Gem

Sliver Into Happiness

RYDERS POV

I knew something was up when I saw she was walking with her head down. She never does that. It just makes me wonder what they talked about for it to make this beautiful and bad a**s of a woman cry like that in my arms. She was so weightless as I held her tiny body in mine. Karson might be my Alpha but he’s my best friend first and I’ll be damned if he doesn’t let me hit him once real good for this.. I told her we will go get ice cream and that it’s my treat. That always cheers me up. Never in a million years did I think she would say yes since she pretty much hates my guts. There’s just something special about her. Everyone loves her. She will say differently but she’s a born leader.

I know she doesn’t think I have feelings or a heart of my own because I didn’t save myself for my mate and I can’t help but agree with her.. I hate myself for not holding off especially if she does end up to be my mate. There is no excuse. I’m a man with needs but I’m also a werewolf and our s*x drive is through the roof.. My hands just weren’t doing it for me anymore besides when I did hook up with someone I made sure they purposely had features of Hazel so I can think of her instead of the who.re under me.. Call me an a.ss.hole or whatever you want I don’t care.

My biggest fear is if we are mates she will reject me on the spot.. There has never been anything else that she’s felt so strongly about. He.ll when she found out Anastasia gave it up at one of our pack bbqs to a fellow buddy of mine who’s a warrior in our pack she lost her sh.it. Blake and I had to hold Hazel back while Karson held a trembling Anastasia in his arms. Haze is small but man piss her off and she turns into something else.

It’s quite the turn on actually. I think to myself half the time how her pops has always instilled in me that she is my destined mate. I have always felt a strong pull towards her so I hope when my birthday comes around in a week I will be lucky enough to call her mine.. Goddess and people that know me, like the real me know that I don’t deserve her.. As we’re walking I notice Hazel has been rubbing her arm. “What are you thinking about?” I ask her. She just keeps walking and doesn’t even replying to me so I try again. “Hazel can you just stop for a minute please?” I ask her. It seemed to have done something because she stiffened right up.. I take a step towards her and pull her into a hug again. She doesn’t hug me back but I could sense she needed it because she didn’t back away from me..

“Look I’m not sure what happened and if you don’t want to talk to me I understand but can you at least let me know that you are going to be okay? I will kill someone.” I say pulling her slightly away looking down at her beautiful face. She blushed then backed out of my arms and stood in front of me twirling a strand of her loose hair in between her fingers. “I’m okay and I’m sorry for being a whiny mess I just wasn’t expecting the conversation to.. Um anyways. It’s not important. Uh also just so you know I’m not going to be speaking to Karson for the next few days. It has nothing to do with anyone so I just rather not talk about it. Um thank you for understanding.” She says trying to look anywhere but me. I give her a simple nod I don’t want to push it so we continue to walk until we finally get over to Tammy’s ice cream shop near the pack lake and there’s a good crowd today. Luckily I have a hidden spot we can go to.

HAZELS POV

I needed a good distraction away from the pack house so why not get ice cream with Ryder? Yeah.. I don’t know what I was thinking.. I definitely set myself up. He’s actually been pretty comforting which is strange. We get into the shop and it smells so good that it’s a little overwhelming. “I want lots of hot fudge and strawberries on mine.” I say practically drooling and he chuckles. “Okay well what kind of ice cream or are you gonna get a cup of the hot fudge with fruit on the side to go?” He winks down at me and I roll my eyes. “Vanilla in a kiddie cup.” I say to him unamused. “Awe come on I was only kidding buttercup. Have whatever you want.” He says to me before walking up to the cashier. “Hey kid, can I get vanilla and chocolate soft serve swirl on a cone. Can I also get a small cup with vanilla, cut strawberries and extra hot fudge? Thank you.” Ryder says giving the young teen some cash. We get our stuff and wonder back outside.

“This was fun thank you for the ice cream I’m gonna head back home now though I don’t want my parents to worry and I’m very tired.” I say to him turning to face him. He just gives me a look.. A few seconds go by and he is still just looking at me l*****g his ice cream. I can’t help but stare while he’s doing that.. Lord have mercy. “Hmm I don’t think so buttercup. Besides I have a secret place to take you to.” He says pulling me out of my daze. He must’ve realized because he winks. “Why must you call me that?” I say to him laced with annoyance. “It’s short for peanut buttercup because they are my favorite and so delicious. I just know you will be too.” He says to me l*****g his lips.. “Ryder listen we don’t know for sure if we are okay so please stop insisting. Plus what happens on your birthday when I’m not? Please don’t ruin our friendship over this..” I say to him with pleading eyes because it’s true I can’t loose another friend right now..

All of a sudden his body is pressed up against mine within seconds and he gripped his arm tight around my waist. I suddenly get a strong whiff of warm hot fudge and fresh strawberries. I look down ruling it out as just my ice cream now on the ground thanks to this meat head who keeps leaning his head down closer to my neck.

“Don’t say that buttercup. At least give me a real chance if we are.” He whispers breathing heavy into the crook of my neck. I swallow the lump in my throat. “If you get off me right now we will see about it.” I softly say and he backs up not a moment sooner.

“Alright now that you just made my d***k hard let’s get a move on. I have a place I want to bring you.” He says fixing his junk in his shorts before walking off. I just laugh and walk next to him. We go into some woods behind Tammy’s shop and out to a small opening on the side of the lake. A private beach it looks like. “Wow I don’t think I’ve been here before.” I say smiling going to take a step into the sand not before Ryder catches me off guard scooping me up and running towards the water. “Oh my god! Ryder! Put me down!” I scream while laughing holding on for dear life. He runs right into the water letting me go. I quickly slap his arm before I lean back and closed my eyes just listening to nature for what felt like forever. This is so refreshing. Definitely what I needed after the sh.it morning I had with.. Ka.. Ugh I can’t even bring myself to think his name right now without being upset. I take a deep breath in and out before opening my eyes.

I see Ryder just floating there watching me enjoy my moment alone. I swim over to him, he opens his arms and I let him hold me close again. “I just wanted to thank you. Truly. I.. I definitely needed this. You’ve gained a few points in my book Mr. Black. Just don’t take that to the head.” I wink at him and he lets go of me pretending he’s drowning into the water. I shake my head and start to swim towards the shore. We are both soaked fully clothed. We just look at each other and laugh. I take my hair down of my braid and ring it out. Ryder shakes his body like a dog.. I laugh so hard I’m bending over holding my tummy because we are dogs just in human form.

“You like that huh? Wait until you watch it when I’m naked.” He winks and I stick my tongue out walking back into the woods.. He jogs up beside me. “Anyways it is always my pleasure buttercup but this is my secret thinking spot so don’t go telling anyone or..” He tried to finish but I cut him off. “Don’t worry I won’t say anything. Just like you won’t say anything to anyone on what you saw. I can’t be made out to look weak.” I say to him. “You are not weak Hazel.” He says touching my arm and I stop to look at him. I feel such a calm feeling when I’m with him.. Oh damn maybe he really is my mate.. I mean Angel hasn’t said anything but she also hasn’t objected to anything either.. I just nod to him and we walk off back to the pack house.