Gem

Hitting The Fan

The next few days were pretty quiet. I stayed to myself in my bedroom. Ryder tried to keep checking in on me in between his own schedule which is very sweet of him but I ended up telling him it’s a lot and I just needed to focus on me for the moment. He looked hurt but respected my boundaries plus he knows we have so much to get ready for when we leave for school and truthfully that’s all I’m looking forward to right now. He will be working on his Beta things and I will be focusing on school. Freshman can start moving in two weeks before classes begin so that’ll be next week.. My bags are just about packed.. Ryder might be my fated mate but I am planning to stay at Redwood for the year.

I want my education to flourish. How will I do that here in the pack house? Sure most she wolves can’t wait to leave their packs and join their mates but no not me. There’s too much to know out there and I won’t learn if I am not present. We have equal rights yes but not everyone plays by the rules.. I am taking both high rank and low rank courses. You never know what you’ll need and I like to be prepared for anything.. My mom mind-links me for the millionth time today and let’s me know supper is ready and that I should come out of hiding.. Stass has been the worst with me trying to have a few days to myself. She has been calling me nonstop. She wants to go shopping desperately before we leave. I haven’t told her that I am most likely going first thing next week. She won’t be happy but maybe she will join me. After all there will be parties no doubt and she will be down for that. She loves an excuse to shake her a**s. He.ll who doesn’t?

We both love dancing but she is a performer. My little spicy quesadilla as I like to call her. I laugh and decide to shower before heading downstairs. I shut my tv off, get up from my comfy bed and drag myself to the bathroom. I run the shower hot before stepping in. Ahh feels amazing on my muscles. I’ve been more lazy the last few days then I have ever been in my life so my body needs a little pick me up. Blazing hot water soothing my soul. I shave first then wash my body and hair. I rinse everything off and hop out of the shower into my fluffy towel drying me up. I toss my hair in a clip for a few mins while I wonder back into my room and head for my closet. I chose a simple tee, yoga pants and my fluffy slides. It’s hot here but I like to be comfy. I go back into the bathroom and brush my hair out. I was going to dry it but mother has once again mind-linked me to come down for food. I just roll my eyes. I keep my face and hair natural. I could give a sh.it today. I head out of the bathroom through my room and out my door. Going downstairs was fine I didn’t see much of anyone then going around the corner to enter the dining hall I see Blake. He waved at me and I walk over. He gives me a big hug. Blake has always been a good buddy. I’ve also known about his huge crush on me that he’s had since we we’re kids and I saved his life from Stass. He ended up telling someone she liked them out of some sibling rivalry so I protected him from her wrath and later that night she told me about his crush. I still laugh about it today. To myself of course I would hate to offend him. He’s hot but I have always chose to save myself for my mate and well now that I know who it is let’s just say I will wait longer.. I pull away from his hug. “It’s good to see you down here moving around again Haze. You’ve been missed.” He says with his warm smile. “Thanks Blake but between you and I if I could have stayed in my own world I would have.” I say softly to him. He picks my chin up to look at him as he is about to say something when I get a whiff of warm hot fudge and fresh strawberries.. I turn my head looking back at Ryder down the hall and Blake takes a step back. “I’m sorry. I should go.” Blake says apologetically.

“Yeah you should.” Ryder says now standing next to me and facing Blake. “Enough. What gives you the right to claim me? I am not a toy. Unless it comes out of my mouth personally you will have no such actions over me. That doesn’t make me want you. Blake is a friend. He would never disrespect me. In front of my so called mate.. Yeah Blake you heard it right. Rydie here is most likely my mate and guess what I have no choice in the matter.” I say throw my arms up in the air. To my surprise Blake has no real reaction almost as if he knew or knows something.. I then face Ryder who looked away. I smelt the guilt coming off of him.. I don’t like sketchy situations. “Okay what am I missing here?” I say confused.. “It’s best your parents tell you buttercup.” Ryder says looking away from my stare. What is he talking about.. I nod my head and start to walk to the dining hall. I feel my hand being tugged. “This way buttercup. We aren’t eating there today..” He says softly. Something is off. I rip my hand out of his grip and he doesn’t say anything. The three of us walk into the ranked members dining room. The tension in this room is thick. So thick I can slice it with a knife.. Everyone’s eyes are on me the moment I step into view. I am beyond confused right now like what is happening? This must be a dream so I pinch myself.. “OW.. Nope this is real.” I say out loud now rubbing my arm. “Hazel please come join us.” Alpha Erik says to me. I nod my head and walk over to my parents. I sit next to my mother and Erik nods to Ryder who sits beside me. This is new seating arrangements..

He must’ve told everyone we are mates and wait.. What if he told everyone else about my wolf?! That trader how am I ever suppose to trust him?! I am furious. I give him side eye and he tries to put his hand on my leg for support but I push him away. How could he. It’s nothing new to my parents, the Alpha and Luna but Karson, Blake, Stass and their parents are here.. Why tell everyone? I don’t get why they are they doing this to me now? And just before school starts! I look at around. “Alpha I mean no disrespect.. But what is it? The real reason I am here? It seems everyone knows something I don’t so can we cut to the chase?” I ask polite as I can directing my attention towards him. “Well my dear, your parents have gathered your love ones here in one room so just remember that no matter what is said today we will always love you and care for you.” He says and looks at my dad.. I don’t even know what to say to that. I just wait.. My father clears his throat. “Hazel. I am sorry we kept this a secret for so long.. Your mother and I are not your birth parents..” He says and my mom cries hysterically not looking at me.. He continues and I can hear in his voice he’s having a hard time.. As am I.. Why is he saying that..

“You see your mother and I have always craved to have a child of our own. Unfortunately she had a terrible upbringing and suffered trauma to the parts she needs to carry. One year on our anniversary we took a run up near Pearl and your mother heard your cries. We smelt a lot of blood too but not a drop on you. Although we haven’t heard of where you could of been from you have always been and will forever be an Emerald..” He looks at me and I have tears running down my face and I look down gathering my thoughts. I can no longer hide it. I don’t even care. My life has been a lie.. ‘No Hazel our true self hasn’t come to light yet. In due time my love..’ I hear Angel whisper.. Everyone is trying not to stare at me but I can feel their beady eyes burning holes in my head.. I wipe my face then look up and turn towards my parents who look so upset.. “I am not mad that you never told me.. I am just wondering why the secrecy? If everyone knows about Angel because of Ryder then why couldn’t I be told about not actually being blood related? It makes so much sense.. All my life I felt out of place even in a room full of people. I love you all in this room but I need space. I’m leaving for school early. I will not be stopped under any circumstances. It is for me and me only.” I say to my parents then look around and my eyes land next to me. Looking right at Ryder. I am not a trophy wife. I earn mine. He will just need to get use to it.. “Now if you all don’t mind. I’m excusing myself. Thank you.” I say before I get up. Ryder is quick to grab my hand lightly and I feel a little tingle. I block it out and pull my hand then walk away. “Leave her boy. She needs her space.” I hear my father say to Ryder before I exit the room completely. They will all discuss my life in that room now anyways so what is the big deal..

I am so annoyed I head to our pack gym. I need to let out some anger. It’s near our training field. The advanced classes have lockers there so I keep spare clothes. You have to be prepared. My fathers number one motto. Always be prepared. I step out of the pack house and walk towards the building. Being polite to the pack members out and about. After all of that I don’t want people to gossip.