07/10/2017

The next morning Kristin woke up before Ryder, she assumed because he was still in his room across the hall.

She continued to unpack the rest of her stuff, putting up some pictures of her friends and family.

Half way through, she turned on some music, continuing to organize her room.

Suddenly the door opened and a squinting Ryder was standing in the doorway.

Shirtless.

"You're so loud," he grumbled, rubbing his eyes.

"Turn off your enhanced wolf hearing then," she shrugged.

"Ha, Ha. Very funny."

She busied herself with her ring so she wouldn't stare at his muscular arms and chest... and abs.

Her face almost turned red thinking about it.

"I'm taking the car," he said yawning, oblivious to Kristin's inner struggle.

"Where?"

"None of your business."

"Real mature."

"Thanks for noticing." And with that he walked away.

Someone's grumpy in the morning, Kristin thought, rolling her eyes.

After she finished setting up her room and the connected bathroom she showered and came down stairs, heading for the kitchen.

She was pretty sure Ryder had left because it was completely silent.

She smiled to herself as she started blending a smoothie for breakfast.

Ryder thought the car was the only vehicle here.

However, as she toured the house yesterday, she peeked into the garage, finding a sleek white car.

She wasn't sure what model it was, because she was never that interested in cars. All she knew was that this was a newer model.

She went back upstairs and got dressed in a tshirt dress, tying a denim jacket around her waist.

She braided her still wet hair and applied her usual makeup routine.

By the time she had grabbed her phone and wallet, walking out the door, it was almost eleven in the morning.

She smiled to herself as she sat on the black leather seat, seeing the keys in the ignition.

Now for a place to go.

She decided to head to town. Mostly because upon arriving, this would be the first time she was in town completely by herself. No guards. No Ryder.

Feeling a sudden sense of freedom, Kristin turned up the music and rolled her windows down.

About two hours later, Kristin was seated in the food court, shopping bags next to her.

She was nibbling on her french fries and people watching-- her favorite past time.

She was laughing from watching a couple getting into a heated argument outside of a lingerie store, when someone walked up to her.

"Is this seat taken?"

Kristin glanced up at the boy in front of her.

His brown hair was covered by a baseball cap, while his smile revealed dimples.

He was cute.

"Nope, all yours," she said, making room for him to sit down across from her.

"My name's Alex," he said taking a bite of his burger.

"Kristin," she said smiling.

"So why are you here all by yourself, Kristin?"

She shrugged, "I felt like going to the mall. It can't be that surprising that a girl wants to shop?"

He chuckled at her, dimples showing again, "Fair enough."

"So tell me Alex, why are you here all by yourself?" She gave him a teasing smile.

"It can't be that surprising that a guy wants to meet beautiful girls at the mall?"

"Oh so that's what you are," Kristin said nodding.

"What?"

"A f*ckboy." Alex didn't seem like the type. He had probably said that because he was trying to flirt with Kristin. However, she still wanted to mess with him.

"I'm actually a really good guy," he said shaking his head.

"Really?" Kristin said, dragging the word out. When she broke into a smile he did the same, realizing she was messing with him.

"Are you from around here?"

Kristin didn't get a chance to reply to Alex because after she opened her mouth she froze.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, scrunching up her eyebrows.

Alex seemed confused at first, but then realized Kristin was looking behind him.

Ryder walked up to their table, eyeing Alex.

"It's nice to see you too," he smirked at her, turning to Alex. "And you are?"

"Alex," Kristin saw Alex slightly shrink back from Ryder. She figured it was because Alex could sense some form of power radiating off of Ryder.

However, she had that same power, since her father was an Alpha. Perhaps Ryder's was stronger since he was a wolf.

Ryder seemed to notice Alex's intimidation and grinned.

"Ryder," Kristin warned.

"I'm sorry, did I interrupt your guys' date?"

Kristin kicked Ryder's leg from under the table, but he didn't even flinch.

"Wait, are you guys... together?" Alex slowly asked, pointing from Kristin to Ryder.

"No," Kristin said at the same time Ryder said, "Maybe."

"We're not together," Kristin repeated to a confused looking Alex.

"We just live together, if you know what I mean," Ryder said, winking at Alex.

"Ryder, shut up!" Kristin glared up at him.

"Oh..." Alex shifted uncomfortably. "Well, I'll see you around Kristin."

He gave her a small smile before getting up and walking away.

"Why would you do that?" Kristin threw her hands in the air, frustrated.

She wasn't really interested in Alex, but that didn't mean she didn't want to be friends with him.

Ryder narrowed his eyes at Alex's retreating figure before looking to Kristin.

"Was it something I said?" he joked.

Kristin grabbed her bags and started walking away.

"How did you get here, anyway?" Ryder said, easily catching up to her fast-paced walk. She was trying to get to the exit as fast as she could.

"How did you find me here?" she shot back, trying to pick up her pace.

"I asked you first."

Kristin ignored Ryder, walking through the doors to the parking lot.

"I didn't know you actually liked him," Ryder said, looking ahead.

"I did. As a friend," Kristin shook her head at him.

"Hmm, I don't think he wanted to be just friends."

"Alex is nice, unlike you," she said arriving next to the car.

Ryder raised an eyebrow at the car, "Where did you get this?"

"It just appeared outside the house," she said sarcastically.

He closed the distance between them, causing Kristin to step back until she was leaning against the car.

"I only have one thing to tell you," Ryder said lowly, his face inches from her.

Kristin's gaze ended up on his blue eyes that were swirling into black. Her dad and brother's only did that when they were angry.

"What?" Kristin said, her voice coming out softer than she wanted.

He looked down at her, pausing a few seconds before smirking.

"Race you home."

•. •. •. •. •. •.

Chapter Six! Read!

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Chica_2016