Gem

Gone Like The Wind

I’m not sure how to react. Blake holds me close. He’s always been amazing. “Thank you for being the best. I know you will get sh.it for coming with me but I appreciate it more than you know.. This past week has changed my life so drastically I’m not sure how to cope..” I say to him truthfully. “You know you don’t need to be so strong all the time? We might be wolves but we are people too. We have feelings and are entitled to having them. Don’t be ashamed to not let it show. You are the strongest woman I know. Aside from my mom of course.” He says sincerely with a bit of teasing. “You are the best. Are you going to tell me what happened last night?” I ask him while we are walking to the training field and gym.

“To answer your question it is a yes but I’m not sure how to tell her or anyone else for that matter.” He says and I hear the sadness in his voice.. “Although you are a Gamma that doesn’t mean you need the same rank as a mate. Goddess put you together for a reason.” I say and now I feel sad. “What about you then? Since Goddess did the same for you. Where do you stand?” He stops and asks me. “You saw him back there. He is not ready for a mate. As much as I can feel my wolf grow with our bond I don’t think it will work out. I wanted to give him a chance and so far he just blew it..” I say sadly looking away from him. He hugs me tightly. “You do what is the best for you. He’s an i***t for letting that happen. You know him though. He wouldn’t hurt you intentionally. You have your wolf he doesn’t have his.” He says to me before letting go. I feel slightly annoyed.

“So him not having his wolf gives him a pass to check other she-wolves out? Of course you would say that.. You will take his side after this anyways. Listen I got to go. Thanks for the talk. Now you can report back.” I say walking away pissed. “Wait no I didn’t mean it like that!” He shouts at me and I wave him off continuing to the gym. I walk in and see Callum stretching out. “Wait for me Cal! I’m gonna change!” I shout at him walking to the locker rooms he just smiles. I get to my locker and quickly put on my sports b*a and yoga shorts with my sneakers then head back out. “Looking good Haze.” Paul our soon to be head warrior says whistling as I walk by him and I chuckle. A lot of our older warriors are stepping down for retirement so Paul and his team will be taking over shortly. They train day and night. He hasn’t found his mate yet, he’s around Callum’s age if not a bit older but he sure loves to sleep around. I suppose I should be creeped out and truthfully I normally I would if I wasn’t so hurt by Ryder.. Pushing him out of my thoughts I walk over to Callum and I watch him finish his warm up.

“Want me to help you stretch?” He says. “Don’t go easy on me today.” I say to him as I sit on the mat starting to stretch out. “Oh no? What’s the special occasion?” He says and sits on the mat across from me. “Nothing. Nothing at all.” I say and I get a big whiff of Ryders scent. I turn my head seeing him waltz in with Elena in tow and no Karson.. Is he fu.cking okay?! I scream internally. I look back at Callum. I’m sure my face said it all. “I’m sorry to cut this short but I need to leave. I will see you tomorrow morning.” I say to him and he simply nods. I stand up and walk straight to the lockers avoiding everyone especially Ryder who looks like he wants to argue with me but he most definitely knows this is a lose situation and to not try me. I change back into my outfit and leave the gym. The nerve of that guy. I really don’t appreciate it. So much for being my mate. I really hate that he knows. I should have kept to myself! See what happens when you give people chances?! I run all the way back to our pack house and go to the Gamma floor to find Stass. I grab her key from under her doormat and open her door. I hear her shower going so I decide just to hangout for a few minutes and wait. I lay on her bed looking up at the ceiling when she finally comes out.

“Hey babes I didn’t hear you come in. Let me just get dressed and we can head out.” She says walking over to her closet. I don’t respond due to all my racing thoughts. “Haze, Are you okay?” She asks me. I just start crying. What is with me lately. ‘Come on Angel toughen up girl he doesn’t want to take us seriously..’ I say to her.. Stass stops mid dressing and comes over to her bed giving me a big hug. “We are going out for the day and I mean all day. So go get dressed and meet me outside.” She says gently looking at me wiping my tears. “Where to?” I ask her sniffling. “That’s for me to know and you to find out darling now move it!” She shouts pushing me off her bed. “Okay fine.” I sulk over to her door. “Oh and dress sexy!” She says and I laugh leaving her room. I head up to my floor, walking past my parents wishing them a good morning and finding Ryder at my door sitting with his back leaning on the wall. He looks up as I approach. “Buttercup please please just listen to me..” He starts to say and I cut him off. “Yeah how about none of that.. Leave this floor now.” I say to him calmly but he knows that’s more of a threat. I don’t spare him another glance as I open and walk into my room slamming the door in his face. A part of me wants him to fight harder but the other part knows he won’t. I go to my closet and pick out a purple tube top with my signature jean high wasted shorts and some wedges. Fix my hair and leave it down flowing beautifully. I grab my wristlet and walk back out my door to see Ryder sitting there still. He gets up quick and tries to block me from passing.

“Move Ryder.” I say and he shakes his head. “I swear if you don’t move.. I will do it right now! Not as if you care..” I say folding my arms across my chest. “I do care Hazel why do you think I am here? Would I be here if I didn’t?” He asks me. “Of course you would. It’s all for sh.its and giggles. It’s been fun but I must be going.” I say trying to move past him again and he still won’t budge. “You are not going anywhere dressed like that unless I am with you!“ He raises his voice. “Putting on a show now are we? Go f***k yourself.” I say and rage gives me strength to give him a good push out of my way. He is in the wall groaning next to me and my parents rush over.. “Nice work honey but next time let’s not hurt the boy too much. He is trying.” My father says. “Okay daddy.. Well I am off with Stass you all have a good day! Sorry about the mess!” I shout and bolt the he.ck out if there. He will be fine and my dad will get a few omegas to fix the wall.. There’s no way I am not getting away from everyone for the day. No stress. I need it. I see Stass on main floor and she looks gorgeous in her Gucci laced bodysuit with jeans and booties. Her make up simple and her hair straighten.. She wasn’t kidding when she said to dress sexy.. I am curious as to where we are going.

“Holy smokeshow!” I say running over to her giving her a hug. “I can say the same about you! Like hello legs!” She says and I laugh because that’s the nickname I gave her years ago. “I love you dummy. So where we off to? You know I hate surprises..” I say to her and she laughs. “I love you too brat and don’t you worry your pretty little head because you will love this surprise! Just trust me Haze!” She shouts grabbing my arm and pulling me through the hall and out the doors. I see a black suv with tinted windows and my curiosity grows. We make our way down the stairs when the doors for the suv open. Axel and Ares climb out and they both look so handsome. In casual yet fitting outfits. We make our way over to the guys. “Da.mn you girls clean up good.” Axel says and we laugh while Ares shakes his head chuckling. Our eyes meet and he steps forward taking my hand. “You look beautiful.” He says to me, placing his soft lips onto my hand. I feel a wave of emotions hitting me all at once. Part of me feels hurt to be away from Ryder and part of me feels like this is so natural.. That being in Ares presence feels natural.

“Thank you. I know it’s mutual when I say you guys look good too.” I say to him then look over to Stass laughing. She laughs nodding in agreement. “Shall we go ladies?” He asks us and I nod my head as we walk over to his car. “What is going on here?” Karson says. I turn and he’s walking down from the pack house. I just roll my eyes. “We are hanging out with some friends. Is there a problem Karson?” I say sarcastically to him. “Yeah actually there is. Two members of a different pack in my pack without my knowledge yeah that is a problem. Don’t you think Alpha Ares?” Karson pulling me aside going face to face with Ares. “For goddess sake Kar knock it off!” I yell to him and he doesn’t move. “How nice to see you again future Alpha Collins.. Not that it is any of your business but I did speak to the Alpha of this pack and was granted entry.” Ares said calmly then his eyes turned completely black and he stepped even closer to Karson. “You put your hands on her again or any she-wolf for that matter and there will be serious consequences.” He said.. His voice sounded more animalistic than his own and his eyes turned back to normal within seconds. We were all speechless. I know Karson is sh.itting himself.

“Well it’s settled then. Have a good day Karson.” I say passing him and grabbing Ares by the arm as we walk to his car not looking back. He opens the front passenger door for me then running over to his. Stass and Axel in the backseat.. As we drive away I can see Ryder stepping out of the pack house and talking to Karson through my side mirror and he looks furious.. Good. He can marinate in that for a while.