07/09/2017

The next morning Kristin threw on some ripped jeans and a black cropped tshirt.

Slipping on her Vans, she went to breakfast with her parents. They wanted to spend some time with her before she left.

"You've hardly touched your food," her mother commented, watching Kristin poke her blueberry pancake with her fork.

"I guess I'm not that hungry," she shrugged.

"I know you are scared about moving in with Ryder, but this will be a start to a new life. A life with your mate."

If Kristin had eaten anything, she would have thrown up then and there.

"I'm proud that you are doing this Kris," her father spoke, "You are making the pack stronger by living with Ryder and we are all grateful for that."

"You're all grown up," her mother sighed lightly, "Already going off to live with your mate."

Kristin willed her stomach to calm down so she wouldn't get sick from anxiety.

"He'll take care of you," her mother smiled, (not knowing where to stop), "Just like your father took care of me."

Alpha John smiled at his mate, wrapping an arm around her.

Noooo.

Kristin excused herself to go to the bathroom and slipped outside so she could breath some fresh air.

This would be the death of her.

Three hours later it was twelve o'clock and Alpha John was saying good bye to Rickard, Karmin, and Gabriel.

They were heading back to Nightfall now that the alliance was formed.

Kristin watched as Alpha Rickard pulled Ryder off to the side, speaking to him lowly.

She tried to listening in, but darn her human ears. She only saw Ryder's lips moving to reply to his father as he glanced at Kristin.

She quickly looked away, going back to saying goodbyes to her parents.

"We'll see you soon, sweetie," her mother hugged her.

After she hugged her father, Marcus walked up and ruffled her hair. "Be good, Kris."

"You too, Marcie."

She laughed as her brother cringed at his nickname she had used since they were little.

She nodded at her father one last time before turning to get into the passenger seat. Ryder was sitting in the driver's seat, waiting for her.

"Took long enough," he muttered as she got in.

"Why are you driving?" she asked, ignoring his comment.

"Hello to you too," he said, pulling out of the driveway. She briefly saw her mother waving in the rear view mirror, before she went out of sight.

"I don't trust you or your driving," she said, her mood turning sour.

"That hurts," he said, putting a hand over his heart sarcastically.

"Whatever," she muttered immaturely, glancing back at her retreating pack. "Let's just get this drive over with, so I don't have to be in your presence any longer."

"Let me guess, this is the first time you haven't gotten what you wanted," he shot back.

Kristin frowned at him. "You don't know anything about my life."

Ryder shrugged, looking ahead.

"And what about you? Seeing as you are a compulsive liar, it must be easy getting everything you want."

"A compulsive liar, huh?"

"I know we aren't mates, Ryder."

She didn't miss his hand tighten on the steering wheel.

"You don't know anything about my life," he said, copying what Kristin had said earlier, only saying it darker.

She fake gasped, "You mean your life's not perfect?"

Ryder chuckled darkly, "My life is so f*cked up, you have no idea."

Kristin frowned at his swearing.

"Especially now," he added, directing his gaze at her.

She watched as a piece of his dark hair fell into his eye, causing him to run a hand through his hair.

"Oh I'm sorry if I'm making your life more complicated. I have no idea why you decided to say I'm your mate, but you brought this onto yourself."

"So you really don't think you're my mate?"

"Nope," she said, popping the 'p'.

"And why is that?"

"Because I feel nothing, no weird mate bond, not even a hint of like for you," Kristin continued, "And I think the feeling is mutual since you've been a jerk to me."

"Me, a jerk?" he said grinning.

"Just admit that we're not mates. It would make this whole thing less painful."

"Would it?" he raised a brow at her.

"Yes!"

"But what if we are mates."

Kristin scowled at his smirk. "We aren't!"

"You can't be sure," he teased.

"Okay, prove it," Kristin crossed her arms.

"I can't right now."

"Oh really, and why is that?"

"I can't kiss you and drive at the same time."

It was safe to say she wasn't expecting that answer.

Kristin was lost for words as she felt her face heat up.

"I would never let you kiss me," she stuttered.

"Really? I heard I'm pretty good at it," he chuckled.

"You're disgusting!"

She turned on the radio so they wouldn't have to keep communicating. Obviously it wasn't going well.

How the heck were they supposed to live together?

Kristin turned it up when she heard a familiar song.

And without fail, Ryder spoke up again. "This song sucks."

"Do you like hearing yourself talk?" Kristin snapped. She was losing her patience, especially when he was insulting one of her favorite songs.

"This song makes no sense, why would you wear your best clothes while running from bullets?"

"Please stop talking."

"It's going to be a blast living with you."

"Don't remind me," Kristin said shuddering.

She almost jumped for joy when they pulled into a paved driveway. It wasn't expected because it was in the middle of the woods.

Through the trees Kristin spotted the 'arrangement house'. It was actually really nice looking, at least on the outside.

As soon as Ryder parked the car, Kristin hopped out to inspect the house.

The house looked to be two stories, with a two door garage in the front. Trees surrounded the house, the only opening was from the river that ran through the back yard.

Walking back to the car, she saw Ryder open the trunk, his muscles flexing in his arms.

She ignored him as she grabbed her suitcase and walked to the door.

Finding the door was locked, she peeked through the windows, making out the living room.

"Looking for these?" Ryder approached her, carrying his bags in one arm, and dangling the keys in his other.

Kristin rolled her eyes, "Hurry up."

"Snappy," Ryder grinned at her as he smoothly unlocked the door.

He held the door open for her. "Mates first."

She had already walked through but she turned around to say, "We're not mates."

Leaving Ryder downstairs, she walked past the kitchen and living room to go up the stairs.

There was a spacious hallway with two doors on each side and one at the end of the hall.

She noticed that the rest of her bags were in the room at the end of the hall. It looked to be a second living room area.

She decided to pick the door on the left and started unpacking in the bedroom.

After a while there was a knock on the door.

"Go away," was Kristin's automatic response and she heard Ryder chuckle.

"I was just going to say you should take a break and eat. Our room's looking nice by the way."

"This is not-" Kristin stopped when she realized Ryder was joking. "Really funny."

"Come on, we should go into town to eat, then we can buy groceries."

"I'm human, I only eat three times a day."

"Kristin, you haven't eaten since noon. It's almost six."

Had she really been unpacking for hours?

Kristin also couldn't help but notice that was the first time he had said her name.

As if on que, her stomach grumbled.

"I heard that," Ryder grinned.

"Okay, fine, lets go," she said grabbing her wallet and phone before heading out.

This was the first time Kristin was outside of pack territory without a guard.

Despite her current situation, she felt a little sense of freedom.

Once they were on an actual road, Ryder stepped on the gas.

Kristin grabbed a hold of the handle as she watched them pass cars left and right.

"Shouldn't you slow down?" she asked warily.

"I'm a good driver, you don't have to worry," he replied, matter-of-factly.

They made it to town in record time: twenty minutes.

It usually took Kristin at least thirty-five minutes.

Ryder pulled the car into one of Kristin's favorite diners.

She looked at him curiously, wondering if he was somehow messing with her.

"What, you don't like this place?" he said turning off the car.

"No, I do," Kristin replied slowly.

"Good, it's one of my favorite places to eat at." And with that he was out the door.

Kristin followed him inside, the familiar scent of burgers and fries filling her nose.

They sat down in a booth and a younger girl walked up to them.

"Hello, I'm Poppy," she said cheerfully, smiling at Ryder, "Can I get you something to drink?"

"I'll have a chocolate milkshake," he said, giving her a dazzling smile.

"Coming right up!" she smiled again, scribbling on her notepad.

"And you?"

Kristin noticed her lack of enthusiasm when she turned to her.

"I'll have a strawberry milkshake."

Poppy nodded her head, writing it down and walked away.

Kristin lifted her brow at Ryder.

"What?" he asked smirking.

She rolled her eyes at him, "I think she's a little young for you."

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said putting down his menu.

"Mhmm," Kristin muttered. The waitress looked to be around fifteen. She couldn't remember exactly how old he was, but she knew she was younger than him.

"How old are you anyway?"

"Question for a question?"

"What?"

"We should probably get to know each other if we're going to be living together... and sharing the same bedroom." Of course he smirked after this.

"We are not sharing the same bedroom. Nice try though," she sighed.

"Okay, so question for a question?"

"Sure," she set her menu down, "Now can you tell me how old you are?"

"Nineteen."

Poppy walked up, setting their drinks down.

"Nineteen, huh?" she asked aloud, mostly for Poppy to hear.

Ryder gave her a look, but ignored her, smiling at Poppy. "Thanks babe."

Poppy's smile grew, as well as her blush, as she asked them if they were ready to order.

When she walked away again, Kristin shook her head at him.

"I can't believe you called her babe, you're such a creep."

"Are you jealous, babe?" He smiled at her across the table.

"Don't call me that," she snapped.

"Okay, babe."

She glared at Ryder, looking into his dark blue eyes.

"Were you disappointed when you didn't shift?"

Her mouth dropped open. "Excuse me?"

"Question for a question," he shrugged.

"I'm not answering that."

"Then I won't answer any of your questions."

She took a deep breath, trying to find her patience. "Fine. Yes, I was disappointed at first."

"At first?" he asked curiously.

"After I got over the initial disappointment, I was actually glad I didn't shift. I'd rather belong to the human world anyway." She didn't know why she was telling him this, but she couldn't help but get defensive whenever anyone asked about her lack of wolf.

"Fair enough," he shrugged, acting like he wasn't as curious as he really was.

"Okay, since I answered honestly, you have to also," Kristin gave him a pointed look.

"Ah, I think I see where this is going," he chuckled as Poppy arrived with their food.

"Do you need anything else?" Poppy smiled sweetly at Ryder.

"No thank you, we're good," Kristin said, smiling tightly.

"Don't worry about her," Ryder said waving his hand at Kristin, "That's just my jealous girlfriend."

Poppy giggled, but frowned slightly at the word 'girlfriend.'

After she left Kristin threw the salt shaker at his head.

He easily caught it and laughed at Kristin's expression. "What was that for?"

"You know what that was for."

"Feisty," he winked at her, making her roll her eyes.

"Remember how you said you'd be completely honest?" She asked, referring back to their last conversation.

"Did I say that?" Ryder looked thoughtful before grinning and taking a bite from his burger.

Kristin tried to give him her deadliest glare.

"Calm down babe, I'll answer your question."

"Did you not hear me the first time about calling me that?"

"Is that your question?"

Kristin rubbed her temples. This guy was a nightmare.

"Ryder," she stated directly.

"Kristin," he mock-replied, leaning towards her slightly.

"Am I your mate or not?"

"Hmmm," he leaned back in his seat, putting a french fry in his mouth.

"Define mate?"

"I'm serious, Ryder."

"So am I."

Kristin stood up and was about to leave when a warm hand wrapped around her wrist, pulling her back.

Kristin quickly pulled her arm out of his hold and stared at him.

"Fine, you win, I'll tell you," Ryder said, sitting back down.

Kristin hesitantly sat back in her seat.

"Are you sure you don't want to wait until after you eat?" he suggested, still trying to tease her. Or possible trying to stall.

"Ryder!" Kristin warned. "I want answers now."

"Alright," he shrugged, running his hand through his hair and looking out the window.

Kristin leaned in, not about to miss this.

Ryder finally met her stare, his face almost looking serious for once.

"Ryder, am I your mate?"

Ryder leaned in towards Kristin so their faces were inches apart.

"No."

•. •. •. •. •.

Chapter Four done!

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Thanks for reading.

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Chica_2016