Eighty–One
Isabella’s POV
Ryder stared at me long and hard in his big wolf eyes and I could tell that he recognized me even though there wasn’t a word between us as there was no way to physically talk when we were both in wolf form.
He turned away and went behind a tree and a few minutes later, he came back in human form wearing a white dress shirt that had the first three buttons undone and black pants. I couldn’t shift back as I didn’t anticipate doing so and if I did right now I would be in nothing but my nakedness since I had destroyed my clothes when I shifted and didn’t have any spare with me.
I sat down on my bottom and Ryder sat on a stump, facing me. He smiled at me but I could tell that it was fake. I
wondered whether it was because he had also heard the
news. Was he thanking the goddess that he wasn’t tied down with me as my mate?
On closer assessment though, I realized that the faraway look on his face and the forced smile were not at all because of me but his grievances. “I came out for some fresh air. Chloe and I…err, we had a little misunderstanding.”
He said and I could tell he felt he needed to explain his reason for being here. Everyone knew that this was my spot after all. But I didn’t mind that right now. “What happened with
Chloe?” I asked through the link, very concerned.
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going back home soon, I feel very childish for storming off the way I did. What about you? Mind telling me what the problem is?”
I scoffed, “Like you don’t already know.”
“I have heard some things very vaguely. I don’t mind if you explain more in–depth what’s troubling you if you don’t mind, yourself.
Seeing nothing else to lose and even feeling the urge to let more people who had a chance of believing me know the actual truth, I relayed the entire story to him.
I told him what people were saying and how bad the rumor was and told him what truly happened as well while he listened quietly. It had been a while since Ryder and I had had a conversation and I was aware of that fact as I waited for him to comment on what I just explained.
Even when I met with him and Chloe both after we all made up, he had always been more quiet and reserved like he was still wracked with guilt over what happened and he felt too awkward around me.
I understood that if that was the case but I really held nothing against Ryder–at least not anymore–and I hoped he knew that.
“Does Alexander know the truth? Does he not believe you?”
“He does.”
Ryder sighed, “Rumors die down Bella. You’ll have to clear your name eventually. You must clear your name. It infuriates me that some spawn of satan would even dare spread such lies about the Luna herself.” He paused.
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after me.
I laughed at loud, both at his comment and at the acceleration in my heart due to the sudden burst of adrenaline…at the wind in my fur that felt like a cold bath after a hot day.
We were neck and neck as we ran, winding around any trees in our way and jumping over hedges. Conversation sprouted from nowhere and as we ran we talked about a lot of different stuff in very random topics.
Although by the time we came to a stop, Ryder would have succeeded in his plan to help me calm down and forget about today’s mess as I had already pushed the matter to the back of my mind, he ended by advising me not to avoid my mate and to fight to clear my name, bringing it all back to me. It wasn’t as heavy as before though so I guess that was a good thing.
When I looked up, I realized that we were in the pack house woods and that Ryder had deliberately led us here. “Go on.” He nodded. “I’m not leaving until I see that you have gone in.”
I rolled my eyes, hating that he was acting like I was a child. “Thank you, Ryder,” I said anyway. “You really did help. Now, go back home to my best friend and sort out your
differences.” I commanded playfully showing just a tinge of how serious I actually was.
He chuckled. “I was going to do so anyway, Luna. I’m glad to have helped you though even while keeping my mate waiting.”
I glared at him playfully. He was trying to make me feel bad, wasn’t he? Turning around, I went inside, scaling the walls and
entering the balcony. I was immediately hit by Alexander’s scent which felt like a warm hug even though I hadn’t seen him yet.
I turned to look down, still seeing Ryder in the woods,
properly concealed by the trees from anyone who didn’t know that he was there.
“Good night.” I linked to him and after saying it back, he
nodded and turned around, disappearing into the trees and darkness.
When I turned around, I saw the door slide open to reveal my mate, an unreadable look on his face as he approached me, a
blanket in his hand.
Understanding what the blanket was for when he spread it open and held it behind me, I shifted and let him wrap the cozy cloth around my naked body and silently led me inside. On getting inside, we stared at each other, not saying a word and while my silence was because I was waiting for him to speak, I decided that his was because he had nothing to say
to me.
I had managed to read into his expression and he did look quite pissed among other things. Excusing myself, I told him I was going to take a shower before heading off to the bathroom and he didn’t stop me.
When I came back out and had dressed in pajamas, Alexander -turned to me, and realizing that he was going to address me
now, I held my breath.
“Where were you?” He asked.
“I went to my parent’s house.”
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“I also went to your parents‘ house, Isabella and I was told you had left. Thinking I had missed you, I came back here only to find the house still empty. I waited for hours but you did not come. It has been hours since you left your parents‘ house, Isabella and I doubt the journey to this place is that long. Where have you been?”
He spoke calmly but I could tell that he was pissed. I felt bad for hurting him and for ignoring him even while knowing that it would piss him off.
I didn’t want to tell him that I was in the woods with Ryder because I was aware that he disliked Ryder, probably even more than Ryder disliked him but I remembered that communication was the key to a healthy relationship, and lying directly or by omission was a terrible idea and so I exhaled heavily and told him everything.
“Alexander, I wouldn’t blame you if you choose to let go and choose someone more fitting to be your Luna. I promise I wouldn’t hold it against you. I understand how important a Luna is to a pack. I haven’t even been installed and I have already-”
“What about you? Do you not want to be with me? Do you not want to be my mate?”
“Of course, I do. I was crazy enough to fake a pregnancy just so you wouldn’t leave me. I want to be with you but-”
The rest of my words were swallowed by Alexander’s tender kiss. His hand still cupped my cheek when he pulled back and looked at me. “But nothing.” He said with a soft smile, “What matters is that we’re together. We’re a team, you and I.
Everything and everyone else, we’ll sort out as a team.”
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I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tight. He wrapped his own arms around my waist and hugged me even tighter and I giggled.
“I still don’t like that ex of yours though.” He said and I
chuckled, shaking my head. He knew who I was with, yet he let it go. For my happiness.
“And if you suggest that I leave you again, I would believe that it’s because you’re tired of me and actually want to leave.”
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