12/28&30/2017

The rest of the week went by with Kristin waking up to go to training at eight, then she'd go to the pack building and find something else to do. She was constantly doing something, not wanting to give herself time to think.

When Ethan asked if she was okay she told him she didn't want to talk about it, wanting to ignore her problems like hedid. That way, she'd stay numb and try to go along normally.

It was currently Friday, the day before the celebration, and she hadn't seen him in over three days. The last time was when she ran out of Ethan's office, leaving him with a beyond furious wolf at what she had said.

She had just finished up with a meeting for the celebration and was going to spend the rest of the day helping some of the women cook and bake for tomorrow.

The celebration would be held at Spirit Moon, in a wide open field that would have tables set up around a tall wooden stage.

She knew she would have to stand up there with Ryder during the 'unity' of the packs, however she had no idea what she was supposed to do.

The women gave her ideas of what might happen but either way, her and Ryder wouldn't be on the same page. Unless of course, by some miracle, they saw each other and had a civil conversation before the celebration but she highly doubted that would happen.

Waking up the next morning, Kristin threw on some comfy clothes, packed her makeup and dress for the celebration, and drove to the pack building.

She knew the planning committee would head over early, while the rest of the pack would leave later for when it started at six o'clock.

Two SUVs were parked outside of the building, some of the women already getting their things packed.

"Luna," Ethan addressed as she got out of her car.

"Hey Ethan," she smiled weakly, although it was more of a grimace. She was worn out from the previous week of fighting and constant pain that she didn't have it in her to fake an actual smile anymore.

She saw the concern in Ethan's eyes but was glad he didn't bring anything up.

"Are you planning on going with the committee?" he questioned, watching her grab her bags from the back seat.

"Yeah, I figured I'd go with them and help set up. I also wouldn't mind visiting with my family before the celebration starts."

"Okay," he hesitated, "What is the best way we can let the Alpha know?"

"I'm sure he won't mind if I go to Spirit Moon early. I'll have guards come with me for the ride, but it's not that far from here anyways."

"Should I ask him?" Ethan asked, pointing to his head.

Kristin nodded, walking over to put her bags in the SUV.

"Luna!" Kayla peaked out from the backseat, "Are you coming with us?"

"I want to help you guys set up," she nodded.

"Awesome!"

"Okay," Ethan said from behind her, "He just said I have to assign you guards before you leave."

"Whatever," Kristin rolled her eyes, giving him a knowing look.

"I hope he shows up to this thing," she added, "He might want to keep his streak going of not seeing me."

"He needs to see you, trust me," Ethan replied seriously.

"Oh that's right, you saw him yesterday. How'd that go?" she tried not to act too interested.

"You may think he's doing fine but he is far from it," Ethan shook his head, "He's trying to act like he's okay but he left halfway through the meeting."

"Maybe he had something else to do..." she shrugged.

"No it was the mate bond," he said solemnly, "We could tell he was in serious pain."

Kristin felt a tug in her chest but did her best to cover it up.

"I'm glad he knows how it feels," was all she said, before hopping into the SUV.

"I'll go get your guards," he said, before hesitating, "Have a safe drive."

"I will," she assured him.

He turned to walk away, but she stopped him.

"Ethan."

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

He gave her a knowing look, "No problem, Luna."

Arriving at her pack gave her mixed feelings. She was excited to see her friends and family again but also felt like something was missing.

She felt even worse now that she was hours away from Ryder.

"Kristin!" her mother embraced her, giving her a hug.

"It's nice to see you," her father smiled, hugging her next.

He pulled away, giving her an odd look.

"What?"

"He still didn't mark you?"

"Oh," she said, searching for an excuse to give him. Of course he had to bring up Ryder.

"Not yet."

"You aren't making him wait, are you?" he scolded her.

"It's okay John," her mother said, squeezing her father's hand, "Just enjoy her company."

Her father smiled and nodded, letting it go.

After saying hi to her brother and some of the other pack members near by, she began helping Iris, Kayla, Colton, Harry, and a few others from Nightfall set up.

There was a lot of help from the Spirit Moon members, and they all got everything ready by three o'clock.

The set up was beautiful. The dark oak table and chairs were decorated with green vines and little white flowers. There was a huge table where all of the food would be put out later on, and a big dark oak gazebo contained the stage for the ceremony. They had decorated that with vines and flowers, along with twinkling lights.

By the time the sun set, it would be absolutely beautiful.

Kristin made it back to her parents' house, deciding to call Allison and Logan to come hang out while she got ready.

Logan was busy with other duties but said he'd see her at the party, and Allison made it over in less than five minutes.

"Kristin!" she exclaimed, running into her room and pulling her in for a hug.

"Allison, I've missed you so much!" Kristin hugged her best friend back.

"You haven't visited in a while. How are things? How is Ryder? Tell me everything that happened since the last time we talked!" Allison squealed as she pulled Kristin down to sit on her bed.

"Things are okay, Ryder and I aren't doing well, and I started training again this last Monday!" she smiled.

Allison furrowed her brows, "Wait, what?"

"You know, like the trainings we used to do—"

"Kristin, what about Ryder? You said you aren't doing well?"

Kristin groaned, leaning her head back against the wall, "We've been in a fight for about two weeks now."

"What happened? Are you okay? What did he do?" she looked her best friend up and down and realized she didn't look her best.

"I wasn't being a good Luna—"

"That's a lie! Kristin I know you are a great Luna!"

"I'm doing better now..."

"But?" she asked.

"I don't know," she replied frustratingly, "It's confusing. He's confusing. First he wants me to do more in the pack and then when I do, he's still angry and thinks I'm hooking up with other guys to make him jealous."

"What?" Allison widened her eyes, "You've got to be kidding me. Why would he say that?"

"Since my trainer is a guy," Kristin shrugged, "He's in his thirties though. Plus just the thought of being with another guy makes my stomach turn."

"Did you tell him that?" Allison questioned.

"No."

"I mean he shouldn't even think that but guys get jealous. Plus I've been living in a pack of wolves for a long time and learned wolves get a thousand times more jealous than normal."

"I just wish he could go back to being himself. After he became Alpha he's changed..."

"You want the 'hot but very annoying jerk' back?" Allison teased.

"Trust me," Kristin shook her head, "I do."

Allison nodded understandingly.

"He used to be so easygoing and spent his day trying to annoy me," Kristin laughed, thinking about it.

"I think that was him flirting with his mate," Allison smirked.

Kristin couldn't hide her smile, "Yeah."

She had loved the attention Ryder had given her when they first started living in the arrangement house, even if it made her go crazy with annoyance.

She always felt a weird feeling whenever she would think about him finding his mate, but she thought she just developed a stupid crush.

She tried denying her feelings so she wouldn't get hurt when he did find his mate.

Now, she couldn't imagine life without him there with her. However that's what it had felt like the last two weeks. Even though she had seen him, he wasn't his usual self. Plus all they had done was fight.

"Now he's too serious all the time and he treats me like a child. He keeps me from helping him with the rogues and he locks me up in the house."

"That's rough," Allison frowned.

Kristin stayed silent watching her think.

"Maybe he's changed because of what happened?" she glanced at Kristin. "If I found out my father had killed my brother it would screw me up too. He had to kill his father too," she murmured, a pained expression on her face.

"And if that wasn't enough, he had to become the Alpha of his pack," Kristin added, "He said he never wanted to be an Alpha."

"I know you've changed after that happened too," Allison said softly, "How could someone not change? You both went through a lot."

"I know," Kristin sniffed, "I hate how that happened to him. I miss him."

"He's probably stressed with the rogue attacks and all too."

"I know he wants to keep the pack safe after what his father put them through."

"And you," Allison wrapped her arm around Kristin's shoulders.

"He told me he's afraid he'll lose me and end up like his father," Kristin felt her eyes getting watery. Talking about Ryder made her miss him. A lot.

"That's hard," Allison sighed, tightening her hold on her, "But keeping you from doing anything that could possibly be dangerous is not the right way to protect you."

"Tell him that," she muttered.

"At least you know he cares about you," Allison tried looking at the positive side. "You're fighting because he cares about you and wants to protect you."

"We're still fighting though. And that means constant pain from the bond because we don't see each other."

"All I know is that although Ryder is overprotecting you which is frustrating, he truly cares about you," she smiled, "I see it with my mom and her mate. How much they love each other. I'm sure you see it with your parents."

"Yes," Kristin agreed, wishing Ryder and her could be as close as her parents were.

"The next time you're fighting with Ryder just remember that he loves you."

Kristin made a weird face, not hearing 'Ryder' and 'loves you' in the same sentence before.

She made a hesitant sound but Allison interrupted her.

"Kristin, you're mates. You're literally soul mates! I'm pretty sure that means you guys love each other, even if you don't realize that yet."

Kristin just stared at her best friend, trying to ignore a certain feeling in her chest.

"Trust me," Allison nodded encouragingly, "Now let's get you ready for this party!"

The change in subject was abrupt but after Kristin saw the time she agreed to let Allison help her get ready.

As Allison curled her hair, Kristin was once again emotionally confused, and anxious to see her mate.

•. •. •. •. •.

Happy Monday!

Chapter Fifty Eight.

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