Filed to story: Wolf Crying Mate of the Alpha by Jazz Ford
Ryker’s face softens as his concern for me replaces any anger he previously felt toward me. He takes a step closer to me, inhaling the air around me sharply. I move behind Jim; still sobbing quietly. Ryker looks away; me distancing myself from him has offended him somewhat. His fists are clenched by his side as though he contains something within himself he cannot control.
‘Ryker! What did you do to her? She’s just a young innocent girl! Did you break her ribs?’ Jim shouts.
‘I didn’t touch her Jim. She called me an arrogant, vain, obnoxious human being. I got angry and punched the wall,’ Ryker explains.
‘Well, she got most of that right,’ Jim yells, ‘because you are being an arrogant, vain, obnoxious–’ Ryker stops him.
‘Jim. Point taken! I’m an a*****e! But she is acting like she doesn’t know what a mate is. She’s pretending she doesn’t know she is a rogue!’ Ryker shouts.
‘That’s because she doesn’t know!’ Jim yells. Ryker gives Jim a confused look, then looks at me. I’m just as confused.
‘Look. I don’t know what game this is, but I don’t want to do this anymore. Just let me go home and neither of you will have to worry about seeing me again,’ I say, tears still cascading down my cheeks.
‘Astrid. I’m so sorry about Ryker. Please. You don’t have to leave your job here at the diner. You know you’re safer here than at home,’ Jim explains.
‘What do you mean by that?’ Ryker asks.
‘Mind your own business,’ I snap. Ryker is taken aback. He crosses his arms.
‘I was safer here Jim, but Ryker has some sort of agenda for me. I don’t know what. Thank you for being kind to me and employing me all this time but I can’t work here anymore,’ I cry, and give him a kiss on the cheek goodbye; his eyes are teary. Ryker lets out a growl. I go over to the stool where my handbag is, and swing it on over my shoulder.
‘You! I feel sorry for whoever you seek and refer to as your mate! To be with you would be a curse!’ I shout. He is deeply hurt at my words; he can’t even look at me.
Before I can storm off and leave, Ryker is instantly holding my wrist. He flings my hood off my head swiftly, and with the sharp eye contact we make, I feel a magnetic rush of endorphins and dopamine sweep through me; my stomach lurches at the instant feeling of butterflies. I am suddenly pulled into another world; everything around me vanishes; he and I are the only thing that exist.
I’m so confused. I don’t know what is happening right now. I feel so strange. I’m lusting after him and he was so threatening two minutes ago. I’m so mesmerised by his eyes; this feels almost like a trance. Ryker is staring into my green eyes intently, before his eyes briefly change in colour.
‘You’re my mate,’ he whispers, stepping closer me. I unwillingly snap out of the magnetic, lustful trance.
‘Stop. Don’t you dare touch me,’ I yell. Jim stands there with a shocked look on his face.
‘Alpha, are you sure Astrid is your mate?’ Jim asks in disbelief.
‘She’s a rogue. This is not happening. Shit…’ Ryker mumbles to himself, brushing his hand through his hair, stressed.
‘You’re right. Whatever you think is happening, is not going to happen. We can agree on that,’ I yell. Ryker stares at me.
‘Who did that to your face?’ He asks calmly.
‘Mind your own business,’ I yell, hastily leaving the kitchen through the diner, and running out the door.
my pace effortlessly. Eventually, when I am out of breath, and my broken ribs cannot take any more, I am left with no choice but to stop and face him.
‘Why are you following me?’ I demand to know.
‘You’re my mate whether we like it or not. I have to follow you. It’s my business to know who did that to your face,’ he says, firmly but calmly.
‘You didn’t care about me when you slammed your fist into the wall above my head,’ I yell.
‘Astrid, please, I’m sorry. I never would have done that had I known what you’ve been through. If I knew you were telling the truth about not knowing you’re not human, I would have been more civil.’ He looks at the ground guiltily.
‘You have really lost it now! Not being human? What is that supposed to mean?’
‘How old are you?’ His tone has changed again.
‘I’ll be eighteen in two weeks.’ I try to avoid his eyes.
‘You won’t meet your wolf till then. I’ve had mine for four years. I’d like to show you exactly what I mean if you allow me to,’ he says, politely.
My breathing is heavy; I’m trying to stay calm and avoid feeling more upset than I already am.
‘Are you okay?’ He sounds genuinely concerned for my welfare.
‘I don’t want a wolf for my birthday and I definitely don’t want to meet your pet wolf, or any wolf!’ I try to walk off but the pain is too great.
‘You’ve met a werewolf before?’ He is surprised.
‘A werewolf? What is wrong with you? There is no such thing as werewolves. I’m talking about wild wolves. When I was little, my mum and I saw a wolf in the woods. Something bad happened and I’ve been afraid of wolves ever since. I can’t go near pet dogs let alone wolves. If you’ve got a pet wolf, we’re absolutely incompatible.’ I try to walk past him again to no avail.
‘What happened with the wolf?’ He is curious.
‘You’re not very good at minding your own business, are you?’ I scold.
‘Not when it involves my mate.’ His reply is quick.
‘You just said I’m a rogue and you wouldn’t have a rogue as a mate. So why do you keep referring to me as your mate when you don’t even want me?’
Ryker steps closer to me and it’s impossible not to make eye contact with him.
‘You’re so beautiful under all those bruises. All I want to do is lift you up in my arms and carry you home.’ He is heartfelt and genuine. ‘I want you to join my pack. You won’t be a rogue anymore. We can be together.’ His tone has dropped an octave again; if I hear any more sincerity from him, I’m going to melt right into this footpath. He slowly reaches his hand out to take mine.
I rescind away from him.
‘No,’ I say.
‘No?’ He is surprised.
‘You’re asking me to be your girlfriend when we only just met. Not only that, you were an absolute jerk to me earlier. You only want to be with me because you feel sorry for me. And you want me to join your cult? Pack? Or whatever you call it. And talk nonsense about werewolves and fairies?’ I yell.
‘That’s not what I meant. And I never mentioned fairies. Come back to the diner with me and I’ll explain everything to you. Everything you need to know about us, how it all works and what to expect,’ he tries to persuade me.
‘We’re werewolves?’ I ask him. He stands there and nods.
‘So, you’re telling me, I’m cursed? I’m stuck with you as a mate, and we’re werewolves?’
‘You’re not cursed, Astrid. It’s a blessing from the Moon Goddess,’ he explains.
‘You know what? I don’t want to hear anymore. I’m tired, I’m sore, and I don’t like you,’ I spit; he stiffens at my words. I run as best I can toward the trees hoping to lose him.
‘Wait!’ He yells, giving chase.
I hide behind a tree, trying to catch my breath, and remain as quiet as I can.
‘Astrid. I know you’re here. I can smell your scent a mile away,’ he yells.
I dig my fingers into the mud underneath me, and apply it all over my face and clothes. He isn’t far away from me. I can imagine him inhaling the air around himself trying to catch my scent. The darkness I’m sitting in makes it easier to conceal myself.