Saving Us *Mate Astray*

Chapter 21

Author's note: Hey guys, I sincerely apologise for not having updated last Friday, real life got in the way unfortunately. Anyway here is a new chapter, hope you will enjoy and thank you for reading 😊

Elektra's POV

"Mate"

No other words were spoken and no action made as we simply stood still, surprised by this turn of events.

Ryder stared back at Jake, frightful and confused by what he had said. If their previous conversation had not made him think that these people had mental problems then he certainly thought so now.

Aqua and I simply held expressions of surprise whilst Lex, though he tried to hide it behind a smile, felt sadness and disappointment. He tried to be happy for the soon to be Alpha and his newest friend Aqua but it was difficult. A year is a long time to be in love with someone.

No one spoke for a minute, as reality sank. It was only after the shock wore off did I really notice the expression on Jake's face.

Confusion and doubt

Those were not the emotions one would expect of a shifter who had just found their mate. He seemed as shocked as we were and that was unexpected for someone who knew they would be meeting their mate today.

He is worse off than the rest of us

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Jake should be jumping up and down, introducing himself to his new found love and running off to show her to his parents. Yet there he stood, open mouthed and looking utterly lost.

Ryder had enough of the interaction. The mood had become heavy and awkward so he moved quickly to Lex's side, wrapping his hand around his waist and whispering in his ear.

I caught movement out of the corner of my eye as Ryder spoke with Lex. As they stood side by side, whispering in each other's ears, anyone could tell that they were far more than friends. The air surrounding them was intimate and there was an intensity in Ryder's eyes as he spoke with his date.

A growl so low in volume I thought I had imagined it came from somewhere behind me. As I searched for its origin I was met with blazing blue ocean coloured eyes. Jake's wolf was clearly fighting for control as something seemed to have set him off yet Aqua stood to my side, completely calm and unharmed.

What made him angry?

My eyes widened as the truth hit me harder than a boulder. It was not Aqua he was staring at but Ryder. Or more so, it was where his arm had been placed, around Lex's waist. The emotion in his eyes was possessiveness that was triggered when Ryder touched Lex... his mate.

Lex is his mate.

There was little time to be surprised as I had witnessed before what a shifter will do when they see their mate is with another. Jake did not seem to fight his wolf any longer as he slowly approached the couple with a menacing look in his eyes.

Lex still unaware of the truth, remained in Ryder's arms, most likely searching for comfort for his presumed broken heart. Something needed to be done before Ryder's introduction to the supernatural world would turn out to be an excruciatingly painful one.

"Lex!"

Both males jumped apart at the sudden noise and looked to me in complete confusion.

"You should show Ryder around the house. There is plenty to see."

He was about to speak, most likely in protest but the look that I gave him left no space for arguing. Slowly but surely he took Ryder's hand into his own, which caused another growl to be heard, and moved towards the main building.