Anything but ordinary

Chapter 26-27

What if?

Ariel

It was nice to see Eric and Matthew, part of my heart sorrowed that Ryder wasn't there with them but I knew that if he was, I hadn’t been able to let him go. I plugged the pen drive in my laptop and pressed play. What I saw made me cry a river. I watched over and over and over again until I fell asleep. The next morning, I called my colleague Sam to come to my apartment. He showed up in an hour.

-Yo girl what’s up? - I gave a high five to him. Sam was a 5.7 ft guy, with long blonde hair and green eyes. He was handsome but he played in the same team, so even if I wasn't still in love with Ryder I would've no chance.

- Hi Sam. I found the perfect songs for next Wednesday!

- Show me what you got! - After a few hours of practicing he went home and I prepared for my shift. The week passed very fast and finally it was Wednesday night. I put on my favorite dress and heels. At these nights we weren't serving with Sam we just made the show. I was really nervous and kept checking the guest area. Sam knocked on my head.

- Hey is somebody there?

- Ouch! Stop knocking, I'm at home!

- You don't act like you were. He peeked his head out of the curtain like I did and he asked.

- For who are we looking for? –right when he asked, Eric came in the café followed by Matt. Sam whistled but I kept waiting so he looked down on me and asked.

- Don't tell me that something more delicious will come in that door or I will have a heart attack - I saw Ryder pulling the door and he entered. He was thinner and looked very tired but he was still freaking handsome. Sam’s eyes widened and his pupils got enormous. I looked at him.

- I think I have to prepare the defibrillator - I chuckled.

- Definitely. So are you singing to that half God?

- Yes and I hope he will notice it.

- The show must go on darling! - he said and our boss presented us.

" Dear ladies and gentlemen! Please welcome with a big applause our songbirds Ariel and Sam!" - we appeared on stage  and bowed. I saw Ryder and the boys sitting in the corner of the guest area. " Tonight' song will have a very big variety to find everyone's taste. We will have love, fun and a little sorrow. Please enjoy!" The first song started it was my solo I sang Get it right. A soft music started and I stared at Ryder's eyes.

“What have I done?

I wish I could run,

Away from this ship going under

Just trying to help out everyone else

Now I feel the weight of the world is on my shoulders

What can you do when your good isn't good enough

And all that you touch tumbles down?

'Cause my best intentions

Keep making a mess of things

I just wanna fix it somehow – I couldn’t take my eyes off of Ryder. He also stared at me.

But how many times will it take?

Oh, how many times will it take for me to get it right, to get it right?

Can I start again, with my fate again?

'Cause I can't go back and endure this

I just have to stay and face my mistakes,

But if I get stronger and wiser, I'll get through this....

So I throw up my fists, throw a punch in the air

And accept the truth that sometimes life isn't fair

Yeah, I'll send down a wish and I'll send up a prayer

And finally someone will see how much I care!

What can you do when you're good isn't good enough?

And all that you touch tumbles down?

My best intentions keep making a mess of things

I just wanna fix it somehow

But how many times will it take?

Oh, how many times will it take to get it right, to get it right?

The music slowly faded away and a single tear ran down on my cheek. Sam came next to me and held my hand. The music changed and we started our duet. I had to sing this song like I was singing it to Sam. From the corner of my eye I tried to get Ryder's glance but he was too far away from the stage.

Ariel: “If I could break the spell

I'd run to him today!

And somehow I know he's on his way to me…- Sam saw how I tried to find Ryder so he turned me around.

Derek, you and were meant to be

Far longer than forever

I'll hold you in my heart

Its almost like your here with me

All do we're far apart”

Sam:

“Far longer than forever

As constant as a star

I close my eyes and I am where you are” – when I could see Ryder, Sam winked at me to encourage me to sing my heart out.

Ariel:

“Sure as the dawn brings the sunrise

We have unshakeable bond”

Sam:

“Destined to last for a lifetime and beyond “ - we were facing each other with Sam during the whole song and at this part he held my empty hand. I played along, this was a performance.

Ariel and Sam:

“Far longer than forever

I'll swear that I'll be true

I've made an everlasting vow to find a way to you!

Far longer than forever

Like no one ever known

And with your love I'll never be alone...”

Ariel:

“Far longer than forever.”

Sam:

“Much stronger than forever”

Ariel:

“ And with your love I'll never be alone.”  - The music stopped and the clients were clapping and cheering. Except three in the corner. I saw that Ryder's blue eyes disappeared and instead they were black. Oh oh, he didn't understand that this was for him... But I couldn't get off the stage just yet. I had to wait for Sam's solo to start. But Ryder got up from his seat and stormed out, right when Sam started to sing.

"She is crazy but she is mine!"

Ryder

I waited so much for this night. Finally, I will hear and see her maybe we can even talk a little. We arrived and took our seats and there she was. She was wearing the same mermaid scaled dress as on the presentation night. She started to sing a beautiful song about regretting what she had done. I looked at her, she was so passionate even a tear fell down on her face when she arrived at the end of the song. I just didn't know what she meant by mistake, meeting me or leaving me? But I quickly found out. A tall blonde-haired guy showed up next to her and they started to sing a beautiful love song. I felt my pain and anger getting higher. My eyes turned to black and Matt put his hand on mine.

- Ryder, we didn't know about him I promise!

- Hey calm down maybe he is just her duet partner! -Eric said. That made me calm down a little but only as much as I could keep sitting on my seat. But when the song was coming to its end the guy held Ariel's hand.

- MY MATE! MINE! - My wolf wanted to come out he wanted to rip off that blondie's head for touching our mate. I waited for the song to finish and got up from my seat storming out of the café.  Matt and Eric ran after me and I heard that moron singing: "She is crazy but she is mine" I turned around and got stopped by Eric and Matthew. If they wouldn't do that I would've shifted and eaten that man. I growled at my friends.

- Let me go! She is mine! Mine! - but they tightened their hold on me. While I was fighting against them I noticed that I got a lot weaker during the previous weeks. I still practiced with the pack but since I haven't eaten almost anything and, I could tell the same about sleeping, I had no energy. I looked up at the door and just a few steps apart from us there was she... Her eyes were wet and she forced a smile on her face. I got out of Eric and Matt’s hold and wanted to walk to her when I saw the blonde man next to her. He put his hand on my chest before I could reach Ariel. I snarled at him.

- Calm down dude! If you are drunk you better head home, we don't want any trouble.

 Ariel took his hand off my chest. My heart was shaking in pain and anger. I wanted her,  she was mine and she was so close still so far.

- Sam there is no problem here,  they are my friends. – “Friends” this word hit me like a bullet in my chest.

-Are you sure it's fine? - he asked her and she smiled at him. I got even angrier if that was possible.

- Yes.

- Okay - he caressed her cheek - I will be inside if you need help.

- Thanks! - he walked back but shared a disgusted look at us. It was very difficult not to kneel down in front of her and beg her to come back. But again my pride was bigger than my common sense. This was the same as what I did when I got angry with her last time. My wolf howled but I ignored him.  Ariel took a step towards me and I took a step back simultaneously. She stopped and cried.

- Hi Ryder. Can we talk? - I saw the tears in her eyes but smelled the other man's smell on her. One side of me wanted to mark her at that very instant and make her mine so nobody will ever dare to touch her. But the other part was disappointed and thought about her calling us friends.

- I don't think that we have anything to talk about. - I turned away from her and walked to my car battling with my tears and with my wolf. I wanted to get her in my arms and never let her go. But she found somebody else...

Ariel

When I sent Sam back to the cafeteria I wanted to jump in Ryder's arms but he kept his distance. He acted strange and reminded me that I saw the same conflicted feelings in his eyes the last time we saw each other, and I understood that he was angry with me. I tried to step closer but he stepped away. His eyes showed sadness and indifference. I suddenly remembered that I didn't ask Matt or Eric the last time if he has a new mate or not. But I believed that if he is in such a bad condition because of me and he has nightmares that means that he is alone. I stopped and just looked at him while he was staring at me.

- Hi Ryder. Can we talk? - I asked my hands were trembling I wanted to hug him so much I wanted to abolish his pain.

- I don't think that we have anything to talk about. - He turned away and walked to his car. I stared at Matt and Eric asking help with my eyes but they looked at me like I was a piece of s**t.

- Guys! Wait let me explain, please!

- We brought him here because we thought you missed him. We made a mistake. –Eric said and followed Ryder.

- No! Listen to me please don't walk away! -I screamed but without any use. They got in the car and drove away in the night. I fell on my knees and watched the car passing. Abruptly, a lightning strike in the sky, and the rain started to fall. And there was I. A victim of love.

Ryder

We went back the house and I ran to my room as fast as I could. My mother followed me upstairs as I slammed the door so hard that I woke up all the pack.

- For the love of the Moon Goddess. What did get into you Ryder?! You are waking up everyone!

- I don't care. Leave me alone! - she went out of my room and I heard her talking to Matt and Eric. Then they came in my room, we were soaked because of the heavy rain that started when I left Ariel again.

- We are really sorry Ryder. We had no idea about him! - Eric explained.

- It doesn't matter. She is with someone else and that is none of my business. – I went and lied on my bed. My wolf was shouting at me. - " How could you say that! How do you know if she is with someone else when you didn't let her explain anything! Say goodbye to your wolf and solve your problems alone from now on. It doesn't matter what I say or try to do you always ignore me!"- I sat up and looked in Eric and Matthew's worried eyes.

- What happened Ryder? - Matt asked.

- My wolf decided not to help me anymore. I’m wolf less…

- But we can be attacked any day! - Eric said.

- And your father is still weak!

- I'll defend my pack without my wolf if it’s going to be necessary. - I heard a noise from the door, I got up to check who it was but I didn't see anybody.

Chapter 27

Two worlds one family.

Ariel

The next morning; I was half alive. I got up and went to work, I was thinking of going back to Hungary as it seemed that I don't have anything to do here anymore. I put my hair in a bun, hiding its blue color, and put on heavy makeup to cover my puffed eyes. I looked like a different person. I was working when a very familiar man entered and sat down. A few minutes later a blue-haired woman set next to him. I got closer and tried to hear their conversation.

- What is this pathetic hair? - the man asked the girl and she pulled off her wig and sighed. I recognized her voice...Chloe?! I got closer to hear them.

- What did you want to tell me, uncle? As you can see I tried everything to make him fall in love with me. I even tried to mimic that slut and nothing worked. - Slut your ass! Sam noticed me hiding and showed me a sign that he covers me. I mouthed him a " thank you" and diverted my attention to their conversation.

- We will attack this evening at three. Their Alpha is sick and the little Ryder lost his wolf as you told me. But we only have one silver bullet so it has to be a precise shot. - he laughed. OMG, they want to kill Ryder!

- Whatever, he will never be mine and there are plenty of other well-looking young Alphas around. - I wanted to reveal my hiding spot and rip her throat through her mouth.

- We will attack at the glade near the packhouse. Our sniper will hide on the old oak tree and wait for Ryder to appear then… bang! - they laughed and had their breakfast as if nothing has happened. They were disgusting. I quickly ran to Sam.

- I have to leave today earlier it’s a matter of life or death!

- Okay honey! No problem at all.

- Really?

- Yes, even the best one's needs to rebel a little. - I tried to call Ryder a thousand times, no answer. I tried to reach Eric and Matt but no reply. At two o’ clock I ran out of my workplace without saying a word. Ran to the glade. I tried to mind-link Tom although I knew it’s a useless try, but kept trying. I heard my heart pumping in my ears and realized that the glade is farther away than I remembered. I started to stampede to get there before it’s too late.

Ryder

My phone was ringing all day. Ariel tried to reach me but I wasn't interested in her excuses and explanations. Matt and Eric came to my office and looked at my buzzing phone.

- Is Ariel calling? -Eric asked and I nodded.

- She tried to call us as well. - Matt said.

- Ryder my wolf is trying to convince me to listen what she wants to say. - Eric looked annoyed.

-Well tell him to shut up! - the door slammed open and Tom was standing in front of us.

- Ryder! We were playing in the woods and a pack of rouges are coming on the glade! - he said while he tried to catch his breath. I gave out the commands for Eric, Matthew and mind-linked all the fighters to get prepared. Before I could leave the room Tom grabbed my hand. I pet his head.

- You did a good job. - I tried to walk away but he kept holding me. - What do you want Tom? We don't really have time for playing now.

- I know but I feel like someone tries to mind-link me, but it’s very weak.

- Did someone got hurt who was with you?

- No I brought everybody home!

- Then it’s nothing important. Go down with the women and children to the safe house.

- Yes Alpha! - he ran away and I tried to contact my wolf but he was mute. I went to the glade with my pack and waited there.

Ariel

While I was running, I promised myself to exercise more if I survive this. I arrived at the glade right when Ryder stood in the middle of it searching for the enemy. I saw them. They were close to me and I was just a jump away from the oak tree. I saw something shiny and the disgusting man who attacked me gave a signal. I looked at Ryder and our eyes met for a second. I jumped out of my hiding spot without any second thoughts. I jumped right in the way of the sniper's shot just in time to catch the bullet with my chest. The rouges were looking at me with surprise and they started to run away. I looked at my chest the bullet hit me between my chest bone. I felt that it hit a hole on me, but I was able to move so it didn't hit my spine. I tried to get up and I saw the pack running after the rouges, they didn't notice me.

Ryder

I thought I saw Ariel for a second then everything happened so fast. We heard a shoot and someone got hit in front of the rouges. They started to run away and I sent the pack after them. The victim of the shoot tried to get up without any progress. I turned around and started to walk back to the packhouse. They probably shot one of them, all my pack was safe at home. I took another step away when my wolf howled.

- " MATE! " - all my strong senses came back and I smelled blood and a very familiar scent… Monii flowers.

- ARIEL! - I ran to her and she was lying on the grass with a hole in her chest.

- Ariel wake up! Hey look at me I'm here! Open your eyes please! - I mind-linked the pack doctor and held up her head. She opened her eyes and smiled.

Ariel

I heard Ryder calling my name and asking me to wake up. I was very tired and wanted to fall asleep, but I managed to open my eyes and smile at him as much as I could.

- Hi! - I tried to call.

-Why the hell did you do that?! - he was holding me close, and he put something on my wound trying to stop the bleeding.

- Well I heard him and ... - my voice was fading.

- Please Roo stay with me, talk to me! - I felt Ryder's tears falling on my face. I smiled again. He called me Roo.

- Chloe and her uncle planned this. I had to stop them, I would not survive if something had happened to you. I couldn’t just stay and wait…

- But you shouldn't have to do this! A bullet can't hurt me!

- But a silver bullet can kill you. Don't worry they had only this one. - he carefully pulled me to his chest I felt his heart beating fast while mine was getting slow.

Ryder

She was dying in my arms. Please Moon Goddess don't take her away from me! Where the hell is the pack doctor?! She saved my life knowing that she may die. She slowly lifted her hand and caressed my face.

- Before I go, you should know, there is nobody else. Only you...I love you - she closed her eyes and I couldn't wake her up again. Her heart was beating very slowly. I started CPR while the pack doctor arrived. At the same time with the doctor, Eric and Matthew appeared as well grinning. Their smiles faded when they saw Ariel taken away by the doctor, my ripped shirt, the pound of blood in front of me and on my shirt. We ran after the pack doctor. She took Ariel to the hospital and they ran with her directly to the surgeon. I wanted to go after them but some nurses stopped me. I didn't want to leave her side. I slide down the floor next to the surgeon's door. Matthew and Eric sat next to me.

-What happened? How did she know about the fight and why was she bleeding?! - Eric asked. Without looking at him I answered.

- She heard Chloe and her uncle planning this, she wanted to warn us but we didn't pick up the f*****g phone so she decided to .... - my voice cracked. - Sacrifice her life to save mine...

- Wow…but why did she do that while she was with someone else? - Matt asked and I started to cry.

- Before she lost her consciousness she told me that there was nobody else… Just me. It was a misunderstanding, and she is dying because I was too stubborn and proud to listen to her! – I hit the floor with my fists, shuttering a little the tiles. My friends put a hand on my shoulders and Matt said.

- Let's just not underestimate her.

- He is right; she is stronger than any one of us. She will survive. She must... - Eric said and I remembered one thing.

- Have you killed all of them?

- A few escaped. - Matt said.

- Find Chloe and close her to the dungeons, also her sister but put her in a separate one! - Matthew was getting up but Tom mind-linked me and I told Matt to sit back.

" Ryder!!! Chloe and Vic left the pack! After she heard that you are safe! Some of the pack members went to find her but they crossed the lake and we missed their smell. I'm sorry!

- No problem, thank you. You did what you could.

- You sound now differently. –Tom said with curiosity in his voice.

- I have a reason." - we finished the mind-link and with my best friends, we kept sitting on the hospital's floor for another three hours. The doctor came out and we jumped up as one. Her face was really sad.

- Alpha, I'm sorry...

- No that is not possible! - I screamed and my wolf wimped.

- Wait for me to finish, please. She is alive but her state is critical. I don't see much chance that she survives the night. If she does there is still hope.

- Can I go in with her?

- Yes. But please just carefully and you must wait because she is still under sedatives. - I kissed her hand and ran into the room.

Ariel

I felt that they were moving me fast and putting things on me after that everything turned black. I knew I wasn't dead yet. I don't know how much time has passed until I opened my eyes again. I looked around the room I had my chest bandaged. Someone was holding my right hand and I tried to look at the hand's owner. It was Ryder,  he was asleep. I slowly caressed his head very weakly and he woke up for my touch. He started to kiss my hand and smiled at me but his eyes were filled with worry.

- Good morning - I grinned at him or at least I think I did, maybe it was just a grimace.

- Hello little mermaid. How are you? – his voice was worried, but I could figure out that he tried to manage to keep calm.

- Weak and I hope you worth it! - I chuckled a little but he was staring at me sadly. - Hey! I was just kidding.

- I know but I'm so sorry! My pride and waywardness caused you so much pain.

- Sh... Everything is fine baby - I caressed his face but I felt that I was getting weaker.

- Are you okay my love?

- I'm just tired.

- Rest Roo. I love you!

- I love you too Ryder. Can you do me a favor? –my emerald eyes were pallid and my voice also sounded a little harsh.

- Anything!

-Well, I'll catch you on that anything later. - I said with a little chuckle and this made him chuckle as well. - But now just one thing. Please wake me up before you go. - I laughed a little and he did as well. This is the last thing I remember. But at least, the last sound I heard was his laughter and the last feeling I felt was love.

Ryder

I refused to leave her alone. Next morning; I tried to wake her up but I couldn't. I screamed for a doctor she came in and the nurses took me out of the room. An hour later the doctor came out and shook her head. My world paralyzed.

- Alpha, She is....