The Alpha’s Mate Who Cried Wolf
Chapter 9

Chapter 9

We decide to watch some movies downstairs.

“Can we make some popcorn first?’ I ask.

“Sure, I'll make it while you pick a movie.’ I flick through the list. There are so many to choose fromthat I can’t decide. I close my eyes and press play on a random movie. Ryker sits close beside me,holding a large bowl of salty, buttery popcorn.

“What are we watching?’ He asks.

I'm not sure. I couldnt decide, so I closed my eyes and picked a random movie.’

“That's cute,” he smiles. I giggle. Then, the movie starts, turning out to be a scary horror film. I havemy face in Ryker's shoulder halfway through it, too frightened to watch the spooky parts anymore."You can hold my hand if you're scared, he says. I laugh.

"You wish!’ laugh.

“I wish,” he says, grinning. I smile back at his confidence and jump in fright when the monsterappears on the screen, out of nowhere, capturing and killing the human who tried to get away."Aww, baby. Did the monster scare you?’ Ryker asks as he

swings my legs over his to cuddle me like a baby. I swat him, laughing, and lay my head on hischest.

“Shh, I can't hear the movie, I whisper. Ryker laughs.

I don't feel so afraid watching the movie in Ryker's arms anymore. Seth, Mia, Kane and Hayley arrivehome just before the credits. They smile when they see me in Ryker's lap. When the movie finishes, Iget up and go over to the others.

I'm sorry about running away this morning, guys. I didn't mean to upset anyone."

“It's fine, Luna. We didn't realise how new you are to all this. Seth filled us in. We felt so bad forupsetting you, Mia says. We exchange little smiles, and I hug Mia.

“Ryker and I are going to watch another movie. You should join us, I tell them.

“Sure, Hayley says.

"Yep, sounds good! Mia says. The boys follow suit, making themselves comfortable. Ryker smiles andpats his lap. He is happy we're watching another movie, so I snuggle into him. I can't refuse the offerif I try. His powerful arms and masculine chest are a very comfortable place to be. The girls can'tdecide on a movie, so I take the remote from Mia before pressing play on something random again.Of course, it's another horror film, to all the boys’ delight. We girls are not great with horror films.We keep screaming, jumping, and

flinching. Having our mates holding us closer makes it all worth it.

After the movie, right at dinner time, Alice still has a scowl on her face and tries to avoid me asmuch as she can. Ryker takes my hand and leads me outside, where we wander through the gardenin the dark.

“Sit here and close your eyes for me, he says. I sit down with my legs crossed and my eyes closed.“What are you doing?” I ask.

I'm going to change into my wolf form. You can keep your eyes closed while you pat me, okay?"Suddenly, I'm nervous, but I nod and close my eyes, trusting him. A moment later, Ryker, in his wolfform, nuzzles his fury face into my hands affectionately. My hands are shaking. tears roll down mycheeks. Flashbacks of my mother dying keep appearing in my mind. He whimpers to assure me it'sokay. I'm too scared to open my eyes, but his fur is soft. I cautiously raise my hand and place it onhis smooth, furry face. He is panting happily like a dog, and his tail dusts the ground in excitement. Ilet the fur glide between my fingers. I have both hands on the sides of his face. He steps closer andrubs his wet nose on my cheek. I giggle.

“It tickles!" I laugh. I put my arms around his neck, and he rests his head on my shoulder. I rub myface in his fur. It's so soft and warm.

“I think I'll try to open my eyes. I want to see what you look like," I say. Ryker sits down in front ofme, waiting obediently. I slowly open my eyes, letting the moonlight adjust my eyesight. Exhaling inawe, he is the most impressive wolf I have ever seen: his coat is long, black, and sleek. It shines andglistens in the moonlight. There is a sense of greatness and power coming from him, his four-pawedstance is one of pride. He nudges my face with his muzzle. I hold his face close to mine, enjoyingthe warmth and the connection.

“Thank you, Ryker," I say, tears rolling down my cheek. He whimpers and licks my cheek.

“Ryker! That's so gross!'l laugh and push him back. I stand and run, and he happily chases me. Mylong brown hair blows in the wind behind me as I run through the trees. I zigzag through the treeswith Ryker, and his tail wags like a puppy's. After a while, I sit down to catch my breath. He nudgesmy shoulder and gives my cheek another lick. I giggle and push him away with my hand-Rykermotions to his back.

"You want me to hop on your back?’ I ask. He nods.

He has to lie down so I can climb onto his back because he is so tall. Once I'm on his back, I griponto his fur, and he runs further into the woods. He runs at great speed. adrenaline courses throughmy body. The breeze whips past my face, and I can't help but smile, the feeling is exhilarating. I holdmy arms out and bask in the wind rushing past us.

Something out of the corner of my eye catches my attention and races toward us.

“Ryker, there's something-'Before I can finish my sentence, someone has forcibly knocked me downfrom Ryker's back. I roll across the ground and plunge into a tree.

Growling and teeth-baring ensue in a fight. There is a rugged, small, brown wolf with a grey patchsnapping at Ryker from where 1 lie. I try to stand, but everything is spinning. I remain where I amagainst the trunk of the tree.

Ryker and the other wolf encircle each other, snapping and growling in a stand-off. Ryker uses hisAlpha telepathy and orders her to shift. They both change into their human forms. Ryker and thefemale wolf shift into human form. He is entirely naked with his back to me. A young woman standsfacing Ryker. She is beautiful and has long, blonde hair, brown eyes, a good sized-bust and a curvy,toned figure.

Letting out a growl, I glare. She glares back at me and crosses her arms. Did I growl like a wolf?“Vanessa! You just hurt your Luna!’ Ryker yells.

I am your Luna! She snaps.

'Vanessa, we will discuss this another time. First, I need to see if Astrid is okay, he says as he walksover to me. My vision is blurry. My head hurts. I realise I must have bumped my head on the treetrunk. Ryker grabs my arms to pull me up. He asks,

“Are you okay?"

“I think I hit my head. Everything is spinning,’ I say, rubbing my head with one hand and leaningonto Ryker. Vanessa marches toward us.

“Don’t you walk away from me, Ryker!" She yells.

“Go home, Vanessa! We will discuss this tomorrow!" He yells back.

“I love you, Ryker! I know you love me too. We have already made the arrangements. I'm your mateand Luna! She yells. Gasping at her words, I look up at Ryker.

“Is this true, Ryker?" I ask, praying that it isnt. Ryker lets out a

sigh.

Yes, it's true, but-I slap Ryker across the face before he can finish his sentence.

"You made me come here. You convinced me to give you a chance, and all along, you already had amate and Luna?’ II yell. Ryker has his hand on his cheek where I had slapped him.

“Astrid, you don't understand. I can explain all this. You are my true mate, my fated mate. Vanessawas just a chosen mate, it's not the same! I didn't want

'Enough!’I say sternly. I look at Vanessa standing behind Ryker, smirking.

"You can have him!'l yell, making her grin

“Astrid, please hear me out. You don't understand!’ Ryker says as he tries to take my hand. I backaway from him.

"You know, I thought we had something special and magical until your whore arrived!’ I yell. Vanessaglares at my words.

Turning, I run toward the house. Ryker wants to chase after me, but Vanessa grabs his arm. I seeVanessa trying to hug

Ryker, but Ryker is yelling at her and pushing her off him.

I love you, Ryker!

“The feeling isn't mutual, he growls.

I shove the front door to the packhouse open. Everyone inside the packhouse rushes towards meand asks if I'm okay.

“Why don't you all ask Vanessa? I snap at them as I run upstairs and slam the door to my roomclosed. I curl up on the same couch I slept on the night before.

I finally receive some happiness only for someone else to come along and ruin everything. Whycan't I have some consistent happiness in my life for a change? Will lever know what it's like to beloved, to feel special and wanted?