Ryder's P.O.V
"I can't believe she said that." I frowned when Clover told me what Sapphire said.
"Hell are we staying out of this. She's our soon to be Luna." Alec snorted. "I'm gonna kill the people
who touched her." Cole grumbled.
"I'm going to make a call to her friend. I'll see you guys later." Clover ignored what we said and left the
little shop where we were eating our dinner. "I can't believe I let you guys talk me into having dinner
and not destroying their pack." I mumbled and stuffed a piece of chicken into my mouth. Cole rolled his
eyes at me. "What's the plan then?" Alec raised a brow. "We'll go back to the pack house and train the
guards. Then we'll attack when the time comes." I summarised, leaning into my seat.
"Okay, done. I spoke to Sapph's friend, Bella. She said that Sapph somehow managed to make a deal
on staying in a guest room and away from Graysen for the next 4 days-" I cut her off. "She stayed in
Graysen's room?" I roared, anger overwhelming me. People in the cafe stared at me like I was nuts. I
could feel Jay trying to break the wall I put up. He had been fighting for control from this morning and I
managed to block him out. I had just managed to calm down that my mate was abducted and now
Clover just had to send me news that she stayed in another man's room, let alone sleep in another
man's bed?!
What the fuck woman?
Clover rolled her eyes as if she knew what I was thinking. "Shut up. Do you want to get her back or
not?" She growled and I pouted like a 3 year old, slumping into my seat.
My Alpha title won't get me the respect I deserve with this girl.
"They are going to try to sneak her out tomorrow morning when Graysen goes off for pack business."
Clover explained and I interrupted before she could continue. "They?" I asked, straightening in my seat.
"Yeah, her two friends, Bella and Willow, and her first mate, Leonard." Clover explained. I opened my
mouth to complain but she beat me to it. "Ryder Black, I swear, if you complain about her being close
to another guy when she has bigger problems to worry about, I will cut off your ball sacks with a
chainsaw, dry them under the sun, smash them, and force feed it to you, do you fucking hear me?!"
She snarled and I widened my eyes.
"Good." She said when I shut my mouth in fear.
"So, they'll try to sneak her out and we attack at the same time when everybody is panicking on her
disappearance." Cole summarised and I nodded, agreeing to the plan.
"That's all then. We just have to wait till dawn." Alec sighed.
Sapphire's P.O.V
Wait- didn't Graysen said his mate died at childbirth? Gwen frowned. I sat up from the fluffy pillows.
She's right.
Graysen said that his mate was my mother. Then said that his mate died at childbirth. And Jennifer has
no similarities with me or my mother.
That's why he wants to make my life a living hell! It's not all about my mother. It's because he failed to
live a life with his second chance mate! He wants me to suffer like him. It all makes sense, I gasped. So
your mother was a part of his anger, not all. He's... jealous." Gwen murmured. It doesn't matter if he is
jealous or just angry, we need to get out before the Changing. It's already affecting me, Drew growled.
The changing was affecting me too. I could feel heat slowly boiling in me. I literally feel evil stirring in
me.
Sapph? Clover's voice invaded my mind. Clover? Did you call her? I asked eagerly. Yes, they'll try to
sneak you out at dawn and we'll attack by then, Clover answered. Good, the Changing is slowly
affecting me, I mumbled. Don't worry, we'll be there in time, hang on Sapph, She soothed. Thanks
Clover, I... I need to rest, I said and quickly blocked her out before she could feel my emotions.
Tears started pricking at the corner of my eyes.
What if we don't get out? What if we danger Ryder and the pack by telling them to save us? I babbled.
Nothing like that will happen, Gwen tried to comfort me. No ifs Sapph. Everything will be fine, well, if we
get out before blowing the whole place down with my demonic powers, Drew shrugged and I couldn't
help but roll my eyes at her.
Things will get better, I promise, Gwen soothed. But I couldn't help but feel something would go really
wrong.
"Sapph, Sapph. Wake up, quickly.... We gotta go..." A familiar voice jolted me out of sleep. I sat up
groggy and rubbed my eyes. "Will? Bell?" I murmured. "You didn't tell us your mate is the scary Alpha
of Dark Moon Pack." Bella whisper-squealed. "This isn't the time for that!" Willow grumbled. "W.. what
are you guys doing here? Where are the guards who are guarding me?" I mumbled, my voice thick with
sleep.
"We're busting you out of here. Ryder and your pack fighters are here. Well... out of smelling
range...but here." Bell said, shaking my shoulders to wake me up completely.
With that, I jolted up, completely awaken. "Wait what?!"
"Let's hurry. Me and Bell are following you to your pack." Will walked towards the door. "What about
Leonard?" I jumped out of bed. "He's not coming. It'll be too... painful for him." Bell hesitated before
speaking. Guilt tugged at my heart. "Oh." I murmured.
"Come on." Bell whispered yelled and tugged me out of my little comfy prison.
We navigated through the pack house easily. Cold wind whipped at my dirty blonde hair as I felt
Ryder's presence close.
"You're so stupid." Willow shook her head as we continued to run towards the border line. "What did I
do?" I panted, since the wolf bane hadn't completely wore off and it was still affecting Gwen. My body
started heating even more and I knew the Changing was getting closer. Drew fidgeted, worrying about
what would happen to her.
"We know the whole story. Clover told us." Will shot me a glare. "Again... What did I do?" I raised an
eyebrow, my breathing growing heavier by each second. "How could you just ditch him like that? Do
you know how many people would die to just get a mate that sexy and hot?" Bell huffed. "And again...
what the hell did I do?" I mumbled. "You love him. He loves you. Are you actually asking me what you
did? What the hell girl?" Will said, frustration lacing her tone. "Well I'm sorry if my brain isn't still
completely awake." I muttered. "You could've just told him. But noooo.... you just had to break his heart
in the process." Bell cut in, making me wince at the thought. "He's still alive, isn't he?" I snapped.
"Shit." Will cursed, stopping in her tracks, making me and Bell do the same.
"What?" Bell asked, worry in her tone.
"One of the guards awoken. He's sent a warning through the pack link." Will said with frustration. Bell's
face paled and the colour drained from her rosy cheeks.
Suddenly, shouts from the pack house were audible. I felt real fear shoot through my body. I was never
going to make it out of here. I gnawed my bottom lip, looking at Will.
"Let's keep going. We're almost there. Ignore them. We'll get there in time." Will began running again.
But I caught the uncertainty in her blue grey eyes.
We crossed the border line and kept on running for a mile or two before stopping, puffing and huffing in
a small clearing.
"We did it!" I said excitedly. I suddenly heard footsteps run towards us and I froze when an intoxicating
yet familiar scent became stronger. The footsteps stopped a few metres away from us, still hidden in
the trees.
"You did, love." My eyes welled up when I heard the voice I missed so much. I spun to see a ragged
and tired looking Ryder.
"R...Ryder?" I said uncertainly, trying hard to keep my emotions in check. "It's me." He smiled and
opened his arms. I didn't need to be told twice. I ran and jumped into his arms. I felt his chest vibrate
against mine when he chuckled.
"I'm so so sorry." I whispered, burying my head deeper into his shoulders. "It's okay... I would have
done the same if I were in your shoes... But baby, you don't have to be afraid to trust me. It kinda hurts
that I wasn't the first to know about it." His masculine voice whispered at the crook of my shoulders.
"I'm sorry. I'm so so very sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just want to keep you safe." I sobbed. "Shh...
its okay now. I got you. I won't ever let you go anymore. I'm not going anywhere." He soothed, stroking
my hair. I lifted my bloodshot eyes to look into his grey orbs.
"I love you." I whispered. His face lit up to the extend that it would put a brightly lit Christmas's tree to
shame. "I love you too Sapph. So so much. I didn't mean anything I said in the dream. I was too hurt
that time." He mumbled. I smiled and pecked his lips. He pulled me in closer and it turned into a hot
make out session.
I missed his lips. I missed his touch. I missed... him.
"I lied." He muttered against my lips. "Huh?" "When I told you I wouldn't miss your kisses in the dream,
I lied." He smiled and I beamed.
A throat cleared which burst the little bubble me and Ryder was in.
"So you don't miss us?" Clover pouted. My feet touched the ground once again as I spun to the
direction the voice came from. I saw Clover, Alec and Cole standing there. "Oh my god! I missed you
guys!" I squealed and tackled Clover, making her laugh and stumble.
"Great. My personal annoyer is back." Alec sighed, although I did catch a hint of relieve in his voice. "Is
that even a word?" I tutted. "If I wanted my vocabulary to be always perfect, I would've bought a
dictionary." Alec muttered and I gave him a sweet innocent smile. "Don't tell me you forgotten about ol
Cole here." Cole pouted and I smiled. "Never." I smiled and gave him a hug. I heard a small growl and
was surprised to see it was Bella.
"Bell? You didn't tell me you found your mate?" I gasped. "You didn't tell me either. I guess we're even."
Bell retorted and I smiled. "Touche." I winked and continued, "so I still own Will something."
"Actually.... No." Will smirked and walked over to Alec, who happily wrapped an arm around her waist.
"I knew waiting for my mate would pay off." Alec beamed at Will's words, no doubt very smug.
"Are you serious?" I squealed. "Yes, they're serious. Now let's go before something else happens."
Ryder sighed and wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me to the direction he came from. I
happily clung onto his arm. Hell am I ever letting go of him. I can find a solution for my Changing.
Speaking about my Changing, I could feel heat bubbling inside me.
"Well, too bad it's too late then." A voice spoke and a shiver of fear went through my spine. Ryder
growled and turned around to face the bastard who spoke. I spun slowly and my eyes connected with
his. "What the fuck do you want?" Ryder growled, his eyes flashing between black and his original eye
colour. "I want her to carry my pups." Graysen smirked and Ryder let out an animalistic snarl. That was
when I knew this wouldn't end without blood shed.
I stepped forward and Ryder's rough hands immediately grabbed my arm. "Don't you dare fucking
sacrifice yourself over this." Ryder growled a warning. I smiled comfortingly. "I am never leaving you
again." I smiled and he smiled back. His erratic breathing immediately calmed.
"What a touching scene." Graysen spat. "I know how you feel. I know what you're going through. You're
just jealous." I said softly. "What do you know about jealousy?" Graysen growled and I let out a bitter
laugh. So bitter that I myself was surprised. Even Graysen looked taken aback.
"I used to be a reject at your pack. I kept getting bullied. Words that were used to describe me would
haunt me forever. I got rejected by my first mate. I had only two friends. I don't have parents. I envied
everyone." I spat, hatred for people who brought me so much pain overwhelming me.
Crap, the Changing was really affecting me, wasn't it? Of course, it's tomorrow, Drew snapped. I felt
relieve flood my body.
Are you guys okay? I asked worriedly. I'm feeling better now that we're close to Ryder, so yeah. I'm
fine, Gwen grinned and I smiled. I'm so glad to know that they're fine.
"But you're fine now, isn't it? I've envied people my whole life. Think about how that feels." Graysen
growled and took an intimating step forward. "You think I'm okay now? Dude you are wrong. I envy
people for having normal lives. If I had a normal life, none of this would've happened. None fucking
frustrating thing would've happened." I snarled. I felt Ryder's soothing hand on my shoulder and I took
a deep breath, successful in calming myself. Graysen scoffed. "You envy people? Don't make me
laugh." Graysen snarled at me, showing his canines. "Your second mate failed, so what? Get that
through your thick skull. She died but she left a piece of her with you. Even if shes a bitch. And now
you're using her? What kind of sick bastard are you?" I screamed at him. "If your mother had accepted
me, there would be no need for a second mate!" He roared, his face a tomato red. I could literally feel
Ryder and everyone else's eyes pop out of their sockets. "Do you know how rare a second mate is?
You don't even think twice and use her daughter?" I snarled.
"Excuse me. The daughter you are talking about is right here. And my father is not using me." Jennifer
appeared beside her sick excuse of a father. And again, I could tell that everyone around me rendered
speechless.
"I don't even know why I am talking about this with you and not attacking yet. If I can't have you, no one
can." He snarled and my old pack's warriors appeared behind him. I heard footsteps and soon enough,
most of Ryder best warriors stood behind us, waiting for battle. "You are using them, not using, risking
their lives for this small matter? Just because you can't have me? What would your mate say about
that?" I crossed my arms.
"She's dead!" He screamed at me. "That doesn't mean she isn't watching over you. That doesn't mean
her love for you have stopped." I said, trying for the last time. I knew that if it didn't work, unlimited
blood would be shed.
"Love isn't all that great. One day, it would snap when it's stretched to a certain limit." Graysen snarled.
"Rich coming from a person who have never experience love before. I on other hand, experienced it
first handed." I said smugly and I could feel happiness and pride radiate from my sexy mate.
It seemed as if Graysen was frustrated. He snapped his fingers and his pack's fighters charged
forward.
"Wait!" Came Ryder's rough voice. Everyone halted their actions and we all faced him, waiting for his
next words.
"The old one on one. Winner takes all." Ryder announced and I gasped. Fear making ny heart jump in
unhealthy rates. Graysen looked hesitant. "What? Scared, Graysen?" Ryder mocked and I gripped his
arm. "Of course not. Fine, one of one fight." Graysen cleared his throat. "We all know the rules." Ryder
clapped his hands. "Please. Don't." I whispered. "It'll be okay." Ryder gave me a small smile before
detaching my hand from his arm. "I'm not worth it." I shook his arm, in hopes of stopping him. He
looked at me fiercely. "Never say that alright? I would take a silver bullet for you. So stop thinking that
you are any worse than people. Cause in all the people I've met, I fell for you. That must mean
something, unless I've bad taste." He said, determine lining his words.
"Be careful... and don't die. You have two hearts with you." I mumbled and he gave me a reassuring
smirk. "Die or not. I don't plan in returning it." He pushed my hand off his arm once again. With a sob,
my hand fell back to my side.
Everybody cleared to reveal a small clearing. Clover, Bell, Will, Cole and Alec stood beside me, trying
to give me comfort with their existence.
"I'm so scared Bell." I whispered to her. Her hand gripped my shoulder. "It'll be alright Sapph. It will be
okay." She soothed me.
Reality hit me... hard. I couldn't help the tears in my eyes.
My mate was risking himself for me.
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