I look up to see Ryker staring down into my eyes with sadness.
‘There’s more I need to explain to you, but it can wait till tomorrow,’ he says, softly. I nod then look at the clock.It's late! I should have been home ages ago!
Pushing myself out of Ryker's arms, I bolt for the door to leave, impatiently turning the handle clockwise and counter-clockwise to no avail.
‘Where’s the key?’ I ask.
‘Astrid! You’re not going anywhere yet, and you sure as hell aren’t going back to that house!’ Ryker argues.
‘You said you would unlock the door when I’m ready to leave! Please, you have to let me go. He will kill me if I'm late home,’ I explain, trying to force the door open.
‘Astrid, I won’t let him lay a finger on you again. Do you hear me?’ Ryker says sternly.
‘He will hunt me down, Ryker. He will kill me if I don't go home. He will come looking for me here,’ I argue.
‘Good. Let him come. Because it's the last time he will ever see you,’ Ryker says.
‘What are you going to do to him? You can't, you can't, kill him,’ I say.
‘Why not? If I kill him now, you will never have to fear him again.’
‘I know he has hurt me Ryker, but my mother loved him. I’m the cause of her death. I don't want to be the reason the man she loved dies too!’ I cry.
Ryker steadies my chin with his hand to make me look at him.
‘I think you should tell me what happened that day, the day your mother died,’ he says.
‘The only person I told is Dad. I don't want to do it again.’ I look away in shame.
‘Maybe in time you’ll tell me.’ I give him a small nod.
The phone at the diner rings; we look at each other knowing it’s Dad asking why I'm not home yet. Ryker nods to Jim to answer it.
‘Yes, this is Jim's Diner, how may I help you?’ Jim says. ‘Yes, Astrid is here. No, sorry she won't be coming to the phone. And no, she won't be coming home,’ he says matter-of-factly. ‘Let me repeat myself, I don't think you got the message clear enough. Astrid is not coming back to your house again.’ And after a few moments of Jim just listening, ‘oh really? Well, after what you’ve done to Astrid, my friends and I look forward to your arrival.’ He slams the phone down and looks at Ryker; I look away. I don’t know how to feel. I have mixed feelings; I feel happy and safe knowing Jim just stood up against Dad for me. At the same time, nobody has ever stood up against Dad for me; the feeling is liberating and daunting.
‘He says he is on his way with his shotgun to come and take her home.’ I freeze at his words.
‘Ryker, I don't want anyone to get hurt; just let me go back with him,’ I whisper.
‘No. If you go with him, it will never end. You’ll be hurt again. Or worse, killed,’ he says.
‘What happens to me isn't your problem Ryker. I can look after myself,’ I say. Ryker lets out an angry growl.
‘It is my problem because you’re my mate!’ He shouts. We glare at each other for a moment.
‘I know you’re going to tell me tomorrow, but I want to know what a mate is right now, because there is obviously more to it than just being your girlfriend,’ I say. Ryker sighs.
‘Promise you won't freak out.’
‘I'm not promising anything,
we should wait till tomorrow then. You have enough on your mind to process at this stage,’ he says. I slam my fist on
‘I want you to tell me now Ryker!’ I
exhaling sharply. He sits down on the chair and looks into my eyes; his eyes convey a thousand untold stories. Maybe he doesn’t
‘Give me your hands,’ he says,
‘Why?’
will make it easier for me to explain what a mate is, and the mate bond,’ he
electricity ignite in our skin; it feels amazing; it gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. He holds my hands and gently massages the backs of them with
to be near each other at all times. We accept each other as mates by marking each other on the neck with our fangs. In other words, we bite each other, leaving our marks, to show others that we are mated. The bond intensifies; we are able to feel each other's emotions and are able to sense each other at all times. Your mate is your life partner, your soulmate, the one you will spend the rest of
1
goes into shock registering all this new information. Very slowly I stand, inhaling and exhaling. I look at the back door through the kitchen. I’m as calm and as quiet
his confusion and a raised brow. All eyes are
babies. Be his Luna. And stay with him forever. I only met him two days ago. This is not happening; they have all gone crazy! Or is it me going
2
fast as I can through the trees in the woods. I don't get very far before I’m grabbed and pushed onto the ground, by Ryker's
but I’m in a lot of pain from the beatings. Ryker lets out
‘Why did you do that? Why did you
home with you to be your lifelong mistress and let you bite me and carry your pups, maybe I’m better off back home, with my Dad,’ I say. Ryker flinches at
like that at all. When
to the ground on my back and his face and his
‘Will you run if I get
of the diner; Ryker stands and takes my hand to pull me up. Our skin-on-skin contact is magical; I don’t ever want to let go of his
about to unfold, as we run back to the diner, holding hands. My Dad is sitting on the bonnet of his car with his shotgun pointed at some of the pack
have surprised me. How many men here are waiting their turn? Fourteen? Fifteen?’ He
to train your pet dog to behave, otherwise I’ll have to put him down, like the bad dog he is for touching my daughter.’ A warning shot is fired toward Ryker's feet, purposely missing them, but warning him nonetheless. I jump at the gun shot; Ryker doesn't flinch. He maintains a steady resolve and holds my hand tighter. He glares
I’m going to rip you to pieces,’ Ryker yells, letting go of my hand and tackling my father to the ground. I try to grab his arms
‘No, please, Ryker. You can't kill him! Please!’ I plead; my eyes well
just hurt him badly like he
‘No!’ I yell. I go to help
Stay back. Our pack will help
okay.’ I try to struggle out of Jim's hold but it’s no use: he is
My Dad is laughing. Ryker is still on the ground and Dad thinks he is dead. Ryker begins moving, stands and throws himself at Dad.Bang!Another shot resounds in the night air. Ryker runs and tackles him off the bonnet onto the ground. Ryker snaps the shotgun in half, tosses it aside, and commences a succession of punches on Dad's face.
his back, while Ryker punches him in the torso. Dad looks at me and grins, while blood trickles from his mouth and
at me with a sick look on his face;
the reason your mother is dead. I’ll make you pay
myself
Seth drops him and he falls to the ground. Ryker is swaying; he is weak from all the fighting. He is drenched in sweat and blood; is it his blood? He falls
not to kill him,’
his heart. I hold my hands over the wound; putting pressure on it. My
and we can see what needs to be done.’ I remove my hands from Ryker's chest while a
the condiments off one of the tables, clearing it, and the others place Ryker on the table; there is blood everywhere. I’m shaking with
‘He's going to be okay, isn't he?’ I ask, distressed. Everyone turns
‘We will try our best to save him Luna. We need to remove the bullet so he can heal,’ Seth explains. Jim
it's best you don't watch; I can sit with
Not wanting to leave Ryker's side, I hesitantly sit with Jim away from him. Jim puts his arm over my shoulder, pulling me into him. I’m
‘Luna, we removed the bullet. He should have started healing by now, but nothing