•Ryder's POV•

I sigh as I close the bedroom door.

'She didn't hear us, did she?' Caleb asks.

'I don't think so.' I reply.

I didn't really tell Mara that I should go talk to the guys, I actually told her how I'm in love with her. But, Mara being Mara must of zoned out and not heard me.

I'm scared. Mara isn't a werewolf and she can't feel the pull as much as I do, if I tell her I love her I don't want her to freak out and feel like we're moving too fast.

But I do love her, and I want her to know that. Even if she doesn't say it back, at least I would have said it and she knows that's how I feel.

But I shake out that thought for now and head to my office where I'm sure I can find Josh and Trent.

When I open the door, I'm not only greeted by two faces, but four.

"Bailey?" I ask.

She smiles, "Hey Ryder, or Alpha Ryder as I should call you now."

I look to the guy that has his arm around her, "Beta Nathan." I acknowledge him, remembering our new alliance.

He nods his head in respect.

"So, what are you doing here Bailey?" I ask, turning my attention back to her.

"I did promise that I would come for Mara." She smirks.

I grin, "Mara, someone's in my office and wants to see you." I mind-link Mara.

"She'll be here any second." I smile and then turn to my Beta and Third, "I need to speak with you."

They nod.

Mara comes through the door and locks eyes with Bailey, "Bailey!" She squeals.

They run up to each other and hug.

They only saw each other yesterday.

"We'll go outside, so you can speak with your Beta and Third." Nathan says.

I nod in appreciation as they exit, I turn to the guys and take a seat in my desk chair.

They sit at their desks too, suddenly we become all business.

"As you know, Mandy's mate is Cole. I just heard from Mara that they have accepted each other as mates, and now we need to make a decision about what we should do about them." I say.

Trent nods, "Do you mean, as in should we let him join the pack?"

"Exactly." I reply.

"Absolutely not!" Josh says.

"Josh, you need to think about this more before you go making assumptions like that." I say.

"Why should I? We all know how much trouble he's going to cause, why bother with him?" He replies.

"Because he's Mandy's mate." Trent says.

Josh scoffs, "Yeah he accepted her, but is he using her? I mean, he just ambushed our pack and endangered our Luna. Also that fact that he hates you Ryder."

I think about Josh's explanation for a second. He's right, Cole is dangerous and we need to be aware of that. But then I think of Mara's last words to me.

Just remember that this is Mandy's mate we're talking about.

Mandy is my cousin, she's always looked forward to meeting her mate. And when I think of how I feel about Mara, maybe Cole's feelings are true.

"Josh, everything you said is right," I say, Trent scoffs, "But," I continue, "You haven't experienced the feeling of finding your mate, maybe Mandy is exactly what Cole needs to help him. The only thing we can do is give him a chance." I say, looking at Josh.

He sighs and shakes his head a little, "I just don't think this is a good idea."

"Josh, could you imagine just meeting your mate and then being forced to separate from her? What if she was the most beautiful, kind-hearted girl you've ever laid eyes on." Trent reasons.

Josh think for a second, "Fine. We give him a chance, but if he stuffs up, I want him out." He says sternly.

"Right, so it's settled. Cole joins the pack, but under constant supervision and a warning of eviction from the pack." I justify.

Josh and Trent both nod.

"Well then," I say standing up, "Let's go face the music."

••••*••••

About ten minutes later, Josh, Trent, Mara, Bailey, Nathan and I are walking down to the holding cells.

I don't even know how Mara, Bailey, and Nathan came. Trent made sure Layla was no where near the holding cells, I would be doing the same with Mara, but she is the Luna after all and wants to be a part of this.

I enter first and see Mandy and Cole sitting down, talking through the bars.

I clear my throat and they both look up, Mandy scrambles up and looks at me with a pleading look in her eyes.

"We have come to an agreement." I begin.

Mandy nods and Cole stands up, reaching through the cells and gripping Mandy's hand.

"Cole, you may join our pack. But we want you under supervision and you have a warning of eviction, so we don't want any funny business. Do you accept our offer?" I finish.

Cole looks at me and then at Mandy, "I accept your offer, Alpha Ryder." he says, turning back to me.

I nod, "Then Cole. I hereby welcome you as a werewolf to the Dark Moon Pack."

•Mara's POV•

As the guys walk ahead, Bailey and I walk next to Cole and Mandy.

"So Cole," I begin, "I don't believe I've formally introduced myself, I'm Mara Banks, Luna of our pack." I smile.

He smiles back, "Nice to meet you Luna." He smiles back.

I lean in a little closer and lower my voice to a whisper, "Shall we just forget that you threaten my life?" I grin.

He nervously rubs the back of his neck, "Yeah, sorry about that."

I giggle and shake my head, "You're forgiven Cole."

I honestly don't think that Cole is a bad person. I think he's an innocent boy that carries heavy baggage. He is obviously jealous of Ryder and I understand that, especially being so close to him when he was younger.

He looks at me strangely, "You're different." He says.

"How so?" I ask.

"I don't know, but what I do know is that I feel power radiating off you. Yet, you did nothing to stop me when I had men holding you." He says.

I hear a faint growl from in front of us, "Calm down Ryder, you're not helping." I say.

"What are your assumptions then?" I smirk.

"I don't think you're fully human." he says.

They guys stop and turn to us, except for Nathan, since he has no idea what I am.

I stop to and turn to face Cole, "Maybe that's because I'm not." I grin.

Before he can say anything else, I continue walking and when I pass everyone I notice there still not following.

I turn and face them, "Well? Are you coming? Or are you all going to stand there like stunned fish?" I ask.

I find the situation amusing when they all regain themselves and continue walking, obviously not expecting me to say that.

Ryder catches up with me and gives me a questioning look, which I return with a shrug.

"Since when are you so upfront?" He asks.

I look at him, "Since I feel like I can trust Cole."

He frowns at this, "You shouldn't feel that."

"Maybe it's just because you haven't really talked to him." I reply.

He shakes his head and smirks, "You're something else, you know that right?"

I grin and shrug, "So I've been told."

"You guys know you look completely ridiculous right now, don't you?." Mandy laughs.

"Mind-linking with your mate does that Mandy. You'll understand soon enough." I wink.

She blushes and looks down, with a slight smile on her face. Cole looks at her and smiles, complete adoration in his eyes.

I smirk and turn back to look where I'm going.

Ah, love at first sight.

••••*••••

'Run! Run! Run!' Snow pesters.

I shake my head and laugh, 'Chill Snow, okay we'll go.'

"Ryder, want to go for a run? Snow's being annoying." I ask Ryder through mind-link.

"Snow?" He asks.

"My inner tiger." I reply.

"Oh, right. Yeah sure." He replies.

"Where are you?" I ask.

"Just finishing my patrol. I'll meet you outside your house." He replies.

"Alright." I reply.

I come downstairs from my bedroom and see mum and dad sitting at the table, drinking their afternoon coffees.

It's been a day since Cole became part of the pack and I formally became Luna. I feel like I should tell my parents the truth, but I just don't know.

I'm also worried about what Mandy and Layla told me, about having to live with Ryder. They'll never let me leave without an explanation.

And I don't even know if I want to live with him. I mean, I love him and-

Wait, what did I just say?

Do I love Ryder?

"I'm here Princess." Ryder says.

"I'm just going for a run guys." I say as I walk out the door.

I see Ryder's wolf and shift mid-run.

I start to run past him, but stop when he's just looking at me.

"What?" I ask.

"Nothing, I just love your tiger." He replies.

I purr and jump up into a tree, "Your wolf is pretty handsome too." I reply.

His wolf's lips twitch up a little, which I'm guessing is a smile.

"Now, are we going on a run? Or are you going to sit up there all day?" He asks.

I chuff and jump down, breaking into a run. I hear Ryder coming after me, so I wind around trees and jump over rocks.

"You may have the agility babe, but I've got the strength." Ryder says.

While I'm still trying to think about what he's talking about, something leaps on me from behind and we go tumbling down a small hill.

When we stop, I see Ryder's wolf on top of me and he nudges his large snout into my furry neck. I lick his cheek and he growls, I use my paw and shove him off playfully.

I hear a twig snap behind, knowing it's not Ryder because he's in front of me.

Ryder leaps over me and growls stridently.

I see the hint of a large brown wolf and then it disappears, running out of our boundary.

"Was that a rogue?" I ask.

"I'm not sure. He didn't smell like a rouge, but he definitely wasn't supposed to be here." Ryder replies.

What was that wolf doing here?

Oh, and I realised another thing.

I'm definitely in love with Ryder.

•Ryan's POV•

I flee from the Alpha and Mara, knowing that they saw me. 

I didn't want them to see me.

My wolf runs through the forest, careful not to come across any other packs. This place is crowded with packs. 

Sure, I belong to a pack. I'm the Beta of one, the Quarter Moon Pack. I know my dad will be waiting for me, I was supposed to go to one of his stupid hunter meetings. I don't understand why he's so determined to kill this tiger, or Mara I should say.

Another reason I shouldn't listen to him is because I'm obviously not his son. In order for me to be a werewolf, my parents both have to be werewolves too, unless their mates with a human.

And my dad was definitely not mates with my mum, otherwise he would know about us. Mum would have marked him, but she didn't.

Even though it's a long drive to Mara's town from mine, I can easily get there in less time because of my wolf.

Why do I want to protect Mara you may ask?

Because she's a shifter of course. Being a shifter too, I guess it's just our instinct to protect one another.

But I know I'm not going to let my dad to anything to her.

Even if I have to kill him myself.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Hello!

I'm back! I'm kinda sad to be home, but at least I can keep writing now!

Updates could sometimes be a little late soon, because school starts next week (Bleh).

Please do me a favour and vote and comment?

Pic of Trent to the side (Played by Zac Efron) ------------->

Love you all <3 xx