"I want your ugly, I want your disease

I want your everything as long as it's free

I want your love

I want your drama, the touch of your hand

I want your leather-studded kiss in the sand."

"What are you doing here?" I asked in a shocked voice.

"I had the keys!" He said with a goofy grin on his face and I sighed.

"Seriously, Ryder. You need to return me the spare keys. You have had them for years!"

He juggled the keys between his hands for a while before he grinned at me, hopped on his feet and ran out of my room.

"How 'bout no!" His voice called from the hall and I knew what it meant.

War.

With an animalistic cry and followed behind him and ran, trying to catch up with his Gamma speed.

Which, by the way, was almost impossible.

"Wait till I catch you!" I told him, trying to climb over the sofa and catch him.

He laughed and waved the keys in front of my eyes. "I'll have to wait forever!"

I lunged at him from across the sofa, but he dodged at the last moment, making me land on the carpet with a thud.

Well, ouch.

There was an awkward silence for a moment and Ryder stared at me from above, unblinkingly.

I looked up at him with a grin on my face. "This ain't over yet."

Scrambling on my feet, I ran towards him again. He must have not expected this because he let how a girly squeak before he ran off in the other direction like his pants were on fire.

We continued our silliness for about half an hour and after that, when we were completely exhausted, we just laid on the couch, tired.

And the keys were still with him.

Dang it.

"I'm hungry!" I whined.

"Hi hungry, I'm Ryder." He said, winking at me and I punched his shoulder in return.

"Don't act smart and bring me food."

"How about..." He trailed off as he plopped his legs on the table in front of us and made himself more comfortable, "No?"

I threw a glare at him and nudged his leg with my feet. "Come on!"

"Noi!"

"Yoi."

"Non."

"Oui."

"Naahh."

"Yaahhhh."

"Livy."

"Ray."

"Fuck you."

"I know I'd fuck me too."

"I hate you."

"Yes, but right now you have to bake me my banana cake and Nutella brownies as you promised. Get up get up! Get your ass to work."

"Get my ass to work?" He smirked, wiggling his eyebrows at me.

I just punched his stomach, earning a bunch of swear words from him.

He sighed, and got up, mumbling on his way to the kitchen.

I grinned and fist bumped the air for victory.

<><><>

"Sooooo what are we doing?" I asked as I stood with ryder in the kitchen.

"We?" He mocked in a squeaky voice. "What are doing? You are doing nothing and you are making me do all the work."

"So what? It was your promise." I shrugged and took a bite of an apple I took out from the fridge.

He frowned and took the apple away from me. "Don't eat it. You need to stay hungry for the cakes I am baking."

"Oh don't worry about that. I have enough appetite to eat this house down." I bragged.

He looked at me with an amused expression and mumbled, "Pig."

"Fat ass!"

"What's with you and my ass?"

"I am just saying that your ass is fat-"

"What is he doing here?" A familiar voice said from behind us and we both turned around at the same time to see Chance standing in the hallway with a bitter expression on his face.

There goes my cakes.

<><><>

"What are you doing there?" Chance repeated his question, looking at Ryder with a frown on his face.

Ryder's expressions turned bitter too as he said,"I have known Livy all my life. Shouldn't I be asking you this question?"

Chance's expression turned into one of anger and his fists curled. His eyes turned black and I could tell he wasn't in a good mood to argue with right now.

Scared as hell, my hand immediately went to clench Ryder's hand. Ryder looked at me, smiled and squeezed our hands in reassurance.

Chance's eyes followed the moment and they zeroed on our connecting hands.

His eyes turned pitch black and a growl escaped his throat.

"Leave!" He roared, glaring ferociously at Ryder.

Ryder's eyes, too turned black, and I could tell his wolf was in control.

"What is your problem, Chance?" He asked

"My problem is that you are too close to what's mine. So leave!"

Ryder pushed me behind him and growled. "No!"

Chance's whole body started shaking in anger and let out a ferocious growl.

"I am your Beta and I command you to leave before I kill you with bare hands."

Ryder stiffened and I could tell that his wolf was submitting to the Beta who was a rank higher than Gamma.

But I knew Ryder won't leave me even if it meant he could be exiled. He could risk his life, but I didn't want him to. I didn't want him to feel like he has to choose. I can't be so selfish.

"Ryder.. just go... I'll be okay," I whispered, pushing him lightly my hand.

Ryder looked down at me with uncertainty in his eyes.

"Are you sure? I..." He began but I shook my head to cut him off.

I pushed him again and he nodded. I gave him a reassuring smile and he left with uncertainty written all over his face.

My disappointed gaze turned towards Chance and I looked at him with a frown.

"You're unbelievable," I muttered as I walked past him into my room.

I went to the bathroom and stood in front of the sink.

Opening the faucet, I took some water in my hands and splashed it on my face. Cold water tickled down my face that was hot with anger, and cooled it down.

I splashed water on my face once again and this time some went on my neck too. Taking a towel, I wiped my face off and stared at myself in the mirror.

I realized that I hoped the water would wash my worries away. But it didn't.

My reflection stared back at me and I wondered.

I wondered what my life has become in this past week and I promised myself to be strong and determined.

I can't take anyone's help. This war is mine to fight.

I walked back into the room, surprised that nobody was there. No gonna lie, I was expecting Chance to be waiting here.

I had prepared myself for drama. But nothing like that happened.

Surprised and shocked, I walked to my bed to see a giant teddy bear lying on it with a little white letter beside it.

The site of the teddy bear warmed my heart up and I studied it for a bit. It was a pure white teddy, with pink and brown details at some places.

It was holding a big heart between his two little paws which said, "I love to cuddle!"

A small smile played on my lips as I sat on my bed and placed the teddy onto my lap. I admired it for a while and stroked it soft fur, before I remembered about the letter and decided to open it.

Oli,

I came to give this to you but unfortunately, it didn't turn out as I expected. But it's okay. I still need to let you know that I am sorry.

I am sorry for what I did. I honestly didn't think of the consequences. I made a silly move, and I accept it.

But you are my mate and you know that I'll come back to you no matter what.

I am leaving right now, because now is not the time to talk. You are angry, I am too. It will only worsen the condition.

But I promise I'll come back. I have to. I have so much to say and apologize for.

Till then, wait for me?

Yours truly,

Chance.

I folded the letter and placed it on my bedside table.

Laying my head on the pillow, I looked up at the ceiling, before closing my eyes. Sometimes when there are too many emotions to feel, you end up feeling nothing.

I turned to my side, closed off the lights and decided to sleep even if it was too early.

Closing my eyes, I hugged the teddy to my chest and dozed off, wondering what it would be like to sleep with your mate in your arms.

All this time, without even realizing, I was waiting for him.