A Taste Of Love

chapter twenty four

Ryan's POV;

"Yo mamma's so fat that when she goes swimming the whales start singing 'we are family'" Logan joked, making the table laugh.

I ignored Joe's comeback as I scanned across the heads of the students looking for Lexi.

"Where's Lexi?" I asked as Holly sat down at the table,

"Locker" she mumbled before taking a bite into her chocolate bar.

Nodding my head I laughed as I caught the end of Logan's joke, most of the pack taking up the space of the three tables squashed close together. We practically owned the right side of the canteen whilst the Blue Moon pack owned the left, humans seating in the middle or outside.

"RYAN!"

My head snapped up looking towards the canteen doors to see Leela running over frantically. Everything was silent in the hall as everyone; including the Blue Moon pack looked at her.

"What?"

"It's Lexi, she was with James. He said they were going to have fun, I think she's in trouble. I didn't know what to do, he was gripping into her and I didn't want her to get hurt if I took her. I'm so sorry" she choked out the last bit sobbing.

Chairs went scraping across the floor as both Matt and I jumped up from the table. Matt pulling Leela into his arms as I ran out of the canteen. I tried to pick up her scent but growled in frustration as the smells of humans and other wolves lingered in the air.

I smashed my fist into the wall as I failed to pick up her scent, I snarled as I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"What?!"

"Leela said she saw them heading towards the science wing" Matt.

Not bothering with replying I ran down the halls, mumbling apologies to the people I barged into. Skidding to a halt in the science wing I sniffed around trying to pick up her scent, I let out a sigh of relief as I caught it and began to follow it.

"HELP!"

I ran forward and turned a corner as I heard Lexi yell. I growled as I opened a cupboard door, snarling at the sigh in front of me.

Lunging forward I grabbed James by the collar of his shirt and threw him out of the cupboard. Sparing Lexi a glance I quickly pounced on James, smashing fist after fist into his face. I heard voices around me but blocked them out as I continued to attack him. My wolf seeing red.

I growled and tried to lunge at him as I felt someone pull me off of him,

"Ryan! Come help Lexi!" I heard Holly's anguished cry.

Snapping my head to the side I felt like my heart dropped to my feet. Running over I scooped her tiny figure into my arms, I felt my eyes darken at the blood from her back. Carefully lifting her so I could see I growled; a shard of broken glass had bitten into her skin.

Rushing down the halls I yelled at people to move, taking her to my car. Placing her on her side so the glass wouldn't cut in any further into her delicate skin before speeding out of the car park.

Skidding to a halt in front of the pack house I jumped out and quickly scooped Lexi into my arms before running into the pack house.

"AMY!" I yelled as the door slammed shut behind me.

My eyes switched back and forth across the room until they finally landed on a scurrying Amy coming from the kitchen.

"Help please"

She nodded her head before leading me to the medical room. Laying her gently on the bed I held her hand and stared at Amy expectantly.

"Ryan you need to leave the room. Your wolf will attack me if I heal her and she's in pain"

I stared at her in disbelief, there was no way I was leaving her. If I had just stayed and waited for her after class this wouldn't have happened. How could I have been so stupid?! Maybe if I told her to change her shorts this morning it might have not happened. She looked so edible this morning, heck she still does, I don't know what I was thinking! It's all my fault I should have told her to change but I didn't want to seem too controlling. She had enough of that with her father she didn't need it here.

"Ryan please you're wasting time"

Frowning I kissed Lexi's head before leaving the room defeated.

Wandering what do with myself I walked downstairs and into the kitchen. Grabbing a can of coke I sat at the table thinking. Why the hell did I stop having people following her around school? I honestly thought she would be fine with Holly and myself.

James wasn't from my pack so I would have to talk to Alpha Tom about punishment for him. Running a hand through my hair I sat up and started pacing around the room, my ears listening for any indication that Lexi was awake. It was my fault that she was in this position.

That's it, she's never leaving my sight. It's the only way I can protect her. I'll change my lessons to suit hers, keep a guard on her at all times even when she's with me. She'll never be hurt again.

'Mine' my wolf snarled over and over in my head but I ignored him.

I glanced over as the door opened revealing a bleary eyed Amy, jumping to my feet I ran over.

"Is she okay? When can I see her? Is she awake?"

"She's asleep right now, her body is healing she should be fine by the morning, you may go see her now but I suggest when she wakes up to give her some space. She may be afraid of men for a while, even if it is you. Between being hurt by her father and now again by that James kid her trust in men is probably zero. Please Ryan just don't do anything to overwhelm her"

Nodding my head I legged it out of the room and upstairs to my baby. Bursting into the room my wolf howled painfully as we took in the unconscious body of our mate. Stumbling over to the bed I knelt down on the floor clutching her tiny hand in my larger one.

I had let her down, I failed her and let her get hurt. How could I be so stupid? I just believed no one would want to hurt her, she's so innocent and amazing. I dropped my head against the bed as I replayed all the different scenarios of how I could have found her. Stopping myself at thinking if I had arrived there too late.

I must have dozed off because I was awakened by the bed shuffling slightly. Peering through groggy eyes I could faintly make out the shape of Lexi moving around on the bed. Or was I dreaming? Lifting my head up I quickly rubbed my eyes and smiled as I saw Lexi sitting up against the pillows.

"Hey baby" I said softly.

I frowned as she glanced at me before scooting back against the headboard; further away from me. Why was she doing that? She knew I would never hurt her, she was my mate; my other half.

"Lexi?" my voice was soft as not to scare her but inside I was freaking out. What if she didn't trust me? Didn't want to touch me? Blamed me for what happened?

I watched as she turned to look at me, unshed tears in her eyes. She opened her mouth a few times before finally speaking,

"Can you leave please? I'm going to sleep"

It felt like my heart was breaking as she said those words. This was it, I had lost her trust. Nodding silently I stood up before walking towards the door, pausing and watching her as she turned her back to me before exiting the room.

Storming down the stairs I ignored the other pack members walking in from school and headed out back. Quickly stripping I shifted into my wolf and ran through the forest. I ran for an hour before stopping at a small clearing.

Opening my mouth I let out a painful howl, whimpering at the end I dropped to the floor. I just wanted our mate back.

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Updated 27th June 2012... sorry for the long wait.. I know its short and crappy but anyways enjoy :D