02/20&25/2018

Ryder looked at her like she was crazy, "And why is that?"

"The pack was so happy at the alliance party, and they've been extremely nice to me," she said, shaking her head, "Now they're sad and afraid after the rogue attack. I can feel it. They're all mourning the loss of those fighters. They need something to look forward to again."

"Kristin, I don't want you doing this just for them."

"What do you mean?"

"You said you weren't ready for the Luna celebration. I don't want you doing this just so the pack will be happy."

"I want to do this, Ryder," she said seriously, "Not only to cheer up the pack and give them something to look forward to, but because I want to."

Ryder looked at her for a minute before speaking up.

"Okay, if you say so."

"You don't sound that thrilled," she commenting, crossing her arms.

He chuckled, "Don't worry, I am."

"You sure sound like it," she replied sarcastically. She was frustrated now that he was making her second guess herself. But she knew what she wanted.

"Kristin," he gave her a pointed look.

"You don't have to come to the celebration if you don't want to," she interrupted, "You just won't be able to meet the Luna..."

"Oh, I would love to meet her," he rolled his eyes, "I heard she has a pretty sexy mate."

"Really?" she asked, not amused.

"It's a rumor," he shrugged.

"Well most rumors aren't true," she fake smiled at him and yawned.

"You need to go to sleep. You aren't making any sense."

She just rolled her eyes, laying back down on the couch. After ten more minutes of looking through random pack documents, she was fast asleep.

Ryder glanced up at her, the corner of his mouth pulling up.

"How long was I out?" Kristin sat up after she had woken up a while later.

"Mmm about two hours," Ryder looked at the clock.

"What?" she said, surprised. She hadn't planned to sleep that long, she had only wanted to take a short nap. How much had she missed?

"I'm kidding," he smirked, his eyes glinting, "You were only asleep for twenty minutes."

Kristin narrowed her eyes at him, getting up to stretch.

"How long are you going to be here?" she groaned.

"I don't know," he replied in the same tone, watching her stretch.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door and Kristin wasted no time in opening it.

"Ethan!" she stepped forward and hugged him, relieved to see him after yesterday's events.

"Hey," he awkwardly hugged her back, looking cautiously to Ryder.

"Guess what?" Kristin pulled away, smiling at Ethan. She was glad to see him, the last time hadn't been under pleasant circumstances.

"I'm not that great of a guesser," Ethan chuckled, walking in and closing the door.

"The Luna Celebration is on," she told him, sitting on the back of a chair.

"Really?" Ethan looked to Ryder, hopeful.

"Apparently," Ryder shrugged, looking over at Kristin.

"He's not invited," she said to Ethan, tilting her head towards Ryder.

Ethan scrunched his brows, confused.

She heard Ryder scoff, "Don't mind her, she's just sleep deprived."

Kristin rolled her eyes, ignoring Ryder. She didn't know why he was acting weird about this, but would figure it out later.

"Can you get a committee together to start planning?" she asked Ethan, "I want to have it announced as soon as possible."

She smiled, thinking of lifting everyone's spirits.

"I can have it announced as soon as we pick a date," he hesitated, again glancing at Ryder.

"How about next Saturday?" Kristin replied, looking over at Ryder.

"That's in six days," Ryder raised his brow at her.

"I know," she held his gaze.

"Uh..." Ethan cleared his throat, "That can be arranged."

"I think it will be good for everyone," Kristin tried convincing Ryder, knowing Ethan was waiting for his agreement.

"Okay," Ryder nodded, running his hand through his hair.

"Great! I'll go form the committee right away," Ethan nodded before leaving.

"Okay, what's really wrong?" Kristin eyed Ryder.

Ryder shut his laptop and got up to stretch.

"Look, I'm glad your doing this Kristin."

"But?" she urged, knowing he looked a little tense.

"But," he sighed, walking over to her, "I don't think you know what this entails."

Kristin lifted her brow, walking into his embrace.

"I think I do," she mumbled into his chest.

"Really?" he replied, doubtful.

"How about we go home and take a nap," she smiled up at him, changing the subject. She was too tired to discuss technicalities right now.

"Kristin," he warned, "We—"

"Shh, let's talk about this later," she pulled him out of the room— or at least attempted to.

"Ryder," she whined, trying to pull him out of the doorway. "I'm tired."

Ryder gave in, following her downstairs and to his car.

"Can I drive?" Kristin reached for the keys in his hand which he quickly held above her so she couldn't reach.

"I'm not letting you drive when you're sleep deprived. You'll probably crash."

"Fine," she gave up trying to reach the keys in the air, getting into the passenger seat.

"I wouldn't let you drive this even if you had wolf reflexes," he muttered as he walked to the driver side.

"Excuse me?" she widened her eyes, "Why, do you not trust me?"

"Not with this car."

"I'm sure you could afford another one if I crashed it," she rolled her eyes.

"It's custom, Kristin."

"Oh wow—"

"It's a one-of-a-kind," he interrupted.

"I know what custom means," she snapped.

He laughed at her frustration.

"I'm going to drive this car someday," she stated.

"Mmm, I don't think so," he teased.

"Don't worry, it'll be when you aren't around," she smirked, looking out her window as they approached their house. It still felt weird calling it 'their' house, it made Kristin smile.

"Okay," Ryder replied in a doubtful voice.

Once inside, Kristin made her way upstairs and fell back onto the bed, closing her eyes.

"Are you already sleeping?" Ryder's voice made her open her eyes.

She narrowed her eyes at him but his proximity made it hard to act annoyed.

She was laying on her back across the bed and Ryder's hands were on either side of her head. From above her, his face came into view, leaning over her.

She thought he was going to kiss her from this position but his lips met her neck instead.

"Ryder," she grumbled right as her own stomach grumbled.

"Are you hungry?" he chuckled, still trailing kisses down her neck.

"Can you order take-out?" she asked, too lazy to go eat anywhere or make something.

"Which side?" she heard him ask.

"What?"

He pulled away, smirking down at her, "Which side do you want me to—"

"Ryder, I said not now!" she pushed his face away, hiding her smile.

"I was just asking," he shrugged innocently, sitting down beside her.

"Did you even hear what I said?" she huffed, still flustered with his words.

"What kind of take-out do you want?" he reached over to grab his phone.

"I don't care, as long as it's food. I'm going to take a nap before it gets here," she reached over and grabbed a pillow.

"That's too bad, I was kind of sick of food and thinking about ordering something else," he replied sarcastically.

"Just order, I'm starving," she reached over to smack him.

"What am I? Your servant?"

"You'll be my favorite person if you do," she mumbled, closing her eyes and smiling.

"That's a lie, because I'm already your favorite person," he flicked her nose.

"And who is your favorite person?" she asked, still keeping her eyes closed.

"I think you know," he said, leaning down to kiss her.

"It's Ethan, isn't it?" she teased.

"I was going to say Jake," he shrugged, dialing a number and bringing his phone to his ear.

"Of course," she smiled, snuggling into her pillow while she listened to Ryder order.

•. •. •. •. •.

Happy Monday!

Chapter 63.

Thanks for reading!

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