once I can no longer see them, I do a couple of random turns and sprint as fast as I can.

I run for thirty minutes until I see a cave, but I almost miss it because of the vines covering the entrance.

I step cautiously inside the cave and make my way deeper inside.

Inside is cool and damp but it feels nice.

There is a large waterhole in the center and the stone walls are partially covered in moss.

I collapse at the back of the cave after taking a drink of water.

Today's events have surely taken a toll on me.

In the silence of nature, Jasmine whimpers in the back of my mind, and I know why. She feels betrayed by Ryder. She feels like Ryder chose someone else over us. Well, I just feel pissed and tired, I think to myself.

With that thought, I sigh and close my heavy eyes, falling asleep in the cave.