Free Me From the Wolves

[18] Oh Brother

I had decided that I was going to reach out to Ryder anyways. I was completely over this whole avoidance thing and he went back on his word all the time—especially when he had admitted that staying away from me was generally a bad decision. So after school, I found myself at the Ramon mansion and even though there were only two vehicles in the driveway and some other car along the side of the road, I still climbed the steps and knocked on the door.

Even though I knew Ryder didn't drive the truck or even the silver Benz, I was still disappointed when Ryder didn't answer the door. I was surprised, however, when Zander opened it.

"Ashlynn?" he asked. I realized that I felt like I hadn't seen him in a while either. And when I did, it was when he was pitying himself for being the reason why his father was killed.

"Sorry," I said. "I just thought Ryder would be here. I haven't seen him since Monday."

"Wow, four full-moon week days," he said, amazed. "Isn't that like forever to be away from your mate?"

"Something like that," I simply laughed and began backing away from the door, but he held me up.

"Well if you want, you can come in and wait for him," he invited. "My mom went to get some insurance stuff taken care of and Ryder usually comes home at night..."

"Sure," I allowed and then entered the mansion.

"So how was school?" Zander asked after he allowed my entrance sat down in the living room. "Ew," he suddenly said. "I feel old saying that."

"School was...intrusive," I decided and then commented on his statement. "And you're not old. You're like, what, twenty?"

"Twenty one in a few weeks," he confirmed. I wondered what he had done on his own for three years away from here. "Why was school intrusive for you today?"

"Just the pack," I said and then he narrowed his eyes. "Ryder hasn't been showing up to school or anything and they're just sort of freaking out because it's a full moon week, and they think it's my fault."

"Oh," he hummed. "That's kinda shitty for them to complain at you for that. It's not your fault by the way."

"I kinda think it is," I expressed. "My aunt mentioned what Ryder and I will do after high school and I just dismissed the topic because I thought Ryder wasn't into the whole long-term commitments thing, but he thought it was important and needed a few days away from me."

"Ashlynn," Zander named in a pathetic laugh. "He's an alpha and he's your mate. I'm pretty sure he had his future planned with you the moment y'all met."

"What do you mean?" I asked. Ryder changed his mind all the time. Sure, he didn't seem like he was dedicated to much, but he usually saw things through. But the future? Who's to say he even wanted a future considering he didn't even go to school!

"As an alpha, he always has a plan, even if it doesn't seem like it, he does. And as a mate, well you're his first priority so I'd assume you're always on his mind so I can't see a possibility of him not having a plan," Zander spoke. "I know he's been spending a lot of time with this whole tribal meeting and Dad's will and all, but I guarantee you, he has everything mapped out. Why do you think he's able to do so much without seemingly getting in trouble?"

"I don't know," I shrugged. It was just...Ryder. Even though he acted out, there was something about him—other than the Alpha thing—that made people respect him. He was a good man and everyone knew it even if they didn't want to admit it. Probably because his actions were scattered and seemed shady to most people.

"Well just don't sweat it, okay?" he said. "He's keeping away from a bunch of people because of the full moon and the meeting—it's not just you, trust me."