07/17/2017

Kristin stared into the mirror at her reflection, her thoughts a jumbled mess.

She couldn't stop thinking back to last night with Ryder.

She had tried to act like it didn't effect her, yet she knew it had.

But why?

Ryder was a complete jerk to Kristin. He was immature and annoying.

She did not like him.

She refused to let her mind think anything else.

However, there was a tiny voice, deep in the back of her mind, that was trying to tell her something else.

What if she did like him?

She shook her head, stopping the voice.

No.

Even if there was a small possibility that Kristin liked Ryder, she could never be with him.

He was a werewolf. He would find his mate.

And as soon as he found her, Kristin would be long forgotten.

She had seen this happen in her pack.

Young wolves dating others, and when they found their mate, leaving their previous girlfriend/ boyfriend without a care in the world.

Yes, it would happen.

Kristin sighed, walking out of her bathroom.

There was only one thing to do that would end this confusion over her feelings.

And that was finding Ryder's mate.

"Ryder," Kristin called, walking down the stairs.

"No," a voice replied from the kitchen.

"Yes!" she said, walking into the kitchen.

Ryder raised a brow at her, "What do you want?"

Kristin looked through the fridge, casually replying, "We should go to town today."

"And why is that?" she heard the curiosity, and maybe a little suspicion, in his tone.

"Umm, to get more groceries," she said turning to give him a shrug.

He eyed her suspiciously before running a hand through his thick, dark hair.

Her eyes watched his movements and lingered on his messy- styled hair, wondering what it would be like to run her hands through--

Wait.

Kristin mentally slapped herself.

"Hello?" Ryder snapped his fingers in front of her face.

"Why can't you just go by yourself?"

"Ryder," she said with a bored tone, trying to cover up her blush.

"Kristin," he replied, with the same tone.

"It's not like you have anything better to do," she walked over and grabbed his arm with both of her hands to pull.

"Let's go!" she said, struggling to pull him towards the door, as he held in a laugh.

He wasn't even moving an inch.

"What are you doing?" he chuckled.

"I'm trying... to get you... into the car," she huffed, using all of her weight to make him take a tiny step forward.

"What's really going on?" he asked, pulling his arm back, causing her to crash into his chest.

"What?" she asked, a hint of panic in her voice.

What did he mean, what was going on?

"I really don't think you need me for groceries, so why do you want me to come?"

Oh.

She pushed herself away from him, putting her hands on her hips.

"Because... I also want to... show you something," she tried coming up with an excuse so he'd go with her.

"Wow, you are really biting your lip hard," he said, teasingly.

"I'm not," she snapped, focusing all her energy to not bite her lip.

She wasn't completely lying.

"Alright, let's go," he shook his head and started walking towards the door.

Kristin stopped herself from blurting out, 'Wait, what?' and ran passed him so she could drive.

"I know something's up," Ryder told her, as he took a seat beside her.

"Why would you think that?" she mindlessly distracted him as she pulled out of the driveway.

"Because you are lying to me," he pointed out the obvious, "And I can sense your anxiety."

He could sense her anxiety?

Well, now that she was thinking about it, she was anxious.

All she wanted to do was to make him walk around town, looking for his mate.

After all, she could be there.

"Come on Kristin, what are we really doing?" Ryder leaned over, watching her closely.

Her stomach fluttered with nerves.

"We can still stop and get groceries," she tried to say casually.

"So we're not even going to the store?" he asked, confused.

"If I tell you what we're doing you have to promise you'll do it," Kristin said, hoping he would agree.

"I'm not promising anything," he rolled his eyes, "Just tell me what we're doing."

"Promise first."

He looked over at her for a few seconds before sighing loudly.

"Fine, I promise."

"We're going to find your mate," Kristin replied, enthusiastically.

"What?" he snapped, narrowing his eyes at her.

"You promised!" she reminded him, pulling into the mall parking lot.

"Why on earth are you making me find my mate?"

"Because then the deal will be off, and I won't have to live with you anymore."

"Don't act like you don't like it, sweetheart," he said, suddenly smirking at her.

"I'm not acting."

"Why would you bring me here? Ninety percent of people here are human."

"Excuse me?" Kristin slapped his arm. "A human could be your mate."

"I don't think so," he said, smiling at her, "Human's aren't my type."

"You don't know what your type is until you find your mate, Ryder," she rolled her eyes.

He reluctantly followed her out of the car.

"Is that so?"

"Yes, now let's go!"

"Where are we going exactly?" he crossed his arms and stopped in front of Kristin.

She shrugged, "We are walking around until you find your mate."

"What if my mate isn't here, genius?"

"Then we look somewhere else."

She knew that she was being ridiculous. Ryder's mate could be anywhere in the world.

But, there was a small chance she was somewhere around here, and Kristin was taking that chance.

"So you're planning on walking around until I find my mate, huh?" Ryder said, walking beside her.

"If that's what it takes," she was determined.

"Why do you want me to find her so bad?" he curiously looked at Kristin.

"I already told you, I want this deal to be over," she pushed.

"Alright," he said with an amused voice.

After a minute of walking Ryder spoke up.

"Hey, there she is," he said, calmly pointing over to a group of girls ahead.

"Really? Which one?" Kristin fired her questions at him.

"Uh, that one," he nodded his head, not making it obvious to whom he was talking about.

Kristin let out a breath, "You're lying, aren't you."

"I would prefer the term, joking," he chuckled, "Especially with how gullible you are."

She lightly punched his arm.

"Ow!" he said dramatically, rubbing his arm.

"Drama queen," Kristin muttered, knowing he'd hear her.

"You're abusive," he shot back.

"Only when I have to be," she shrugged.

They decided to walk through the mall after a while.

"Ryder! You're not even looking around," Kristin nagged him for looking at his phone.

"You do realize I don't have to see her to find her, right? I'll be able to pick up her scent before anything," he said, looking up from his phone to meet her gaze.

She rolled her eyes as he directed his gaze behind her.

"Are you hungry? Let's go to the food court," Ryder suddenly blurted out, pulling her with him.

"Slow down, I have human legs!," she whisper yelled at him.

"Ryder, stop!" she pulled her arm out of his hold, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he said, clenching his jaw. His eyes briefly flickered behind her again.

"What--" Kristin spun around.

"Hey Kristin," Alex waved from a distance away.

"Alex?" she asked, surprised to see him.

He smiled and started walking over.

Kristin returned the smile and waved, hearing Ryder growl from beside her.

"What's your problem?" she turned to scrunch her eyebrows at him.

"I don't like him," he said so low, Kristin hardly heard him.

Instead of scolding Ryder, she turned back just as Alex came to a stop in front of her.

"How's it going Kristin? I haven't seen you in a while," she watched his dimples appear.

"It's going as great as it can with this one," she said sarcastically, her eyes motioning to Ryder beside her.

Alex chuckled nervously at Ryder, still appearing intimidated by him.

"Anyways, its nice seeing you Kristin, we should hang out some time?" his eyes lit up, waiting for her reply.

"That sounds like a bad idea," Ryder cut Kristin off, glaring at Alex.

"Ryder, stay out of this," she snapped.

Why did he dislike Alex so much? Alex was a friendly, innocent guy.

Kristin felt Ryder's hand wrap around her arm.

"Can we talk for a second?" he murmured impatiently in her ear.

"I'd love to hang out, Alex," Kristin's reply caused Alex to smile brightly, and Ryder to growl.

She turned to give Ryder a look that meant 'Stop growling like an animal in front of humans!'

"Kristin," Ryder warned, tugging on her arm.

"What?" she demanded when she allowed him to pull her away. She held a finger up to Alex, telling him to give her a second.

"I don't think you should be with him," he said, shooting a glare behind Kristin.

Most likely at Alex.

"I don't trust him," he continued, looking serious.

"Are you joking right now?" Kristin crossed her arms, "You don't get to say who I can and can't hang out with."

"He gives me a bad feeling."

"Okay, so you're telling me that I shouldn't hang out with my friend, because he gives you 'a bad feeling'?" Kristin made air quotes with her fingers.

"Yes!" Ryder said with a 'duh!' tone.

"Damn it!" Ryder cursed as Kristin left him to walk back over to Alex.

She smiled sweetly at him, knowing just how to push Ryder to the edge.

"Actually Alex, do you want to come over and hang out?"

"Like, right now?" he asked, looking surprised.

Kristin nodded, smiling.

"Okay," he shrugged.

Ryder had returned to her side by then and was frowning.

"Alright, give me one second and I'll ride with you to show you the way."

"Okay!" Alex nodded.

Kristin walked a couple feet away, knowing Ryder was following her.

"You invited him over?" Ryder angrily said.

"Yes, is that okay?" Kristin smiled up at him, knowing she was irritating him.

"No!"

"Well too bad because you're not the boss of me."

"Kristin!"

"Ryder!"

"I'm going to shift in front of him," Ryder crossed his arms.

"No, you aren't, it's against pack rules."

"I don't care, I don't like that kid."

She rolled her eyes, "He's my friend."

Ryder scoffed, "You've just met him last week."

"So? I met you two weeks ago."

"That's different."

"How?" Kristin asked, knowing she was winning this argument.

Ryder groaned.

"See you at home!" she cheerfully said and waved at him.

He caught her hand in his, mid- wave, to stop her. He didn't look amused.

"You're getting into a car with a complete stranger? Haven't your parents taught you anything?" he asked, like she was crazy.

"You're practically a stranger. I've only known you for two weeks," Kristin raised a brow at him.

Ryder let go of her hand, "Whatever."

Kristin almost felt bad as she watched Ryder leave.

Then, she remembered all the times he had been a jerk to her.

Almost.

"Okay, let's go," Kristin said as she left with Alex.

•. •. •. •. •.

Chapter Thirteen finished!

It's about to get muy interesante guys!

Thanks for reading!

Vote if you'd like.

Chica_2016