CHAPTER 004: JEALOUSY

ASHLEY;

The days in the mansion had started to blur together, but school remained its own kind of battlefield. I sat on the bleachers during my free period, pretending to read a book while my eyes kept drifting to the training below. Ryder dominated the practice like he dominated everything else in his life.

He moved with grace, powerful thighs pushing him across the ice in explosive bursts. His hockey jersey clung to his broad shoulders and back, damp with sweat.

Every time he slammed into an opponent during drills, the sound echoed through the arena. His body was pure power, muscles flexing, jaw tight with focus, and I couldn’t look away, the way his strong hands gripped the stick, the way his hips shifted as he turned sharply.

He was my stepfather now. I kept reminding myself of that, but my wolf didn’t care. It watched him with hungry interest, drawn to the raw Alpha energy he gave off even from a distance.

Most people were heading for the Cafeteria now. I joined in, it was better than sitting here pretending not to be watching him when I could hardly concentrate on any other thing.

I sat at the edge of a table, trying to fill my rumbling stomach. I’d gotten used to the whispers, but they never fully stopped. I had decided to just live through it and let them say. There was no point crying over spilled milk, or trying to change a course bigger than I was.

Mason dropped into the seat across from me with a cocky grin. He was one of Ryder’s teammates, tall and broad-built too, with messy brown hair and an easy smile that probably worked on most girls.

“Hey, Ashley. Looking good today. That sweater really suits you.”

I blinked, surprised. No one usually noticed me like this. “Uh… thanks.” I answered, filling my mouth.

Mason leaned in, ignoring the curious glances from nearby tables.

“Seriously, you’ve been hiding too long. With Ryder as your new stepdad, maybe you’ll start coming out to more parties. I could even show you around.” He gave that annoying wink.

His eyes lingered on my chest a second too long. I shifted uncomfortably, forcing a small smile, but before I could respond, the air around us changed… Ryder.

He didn’t say a word at first. He just stood there, tall and imposing, his jaw clenched tight. His dark eyes locked on Mason with cold warning. The aura rolling off him in waves was impossible to ignore, and Mason’s smile faded instantly. He straightened up, hands raised in mock surrender.

“Chill, man, just talking to your new stepdaughter,” Mason said, trying to laugh it off.

“Talk less.” Ryder blurted.

That was all it took. Mason grabbed his tray and left quickly, muttering something under his breath. Then Ryder walked away without another word, but the silent message lingered in the air between us long after. I sat there, heart racing, wondering why that affected me so much.

By the time evening came, the mansion had transformed. Ryder was hosting one of his famous pool parties. Music pulsed through the backyard, lights glowed under the water, and the place filled with his friends, teammates, and girls in tiny bikinis. Laughter and splashing echoed everywhere.

I tried to stay indoors, but not when my door was pushed open and Mom threw me something that looked like what the other girls wore…. A bikini.

I felt too exposed wearing that simple black bikini that covered more than most of the other girls’. So

I grabbed a bright green linen shawl, long enough to run around my waistline, better.

I stayed at the edge of the crowd, sitting on a lounge chair with a towel wrapped around my waist, watching from a distance. The warm night air brushed against my skin, but it did nothing to calm the nervous energy inside me.

I spotted Ryder across the pool. He looked… every bit the man he was; water glistening on his carved abs and chest, dark tattoos shining under the lights.

His athletic shorts hung low on his hips as he laughed with his friends, but his eyes kept scanning the crowd.

Every time they landed on me, my breath caught.

Mason appeared again, clearly buzzed from whatever he was drinking. He wandered over to my corner with that same cocky smile.

“There you are, hiding again?” He sat on the edge of my lounge chair. His eyes roamed over my body, lingering on the swell of my breasts and the curve of my hips.

“You look incredible in that bikini. Seriously, why don’t you come swim with me?”

I shifted back. “I’m good here, thanks.”

But Mason wasn't one to stop at the first trial. He leaned in closer, his hand brushing my waist, fingers grazing the bare skin above my bikini bottom.

“Come on, just one swim. I promise I’ll be gentle.”

The touch sent discomfort crawling up my spine. Before I could push his hand away, a low growl cut through the noise.

Ryder moved with quiet fury, grabbing Mason by the shoulder and yanking him back with controlled strength. Ryder’s eyes burned as he stared Mason down.

“Touch her again and you won’t play another game this season.”

Mason paled and backed off immediately, disappearing into the crowd. The people nearby pretended not to notice, but I felt every eye on us for a moment. Ryder just stood there, breathing hard, water dripping down his powerful body, his fists clenched at his sides as he looked at me.

The party continued around us, but the air between us felt charged. Ryder jerked his head toward the pool house.

“Inside. Now.”

My legs felt shaky as I followed him. The pool house was quiet and dimly lit, away from the noise and lights of the main party. Then he closed the door behind us.

The space suddenly felt too small. He was still damp from the pool, his chest rising and falling, muscles tense. Heat rolled off his towering frame in waves.

He stepped closer, backing me against the wall without touching me. His hands stayed fisted tightly at his sides, knuckles white.

“Stay away from them,” he growled, voice low and husky. His breath brushed my hair. “All of them. Especially Mason.”

“Yes, Dad,” I whispered, voice laced with sarcasm.

“They don’t get to touch what belongs to me,” he continued, voice rough with rage. His gaze dropped to my lips, then slowly down my body, taking in every inch of me in the black bikini. “You’re under my roof now, under my protection and my rules. Understand?”

My breath came fast and shallow. I was confused, scared, and shamefully turned on by him. This was wrong, he was my stepfather, but right now, all I wanted was for him to close that final inch.

Ryder’s eyes darkened even more, about to grab me, pin me against the wall, and finally give in to whatever this twisted thing was between us. Instead, he forced himself to step back, one heavy step… then another. His fists stayed clenched, arms shaking with the effort.

“Go to bed. It’s getting late,” he muttered under his breath.

What the hell? Does this guy still remember he was just a few years older than me? Six years older, to be precise.

I watched him turn and leave the pool house without another word, the door clicking shut behind him. But I knew one thing, I wanted more of the drinks Mason offered, I loved what it did to me. And somehow, I knew Mason was still willing to offer more.