Chapter 4

Ryder Point of View

Samantha basically avoided me the whole day after our kiss. She wasn't there at lunch and in English class. What makes me think that she'll want to see me now? To reject me is one possible way.

Or maybe she is still mad at me for giving her detention for what I drew on her math book. I drew on it yesterday, hoping she'll get in trouble. It was kind of a payback for dyeing my hair pink last week.

I drove to Samantha's house then I suddenly felt nervous. What if she really does reject me. This will ruin my relationship with my friends and with her brother. This will ruin my relationship with her. I had always liked her.

Since the beginning. The first time we met, she never talked to me. Then we fought and we started to talk. With hate comments and stuff. But I didn't mind. I'm fine as long as I get to spend time with her. Oh my god, Xavier is going to kill me.

'Will you ever shut the fuck up. You know I can hear every fucking word you say! Our mate will not reject us. Just calm down' my wolf, Blake yelled at me in frustration. No shit, Sherlock. You're in my fucking mind.

'I heard that' if I could see him now, he would be glaring at me now.

'You were supposed to, dumbass' he growled. I mentally rolled my eyes. My wolf and I have this kind of relationship. Kind of a brotherly kind. It's weird since all werewolves don't fight with their wolves. Wolves are a part of you. For some reason, my wolf is the exact opposite. We don't think the same or agree on anything. The only thing in common was protecting Sam.

I pulled up at her neighbor's house. What am I even going to say? Hi, I just want to see you again- ugh! I'm totally whipped. Never start with the cheesiest line. It's Sam's worst enemy.

Suddenly there was a knock at my window. I turned around to see an old lady, maybe around 60 with light brown hair with some white strands, and green eyes. She was knocking at my window. I rolled down my window.

"Yes?" I asked.

"I was just gonna ask you if you need anything," she said. I could tell she's a human because I don't recognize her from the pack.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because when people stop by my house it either means they need something or they're in trouble or a problem" she eyed me suspiciously. "I hope you don't do drugs, young man."

"No, of course not ma'am," I said.

"Good," She studied my face as if she was trying to read my mind or something. "So, what's the problem," She said. Why would she think I have a problem? "If you don't need anything from me and you don't do drugs then something is up," she said like she read my mind. "And I'm guessing it's a girl."

How the hell does she know? We just met a few minutes ago.

"Come on, I'm a good listener." Well, it's better than talking to my best friend about his twin sister.

"Well...there's this..girl," I said as I scratched the back of my neck. She clapped her hand and asked me if she was pretty. "She's gorgeous," I said and smiled. She is imperfect and perfect at the same time. "She's kind, smart, funny, brave, beautiful, caring, the most daring, and an extraordinary girl who treats me differently. She just makes my life worth living. As long as she's there."

"Then what's the problem?" she asks. I glanced at her house. The woman waits patiently for my answer.

"I don't think she wants me," I said and sighed sadly. Before she asks, I continued, "I always teased her and I would get her in trouble all the time and she would do the same for me. Since we were little, she would never think of me any more than her brother's best friend and the person that she hates. So why should I try to get it here when she doesn't want me."

"Did you ever ask her?" she asked me. I shook my head. I never asked her directly. I wasn't risking ruining our relationship. "Then you don't know if she wants you or not."

Did she not hear what I just said? I basically explained that Sam practically hates me for all the pranks and teases I did to her. "I think it's clear-"

"I think it is not enough to give up. Sheesh, young people nowadays are cowards. They don't take risks for the people they love." she says disappointedly. "Now look, young man. You should ask her directly. Ask her damn straight. No petty talk. Just get to the point. If it turns out she doesn't want you, you then take it like a man! Accept, drink- I mean don't drink!- and move on. That's how I dealt with rejection in my younger days."

"Thanks for the advice." She was right. I should just ask her and take it. Hopefully, move on and deal with it. If she rejects me then I hope Sam will find someone who can make her happy. "I'll do it, promise "

"You better," she says. She leaned back to straighten her back after a long lecture she just gave me. "So, who is this mystery girl?" I told her Sam's name.

"Oh, Samantha Parker. That wonderful girl," she said, then eyed me. "So, your Jackson?"

"Yes?" The only person who calls me that is Sam and my football coach. My family is the only Jacksons in this town so there was no mistaking me for someone else. "You know her?"

"Of course, she is like my granddaughter, and we don't live that far. Just a block away. She would always visit, and we would talk, cook, or bake something and would always give it to our neighbors. And you're right. She is just a wonderful girl." she said. "You should go now. Good luck by the way."

"You are not going to tell me what she said about me?" I asked her. She zipped her mouth shut and waved at me. I gave her a wide smile. "Thanks anyway."

"No thank you. I have never had another company other than Samantha." She says and while she retreated back into her house, she says, "By the way, dyeing your hair pink was all my idea."

I had my mouth wide open. I shook my head as she turned to me with a cheeky smile. I waved my hand as she waved hers. I drove to Sam's house which is just 1 block away. I parked the car and ran to her house. I hesitated to open the door. Come on, Ryder. You are not a coward!

The door was open so it's either Xavier or Sam or maybe both are already here. Before I got to call Sam out. I saw something I wasn't supposed to. "Oh God, guys I know you're mates but at least keep it in the bedroom or give a warning at least," I said as I averted my eyes somewhere else.

Xavier was on top of Christina while kissing her. His hands seem to be searching for something under her shirt. Xavier pulled away quickly then glared at me and for Christina, you could say she is officially my tomato's cousin.

"A knock would be a good warning," he suggested then I saw a familiar dirty blonde hair walking in with chips. It was just Sam's best friend, Linda.

"What did I miss," she asked as she brought one chip to her mouth.

"They were making out" she choked a little. Christina was blushing hard and she hid her face deep into his chest. Xavier chuckled and placed a hand on her waist.

"Really? I just left to get some chips seconds ago," she said. I looked around for Samantha, but she wasn't her.

"Where is Samantha? " I asked.

"Before you start your daily routine, get in line. The birthday girl still has unfinished business with me." Linda grumbles as she chews violently. I guess she was talking about the kiss. I'm sure Sam wouldn't tell her that yet. "By the way, nice drawing. You finally got her back for dying your hair pink, last week."

"I could have done it sooner if you wouldn't sell me out every time I try. I don't see Xavier stopping Sam when she switches the shampoo." I complained. She shrugged and continued eating.

"She's in the woods looking for her earphones," Christina said.

"But it's getting dark. She should be home by-" Xavier was cut off by a crack which is coming from him. He cussed in pain. We all looked at him, surprised. Linda dropped the bag of chips on the table and moved closer to Xavier like what I'm doing.

"Bring him out. He's shifting!" I carried him then Linda opened the door that leads to the backyards. Christina appeared at his side. If Xavier is shifting that means-Samantha is shifting.

"Christina, hold him I got to find Sam," I said then she put his arm around her neck trying to hold him. Linda helped her move him farther and place him down.

I ran to the woods then shifted into my dark brown wolf, not caring that my clothes were ripped. I ran then stopped when I smelled her scent. I ran following her scent then stopped when I saw her leaning on the tree painting. She had her eyes closed but I can see that she was in pain.

'Son, there are rogues in the territory. I want you to tell your friends to stay clear of the woods.' my dad said through the mind link.

I was so busy staring at my mate in pain that another wolf tackled me to the ground. I knocked the wolf off me and got up. Rouge. I growled at the wolf who attacked me.

"Ryder!" I turned to see my mate staring at me with fear then replaced with pain when I heard cracks coming from her body. I ran to her, but the rogue got in my way. I growled.

I pushed the rogue then lunged at him only to be tackled by another. I stood back up and we fought. Two wolves against me. Not fair at all. The rogue wolf growled then I tried to push him off me. He tried to bite my neck, but I dodge. Then a white wolf tackled the wolf then snapped its neck. The other wolf escaped. I didn't chase after him. I only stared at the white wolf.

The white wolf turned to look at me with its familiar blue eyes. Then it hit me. It's Samantha.