Ryan

06*

I woke up two days later. I need to change. I can't talk to people like I have before. I can't treat people like objects to be used for my gain. I need to be better. For my pack. For my family. And even for myself.

I get dressed and head downstairs to breakfast.

"Thank you, ma'am," I say to the elderly woman serving food. She looks shocked then smiles and nods.

I take a seat at an empty table. Matt joins me with May.

"Morning Matt, May." She nods but looks away.

"Morning Ryan," Matt says.

"You wanna go swim later?" I ask him. I see a cautious look in his eye. "Just swim we can bring the girls... have a picnic. Peaceful I promise."

"Sounds good. I'll round everyone up." Matt nods at me. By noon we were packed and ready to go. 20 teens piled into a few trucks.

We get to the beach and unload the trucks. As we reach the water we see all three packs are already there. When he sees me Jack storms up glaring.

"What are you doing here?" He asks.

"No trouble, I swear. We just wanna swim. I'm not gonna do anything." I tell him. Jack looks over his shoulder at the wolves behind him. He offers his hand and pulls me in as I shake it.

"You make one move on my people and I'll kill you. Screw the repercussions." He says softly with anger in his voice.

"You have nothing to fear from me. I'm not going to fight you. I'm here in peace." I say. He pulls away and nods.

"Let's get in the water then." He says turning away from me.

My people set up on the beach and head to the water. We spent a while swimming but I tired out quickly. I dropped on a towel on the beach.

I watch as my pack splashes with the other wolves. They are so happy. Maybe this isn't so bad. They aren't hurting anything. They are good people. I was wrong.

"Hey, Ryan," Wayne says sitting next to me. I smile at him and nod.

"Hey," I respond watching my pack.

"Heard what you did... you're alright by me... Heather is doing better... I think you helped her." He tells me.

"Thanks for looking after her. You're a good friend." I say.

"Yeah... it's still weird that you were in her head." He laughs.

"It was the other way around man. I had no control over it. She showed me what she wanted to... funneled it right in." I point to my head.

"I love her you know." He grins watching her. "I turn 18 tomorrow... I hope she's my mate."

"I'm sorry Wayne." I rub the back of my neck. How is he so cool about this? He thinks she's his mate!

"Yeah... you kinda suck! But she didn't see me like that before... you brought us together. Once we find out if we're mates I will make sure she forgets all about you. You helped her by letting her express her pain... I think she can heal now." He sighs leaning back. "Just wanted to let you know I don't hate you." He jumps up.

"Thank you," I say.

He nods and runs towards the water scooping Heather up in his arms he runs in and dives under the waves. They pop up splashing and I hear her laugh.

Maybe this will all work out.

○●○●○

Over the next few years, I became friends with Wayne and Martin. Jack was a harder nut to crack but he tolerates me. He is a decent guy.

Heather and Wayne are happily mated. She is okay with me now that his mark is on her. I think he healed her... or she just knows we have to get along... her being a future Luna and me a future Alpha. Diplomacy and all. Anyway, she doesn't outright hate me. I wouldn't say she likes me though.

Stacy is a mother of a little boy and is pregnant again. Her mate Tanner seemed to mellow after the whole ordeal. From what I gather as soon as they left our house he marked her. They seem happy.

Jenny hasn't found her mate. She still glares at me every time we cross paths. I don't blame her. I try to keep my distance. I just hope she finds happiness soon.

Lisa left that night. I made her go rogue. That's the hardest one for me. I don't know if she is even alive. She could be anywhere. I hope she is happy. I hope she found a better life. I know she never forgave me. I just hope things got better for her.

I think I'm a better person. I try at least. My cousin Ruby and I became good friends. She's been through a lot that had nothing to do with me so helping her helped me. Being able to help someone I hadn't hurt... It feels good. She is going back to her pack soon. A guy named Malak has been on her mind a lot. She thinks he's her mate... he better be good to her or I'll rip his throat out.

I'm 20 now nearly 21. I am confirmed as my father's heir. I still haven't found my mate. I hope she accepts me... I hope I've become a man worthy of her. I don't feel like I deserve much of anything. Everyone says I'm too hard on myself but I can't help it. Maybe I'll feel differently one day but right now I just do the best I can. I try to lead well and treat my people with respect and care. Dad says I'm doing good. He has been training me to take his place. I will be Alpha one day... I just hope I can do it right.