Please Don't Run

* Chapter Eight *

AMEENA

"Ameena, I know it will be tough but I have to go back to my pack, they are already beyond pissed, and I will not leave here without you and your entire pack following behind me.," Ryker and I had been arguing ever since I told him everything from the very beginning a few days ago. He insists that I go back to his pack but I cannot put my pack and family in that kind of danger.

"I'm sorry but I can't do that. My job is to keep my pack safe and we are too small to survive in a town where bigger packs know we exist. We will be destroyed so quickly.," I said tears now forming in my eyes. Ryker saw my tears and his eyes softened as he pulled me into a hug with a sigh.

He gasped as if an idea had popped into his head suddenly, "combine with my pack! No one would ever mess with you guys then and- ," I cut him off, "NO! why the hell would I do that? My pack trusts me and I would never give up my alpha title. I would only be setting myself up for failure. You expect me to join with you and just give myself a lower power?!" I was now angry. He sighed again, "Ameena, you would be luna. You would be my equal, no lower than I am."

"No Ryker, I have worked my ass off to come this far and I refuse to give it up."  right as I said that Dallas had walked into the room in the middle of our heated argument, "um... is this a bad time?" he asked nervously.

I shook my head, "no, whats up Dal?"

"everyone is going into town to shop. just wondering if you wanted to come..."

I gave a small smile, "No thank you. I'm going to shower and clean up the house a bit. But Ryker would love to go." and I narrowed my eyes at Ryker. His eyes softened more followed by a slight nod before following Dallas out of the room.

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I had been laying in bed for the past 45 minutes. The house was all clean and I had already taken a 30 minute shower. The pack has been gone for 4 hours and I am starting to regret not going. Just sitting here is forcing me to keep thinking about mine and Ryker's conversation from earlier. I just don't understand why he expects me to drop everything I have to lead a pack I don't know... my pack is my entire life, he can't just come in and take that all away from me. 

but, after an hour of thinking about it all, I came to the conclusion that Ryker and his pack needed me. They need a luna and he needs his mate. And not to mention... I need my mate too. 

So, I have to decided to tell Ryker that if he wants me and his pack both, then I still get to keep my pack. We won't be one big pack but we will be neighboring packs and allies. I get to lead my pack and still be with Ryker and his pack. I refuse to give up my pack so this is the only way I will agree to this. 

Just I had decided this I heard my bedroom door open and I turned my head, still laying on my back, to find Ryker slowing walking in. 

I sat up, "Ryker-"

"No, Ameena, I know it was wrong for me to expect you to drop everything here to join me and my pack. I'm sorry..." 

I smiled, "thanks for apologizing Ry, but before you interrupted me i was going to tell you that i made a decision to come home with you-" before i could finish my sentence Ryker had jumped onto my bed like a puppy and bounced up and down with the biggest smile on his face, "Ryker. chill. im not done.," i said and placed my hands on his shoulders to stop his bouncing. He looked slightly upset, 

"The only way I am going to agree to this is if I still get to keep my pack. Not join yours, not give my pack to someone else, I get to keep them. And I will be the alpha, not you, not your father, me. We can be neighboring packs and allies. You help us when we are down and we will help you guys when you need it. I can still be luna of your pack but i REFUSE to be luna of my own. I know this sounds awful to say but, my pack does not need you. They need me. And they trust me to make the right decision. " I said all of this as Ryker's eyes stared deeply into mine, listening carefully. There was about fifteen seconds of silence before a huge smile spread upon his face and he let out a squealing "DEAL!" unintentionally. His cheeks grew red with embarrassment and i giggled then kissed his lips. He wrapped his long, strong, arms around me and squeezed me tight, "I can't wait until my pack meets their new luna," he said with a smile in his voice. 

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Author's note: so sorry for the delay. i know this is a short chapter but i just wanted to get straight to the point with this one since ya'll have been waiting so long. Thanks for readinggggggggg!