ログインASHLEY;I grabbed my bag from the table, but Ryder’s thick, warm hand caught mine in mid-air. His grip was firm but not painful. It sent a strange jolt up my arm, my gaze landed on his face.“Don’t listen to her,” he said quickly, keeping his voice low so only I could hear.I looked straight into his eyes, my throat tight and aching. “Why shouldn’t I?” My voice cracked on the last word.He swallowed hard. His blue eyes softened in a way I had never seen before. “Because she’s making this up to get to you. She’s from the Silverpine pack. They’re very close to the Crestwood pack. She probably knows the old stories about your dad going missing. And now…”He paused. His throat moved again like the words were stuck.“Now what?!” I pressed, my heart beating faster.“And now she’s using it against you,” he said quietly. “Against us.”I stared at him for a long moment. His eyes looked almost honest. Almost. I turned my head and watched Lila’s back as she walked out of the cafeteria with her
ASHLEY;“Spill,” he commanded, like he was all ears.I shifted in my seat, suddenly feeling too warm under his stare. The cafeteria noise buzzed around us, but it felt far away. All I could focus on was Ryder leaning forward, his thick arms still resting on the table, those dangerous blue eyes fixed on me like I was the only person in the room. And the heavy standing fan did its thing, subtly pulling on his shirt, enough to show off the tattoo covering one side of his chest.I took a slow breath and started. “First condition… You don’t touch me. No grabbing my hand like you did earlier. No pulling me close in front of people. Or standing too near to keep me uncomfortable. This is just tutoring, nothing else.”A small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as he played around with the glass in his hand, but he didn’t argue. He simply nodded once, like he was filing it away.“Second,” I continued, “you actually show up for the sessions. No skipping because of hockey practice or… what
ASHLEY;The waitress placed our orders on the table and left quickly. I stared at the simple cheese sandwich and cold apple juice in front of me. I had barely paid any attention when he ordered for the two of us, and now the orders were here. Great choice though.Ryder had ordered something stronger, a dark drink in a tall glass, and the same cheese sandwich. He rested his thick arms on the table, leaning forward. His blue eyes locked onto mine like he could see straight through me.I gulped hard. The sobs I had fought back in the bathroom still pushed at my throat, wanting to break free again. I looked down at my hands instead, curling them on the table.“Still sobbing?” he asked. A smirk played on his lips as he slid a paper towel across the table toward me.I gawked at him. That ugly smirk on his face made my blood boil. I pushed the paper towel back to him.“Thanks, but no thanks,” I snarled, turning my eyes away. But instead of looking somewhere safe, my gaze landed on Lila. She
ASHLEY;The final bell rang, and I hurried through the crowded hallway, keeping my head down like always. But today the whispers followed me louder than usual. I had expected stares after the hockey game the other day. Of course, Mom was present, giving the students enough to talk about, but I didn't expect to be trolled for that too.“Look at her,” a sharp voice said behind me. “Her mom actually showed up at the hockey game like marrying a younger man was something to be crowned for.” I recognized the voice immediately… Lila. One of the girls who used to hang all over Ryder’s arm, laughing too loudly at his jokes and touching the hairy part of his chest as if she owned him. She wasn’t done.“Must be nice,” Lila continued, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. “Marrying rich to climb the ladder. I wonder how long before Ryder gets tired of playing daddy to the charity case.”Laughter rippled from her group of friends. My cheeks burned hot. I clutched the strap of my bag tighter an
ASHLEY; I shouldn’t have come. Mom would be there, I had watched her as she slipped into the passenger seat of the car holding up his helmet, while Ryder took the driver's seat. Vanessa surprises me every darn time. How does she do it? Tugging on a boy that young? Ryder looked a lot bigger, more muscular, and broader for his age. He could easily pass for a man in his mid-thirties, but it didn't change his age. “Run.” My mind said. I was battling it, for years I had always hidden away, run from everyone and everything, but what had it gotten me, maybe just mean words from Ryder and the likes of him. The words repeated in my head like a warning I refused to heed as I sat high in the stands, hood pulled low over my face. The arena was loud, electric, packed with screaming students and proud parents. But all I could focus on was him, even when I knew Mom was a few feet away from me. Ryder Knight tore across the ice like he owned it. Every stride was powerful, every check brutal,
RYDER; “Fuck,” I growled. I paced the wide bedroom like a caged animal trying to break free, my long legs covering the space in three angry steps before I spun around again. The floor creaked under my weight. My blood was still hot from dinner. I had forced myself to sit there the whole time, acting calm, acting like I wasn’t losing my fucking mind. But I was, and sitting right across from her was worsening it all. Ashley was changing right in front of me. She used to flinch when I looked at her. Tonight she held my stare longer than she ever had. Mason was a bad influence, all thanks to him my little Ashley was starting to learn her worth. Her chin lifted just a little. Her soft green eyes carried a new spark, the type that clearly states she was done cowering, and that both pissed me off and turned me on in ways I hated. But the necklace was what really fucked me up. It had no business being in her hands, or around her neck. I stopped pacing and dragged my hand rough







