Mine, Forever Mine

Chapter 10: You Had Me At Hello

Ryder's P.O.V
It's been almost a month since my father drove them out. Jake has been bugging me about it. I honestly hate that I had to be apart of that. I truly think that Alexa's mine, but maybe not. My wolf has been ignoring me since they left, and I've been needing to shift. My dad had sent Oscar and Lee, two of our pack enforcers after them. Jake has nonstop been asking me if I fell for Alexa, even though he knows our dad wouldn't allow it. They're not of our pack anymore, and I'm the Prince. It would look wrong in front of the packs. The power my father has over the packs in the region will be questioned if I say I fell in love with Alexa.

Over the course of the few months they've been gone, I've changed my looks. I got my lip pierced. I got a couple tattoos on my arms. I put my plugs back in. I started skating again, which I swore I would never do again. My father got me to finally train the pack our fighting techniques. I help the younger pups how to defend and attack when needed. Now, I'm more involved with my pack.

Today I was supposed to go into Darby to go pick up the German Shepherd I had bought. I jumped into my black pickup and started the 35 minute drive from Pinesdale to Darby.

*After 35 Minutes*

I walked up to the address I was given when I called about the dog. I knocked and waited until the door was opened. I heard a growl then a man, in his early sixties opened up the door. "Are you Joseph Darling?" I ask. "Yep. Now why are you here?" He asks. "Came to pick up the dog I bought from you." I say, pulling out the money. An even $500. He nods, "For a hundred more, I'll give you a pup instead." I think about the offer. Can start fresh with the pup, an older dog can't be trained anything new. "I'll take the pup instead." I reply pulling a hundred dollar bill. "Follow me." He says, taking me out back, to the barn. He opens up the door, and there are ten slots, with a door behind it that opens up the the run. He keeps walking, and all the dogs bark when we pass them. Joseph opens a door to another room, where there is a female nursing a litter. He pets her when he passes then shows me the three month old pups. There are all fuzzy sable ones, one white and one black. I look at the black and white ones. "I'll take those two." I say, with a small smile. He smiles, "Those two were my favorites out of that litter. I'll give you a three hundred dollar discount." I nod, "Thanks Joseph. I'll bring when they get older." I smile, shaking his hand. I pay him the $800, and he hands me the two pups. "The white one's a male. The black's a female." He tells me and I nod. "These two are already used to eating kibble and I'm telling you ahead of time. These two eat a lot. They're fathers were very big dogs. The black one's father served the police in Boston. The white one's was trained for the police but never got in. You'll have your hands full with them, but they're good dogs." "Got it Joseph. I'll train them well." We walk to my truck and I put the two in the front seat. We shake hands and I get into the driver's side. I look at the pups when I'm driving, when I see their eyes. As amber as a wolf's. I pet their heads and turn back to the road. I look out into the forest when we go through Hamilton. I see shadows moving and I look closer. I swore when I saw a pair of ice blue eyes looking back at me. "Alexa." I say, but the eyes were gone. I shake my head, I'm imagining it. I think to myself. The pups wiggle around and the white one starts to nip at the black one's ears. They start to play and I watch them out of the corner of my eye. I sigh when we get to the pack house. I don't stop but drive until I hit the mountain but continue to the cabin my father built out there. It's been abandoned since my mother died two years ago. I see the cabin and I slow the truck down. I stop it and hop out. I open the passenger door and get the pups. I grab my keys and lock the car, then walk to the door. I put in the key and unlock the cabin. I put the pups down and let them run inside. I mind link my cousin Clay, Hey Clay. Can you come up to my dad's cabin. I need your help. Yeah, I'm on my way. Take me about 5 minutes. Okay. I sit on the couch and the pups come to me. I pet them and they whine and whimper. They lay on my feet as we wait for Clay. When I hear the door knock, I get up and check who it is. I see Clay standing with his arms crossed. I open the door, "Clay." I say, pulling him for a hug. He hugs me back then walks in. The pups look at him and he moves back slightly. "Is this what you need me for?" I nod, "I need you to watch them while I go get supplies for them." He sighs and bends down to pet them, "I'll watch them for you. And I'll stay up here too. When you have pack business." I smile, "Thanks Clay, it means a lot." "Now I'll be back in about 20 minutes. I'm going into Pinesdale to get their food, and other necessities." He nods and lays down, letting them climb onto his stomach. I pet them and grab my keys off the counter. "I'll bring groceries too." I call over my shoulder as I leave. I drive back down to Pinesdale. I go to the pet store first. I greet Lucy, a pack mate who works here, and look for what I need. I grab the pads where they learn to relive themselves on. I grab a blue collar and a red collar for the white one. I then grab a pink camouflage and a white diamond collar for the black one. I grab two bags of Eukanuba large breed kibble and six cans of the wet food. Three of chicken & rice and three of chicken & beef. I put it all in the basket and grab two harnesses one green camouflage, one pink. The lady at the counter looks at me funny when I grab a green and pink camouflage leashes. "You like camo huh?" She asks with a small laugh. I laugh, "Yep." I grab a couple toys and treats. I see the crates and look for one that can hold them both. "Hey Lucy. How much is it for the crate?" I ask. "$50." She responds. I put my basket on the counter and grab the crate. "Ready to pay?" I nod. She scans everything and I look outside while I wait. "$125.50" she says. I think of using my credit card but I go against it and pull out the money. "Thanks Lucy. Will we see you at tomorrow's meeting?" I ask. She nods, "Yes my Prince." "Good." I say and take everything to my truck. I put the crate in the truck bed. I put the bags in the seat and drive to the market. I spend almost $300 buying groceries, but it's gotta last me a long time if Clay's living with me. Once I get to the cabin, I call Clay. He comes out and helps me take everything inside. When I walk in the pups wag their tails and bark. I pet them and start putting everything away. I put the dog foods in the cabinet beside the oven. I put the groceries where they belong and start setting up the crate. I put the crate in the master bedroom, which is now mine. I whistle and the pups come. I call Clay. "For the white one, should I put the blue or red one? And for the black, should I put the pink or white?" "For the white put blue. The black put the white one." I put them on. "They look good now." He comments. I nod. I look at Clay, "Imma go to the house. I'll get our clothes and come back. Straight shot." He looks back at me, "Don't get caught and if you do. Say we're staying for the weekend." I nod and once again get my keys and go in my truck. I drive to the pack house to get our clothes. I check to see if my father was home, and was pleased when I couldn't sense him close. I grab my duffel bag and sneak to our rooms. I was putting all of our clothes in the bag when I sensed him. My father was home. I stiffened then see I got all of our clothes. I open the window quietly then put my feet on the edge. I look back once then jump. When I land, I'm only a few feet from where I hid my truck. I throw the duffel in the seat and start the truck. I head back up to the cabin. I grab the duffel before I get out and lock the truck. I walk to the door and unlock it. Clay is on the couch watching the football game. "Hey. The Packers are winning." He tells me. I drop the duffel bag on the chair and whistle. The pups lick my fingers and nuzzle my hands. I pet them then walk to the kitchen. I start swearing. "What the hell Ryder." Clay growls as he walks in. "I fucking forgot the food bowls." I groan and sit down on the bar stools. "Ryder, just go get them the bowls. I'll keep an eye on them and I'll put them to rest when they start nodding off. Okay?" I nod, and grab the keys. I drive all the way back to town. I walk in and see Lucy. "Hey Luce." "Hi, Ryder. What do I have the pleasure for?" "Need bowls for the dogs." She nods and points me to the back. I see various sizes and grab one big for their water and one big one for their food. I pay $20 even and walk out. I put the bowls when I see them. My father, the beta, and two Pack Enforcers. I duck my head and quickly enter my truck. I pull on my SnapBack and I drive past unnoticed. Once I pull up, I grab the bag. I open the door and see Clay laying on the couch. "Where's the dogs?" I ask. "In their crate already. They were falling asleep." I nod and put the bowls down next to the counter. "Clay, start locking up the windows and every way out. I don't want anyone coming in or out." He rolls his eyes but does it. I put the locks on the everything then drop the duffel bag. He opens it and grabs his clothing. "Thanks." He murmurs. I nod and take the bag into my room. I open the door and see the pups asleep in the crate. I smile and walk to the adjoining bathroom. I throw dirty clothes into the hamper and walk into the shower. I turn on the water to hot. It runs through my hair and down my back. I look back at the mirror and see my back and all of the various tattoos I got. I look down at the wolf with the quote by Rudyard Kipling 'For The Strength Of The Pack Is The Wolf, and The Strength Of The Wolf Is The Pack.'  On the left side of my chest, I have a wolf walking down. On the right, is my wolf snarling. On my right shoulder, are three wolves. Two are howling and one is still. On the bottom is the Grim Reaper. On the left, I have a sleeve of a forest with a wolf. On my back are two wolves, one on the ground and one standing. I hold my head in my hands and groan. I look away from my tattoos and finish showering. I put on a pair of boxers then my sweatpants. I shut down my pack mind link to not hear anyone tonight or tomorrow. I remember when I was able to hear Alexa. That was my last thought before I went to sleep.

Author's Note:
How was this chapter? Yay? Or nay? And what is your thoughts on the story already?
One question: What should Ryder's dogs names be? (The white one is a boy. The black shepherd is a female.)
Put your answers in the comments. Love you! Thanks for reading and sticking along! 💞💞