The Alpha's Mate Who Cried Wolf novel Chapter 9

I feel like a stunned deer in headlights. My mouth is agape, and I'm staring straight at Ryker. My mind goes into shock, registering all this new information. Then, slowly, I stand, inhaling and exhaling. I look at the back door through the kitchen. I'm as calm and as quiet as a mouse. 

"Astrid? I--' he starts. I raise my index finger for him to be quiet. This is met with his confusion and a raised brow. All eyes are on me as I calmly walk toward the kitchen. I run like the wind as soon as I get to the back door.

He wants to bite me. Have sex with me. Make me carry his babies. Be his Luna. And stay with him forever? I only met him two days ago. This is not happening. They have all gone crazy! Or is it me going crazy? I don't even know anymore. If he thinks I'm going back home with him to be his lifelong mistress, he has another thing coming.

All these thoughts and questions envelop my mind as the pack chase after me. I run as fast as I can through the trees in the woods. But I don't get very far before being grabbed and pushed onto the ground by Ryker's quick arms.

He is as gentle as possible, but I'm in much pain from the beatings. Ryker lets out a slight growl. 

"Why did you do that? Why did you run from me?" He asks.

"If you think for one second, I'm going back home with you to be your lifelong mistress and let you bite me and carry your pups. Maybe I'm better off back home, with my dad," I say. Ryker flinches at my words. 

"It's not like that at all. You'll understand it better when you turn eighteen," Ryker explains.

"Get off me!"I yell. Ryker has me pinned to the ground on my back, and his face is an inch from mine. Our breath fogs as we pant in the cool night air. 

"Will you run if I get off you?" He asks. 

"Yes," I mumble. Ryker lets out a low growl in displeasure. The sound of a shotgun goes off in the diner's direction. Ryker stands and takes my hand to pull me up. Our skin-on-skin contact is magical. I never want to let go of his hand.

As we return to the diner, holding hands, I fear what is about to unfold. My Dad is sitting on the bonnet of his car with his shotgun pointed at some of the pack members outside. He watches me step out from the concealment of the woods, holding Ryker's hand. 

"My Dad shot him, Jim! I need to see if he is okay." I try to struggle out of Jim's hold, but it's no use: he is too strong.

My Dad is laughing. Ryker is still on the ground, and Dad thinks he is dead. Ryker moves, stands and throws himself at Dad. Bang! Another shot resounds in the night air. Ryker runs and tackles him off the bonnet onto the ground. Ryker snaps the shotgun in half, tosses it aside, and begins a succession of punches on Dad's face. I can see the blood escaping each time he hits him. Dad swings back at Ryker. Only a couple of attempts to make contact.

Dad tries to stand but is very unsteady. He falls over. With his arms pinned behind his back, Seth holds Dad up while Ryker punches him in the torso. Dad looks at me and grins while blood trickles from his mouth and nose. I can see gaps in his teeth where Ryker has knocked a few out. Ryker breaks Dad's ribs and beats him to near-death. 

My Dad stares at me with a sick look, taking every hit like they're not affecting him, before speaking. 

"This isn't the last time you'll see me, Astrid. You're the reason your mother is dead. I'll make you pay for killing her!"