CHAPTER 002: NEW NORMAL

The morning after the wedding announcement felt like a bad dream Ashley couldn’t wake up from. She stood in front of the mirror in her small bedroom, brushing her hair with shaky hands. Her simple black sweater and jeans suddenly felt too plain, everything had changed overnight and Ryder Knight was her stepfather now and she tried to accept it.

Downstairs, her mother was already buzzing with excitement, packing bags and talking nonstop about the new life waiting for them. Ryder had left early, but his scent still lingered faintly in the house—dark pine that made Ashley’s stomach tighten every time she breathed it in well school was waiting.

When they pulled up to Stoneridge Academy, heads turned immediately, Ryder’s sleek black car drew attention on its own, but today was different, Ashley stepped out on the passenger side, feeling eyes on her like needles.

Ryder climbed out of the driver’s seat like he owned the parking lot. Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in his hockey team jacket and dark jeans that hugged his powerful thighs.

His dark hair was still slightly messy from the morning, and that same unreadable expression sat on his handsome face.

The news had already spread like wildfire and by the time they reached the main doors, whispers rippled through the crowded hallways.

“Did you hear? Ryder Knight married Ashley Carter’s mom.”

“No way. Her? The ghost girl?”

“Stepfather? That’s messed up.”

Ashley kept her head down, clutching her books to her chest but she could feel Ryder’s presence behind her, he didn’t walk with her exactly, just stayed close enough that his shadow seemed to over her.

His teammates clapped him on the back as he passed, laughing and joking like nothing was different, agroup of girls shot jealous glances her way, their eyes narrowing like this was somehow her fault.

In first period, the stares burned hotter, glares from even the teachers.

She was at her locker when he walked by with two of his teammates, his cold eyes locked on her for a long second, her skin prickled with heat as she slammed her locker shut and hurried away.

Lunch was worse…the cafeteria buzzed with energy Ashley sat alone at the edge of a table, picking at her food trying to disappear like she always did but Ryder commanded the center of the room, his usual spot, surrounded by his hockey crew and a flock of pretty girls hanging on his every word.

One of them, a cheerleader with long blonde hair leaned against his shoulder, laughing too loudly acting all cute, not that it mattered to her anyway.

She looked away focusing way too seriously on her food hoping he'd stop stealing glances at her. Instead he stood up suddenly, the place quieted a little as he moved… walked past her table with that easy, lazy stride and when he was right beside her, he leaned down just enough, his voice low and rough so only she could hear.

“Try not to embarrass me, princess.”

His breath brushed her ear, her hairs stood on end as shivers trickled down her spine, his eyes lingered on her then dropped for half a second to the curve of her neck, then lower, before he straightened and kept walking like nothing happened.

Ashley sat frozen, her food now totally forgotten, she hated him so much, hated how he looked down on her and how her body reacted to the deep timbre of his voice, hated that he was now family.

The rest of the school day dragged in a haze of whispers and stolen glances, by the final bell, Ashley felt exhausted when her mother picked her up, chattering happily the whole drive to Ryder’s mansion. “You’re going to love it, honey. Just you wait.”

The mansion rose up at the end of a long private road like something from a movie, tall gates that opened automatically, the house was massive—modern lines mixed with old money elegance, surrounded by manicured lawns and tall trees.

Inside, everything screamed wealth. Marble floors, high ceilings, huge windows that let in golden afternoon light, expensive art on the walls and a sweeping staircase that looked like it belonged in a palace.

Ashley stood in the grand foyer, bags at her feet, feeling completely out of place, this was nothing like their old house much too grand to even be compared with it

“Ryder’s out training, but he’ll be back soon,” her mother said, already exploring like she owned the place. “Your room is upstairs, third door on the left, now go settle in.”

Ashley carried her bags up the wide stairs, the hallway smelled like him that rich, commanding Alpha scent of pine, leather, something wild underneath, it wrapped around her, stirring her wolf again.

She pushed open the door to her new room and stopped, it was breathtaking… big bed, soft gray linens, a desk by the window overlooking the backyard, a private bathroom attached but it still felt cold, like it wasn't really her home.

She unpacked slowly, trying to make the space feel like hers, an hour or so passed then she heard the front door open downstairs and the familiar lazy confident steps, he was back.

Curiosity pulled her out of her room, she walked quietly down the hall and paused at the top of the stairs peeking carefully, below he moved through the open living area like he owned every inch of it—which he did.

He had just come back from training and his shirt was gone, tossed over one shoulder, he wore only black athletic shorts that hung low on his hips, showing the sharp V-lines dipping toward dangerous territory.

His body was breathtaking, sculpted muscle from years of brutal hockey and wolf training broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, hard abs that flexed with every movement and dark tattoos covered his left shoulder and part of his chest intricate patterns that looked ancient and faint scars from training, sweat still glistened on his skin, making him shine under the lights.

He walked to the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, Ashley couldn’t look away, the way his muscles moved, the raw power in his arms and back… it did things to her she didn’t want to admit.

Ryder lowered the bottle and turned, like he sensed her there, his dark eyes lifted and found her instantly on the staircase and for a moment, neither of them spoke, the air between them thickened, his gaze dragged slowly over her, down her sweater, over her hips, then back up.

“Settling in?” he asked, voice low and rough from training. It carried easily up the stairs.

Ashley nodded, gripping the railing. “It’s… big.”

He smirked faintly. “You’ll get used to it.” He set the water down and stretched his arms overhead, muscles rippling, the movement making his shorts ride even lower, Ashley’s mouth went dry, she could see the faint trail of his waist disappearing beneath the waistband.

Her mother appeared from another room, breaking the moment. “Ryder, darling! How was training?”

He turned to her, but his eyes flicked back to Ashley for one last second before he answered, Ashley slipped away to her room, heart racing as she closed the door and leaned against it, breathing hard.

This house was huge, but it already felt too small, everywhere carried his scent, every corner reminded her of who he was.

Later that evening, after dinner where Ryder sat at the head of the long table, Ashley wandered the mansion trying to learn its layout. She found the indoor pool area, the massive gym, the library full of dark wood and leather chairs but it was in the hallway near the gym that she saw him again.

Ryder had just finished another session. He walked out shirtless, towel slung around his neck, sweat rolling down his chest and abs, his shorts clung to his powerful thighs, up close, the scars looked more pronounced, thin white lines across his ribs, one jagged mark near his hip.

He stopped when he saw her, the hallway already feeling too narrow, Ashley’s pulse quickened, she could see the way his chest rose and fell, the sheen of sweat making his tattoos gleam.

“Lost, princess?” he asked quietly, His eyes held hers, for a minute, it felt like he might step closer.

Ashley shook her head. “Just… exploring.” his jaw tightened slightly, his gaze dropping to her lips for a heartbeat, then he nodded once and walked past her. His arm brushed hers in the tight space, the touch sent electricity shooting through her skin.

She stood there long after he disappeared down the hall, before making her way back to her room.

That night, Ashley lay in her new bed, staring at the ceiling trying to piece together the scattered fragments that are now her life.