The Shape Shifter

chapter 15

Skylars p.o.v.

I sat awkwardly between Ryder and his best friend, Tony. I never realized how fun it could be to have a friend like him but the things these two do together are very funny, makes me want to laugh but I can't. I can't because right now more people are looking at me than I've ever had look at me before. Men, woman, teens, pack warriors, and more. My nerves were making it harder and harder to sit still, my eyes going from a blank face to a glaring one, a suspicious gaze to a smiling face. It was just too much.

"As you all know my son has found his mate." The alpha booms while a hush comes over the meeting room. "Now as a ritual once they have mated they will take over the pack but as of now we need to prepare. An army of shifters is coming to take my son's mate and possibly kill us all." He announced bluntly while gasps erupted from all around.

The reaction being faster than I thought but everyone was staring straight at me and then looking to Ryder before the room grew loud with individual conversations. Smooth Alpha, real smooth. He obviously didn't like me even though I was his sons other half but to announce that everyone was going to die? Obviously not helpful.

"We will be ready for them though!" Ryder interrupted while glaring at his father. "Everyone will be training in sections based on current fighting levels and will be given instructions in case of an emergency attack. Anyone unable to fight will follow saftey protocals and evacuate to the basement of off home bunker." His voice boomed through the room like the alphas had before and I stare at my mate in awe. He stands proudly in front of his pack, head high and chest puffed out, he was a natural. I don't think I could do that. I was brave but I was never very talkative. Years of being ignored kind of forced me into being a quite person and that's what I'm used to.

I flinched when something nudged my foot before my head snapped in the direction of Tony. I narrowed my eyes and he shrugged before turning back to Ryder. What the heck? I swear he's so immature, a smile spreads across my face because someone is actually, willingly, trying to have a good time with me. My foot slides to his so I can bump his leg with mine and his response is instantaneous as he nudges me back. A soft giggle escapes my mouth when our game continues until a throat clearing snapped me back to what we were actually supposed to be paying attention to.

A blush burns on my face when my mate looks at me with raised brows and a smile playing at the corner of his mouth. "Sorry." I mumble quietly, mentally dying of my own internal shyness. I can't believe I did that! It was fun but I'm kind of regretting it now that the meeting seems to be over and the room is empty except for Ryder, his father, Tony, and me.

"Its fine mate. Let's go see how you fair in a fight." He says. I smile and stand nervously before following Ryder out of the room and into the backyard. "Not exactly how I first wanted to say this but, strip."

His order was clear but my body hesitated. I didn't want to get naked in front of Ryder, or the alpha and several pack warriors including Tony who decided to stand around to watch. My fingera twisted into the fabric at the bottom of my shirt nervously as my mind worked a mile a minute and then some. If I didnt strip my clothes would be shredded if I shift. If I did everyone would see me. People have seen you before. I didn't want them to though, it was an accident...

"Hey, I'm sorry I didny mean to trouble you so much." I flinched when Ryder appeared out of thin air in front of me but nuzzled into his hand when he lifted it to my cheek.

"No its ok im just overthinking things." I mumbled and stepped back to take off my shirt. My pants and shoes soon followed until I was left in dark purple boxers. My feet flexed as they felt the soil beneath them but my hands stayed away from my boxers because the stares from our onlookers made me cautious. When my eyes finally stopped being glued to the floor they immidiately went to Ryder and my mouth went dry.