My sister Wants My Mate!

[14] Ryders Journal Organising Lessons and Emily's Weird Behaviour.

Thank you so much for the cover @godsagainstGoddesses!

ISABEL POV

Blinking softly, I rolled over in bed and burrowed my face in my pillows. Distantly, I could hear people murmuring about what damage had been done in our lands due to the hurricane, but it wasn't of interest to me. All I had heard for the last couple of days was about the hurricane and the astonishing amount of damage it had caused; I would most certainly like to forget about it.

As the voices gradually disappeared, I sat up in bed, before hopping up to wash my face and grab something to change into.

A few moments later, I was up and ready to do something, to go somewhere. For the past couple of days, the entire household had been keeping me inside and I was bored sick. I knew that the only chance I would have to get outside was for me to convince Ryder that it was ok for me to leave- this would be particularly hard what with not wanting to be anywhere near that piece of slime. The worst part was? The stupid mate bond was trying to convince me to forgive him- not likely.

Pushing my door shut, I walked towards his room, portraying a calm facade. I had moved out of that place as soon as I had set a foot back in this house after that horrendous night. His door was half open and you could see his messy unmade bed, the mountain of paperwork on his desk, and dirty washing everywhere.

Snorting, I took a step backwards to move out of the doorway, before noticing a box jutting out under his bed. Curiosity raging, I stepped in the room before closing the door. I then knelt down and undid the lock on the box.

His journal lay in tatters in the wooden box; sheets had been ripped out here and there. One page containing small, fast scribbled writing caught my attention:

He was here again today. I can safely say that I cannot stand him. I know he can't be trusted, but no one else would see this. There is the possibility that he would try to sabotage the pack, and I can't allow him to do this. The problem: how do I stop him? I can't monitor his activities outside these lands. Per-

The rest of the page had been ripped savagely in half and scribbled over- he must have been in a very bad mood to destroy his journal.

I flipped through the rest of the book, but saw no entries about him and Emily. Bile rose to the back of my throat as I thought about them together.

I had to get out of this room.

Carefully, I placed the box back underneath the bed before walking out and down the nearest set of stairs. Continuing down them, I thought about the actions of Ryder. I knew little about werewolves, but the one thing that I did know was that the mate bond was sacred. Was this not the case with us?

"Oh, sorry"

I looked up to see who had apologised, before smiling widely at Seth, the beta.

"I didn't mean to bump into you, I apologise" he said again, returning the grin.

"Don't worry about it" I replied, and started to slip past him. Before I could, he grasped my arm and swung me around:

"I heard you mumbling something about not knowing enough about werewolves under your breath. It may be none of my business, but do you want me to teach you about our ways?"

Gratefully, I replied

"Yes please! I feel so inexperienced about all of this and I'm supposed to become the Luna.... But with the way things are right now"

"I'll help you understand everything. How about we start on Monday?"

"Great!" I hurried off, glad that someone was willing to help me out with this new lifestyle. I didn't know much about werewolves due to us not being taught anything back in Coletown, in Britain. It seemed that there was a different protocol in America.

Making my way into the kitchen, I grabbed a carton of orange juice from the fridge and poured myself a fresh glass. Taking sips, I leaned against the side of the island, before deciding what to do next. My eyes wandered to the bookcase in the corner of the kitchen, and before I knew it, I had picked up an interesting looking book placed it under my arm, and was striding towards the back door. My destination today was to sit in the forest, underneath a tree and soak up nature and it's calming presence. I always had found comfort being around nature due to my wolf, and if I needed to today I would let her roam free.

Pondering how many books I would take with me (I was sure I would be there for hours) I overheard one wolf exchanging a conversation with another. My ears caught the words "Ryder" and "bad news" before I crept forward so that I could hear more.

"...continues this way then the pack is doomed. Can you believe he is being so childish as to lock himself in his office? We can't even complain to anyone- the Alpha's on holiday and he's been a fool to his mate. What are we supposed to do?" Uttered one of the men who I supposed guarded the pack boundary.

"Did you hear that he's moved guards around from their usual positions? And I've heard that the Alpha and Luna aren't back for two months. Since he's the only one with contact with them, he's convinced them to extend their stay. Heavens knows what state the pack will be in!"

I crept backwards, away from the kitchen entrance and out of the back door, before sprinting to the garden gate then into the forest.

I hadn't talked to Ryder for quite a while, and I don't intent to be the first one to make contact. Right now, the only way that I can help the pack is to learn more about it, to study the boundaries so that I can help steer it out of the path of danger. Picking up my mobile, I dialed Seth's number.

"Hi, it's Isabel. Yep, I was just wondering if we could start lessons tomorrow, and have them daily? I have a feeling there's a lot to learn. Great! I'll see you tomorrow, noon? See you then"

Feeling better prepared, I then continued to sprint to the forest to enjoy what was left of the sunshine.

Alas, there was my sister, the bane of my existence, ready to ruin the day again. Her makeup slathered on, the shortest dress I have ever seen and the highest heels I have ever laid eyes on completed her outfit today. Wonder which girls heart she will break due to her messing with her boyfriend today?

"Sister" she greeted me.

"You don't call me that anymore."

"I never should have in the first place" she continued.

Stepping forward, she ran her hands through my hair, stopping just behind my ear. Shivers coursing through my body, I stepped backwards. Almost as if she was in a trance, she stroked the skin behind her ear with a tender look on her face.

"Well, although we don't look alike, we do share birthmarks" she then cackled and walked away from me.

Turning around, I called out:

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You always were the dumb one. Figure it out."

She continued to walk away, cackles echoing around me. With that, I turned around, determined to enjoy the rest of my day. I would find out what she meant later.