My Best Friends Mate

Chapter Twenty Four- Natalia

Ryans POV

The weekend left as fast as it came and Kiara and I reveled in the solitude it brought. We heard from practically no one and neither one of us complained about it. Kiara decided to come to training with me in an effort to train more in her wolf form. We drove to the training arena arriving a little late. We were... busy. I smiled thinking about why we were late and replaying every scene of me and Kiara having sex this morning. We werent technically late having arrived right at 0700 but me being leadership and both of us being spec ops, we really should have arrived before anyone else.
News of Keely gaining her wolf and of us being a couple traveled through the pack, We heard the whispers as we entered into the arena although we made sure our behavior was professional. The most entertaining were the looks of jealousy and envy from males and females alike. Walking with a purpose and sense of urgency, I pushed through the double doors. Dustin stood there arms crossed wearing an amused grin. I knew he wasnt actually being entertained at the thought of me and Kiara. Confused but curious we jogged up to him, standing beside him.

"Care to share what you find so amusing?" I asked him. Kiara just shrugged when I looked to her. She didnt know either.

He kept the smile on his face and looked down at his feet before slightly looking up at me, his grin more mischievous than before. He nodded past the wolves in formation as if signaling me to look. I scan over the wolves zeroing in on a chair by the back door.

oh fuck.I thought to myself. There was Natalia. She caught my stare and began to make her way to me. Dustin beside me contained a laugh, masking it with a cough and Kiaras eyes didnt leave my face.

What the hell was she doing here? I hadnt seen her in two years. Last I saw her, Craig and I had just finished in an underground tournament down in Tampa. We both had won in our weight classes. I remember we stood in the ring together, proud of our victory. Afterwards Natalia and I hooked up. That was our "thing", hooking up and we were good at it. We were toxic to eachother, each playing a game of the other of who could outplay who. We fucked eachother when we got bored of fucking someone else, her more than I. I didnt mind being a loner most of the time.

She sauntered up to me, hugging me.
"Hello darling" I heard her say in my ear, her Russian accent still as thick as it was two years ago.
I think I was in shock. I see Dustin whos just standing there watching the entire thing play out. He was only missing the popcorn by the way he acted. I looked again at Kiara who showed no emotion and if it was anyone else they would have thought that Kiara wasnt paying attention but I knew exactly what she was doing, well already did. She had analyzed, weighed and measured Natalia before she even touched me and Kiara would not reveal any vulnerability in herself, even if that vulnerability is me. Kiara played chess while others were playing checkers. She was already two steps ahead.

"what are you doing here?" I said sternly but quietly under my breath not wanting to make a scene. I peeled her arms off of me and in typical melodramatic natalia fashion a look of exaggerated hurt flashes across her face.

"Ryan..." she whined. "Remember I told you I was coming?" My mind reverted back to the text she had sent me a few days ago. Of all the times, Natalia chose NOT to flake on me.
Dustin was becoming inpatient. We were leadership and didn't have time for ghosts of girlfriends past. Thankfully at that moment, my phone rang. Thank you Goddess.I stepped away from them but not before pointing at Natalia and saying firmly. "you need to leave".

Dustins POV

"youre enjoying this arent you?" Ryan mind linked me.

"I must admit I am but we need to wrap this up. Trainees are watching." I mind linked him back.

I glanced at my sister who acted like nothing was happening, like it was just another day. Good girl, I thought. I knew this would be awkward for both her and Ryan but I also knew nothing would happen with this that would result in my sisters heartbreak. Natalia and Ryan were old news and I couldn't help but wonder why shes here. I suppose it wasn't too out of the ordinary. That's what she did,show up randomly, have sex with Ryan and leave. No stability at all and despite Ryans running and going from city to city for as long as he did, he wanted and needed stability.
I watched him step away to answer a call. I looked over the formation of wolves. They looked to me, waiting for orders. I released them to run laps so they didnt see what looked like weak leadership bringing their drama to work with them.
Natalia turned to me. "Hello again Dustin"
I looked around as if I had heard something.. "satan, is that you?" then finally made eye contact with her only smiling. I saw her turn to Kiara, looking her up from her feet to her head and back down again and with a smile she shifted to stand next to Kiara.

"so you're the new flavor of the month" she said hoping to instagate Kiara.

Kiara only smiled. She didnt look at her but leaned over as if to tell her something. She kept a smile on her face and her eyes watching the wolves run their laps the entire time.
"can you smell it? this months flavor is sex" and then winked at Natalia who was surprised by my sisters audacious remark.
I couldn't contain it anymore. I busted out laughing but it was soon interrupted by Ryan. He grabbed my sisters hand abruptly.

"We need to go. And we need to go now"

Kiaras POV.

This girl annoyed me but showing that would be unwise. "He who angers you controls you" I heard my fathers voice in my head. Suddenly I felt a familiar touch abruptly grab my hand.

"We need to go. And we need to go now"
Ryan said.
Wait, what?

"That was Craig. He's been following a few scouts from Michael's pack who have been secretly meeting with hunters"
he told Dustin.

"yeah, and?" I heard my brother ask him.

"I talked to him the other day. He was in Vegas and caught up with Genevieve.."

Dustin interrupted him "wait, like his ex Genevieve?"

"yeah but dont bring that up"

Dustin just shrugged.

"Genevieve basically said that they were headed up to Craigs mom old tribe to take it over. Theyre there now. Two days sooner than expected and Craig is a day behind. We're closer than he is" Ryan was basically insinuating that we leave now and counter attack.

Dustin mulled this over and finally voiced what we all knew.
" Michael is taking over packs for the numbers and the power. Hes recruiting hunters with some luck but not as much as he had hoped. Seems more hunters would rather hold onto their pride and not help one werewolf rather than team up and kill many. Hes hiding behind them, making it look like hunter or rogue wolf attacks and at the right time hes coming for Redwood and Silvermoon"

"yep, thats pretty much it. we need to protect this tribe because ultimately it'll come back to bite us."

Dustin looked at me and then back to Ryan before yelling at Zach and two other wolves. Keely of course followed Zach but also out of curiosity.

"you three will be going with Ryan and Kiara. There is a small pack about an hour from here." He ordered them.

"im coming too" Keely popped her head up from behind Zachs shoulder. I could only smile and Dustin just rolled his eyes.

"will this be enough? Im not too worried about this since its just a couple rogues and a couple hunters right now but you make a good point and the extra help wouldn't hurt" I heard Dustin ask Ryan and at that moment I saw my father the general in Dustin. My brother was calm and collected under pressure and knew exactly what needed to be done without anyone telling him but he still respected our rightful Alpha and sought his approval. I knew he also was embracing his calling as a future Beta and protecting Ryan. He would stay here with the redwood and alyssa for the time being. He knew this wasnt a threat, this was more of a favor and preventative measure.

Ryan knew this too and in a show of respect grasped my brothers hand shaking it before pulling him into a hug. "Thank you Dustin"

"im coming too" Natalia spoke up. She was leaning against the wall, one foot against it and her arms crossed. She had been listening the entire time.

"No" Ryan said

"whats wrong darling, dont want to see me get hurt?"

"I dont want to see you at all" he deadpanned.

She smirked.

"if your little girlfriend is going, and her best buddy is going, then im going" she retorted.

I squeezed Ryans hand and mind linked him. "Its ok"

"Fine" he said and threw up his hands. We all walked out of the arena to begin our short journey to the Paiute Reservation.

Music Recommendation
("blood hands" by royal blood)