_Xena’s POV_
The closing bell rang, signaling that the school had come to a close. I hurriedly picked up my items and made my way out of the school. My mind was still clouded with the thoughts of what happened earlier. The thought of mating with Ryder was literally the worst thought that could ever cross my mind. His earlier words didn't sit quite well with me as I felt dread at the pit of my stomach. Layla continued to plead with me to stay calm, but I was far from staying calm. I pulled open my car door and was just about to get in, when I felt an arm pull me backwards. I yelped as I was pulled away from my car and towards the other side of the garage, one only made for the elite kids of the school. I looked up to see Ryder taking me to his car that was parked at the other side. "Ryder!" I yelled in anger at being dragged like a rag doll by my student. "Let go of me this instant!" I yelled again, but he was no where near listening to me as he unlocked the passenger sit and tossed me inside. I was so mad at being treated this way by a junior. Seriously, why did this have to happen to me?! I tried to unlock the car door which seemed futile because Ryder had locked it and went around to get into the driver seat. Thankfully the garage was located at a secluded corner and not much students could be seen here. Or else, how do I explain to them that there was nothing going on between Ryder and I when he was dragging me like some doll? Ryder turned to look at me, his eyes flashing with a mix of hurt and happiness. "Calm down, Xena" he pleaded, but I wasn't listening to him. "Unlock the car, right now!" I commanded, my voice coming out weak instead. Goodness, I hated how this was happening to me. "Not until you listen to me" Ryder said and started the car. He drove off from the school and I yelled at him even more. "My car!" I remembered I had left my car at the side of the college gate. I would definitely not forgive Ryder if anything happened to my car. "I'll send someone to get it for you" he said calmly as he drove through the still wet streets and past my streets entrance. Where in the world was he taking me? "Where are you taking me?!" I asked, agitated and I heard Layla groan in my head. "Will you keep it down?! He isn't about to kill you!" She said in frustration. Ryder too groaned in frustration. "Please keep your voice down, Xena. I won't kill you" he said and I narrowed my eyes at him. Did he just hear what Layla said to me? I decided to listen for once and stay quiet as he drove through the streets and arrived at a renowned restaurant that was opened up a week ago. I heard alot about the restaurant as they said it was owned by the pack Alpha. The restaurant had always being advertised day and night on every news channel as they couldn't stop talking about how grand it looked and so on. Having seen it in person right now, I was convinced that the place was only for the rich. Ryder climbed out of the car and came to my side to pull the car door open for me. I glared at him before stepping out of the car. His car was hundred times better and more expensive than mine. Well it wasn't like mine was expensive though. The car belonged to my mother and it was more like an inheritance from her. While Ryder's car was a red Bentley, the latest and most expensive one. I knew just how rich the Pack Alpha was, but seeing all the riches, made me marvel all over again. Ryder pulled me into the restaurant and the manager led us directly to a private booth. Everyone including the manager was staring at me weirdly. Maybe because I was with their young Alpha and he was holding my hand like his life depending on it. Speaking of hands, I hurriedly pulled hand away from his and he turned to look at me. I glared at him again, making sure to send a message across to his dumb brains that I wasn't liking any of this. The manager looked at the both of us, but he remained quiet and continued leading the way to our booth. Once he showed us our private booth, he turned around and left to maybe call a waiter of waitress. Ryder sat down and stared at me expectantly, maybe hoping for me to sit. I rolled my eyes and stood my ground. "At least just sit" he said softly, in a pleading tone. "Why am I here?" I questioned him instead, still standing on the same spot. "Surely you didnt bring me here to show me your father's fancy restaurant" I added sarcastically and not caring if I was crossing the line. Ryder crossed that line first when he dragged me here against my will. Ryder growled slightly as he narrowed his eyes at me. "Xena, sit" He used his Alpha voice and I couldn't refuse this time. My legs unwillingly moved to the sit before I him and I sat down. I gritted my teeth in anger at what a junior was doing it me. Ryder sighed and tried to take my hand again, but I pulled my hand back and kept on, a stoic expression. "Ryder, I'll ask you again, why did you bring me here?!" I snapped suddenly, feeling that inner anger erupt because he tried to take my hand. Ryder rubbed his forehead and looked me dead in the eyes. He was trying to show me how sincere or whatever he looked. I didn't even want to see his face right now, because despite the fact that I was mad at him, I just couldn't help admiring his handsome features. Ryder was drop dead handsome for someone his age. "Now start talking" I countered and waited for him to speak. I swear to the moon goddess that if he was here to ask me to mate him, then I would never hesitate to do something very stupid. His next words made me freeze in my tracks as I hadn't seen that coming. "I love you, Xena"*****Xena's POV***** Suddenly seeing Ryder and Renee on the dance floor made my heart feel a bit pained. I was dancing with Zachary, well I was surprised how he actually came directly to me. After I bumped into him in the hallway earlier, he just wouldn't stop smiling in my direction. If only he knew that I was his Alpha’s mate, he would never have dared to ask me out for a dance. Thankfully, Ryder would speak to his parents and we'll fix a date to break off the mate bond. “What are you thinking of, Xeny?” Zach called me by the same nickname Valkyrie always called me and for some reason, I didn't like the way it sounded. I had this urge to tell him to stop calling me that. “Nothing much.” I said with a small smile, occasionally stealing glances at Ryder and Renee. They were even smiling about something. “Stop staring at them as if you care.” Layla scoffed at my silly actions. I bit my lower lip and averted my gaze from them. I didn't care, so I wasn't supposed to stare
*****Ryder's POV***** I saw Xena take a right turn to the corner and a small smile spread across my lips. Was she trying to run from me? It wasn't as if I would make an attempt on her. I came with a date tonight, that date being Renee. I only brought Renee to the party in order to make Xena Jealous, but there she was running away like I sent fire after her. Renee clunged unto me like a leech as she greeted some guests who came to show respect the moment I walked into the room. She kept acting like the Luna, making I and Jeremy laugh our heads off. Renee would never be the Luna no matter what she does. “Alpha Ryder, it's good to see you here.” I suddenly heard a familiar voice from behind and turned to see the celebrant, Zachary Woodrow, brother to Caiden Woodrow as he extended a hand for a hand shake. I received his hand with a smile as I greeted. “Hello Zach, happy birthday.” “Happy birthday, Zach.” Renee butted in as she waved at him with a smile. Zachary glanced a
*****Xena's POV***** Valkyrie sized me up again with her gaze and went back to resting her head on the couch she sat on. “Val, I'm sorry.” I went ahead to apologize again for the untenth time. Valkyrie was stubborn and hard to please, I still wondered just how we both became best friends again. “Keep your damn apology, Xena!” She let out as she groaned. “Fuck! I shouldn't have drank too much.” She cursed, rubbing her forehead again. Apparently, Valkyrie had gone clubbing the previous night and had the famous wolf alcohol which was highly prohibited for anyone with a strong wolf. Even a sip wasn't even allowed. Valkyrie had a very strong wolf and she ended up drinking three bottles of wolf Alcohol. I watched as she tossed and turned every now and then before she sighed and ran a hand through her hair. “Why are you here?” She asked without looking at me and I bit my lower lip. “To apologize.” I said, watching her for any reaction. She gave nothing out and just replied,
*****Xena’s POV***** The school bell rang and the final lessons ended. I stepped out of class, feeling exhausted after the day's lesson. Just when I took a turn to the other hallway, the boy from earlier, the one who's brother was having a party, called out to me and I turned to look at him. “Hello, Miss Xena.” He smiled cheekily and I smiled back softly. “What's your name?” I asked, not knowing what to call him. “Oh, I'm Caiden, Miss.” He replied with a sheepish smile. The boy looked adorable and he looked the same age as Ryder. “I came to remind you of the birthday party tomorrow, ma'am. It's the weekend, and it's tomorrow, " he said, and I bit my lower lip. Would I be able to attend? I did promise him, though. Before I could give a response, someone spoke from behind. “Caiden, you couldn't even give your Alpha a special invite?” We both turned to the source of the voice and saw Ryder standing there with the girl from before. She had a lollipop in her mouth as she a
*****Xena's POV***** The cold from earlier disappeared without a trace and warmth enveloped the space. I felt much better, compared to the time I returned home. A sweet scent mixed with the pure warmth in the room made me frown and moan at the same time. I frowned because it never smelled like that in my room, then I moaned because the smell was intoxicating. My eyes fluttered and I opened them to the always bright light in my room, dimmed. I frowned at that. I was always very scared of the dark, that was why I always left my lights turned on. But seeing it dim now made me almost run out of my room. I tried to get off the bed to turn on the lights, and that was when I realized something. Someone was holding me and keeping me wrapped in their arms. I blinked as panic began to set in, who the hell had me in their arms? I slowly reached out a hand to turn on the bedside lamp, then turned around when I heard a growl from the figure that held me. My heart was banging as I turned
*****Ryder's POV***** When I arrived at Xena's place, the rain had already begun to fall in torrents. I felt uneasiness in my chest that proved that Xena wasn't fine. I just hoped she wasn't in such bad shape. I packed my car in her driveway and realized that her car was nowhere in sight. It seemed like my thoughts were right about her car being faulty. I made a countdown before highlighting from the car. I ran off to her porch, shielding myself from the heavy downpour. I sighed as I thankfully stood before her front door. I turned to ring the doorbell, taking in deep breaths and waiting for her to come lash out at me as usual. But after several rings, there was still no sign of Xena opening the door. I tried to unlock the door, but it was locked from the inside. I frowned in confusion, was she not at home yet? "She might not be at home," Jeremy said, but I shook my head. "She has to be at home," I said to him, "Check her balcony," Jeremy said and I blinked. Why didn