FATAL CLAIM

Chapter 19

MIA

I stared at Ryan's face as he spoke of his family, we were walking towards the escalator at the mall. We had come shopping as he had asked me to choose his suit for the wedding, which was in less than two weeks now. I had been so occupied with all the preparations mother had me engaged into, I got no time for anything else. The free time I did get, I spent it helping my father and Mason with paperwork.

A little girl ran up to us and hugged Ryan, she barely reached his knees and I cooed at how cute she was.

"Hi there," he smiled as he picked her up. She looked like she was three years old. "Where's your mama?" He asked her in a baby voice and she blinked at him. "Aren't your adorable?" He slightly pinched her cheek.

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry," A middle-aged woman rushed up to us, she looked only a few years older than I was. "She runs around a lot," She heaved as she held her hands out for the little girl.

"Don't worry about it," Ryan chuckled as he handed the little girl to her mother.

"Thank you," She smiled and bid us farewell as she walked away with her daughter in her hand.

"You're good with kids," I noted and he nodded.

"I adore children," he chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck. "How about you?" He questioned.

"Honestly, I'm not sure. I've never really been around children, but they are cute," I replied.

"Oh," he said, if I wasn't wrong, there was a hint of disappointment in his voice. "Weren't they any children in your pack?" He asked.

"They were, but I never really spent time with them, I had my studies and work to focus on," I shrugged. "I'm guessing you've spent a lot of time with the children in your pack."

"I still do," he smiled. "Shall we?" He gestured at the food court and I nodded.

We both ordered the chicken burgers along with a drink.

"I actually need to talk to you about something," He cleared his throat.

"Sure," I stared at him, waiting to hear what he had to say.

"My father is stepping down as Alpha next week, he wants me to take his place before we get married, so I wanted you to come for the celebration of me becoming the Alpha, as my date," he looked nervous and I smiled.

"Of course I'll come," he visibly relaxed as I said that. I slightly chuckled at how nervous he is around me.

Once our food arrived, we spoke of eachother's interests, he wanted to get to know me better, as did I. I mean, we are supposed to spend the rest of our lives together, it's better we know what to expect beforehand.

My phone buzzed making me look down at it, Jade was calling.

"Go on," Ryan smiled. I nodded as I answered the call.

"Hey," She chirped.

"Hi," I replied.

"So, what are your plans tonight?"

"Why do you ask?" I raised my brow.

"Elliot and I, will be going hunting so I think you should join, since you've gotten engaged you've been really busy so it's time to lighten up," She explained.

"Sure, I'll meet you at nine?"

"See you," She said with excitement bubbling from her voice making me chuckle.

"Alright," I cut the call but I left her a message.

Can I ask Ryan to join? He sort of heard our conversation.