01/02/2018

The next morning Kristin rolled over feeling cold, wanting to scoot closer to Ryder and his warmth. When she didn't feel anything, she realized the bed was empty and quickly sat up, opening her tired eyes.

The lights were off, but the rising sun peeking in through the windows hurt her sensitive eyes. Her head pounded from the sudden movement of sitting up and her entire body still felt exhausted.

Ryder came in with wet hair, shirtless again, and buttoning his jeans.

"I thought you left without me," she grumbled, laying back in bed.

"I took a shower to wake me up," he yawned, walking over to the closet.

"Where are you going?" she asked, looking at the clock.

It was seven in the morning, which meant by the time they finally went to bed they had gotten about three hours of sleep.

"Pack building," was all he said.

"I want to come," she whined, wishing she could sleep for a few more hours, but not wanting to miss any more planning.

"What?" Ryder distractedly replied, pulling a shirt over his head.

"I'm coming with you," she stretched, trying to get herself out of bed.

Ryder shook his head, walking over to sit on the bed. "I'm just going to check with the fighters and trackers. I want to make sure the rounds are being done and the guards are doubled."

Kristin attempted to get up but Ryder pulled her back in the bed with him. "Keep sleeping Kristin. You need more sleep than me."

"No," she jumped out of bed, forgetting about her pounding headache until then.

"Kristin," he groaned, watching her quickly grab clothes and go to the bathroom.

"I'll be quick, wait for me!" she called from behind the door, showering and putting on some fresh leggings and a sweatshirt since it was getting colder in the mornings.

She towel dried her wet hair and left it down, in too much of a hurry to braid it.

"Finally," Ryder groggily said from the bed. She was pretty sure he had fallen asleep waiting for her.

"I only took fifteen minutes. That the fastest I've ever gotten ready," she said, walking over to him.

He was laying on his back with his hands behind his head as she sat next to him, leaning down to rest her head on his chest.

"You're still tired," she smiled teasingly at him, "I thought was the one who needed more sleep than you."

Ryder slid his hands down to grab her waist, pulling her on top of him.

"You do need more sleep."

"So do you," she shot back, trying to keep her face from tinting pink as she laid on top of him.

"Mhmm," he grumbled, lifting his head up to move his lips against hers.

She melted into him, putting her hands into his wet hair.

His hands were running up and down her sides before stopping at her waist.

He laid his head back, breaking the kiss.

"Ethan's in my head," he said with an annoyed expression.

Kristin chuckled, knowing she could depend on Ethan for keeping Ryder in check.

"I was supposed to be there five minutes ago," Ryder raised a brow at her.

"What's that for?" she asked.

"You're distracting me," he murmured, reaching up to kiss her again.

"You started it," she snapped, turning her head so he couldn't connect their lips again. Instead he just started kissing her neck.

She sat up, looking down at him, "I like this view," she teased, knowing it would get to him.

"Don't get used to it," he smirked at her, pushing her off.

"Ow," she said as she fell onto the bed beside him.

"Drama queen," he muttered, making her smile and follow him out the door.

Their first stop was meeting Liam and Andrew at the pack building.

"We could use some more wolves to help," Andrew shook his head, "I'm thinking we recruit more fighters and trackers."

"Of age," Kristin reminded them, not wanting them to recruit children for this.

"Of course, Luna," he nodded, and Kristin wished Ryder listened to her like this.

"What about Evelyn," she looked to Liam, although she was asking Ryder.

Liam looked to Ryder.

"She's right," Ryder sighed, "Get Evelyn back on the team."

Kristin fought if her smile, knowing Ryder wouldn't appreciate it.

"Anything new?" Ryder asked Andrew, changing the subject.

"Nothing yet. However we've been searching outside the boundaries and there are no new traces anywhere within ten miles of Nightfall."

"Good," Ryder replied.

After that, Kristin went with Ryder up to his office, where he had more work to do.

"What exactly are you doing?" she asked him from the couch she was laying on. She had been reading different documents about the pack to keep her busy.

"I'm looking at the numbers we have of fighters and trackers, then I have to schedule more rounds with Jake, and I have to go through these papers about our alliance with Spirit Moon sometime soon."

Kristin sat up, "Do you think we have enough fighters and trackers to defend us from the rogues?"

"We'll be able to take out Karmin and the rest of his followers," he assured.

"But with how many casualties?" she questioned, frowning, "We could use more help."

Ryder continued typing on this computer.

"What if we ask my father for help?"

"I don't want to put them in danger," he shook his head.

"So we are in danger?" she challenged.

He clenched his jaw, "I don't want to ask them for help."

"I'll talk to my parents about it," she replied, making him sigh.

"Even if we get more numbers, that doesn't mean no one will get hurt. If Spirit Moon wants to help, they should volunteer instead of being told to help by your father."

Kristin nodded, knowing that he didn't want any of them to get hurt when they were fighting for another pack.

After sitting in silence, listening to Ryder continue to work, Kristin spoke up.

"Is it true that you'll be stronger after we... you know..." she shifted in her seat.

Ryder looked up from his laptop, "You mean after we mate?"

Kristin nodded, her cheeks turning pink.

"Yeah," Ryder remained emotionless, which bugged her, "It's true."

"And the pack...?"

"Will be stronger too, yeah," he nodded.

Kristin sighed, "So everyone hates me because I want to wait?"

Ryder looked at her for a long time before speaking.

"The pack loves you and you know it Kristin."

She let out a frustrated sigh.

"Hey," he said, making her open her eyes. He had a hint of a smile on his face. "Even without completing the bond, we'll still be able to protect the pack. You don't have to stress over this."

"You don't know that for sure," she worriedly said.

"I'm pretty confident in this pack."

"But people will still get hurt."

"That's just what happens, Kristin."

"But what if I can help people from getting hurt? By making the pack stronger?"

Ryder shook his head and chuckled, "Kristin, don't think too hard on this."

She groaned in frustration, laying back on the couch. Ryder wasn't helping at all.

"Wait," she sat back up, getting his attention again. "I want to have the Luna celebration. I want to officially meet everyone in the pack."

•. •. •. •. •.

Chapter 62.

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