07/17/2017

Kristin reluctantly held her lips to Alex's for a few more seconds.

She hadn't intended to kiss him. She didn't even like Alex like that, however she was blinded by anger, thanks to Ryder.

Kristin pulled away, hearing a growl coming from the kitchen.

"Seriously?" The look on Ryder's face grew dark.

"What?" she snapped.

She willed herself to hold Ryder's glare across the room.

His eyes were almost black, and his hands were in fists at his sides.

He was fighting his wolf not to shift. Kristin remembered the few times she had witnessed her father and brother get this mad before.

It didn't end well.

In that moment, Alex decided to be brave, wrapping his hand around Kristin's waist and pulling her closer to him, eyeing Ryder.

He must have had a death wish.

Ryder took a step closer to them, growling loudly at Alex.

"Let's go," Kristin whispered, tugging on Alex's hand.

She led him to the door and pushed him outside, afraid of what Ryder would do to him.

Right before she was able to follow Alex outside, a hand grabbed her arm and yanked her back inside.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"None of your business," Kristin said, not knowing where her sudden bravery came from.

Ryder was even scaring her at this point.

"It is my business."

"No, it's not. You don't own me."

He narrowed his eyes at her, "If you let anyone see you together, the alliance is off."

She internally gulped at what she was about to say.

"That's a risk I'm willing to take."

Ryder growled loudly at her, showing his teeth. She had never seen this side to him before, and she was terrified.

"If he tries anything, I'm killing him."

His dark eyes met her's briefly, before he pulled away and walked out of sight.

Kristin's hand trembled as she shut the door behind her and walked over to Alex's car.

"Kristin, are you okay?" he asked, helping her into the passenger seat.

"I'm okay," she replied, trying not to let her voice shake.

"What was that about?" Alex asked, creasing his brow.

"It's nothing," Kristin shook her head, "Let's just go back to town."

As they drove back to civilization, Kristin nervously checked the rear view mirror, waiting to either see Ryder's car racing after him, or his wolf.

She let out a breath when nothing jumped out of the trees.

It was now a little after eight o'clock, and Kristin and Alex were sitting in a cafe.

They had gotten some food and drinks, although Kristin no longer had an appetite.

"If you want, you can stay at my place tonight?" Alex offered to Kristin, almost sounding a little too hopeful.

"No," she sighed, "He'll just look for me then."

"We could call the police?" Alex suggested.

"What?" Kristin gasped.

"Kristin, he looked dangerous. I've never seen someone so angry in my entire life."

"It's okay, Alex. He just needs to calm down."

"He could hurt you," Alex furrowed his brows.

"He would never hurt me, Alex," she said, not really sure why she was defending Ryder.

She somehow knew it was true though, Ryder would never hurt her.

Alex shook his head at her, "Call me if anything happens okay? I'll come get you."

"Thanks Alex," she smiled at him, thankful for his concern.

"Remember, call me if anything happens, okay?" Alex repeated this line about ten times before he let Kristin out of his car.

They were parked outside the house again.

"I will, Alex. I promise," she said as she hopped out of the vehicle before he kissed her or anything close to it.

She knew she should talk to him about the kiss, but that was the last thing she wanted to do right now.

She was exhausted, both physically and mentally.

She waved as Alex pulled out of the driveway, before heading inside.

Ryder's car was parked outside, in the same spot as earlier, however Kristin knew he had shifted into his wolf.

First, because he was basically almost shifting when she last saw him. And second, because she had seen his black wolf in the woods, watching her, as Alex drove her back home.

That had been almost an hour ago, though, and it was almost midnight now.

Kristin cautiously walked into the silent house, wondering if Ryder was sleeping yet.

She hoped he was.

She lingered downstairs, going to sit on the couch.

Although she wanted nothing more than to crawl under her covers into bed, she didn't want to run into Ryder upstairs.

Much to her surprise, she heard the back door sliding open and close behind her.

Ryder walked in, his appearance almost making her gasp.

He was only wearing shorts, and she watched his muscles flex.

His dark hair was sticking up in random places making Kristin want to run her hand through it.

His eyes were still dark, but what surprised her the most was the faded bruises over his arm and cheek.

"What happened?" Kristin asked, concerned, as she watched the bruises disappear from his wolf healing.

His eyes met hers briefly, before he looked away.

"Nothing," his voice was dead, and he started walking away.

"Ryder," she spoke quietly, not wanting to see him like this.

He stopped, but didn't turn around.

Her eyes flew over his muscular back, as she tried to think of something to say.

"What?" he said, tiredly, and turned to face her.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly.

He blinked at her, "For what?"

She didn't really think she had anything to apologize for, other than arguing with him. Yet, she wanted to say something that would make them okay again.

"For earlier," she said, searching his face for emotion.

He shook his head at her.

"I should probably be the one apologizing."

She remained quiet, looking at him.

"I said 'should', not 'I'm going to'," he said, with a small smirk.

She smiled, happy that he was going back to his old self.

Whatever he had been before, it scared her.

Ryder gave her one last look, and started walking away again.

"Ryder," Kristin called, not wanting him to leave just yet.

She wanted to make things okay between them again.

He turned back around, confused with her tone.

She patted the seat next to her, wanting him to sit down.

"Why are you acting weird," he gave her an odd look as he walked back over.

He didn't sit down though.

"You're the one acting weird, Ryder."

A muscle in his jaw twitched, and she was afraid she'd made him angry for saying that.

"Is that why you called me over again, to tell me I'm acting weird?" he asked in a flat tone.

"No," she said, sighing. "I wanted to talk about earlier."

"I don't think that's such a good idea," he replied, his eyes growing dark again.

"Please," she looked up at him, "I just want to know why."

"Why, what?"

"Why you don't want Alex and I to be together."

He frowned at her, crossing his arms, "I'm done talking about this."

He turned around but stopped when Kristin got up to speak.

"You know I only kissed him to make you angry," she admitted.

He faced her again, clenching his jaw, "I know."

"Did it make you angry?" she asked.

He gave her a flat look, "What do you think, Kristin?"

"I'm just asking because I want to know why it made you angry," she continued, getting to her point.

"You shouldn't be angry at Alex, unless..."

"Unless?" Ryder asked, impatiently.

"You're jealous," she muttered, scared of upsetting him again.

Ryder only continued to stare at her, narrowing his eyes.

"Why?" she asked, taking a step towards him.

"Don't," he raised his hand, motioning for her to stop.

She took another step forward, "Why?"

"Kristin," he warned, "Its not safe to be around me right now."

"You won't hurt me," she said lowly, taking one more step so that she was standing directly in front of him.

"You don't know that," he threatened, his eyes growing darker again.

"Why?" she whispered one more time, staring into his eyes.

He stared back, daring her to look away.

She didn't.

"Why do you think, Kristin? You honestly can't be that stupid!" he snapped.

"You are jealous?" she asked, surprise written on her face.

He growled at her in return.

"But, why?"

"Stop talking," he said, closing his eyes to control his anger.

"Why does it matter to you?" she yelled, her thoughts becoming confused once again.

"Enough, Kristin!" he ordered, and Kristin faintly heard a familiar tone her father used, when giving orders as Alpha.

However, Ryder wasn't her Alpha, or her father.

"Why, Ryder? We aren't mates!" she yelled, frustratingly.

"Just because you aren't my mate, doesn't mean I can't like you!" he growled in her face.

She opened her mouth, but shut it again, once she realized what he had said.

What had he said?

What did it mean?

Kristin's thoughts were all jumbled up but she took a deep breath and asked.

"Do you like me?"

He remained silent, looking at her.

"Do you?" she raised her voice, wanting him to answer.

"We aren't mates," he replied slowly, looking into her eyes.

"That didn't answer my question," she breathed.

He lowered his face, so it was right in front of hers.

"It doesn't matter," he growled.

Her breath hitched in her throat at their proximity.

"Yes," she faintly heard herself reply as she watched him lean in.

His face was inches away now.

"No, it doesn't." She felt his hot breath over her mouth, and a feeling she'd never felt before started to form in her stomach.

"Answer the question," she whispered.

He opened his mouth to speak, but shut it, clenching his jaw.

"I hate Alex," he muttered, before crashing his lips onto Kristin's.

•. •. •. •. •.

Finally!

Chapter Fifteen done!

Thanks for reading!

Vote if you'd like.

Chica_2016