The Alpha's Mate Who Cried Wolf novel Chapter 7

"She doesn't know about us or believe me. Yet," Ryker says. The men speak with knowing looks, and unspoken words pass between them via their body language. I'm not privy to their thoughts. 

Jim has made me a flat white coffee and some sandwiches. I'm so hungry. I eat slowly and carefully. The pain in my jaw makes it almost impossible, so I haven't eaten in days.

"Astrid, I'm going to explain everything to you, and I know you won't believe me yet, but you need to know now, so you know what to expect on your birthday. No matter what I say, try to stay calm. It's a lot to take in. The world you know is about to change," Ryker says carefully, forming his words.

Too sore and too tired to argue, I keep sipping my coffee and listening. 

"I live in what is called a pack. Every pack has an Alpha and a Luna, the pack's leaders. You are a rogue if you're not in a pack." I raise my brow and tilt my head. 

"So, I'm a rogue because I'm not in a pack?" I ask.

"Yes, that's correct. But being a rogue isn't a good thing. It makes you weaker. And you can't just go anywhere: you need permission to enter a pack's territory. Otherwise, they can punish you by instant death by a pack member in that territory," he explains.

"That's not very nice to kill someone for passing through," I say. 

"Well, rogues are a threat and don't normally have good intentions for entering other territories. That's why," he explains. 

"Okay."

"When you turn eighteen, something extraordinary happens to us. Our inner wolf wakes. You will hear your wolf in your mind. You'll also be able to heal quickly, and you will be able to shift into your wolf for the first time that night." I laugh and see everyone looking very serious. They're all serious about this. This is no lie.

My attention turns to Jim. He places his hand over mine and gently squeezes it. 

"Astrid, I know this sounds like some kind of fairy tale to you, but Alpha Ryker is telling you the truth, and you know I would never lie to you," Jim says in a serious tone.

I sink to the ground in the corner and hold my knees as I tremble in fear. 

"Ryker, please don't let it near me," I say. The giant wolf whimpers and backs away into the kitchen, out of my sight. Ryker sits on the ground next to me.

"I told you I never wanted to see a wolf again! Why did you do that? Why do you want me to relive my mother's death?" I yell, slamming my hands repeatedly into his chest before letting myself slump forward. He wraps his muscular arms around me and holds me tightly. I'm instantly comforted by him and feel much calmer. His scent and his closeness console me. I suddenly feel very safe.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't know your mum died the day you saw the wolf. Please forgive me?" he whispers into my hair as he runs his fingers through it. 

I'm furious with him, but I desire him. His arms around me make me feel the comfort I thought I'd never feel. I never want to leave his arms. It takes me a while, sitting in silence, to digest Jim shifting into a wolf and recover from my mum's death flashbacks.

Jim reappears in the dining room in his clothes, looking at me with a sad expression. I'm too scared to make eye contact or even look at him. He keeps his distance. A whole hour passes, with the memory of my mother's death replaying in my mind. Scenes from that day resound in my head, and poor Ryker does not know what I'm reliving as he holds me close. No one dares make a sound or move. The only noises I hear are the birds chirping outside and a few random, intermittent knocks on the diner's glass door because the diner is closed. Finally, I fall asleep in Ryker's arms.