Gem

Decisions

Driving to who knows where I just look out the window. Stass is doing all the talking like usual thank goddess because I don’t know how to feel or act around Ares. It’s still a mystery to me as to why I am so drawn to him even when I have a mate already.. Is it because Ryder isn’t ready so my wolf is obsessing over what could be with someone like Ares? No it can’t be.. There is so many unanswered questions I have to find out why.. I feel lost for the first time in my life I can honestly say I am lost for anything. My whole life turned upside down in a matter of weeks..

“Right Haze?” I hear Stass say breaking me out of my thoughts.. “Huh. Um yeah. Whatever you say girl.” I say and everyone laughs.. “What?” I shyly ask with a little smile. “I told them you weren’t listening and that I would catch you agreeing with me.” She said laughing. “Oh. Yeah I’ve been admiring the scenery outside.” I say laughing back. “So where exactly are we going?” I ask looking over to Ares. I see him smirk. “Well if I told you then it wouldn’t be a surprise, now would it? He says smoothly. “Stass must have not mentioned that I hate surprises.” I say then turn my head to give her a look. She looks at me sheepishly. “Oh no she did. This one you will like. I’m sure of it.” He says smiling while focusing on the road. I don’t reply I just simply close my eyes while Stass carry’s on the conversation. After what feels like forever the car slows down and comes to a complete stop. I open my eyes and see we are in a town. Downtown to be exact. It’s a cute place. Ares gets out and walks over to my door opening it. “I thought we could eat then go for a walk?” I smile stepping out of his car. “You guys go we will catch up in a bit!” Stass shouts giggling as I shut my door. I just shake my head laughing. Of course she would stay behind I should’ve known that.

“May I take your hand?” He asks me and I nod. We stroll down the street holding hands for a few minutes. “So are you going to tell me where we are? What’s the secrecy of it?” I ask him. “No secrecy I just wanted to show you off a bit. We are in my territory.” He reply’s nonchalantly. I stop and look at him. “Show me off huh? What makes you think I want to be paraded like a shiny new toy? I’m not like my best friend.” I say with my hand on my hip and in a harsher tone. He lightly chuckled. “Well you are quite the prize miss Kade. Unmated and a pure natural beauty. I had to make sure no one would bother you here and now that they’ve caught my scent on you no trouble would come. My pack can be a little overbearing especially certain members who like the wild chase from catching scents of unmated she-wolves. I hope that doesn’t scare you off.” He says looking at me with a glint of his perfectly white smile. Not going to lie I’m a bit taken back on this. “So that’s it then?” I say looking around then back at his eyes. “This is just a funny game to you isn’t it? Lovely. Well I will see my way home. Goodbye.” I say with a hint of sadness. I turn on my heel and start to walk off as I feel his big hand grab my arm gently. “Hold on cherry. It is not like me to bring a woman around my pack. It’s all for good reason I assure you. Will you grab something to eat with me and we can enjoy the day?” He says smiling at me. For someone so mysterious the other night he sure is happy today..

Hmm. Curiosity filled me.. But wait didn’t that get the cat killed? Guess it’s a good thing I’m a wolf then. I lightly smirk. Angel still hasn’t made a fuss. I nod my head to him and he points across the street to a small pub. “Sure why not.” I say following him. We enter and it’s definitely got old bones. It’s pretty vintage and I love that. He chooses to sit in the back corner booth. I wonder if this is his usual seat. Sitting here he does have the whole view of the place. “Usual spot?” I smirk at him. He smiles being caught. “That obvious?” He laughs. I laugh with him for a moment before the waitress walks over and seductively bends in front of him giving him the menu and a perfect view of her girls. He doesn’t spare her a glance at her as his eyes are still glued to mine. I break eye contact and clear my throat getting her attention. “Oh. I didn’t see you had company Ares.” The girl says to him after giving me a dirty look. I just watched their interaction in front of me. They must be mind-linking because neither of them are completely paying attention that I’m here anymore. They are also on first name basis.. Why does that make me feel.. Jealous? “We are ready to order.” He said out loud and it breaks me out of my thoughts his gaze is on me once again. This is a strange day.

“Of course. My apologies. What can I get you both?” She asks with a fake smile plastered to her face. I knit my eyebrows at him. “Uh okay. I will take a burger with the fixings, fries and oh a Pepsi extra ice.” I say to her politely. “Same.” Ares says and the girl stomps away. Before we start conversation she’s back with our drinks. I pick mine up and he watches me as I put it to my lips. “Mmm refreshing.” I say and I see him visibly gulp. “My you are something.” He says and I see his eye shift colors I look away feeling lightly flustered.. What is going on with me? ‘Angel any answers would be nice!’ I shout to her quickly in our mind-link. No respond per usual. I am struggling. I look back to him. “She’s upset.” I say watching his body language. “Who?” He asks knowing who I’m talking about. “Your girl.” I say. “Aimee? She is merely a member of my pack.” He says. “Someone you’ve had moments with I can tell.” I say to him folding my arms. “Are you jealous?” He says leaning forward. His muscles looking really nice in his casual wear. “No.” I say nonchalantly and he chuckled leaning back just as our food arrived. “That’ll be all.” He said to Aimee and she stormed off again. “Trouble in paradise for you?” I ask him taking a bite of my fry. He was about to eat until I said that and his eyes shot up to mine. “I am not with her.” He says gritting his teeth and I know it’s hit a button. “So then be honest. Why am I here?” I say to him seriously.

“Leave the food let’s go for a walk and talk.” He says abruptly standing and walking towards the front door. What in the weird. I just grab my stuff and follow him. We get outside and he pulls me towards a bench further down the street. He lets go of me and sits. “What is it?” I ask sitting next to him. “I had a mate. When I first attended Redwood I found her. She was my everything. As cliché as that sounds she really was.. Long story short she died. It broke me into something no one could tame. Slowly as the years have gone on it’s been easier to have a grasp on it I am Alpha after all but my beast well he is simply that. A beast.” He says staring at the sky before looking at me and I haven’t said a word hoping he would continue. “When I saw you at the party something in me clicked. It’s like I was so drawn to you and I had to meet you.” He says with a sweet smile. “Wow. I wasn’t expecting that but truthfully I have been feeling something towards you. It’s confusing to me because well I have a mate. The Beta of my pack to be exact..” I say to him looking away from his gaze. He laughs and my head snaps back to him. “What is so funny?” I say arching one of my eyebrows at him. “I knew there was more to that story. I figured maybe your ex boyfriend but mate sounds more like it.” He says laughing again. I roll my eyes. “Ok I’m sorry but you have to laugh it’s pretty funny. I also don’t want you to reject your mate. I would do anything to be with mine one last time. As far as us I will be your friend and protector if you happen to choose something else then I will be here.” He says gently grabbing a hold of my hands in his.

“Can I kiss you?” He asks me and I nod my head. Our kiss was short and sweet. It felt so natural in a sense. “Can you take me home? I’m sure Stass will get home safely.” I ask him and he nods. We walk back over to where he parked and there’s no sign of Axel or Stass. “I mind-linked Ax. They went to get food. He will bring her home after.” He says smiling to me opening my door. “Thank you.” I say smiling getting in. He runs over to his side and gets in. We drive off and still make good conversation the whole way back. After a few hours I feel like he’s my best friend. I told him everything about me and he did the same. It makes me wonder why I have this pull for him. He’s so easy to open up to even though his exterior looks as if he would snap you like a twig. Turns out he’s a big softy. We pull up to the pack and I just know there will be hell. I sigh out loud not even realizing it. Ares puts his hand on my thigh and gives it a light squeeze.

“You will be okay Cherry. I really enjoy our time together but you must be off. I will see you at Redwood.” He says then leans over and kisses my cheek. I smile and get out of his car. I stand there and wave as he drives away. I turn and head up the pack house onto my floor. Walking past my parents there’s Ryder again sitting on the floor and his back against my door with his eyes closed. “Can I get into my room.” I say to him with my arms folded across my chest and he doesn’t move. I kick his shoe and he jumps up. “So you were asleep then hmm.” I say to him going around to unlock my door. “How long will you ignore me Hazel?” He says with his body standing behind mine. I inhale his delicious scent and yank him into my room not even realizing my strength. I shut my door and look at him. He looks unkept. Definitely not normal Ryder. I walk towards him giving him a hug.

“I am sorry for how I have been acting. This is too much for one person. Losing my best friend then finding my mate before his or my birthday to my parents not being my real parents. I’m going through a lot.” I say to him and his big arms hug me just right. “You are the strongest person I know buttercup.” He says planting a kiss on the top of my head. I push away from him. “So Elena huh?” I ask him. “I could say the same about meat head.” He responded quickly. I laugh walking over to my closet starting to take my wedges off. I get to my closet door and turn. “Would you like a show?” I smirk at him. “Oh yeah I would.” He says smiling ear to ear and sits on my bed. I open the door then give him a wink before shutting it. “In your dreams pig!” I shout laughing as I lock it. I heard him groan and run for the door. “No fair and you locked it!” I hear him shout back fidgeting with the knob. Thankfully he doesn’t have his wolf yet. I quickly put on sweatpants and a tang top my usual go to. I open the door and Ryder is laying on my bed. “You look beautiful as ever.” He says sitting up. “Don’t be a suck up.” I say to him getting on my bed. He pulls me close to him wrapping his arms around me.

“I’m not. You really are. I’m sorry for everything. I didn’t do anything with her. She is an old friend yes but nothing compared to you. I don’t even need a mate bond to tell me if I love you or not I just do.” He says and I know it’s genuine. I start to cry a little. “Hey what’s wrong?” He asks as he pulls away to look at my face. “My life is a mess right now. I can’t say this will be easy.” I say wiping my eyes to look at him. “So you accept me for real this time?” He says wiggling his eyebrows. I think for a moment. “You know what. Yes I do.” I say with a smile and he instantly kisses me. I pull away for a second. “You are mine Hazel.” He says and he kisses me again. I smirk and give in. He’s gentle and passionate before getting rough. I went along with what he was doing and before I knew it we were in a hot make out session. He was moving his hand up my belly to my chest when I had to stop him. “Slow your roll. I am not visiting any more bases with you today. Let’s go have some dinner shall we?” I ask while fixing my hair and he laughs getting up.