09/20&22/2017

*Words in bold are supposed to be italicized

"How do you guys know each other?" Kristin repeated when they just laughed.

"I met your brother when I tagged along to a meeting between our packs. It was like five years ago," Ryder said.

"Yeah everyone went to that but you," Marcus grinned, looking at Kristin.

She knew that it was custom for packs to have meetings to introduce the future Alphas but she usually stayed home. She wasn't the future Alpha and she wasn't really a wolf at all so it was pointless for her to be included in those things.

"So you two met at a pack meeting five years ago?" Kristin shook her head, not once thinking they would have officially met before.

"Yeah since I was only eleven I didn't really have to stay for the meeting so Ryder and I snuck off and messed around," her brother continued.

"Do you remember when we snuck into the prison without the guards noticing?" Ryder smirked.

"Yeah, that was hilarious! Your parents said you were a bad influence on me."

"Yeah, my mom said I shouldn't get 'the future Alpha' in trouble," Ryder chuckled, and Kristin couldn't help but face him when he mentioned his mother.

"Yeah man, I'm sorry for what happened," Marcus shook his head. Whether he was referring to Ryder's mom, or the more recent incident with his father and brother, Kristin wasn't sure.

She felt bad that Ryder had to deal with so much. She always felt the effects of witnessing what had happened, but it was no where close to it happening with her own family.

If she was in Ryder's place, she'd probably die of a panic attack.

"Thanks," Ryder nodded at Marcus, "I can't really get a break."

The last part was said lightly and he humorlessly smiled.

Kristin instinctively wrapped her arm around Ryder's, pulling herself closer to his side.

She really did have respect for him. She had no idea how he was able to put everything behind him and take over an entire pack.

In that moment, she felt guilty that she was postponing the Luna Celebration and him marking her.

Ryder glanced at her and looked away, clenching his jaw.

"So how's the training coming along?" he asked, changing the subject.

Marcus shrugged, "I'm getting there. Two more years."

"I can't believe you're going be the Alpha in a couple years," Kristin wondered where the time had went. She still remembered when they were kids, they would play around and act like Alphas of the pack. Now it was actually happening.

"I can't believe you're going to be a Luna, sis," Marcus raised his brows.

"Yeah well, I'm a pretty sucky Luna," Kristin admitted, still feeling guilty.

"No you aren't," Ryder snorted, "You're just getting used to things."

Kristin looked up at Ryder and wondered why he was being so nice. Sure, he was always pretty patient with her becoming the Luna, but at this point she really had to start stepping up.

He saw her frown and was about to say something when an oblivious Marcus spoke up instead.

"My father said you were thinking about having an official alliance with the packs."

"Yeah," Ryder cleared his throat.

"I think that's a good idea, that way we can..."

The rest of the conversation was ignored as a result of Kristin zoning out and focusing on her thoughts.

Finally, after another couple of hours, they had arrived back at Ryder's house.

It was getting late and Kristin tiredly fell into bed.

Ryder followed her in and started taking off his shirt.

"Excuse me!" Kristin snapped as her hands covered her eyes.

She heard him chuckle and mumbled something along the lines of "So dramatic."

When she felt him sit down on the bed she peeked through her hands to make sure he was fully clothed.

"What are you doing?" she asked as he leaned back and stretched, his muscles flexing.

"Sleeping."

"Okay I'll go downstairs."

"No you aren't."

"Yes I am."

"I'm going to end up wherever you are when you wake up from your nightmares anyway," he shrugged.

Kristin scrunched her eyebrows, not liking him bringing up her nightmares.

"Fine, you can sleep with me, but only if you tell me what happened today," she crossed her arms.

Ryder lost his smirk and shook his head, "Not right now, I'll tell you in the morning."

"Then leave."

"Kristin, I'll tell you in the morning," he said firmly.

Kristin raised her eyebrow, not ready to give in. After all, he promised to tell her.

"You don't want me to tell you before you go to sleep, trust me," he gave her a flat look.

This gave Kristin the chills.

"What is it?" she lowered her voice.

He shook his head at her, his hair falling over his eye.

She continued to stare at him, but he just remained silent.

Making a move to get off the bed, Ryder quickly reached out and caught her arm.

"If you obviously know this is bad, why do you want me to tell you ?" he tried reasoning.

"Because if you don't, I'm just going to be awake all night, thinking about what it could possibly be."

Ryder sighed at her stubbornness.

"Okay I'll tell you, just..." he shook his head, regretting what he was about to do.

Kristin stayed seated on the edge of the bed, wondering if he'd actually tell her.

"You look like you're about to leave as soon as I tell you," he gave her a hesitant look.

She rolled her eyes, climbing under the covers and laying next to where he was leaning on the headboard.

He looked like he was trying to figure out what to say.

"Before I tell you, you have to promise not to be worried about it."

"You do know that if I could control my worry all of my problems would be gone, right?" she said sarcastically.

"You know what I mean, Kristin. This thing is already being taken care of and nothing bad will happen to you."

"Wait, what?" her eyes widened, "This has to do with me?"

"No," he said quickly, "Well-- kind of. It just has to do with the whole pack and you're part of the pack so a little."

Ryder's hesitation only made her more anxious.

"I think you will make more sense if you just tell me what it is," she sat up, facing him.

"Okay, but its not that bad, okay?" Ryder nodded at her, trying to make her understand.

"Is the pack in danger?" Kristin asked, trying to guess what it was since he wasn't telling her, "Are the rogues dangerous?"

He sighed, "The rogues are dangerous but the pack is safe."

Kristin leaned in, waiting for more details.

"What else?"

He shrugged, "That's everything."

"What about the rogues is dangerous?" she willed him to explain.

He hesitated again before saying, "I'll tell you the rest in the morning, I'm tired."

"Ryder, no," Kristin tried stopping him from laying down. When she failed she leaned over him.

"In the morning, Kristin," he gave her a pointed look.

"If you don't tell me right now, I'm going to freak out," she warned, keeping her voice low.

He pulled her down beside him so his arm was around her, "Just go to sleep."

" After you just said the pack was in danger of rogues?" she exclaimed.

"I said the pack was ," he said with frustration.

"It's really bad isn't it? You aren't telling me the rest because it's really really bad and you don't think I can handle it?" She was saying this to annoy him into telling her the rest but she also felt like she was telling the truth.

She picked herself up and he pulled his arm away, looking up at her.

"What did the rogues do?" she whispered.

He clenched his jaw and shook his head, "Its not what they did but they are."

"Who are they?" she asked, her stomach feeling sick.

Ryder watched her closely before finally replying.

"They were some of the old pack members. They're supporters of my father and they want to attack me and this pack."

•. •. •. •. •.

Chapter Thirty Nineee.

Side note, I'm aware this update was a day late but if you saw my message board I said I was a lil sick and would post today instead. Either way thank you for reading!

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Chica_2016