08/18/2017

Her shower felt nice, but having to put back on her clothes from the day before ruined it. If only there were extra clothes she could wear, but she knew Ryder would have zero clothes that fit her.

She towel dried her hair the best she could and walked back into Ryder's room, finding him shirtless.

"Like the view?" Kristin quickly averted her eyes from Ryder when he spoke.

"I didn't know you'd be in here," she said, annoyed at his teasing.

"This is my room. Why would you not expect me to be in here?" he shook his head, pulling a black shirt over his head.

He turned to look at Kristin, his eyes traveling down her body.

Before she could yell at him he reached into his drawer and through a grey shirt at her.

"Put this on, you shouldn't wear that shirt to the meeting," he said as Kristin grabbed the huge shirt and held it up.

"What's wrong with my shirt?" she asked, looking down at the top Allison had picked out for her the day before. It wasn't exactly what Kristin would pick for herself, but she did think it was pretty.

"It's too revealing," he made a face as he scanned her up and down again.

"Excuse me?" she snapped her fingers so he'd look back at her face, "You aren't allowed to tell me what I can and can't wear."

"If you wear that to the meeting, you're just going to have eight guys staring at you the whole time," he shrugged, trying not to act bothered.

She narrowed her eyes at him before walking back into the bathroom to change.

Once she had his shirt on, she rolled the sleeves up a couple of times and tied a knot in the bottom so she wasn't completely drowning in his shirt.

Now she was just swimming in it.

"Don't you have a smaller shirt?" she asked Ryder as she walked back into his room.

"Does it look like I have a smaller shirt?" he replied, pointing at himself.

Kristin huffed, looking down at his gray shirt paired with her black ripped skinny jeans.

"You look good," Ryder grinned at her.

"No, I don't," she sighed, "Now everyone will be staring at me because I'm wearing your shirt."

"I don't see the problem here," Ryder shrugged, grabbing her arm to pull her back downstairs before she could put her other shirt back on.

"Ryder," she groaned as he made her keep up with him.

"Let's go, the meeting's already started," he chuckled at her frown.

She reluctantly got into the vehicle and let him drive back to the pack building.

He glanced over at her, "You should wear my clothes more often."

"Not funny," Kristin rolled her eyes.

"I'm being serious," he smirked.

Kristin ignored him, mostly because they were approaching the pack building and she was becoming nervous.

"What happens at meetings?" Kristin's forehead creased as she stared up at the towering building as Ryder parked.

"We just sit and talk, it really is the worst thing on the planet," he muttered, pulling on her arm so she'd look at him.

"It'll be fine. I'll just introduce you quick, everyone will already assume you're my mate anyways."

Kristin bit her lip, nerves filling her stomach.

Ryder got out of the car and she hesitantly followed.

They walked up stairs and turned to walk up even more stairs, bringing them to the third level.

"In here," Ryder nodded to the door before he opened it.

"Finally!"

"Look who decided to show up."

"Who's this?"

Three guys all spoke at once, as soon as Ryder and Kristin walked in.

Kristin recognized the first one as Ethan, the sixteen year old Beta. He was looking relieved that Ryder had finally arrived.

The second guy, sitting across from Ethan, she couldn't recognize. And the third guy who asked who she was was raising his brow curiously at her.

"Relax Ethan, I told you I'd be here," Ryder slapped him on the back as he walked by.

The one sitting across from Ethan looked over at Kristin, smiling.

"Now I see why you took so long," he wiggled his eyebrows, making Kristin roll her eyes.

Ryder wishes.

"Jake, shut up," Ryder said, chuckling.

Ryder turned to Kristin who was still standing by the door. He motioned for her to go to him.

"This is Kristin," he wrapped his arm around her waist, and for once she didn't mind. It was slightly intimidating to have seven guys in front of you, openly staring. Now she knew why Ryder had made her change, although hadn't he said eight guys?

She looked up to Ryder, counting him.

Right.

"She's your mate?" One of the guys asked.

"Of course, you idiot. Why would Ryder bring a random girl to the meeting?" The guy named Jake shook his head at him. Then he turned towards Kristin, holding out his hand, "I'm Jake, it's nice to finally meet the one and only," he grinned at Kristin and she slowly brought her hand to his to shake, feeling overwhelmed by his directness.

"Jake would you tone it down?" Ryder shook his head, pulling Kristin out of his reach.

Kristin took a seat next to Ryder, as he started introducing her to everyone.

"You've met Ethan before, he's our Beta," Ryder nodded to the boy who waved at Kristin and smiled.

He looked so young.

"And this is Andrew, leader of the trackers," he pointed at the guy sitting beside Ethan. Andrew nodded at her, "Luna."

Kristin tried to act casual by nodding back, but this was all overwhelming. Especially being called 'Luna.'

"And next to Andrew is Liam, leader of the fighters."

Liam looked slightly older than the rest of the guys, maybe in his thirties? Kristin wasn't good at guessing ages.

He nodded at her, his stern features told her not to make him mad.

"And across from him is Dylan, he handles the pack sh*t," Ryder smirked at him.

"It's technically the pack affairs, but that's more fitting," he chuckled, waving to Kristin.

She found it easier to return his smile.

"And beside him is Colton, who's in charge of the event planning stuff."

She returned Colton's smile but then turned to give Ryder a questioning look. She wasn't exactly sure why the head of the pack's event planning was here.

"He'll plan the introduction of you to the rest of the pack," Ryder explained, seeing her confused expression.

Kristin wanted to argue with Ryder and say she already told him they aren't doing right away but she remained quiet, not wanting to attract more attention than what she already had. If that was even possible.

"And this guy," Ryder said, pointing to Jake who was sitting to their right, "I actually don't know why he's here, he doesn't do anything."

Jake rolled his eyes while everyone else chuckled. Kristin saw that even Liam cracked a smile.

"I am only third in command of this pack, but why should that matter," he shrugged, grinning.

"But as I was saying before," he continued, turning to Kristin, "Its an honor to finally meet my Luna. I must say, you are a beauty--"

"That's enough," Ryder cut Jake off, "She's my mate."

"Relax Ryder," Jake held his hands up in mock surrender and grinned. "I'm only messing with you, though she is one beautiful Lu--"

"Okay let's start the meeting," Ryder stopped Jake from continuing.

Ryder looked around the table, waiting for someone to start.

"As of yesterday, we had a group of rogues run through the beginning of our borders. They only got half a mile in before one of my teams doing rounds chased them away," Andrew spoke.

"If they come back, capture them and bring them downstairs," Ryder nodded at him.

Kristin knew although Ryder hadn't specifically said where downstairs, that he had meant the prison. She fought the urge to shiver as she thought about how the place of her nightmares was resting just below her.

"Yes, Alpha," Andrew nodded, turning to Liam who spoke.

"We've been training the remainder of the fighters for longer hours, now six days a week. I would feel better if we could get more members, however. When we took out the followers of your father, we were only left with half of the team," Liam's rough voice matched his stern expression.

"I'll see about starting the younger ones sooner, so they can train with everyone else."

Kristin didn't like the idea about having young children join the fighters. In her pack, you started training when you were sixteen, but you didn't get to do the actual fighter work until eighteen. She wasn't sure how old the ones in Nightfall were, but she made a mental note to ask Ryder later.

Liam looked pleased with Ryder's suggestion, so she wasn't about to go against his decisions.

At least not now.

"Dylan, what's happening with you?" Ryder asked.

"Since the Luna is here, I think it's a good time to talk about an official alliance between Nightfall and Spirit Moon. We should also plan an event for that, so each of the pack can celebrate uniting to be stronger and therefore more protected," Dylan nodded at Colton who scribbled something down on his notepad.

"Perfect idea, Dylan. That will ensure all of the wolves in the packs that we can count on each other if need be," Colton replied, approving.

"What do you think, Luna?" Dylan tilted his head at Kristin.

"I think that's a good idea. I'll talk to my father," she nodded, wanting everyone's eyes off of her as soon as possible.

She was used to being in the spotlight-- well, near the spotlight as her parents were the Alpha's of her pack. However most of the time the focus was on her brother Marcus, since he was the future Alpha. Plus she knew everyone in their pack.

Now, she was an Alpha too and had to make important decisions. It was way more intimidating. Especially with complete strangers.

"Alright," Ryder nodded, "Anything else?"

"Could you give me a date yet for the Luna celebration?" Colton asked.

Kristin gulped, seeing Ryder look to her with a hint of a smile.

Jerk.

"Ryder and I will talk about it and get back to you," Kristin thought was a safe reply. Colton smiled and nodded, seeming content.

"Okay, let's wrap this up, I'm starving," Ryder said and everyone mumbled agreements.

Typical wolves.

Everyone smiled and waved goodbye to Kristin-- besides Liam who nodded respectfully at her instead.

Kristin relaxed, feeling relieved that the meeting was over. It actually wasn't that bad. Every one had been really nice to her-- maybe some too nice, but still.

As she followed Ryder back to his office, she smiled to herself.

Maybe this Luna thing was possible, after all.

•. •. •. •. •.

Chapter Thirty Two!

Thanks for reading.

(Officially started classes this week and I'm still getting used to my new schedule before I find some time to set aside for writing. Unfortunately I am not majoring in writing so until I crank out some more chapters there will continue to only be two updates a week. You guys probably aren't holding your breath for the next update anyway lol. Just thought I'd keep you updated and if you'd find it helpful?

Anyhwaysss...

Vote if you'd like to support!

Chica_2016