CHAPTER THREE: RYDER

My mind reeled as I thought about what I'd stumbled on this morning. A lot of things are falling into place, making sense, but I still can't believe any of it.

Why was this happening now? What did this mean for all of us, for Aria?

The revelation had shaken me to my core, and I wasn't sure how to process it, I'm still not sure what to believe because the supposed truth is glaring at me but this truth trumps the truth I've known my whole life so what truth should be my truth? Why did Mum and Dad keep this a secret from us? Is this why Aria can't shift?

This morning after my morning run, I hit the shower, had breakfast and ruffled Aria's hair as she hopped into Chloe's red truck.

"Good morning Ryder, hope you won't be late for Lit. class again?" Chloe whispered but with my werewolf hearing I picked it up and smirked.

"Yeah don't be late again Ry" Aria teased

"Yeah yeah, see you girls in school" I chuckled and crossed my arms as the truck backed away.

I walked back and upstairs to my room, picked my backpack and keys, knocked on Reena's door.

"Ree, we're late" I yelled as I walked across the hallway to my Dad's study.

I was a foot away from his study. The door was cracked open when I heard Dad, Mum and Reena arguing.

I was frozen in place, what were they saying. No this can't be true.

"Ryder..?" Mum's panicked face grabbed my attention.

"What...this isn't...this isn't true"  I unfroze and shook my head. What did I just hear?

Mum's eyes turned apologetic. "We should have told you earlier sweetie, we're sorry it's for everyone's safety" My breath whooshed out of me.

"Ryder none of this gets out to anyone. None." Dad said his voice firm.

"Ryder honey," Mum started and placed her arm on my shoulder. "We're doing this for everyone's safety, for yours, for ours, for the pack's...for Aria's" This was the first time, since forever that Mum said Aria's name tenderly but it felt wrong.

"Does...does she know?" I asked even though I knew the answer.

"Nope" Reena rolled her eyes and said making the p pop while she tapped on her phone.

"Alpha Ryker, does.." I couldn't finish my question.

"Only six people know about this, Alpha Ryker, Luna Sable, Your dad, Reena, You and I, and it should stay this way" Mum breathed.

"But she has to know, Aria has to know Mum"

"No one else is knowing anything about this. It was a mistake involving you and your sister.... especially you" Dad answered his eyes flashing between grey and amber whispering the last part.

"What.." I started but Mum cut me off.

"Ryder it's in everyone's interest, everyone's safety that this ends here" Mum added firmly staring straight into my eyes.

I looked at Dad, Reena and back at Mum and breathed before walking out. "Sure"

By the time I drove to school I was completely stuck in my mind. Pacing the indoor basketball court.

"Take a chill pill man, you're driving me crazy" Spencer my best friend and future Alpha of our pack, Raven Claw Pack groaned earning a glare from me.

"Man it's either you spill or you let it go"  He offered after a beat of silence.

"I can't, I don't even know what to make of it yet" I stopped pacing and stared at him.

"You'll be fine man, it doesn't matter whatever this is," he gestured with both hands to my face " you'll get over it, we always do."

"Thanks Spencer, I really hope s..." I was saying before I felt a soft nudge in my head.

'Hey Ry, We're having Lit. class where are you?' Aria's soft voice filled my mind

'Hey...uhm yeah I'm skipping' I replied and mouthed to Spencer "Aria's linking me" who nodded and resumed tapping on his phone.

'Are you fine Ry?' she asked, concern coating her voice. Why did it feel like I was betraying her?

'Yeah...yeah Aria I am... I'm uhmm at the library, talk to you later sis' I replied quickly and winced at my lame excuse.

'Uhm okay Ry' she said softly and there was quiet.

Of course she knew I was lying. I wasn't a library person. She'd literally beg and drag me to the library whenever she knew I was less busy. Aria's always been so kind and cute and funny.

She didn't deserve anything the world was throwing at her. She didn't deserve to be lied to. I'd have to tell her about this. We can't keep this from her even though Mum and Dad think otherwise. It's her life after all and she deserves to know.

The bell rang, signaling the end of class and I decided to convince Aria to leave early so we could talk even though it was harder than convincing a polar bear to move to the Sahara.

I and Spencer walked through the school hallway stopping a few feet away from Aria's locker.

I spotted Aria and Chloe across the crowd, Aria's eyes locked on mine for a brief moment before I nodded and continued with Spencer to the intersection leading to a couple of hallways to the cafeteria.

"Hey, let's catch up with them," I heard Chloe right before they walked towards us.

Chloe smiled brightly. "Hey, Spencer, Ryder! What's up?"

"Hey" I greeted them both, I usually ruffled Aria's hair but right now I didn't know if I still had the right to do so anymore not until this whole thing was sorted out.

"Not much, Chloe. Just got some pack stuff to take care of." I answered and noticed Aria's furrowed brows as she looked down at her feet. Of course she noticed and even though it frustrates her whenever I ruffle her hair, I know she kind of likes it and now I feel like a jerk.

"Pack stuff? Sounds mysterious!" From my peripheral vision, Chloe nudged Aria playfully.

"Just routine, Chloe. Nothing exciting. Hi Aria, you good?" Spencer chuckled before turning to Aria who nodded with a smile.

Aria stared at me like she wanted to say something but didn't. She just took a deep breath and fell into step beside Spencer with Chloe walking me. The four of us navigated the crowded hallway, a familiar rhythm to our steps.

As we walked, Chloe rambled off about something I didn't really pay attention to unlike Spencer who chuckled and chipped in. I glanced at Aria and caught her smile. She hardly smiled real smiles so right now I was more than grateful that Chloe was a big part of her life.

As I watched her, I noticed the way Aria moved with a quiet confidence, despite being an outcast among our kind. She was different, resilient and I was starting to realize just how different.

Our little group reached the cafeteria, and the smell of food wafted through the air. I nodded at the girls. "I'll catch up with you girls later. We need to meet Alpha Ryker about some pack business." I breathed. Aria stared back at me.

"See you girls later" Spencer added with a wink and we were gone before they could even respond.

I could still feel her eyes bore into the back of my head as we left. I'm sure a torrent of questions would come from her later today.

My current feelings towards Aria were complex. I'd always felt protective of her, given her inability to shift and the way Reena treated her. But now, I wonder if that protectiveness stemmed from a deeper connection.

My mind raced with the implications of what I'd discovered. I'm not sure what the future holds, but I know I need to find answers about everything, about Aria.

I felt a pang of guilt for not noticing anything unusual about her before, but Aria had always been Aria.