Teach Me How to Please, Alpha

(7) THANKFULLY WE DON’T RUN A DEMOCRACY

Ryder

Something was burning.

And Isla was standing in the kitchen, staring into empty space.

I’d to physically move her out of the way so I could turn off the stove.

I stared at the black lump that was supposed to be dinner and then at her.

“Oh,” her voice was hollow even as she tried to crack a smile but it ended up as a wince. “I guess that is now inedible.”

An eyebrow was raised. She looked horrible. Her eyes were dry and red. Her hair was a limp mess and that shirt with the ketchup stain? I think she had that on yesterday.

“I think I’d make pancakes. Yes,” she nodded with determination and turned to the fridge then blinked in confusion when she noticed I was already in front of it, blocking her.

She stared at me confused. “You don’t want pancakes? I know it’s evening but my mom and I do this all the time. It’s called Brinner. It’s fun, trust me.”

The thing is I would if she didn’t sound like a robot that was being controlled remotely. It was f*****g creepy.

“Isla,” I said cautiously.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” She snapped. “Don’t ask me again. I already told you I was fine.”

“I believe you,” I lied. “But I’m going to say it again, what happened in my bed two nights ago. I completely regret it. I was out of my mind, your scent soothed me and I made a mistake. Not going to happen again.” I repeated my apology. It was the third time today.

“I just want to make some f*****g pancakes not rehash two nights ago,” her voice was raised. “I already told you twice today that this isn’t about that.”

Angry was good. It gave me something to work with. Angry meant that she was actively engaging me in a conversation. I could deal with anger, I could even fuel it more.

“But there is a this?” I asked taking a step closer to her, “Where did you go yesterday morning?” I asked, leaning on the counter beside her.

“I’m fine!” She said between gritted teeth. She took a step away from me looking at the door but I had no intention to let her escape.

I grabbed her hands, turning her so that her back is to the countertop, trapping her body with mine. “But that’s a lie. Something happened. If it is not what happened in my bed. Then it must be where you came back from yesterday morning looking upset. You had locked yourself in your room all day and now you’re burning stuff without noticing, staring into empty spaces and being very f*****g touchy. Out with it already.” I leaned in closer to her ear, my voice a drawl when I added, “Who was it? Give me a name, first or last, I’m not picky, Isla.”

Long lashes fell, her voice was a mere breath. “I went…” she paused and her eyes widened. “Ryder… stop.”

“I’m not doing anything.”

“Speak normally,” she said, scowling at me.

I chuckled and took a step away from her. Our proximity and her scent was lethal to my headspace. “Fair, you can keep your secrets. But you’re coming with me tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“Yes tonight, Pip.” I repeated. “I’d be heading to a bonfire party at the beach later tonight and you’d be coming with.”

“I don’t feel up to any social events.” She mumbled moving to the fridge to grab a carton of milk and eggs.

“Thankfully we don’t run a democracy in this house, just autocracy like the good old days,” I said, taking the bowl from her. “Sit.”

She dropped into one of the stools lined close to the countertop while she eyed me dubiously when I grabbed a bag of flour. “What are you doing?”

“Making pancakes,” I said drily. “Brinner, remember?”

She arched her brow. “You can cook?”

“Nope,” I deadpanned. “But I can make pancakes and you’re officially removed from kitchen duties until you prove you can be trusted again.”

“Says who?”

“Me.” I said dryly. She parted her lips but I quickly added. “And don’t argue. Autocracy, remember? Catch up little Pip.”

A little laugh escaped her full pouty lips. “I hate that nickname.”

And I hate making her laugh.

Isla

“If you’d be taking a car what is the use of making me come so I could carry this?” I grumbled, my hand tightening around the offensive canvas backpack that I was supposed to still carry even though there was enough room in the car for it.

“Because I can,” he smirked at me and again, I wonder why thinking aggressively about choking someone didn’t make it a reality. Someone should look into that.

We were in Ryder’s car. A brand new black Porsche SUV that made my Toyota RAV4 seem like a hunk of metal.

The ride to the beach is a short but tense trip as I spent the entire time trying to convince Ryder why making me come along was a horrible idea.

Not only did I not know any of the people we were meeting tonight since I didn’t go to school with them, Ryder had also told me that the hangout was informal and open to everyone when I tried to use not being invited as an excuse.

So not only was I being forced to attend a social event as an outsider, there was also a chance that I might come across Jason and worse he might not be alone.

But since I’d insisted on keeping my breakup a secret from Ryder, this was my punishment.

When we arrived, the party is at full swing. There were more people than I expected but they were not necessarily clustered together, with small groups scattered around darker shorelines and breakwater. Clothes were abandoned at the shoreline, as a handful of people skinny dipped while a few shifted, running and howling.

I looked away, although nudity was a part of my life as a werewolf, it felt voyeuristic since I didn’t have the urge to shift.

Wearing the backpack, I hauled ass after him, almost stumbling as I tried to meet him while he walked in impossibly long strides in front of me.

This party was unlike any that I have ever attended.

There were folding chairs scattered around the fire pit and almost everyone seemed to be holding a can of alcohol even though I was sure that not all of the people present were up to twenty-two including Ryder.

He had finished from the academy just last semester so he was only a year older than me.

Music played low in the background and a few people laughed and danced, egged on by mild inebriation and the wind on their hair.

I stared. They felt and looked free even though I knew it was wrong.

“Isla,” Ryder called. He was already drawing a crowd, with more than a few people looking in our direction and I could see Hector and Luka, his friends clustered around the fire.

They looked up and waved at me. I waved back even as they moved their chairs to accommodate two empty chairs.

I removed the backpack and sat down.

Ryder grabbed it and I was surprised when he unzipped it and handed me a blanket, his hoodie, a bag of chips, a bottle of water and a bottle of orange juice. “I know you don’t drink alcohol,” he simply said and then took the empty seat beside me.