Anything but ordinary

Chapter 22-23

What hurts the most

Ryder

I left Ariel with a heavy heart. I would've loved to spend my day with her but there was too much work to do and soon I will be the Alpha so I have to be aware of everything. She said she wants to buy something that made me curious. I never knew what was going on in her head and this is why every single day was unique with her. She always did something different. I was smiling on my way to my office. Each day I spent with her felt  like Christmas Eve. I woke up excited, I was smiling all the day, I felt carefree and did all my work easily and fast. I arrived at  the office where my father, godfather, Beta and friends were already waiting for me.

- Hello son. We have been waiting for you -my father said.

- I just assigned Ariel her duty for today –  Mathew and Eric grinned.

- Great, I think she is doing very well. Actually surprisingly well - said my father with recognition in his eyes.

- I'm afraid to ask but too curious as well. What is her duty today? - Wilson and everyone in the room waited for my answer.

- Babysitting the kids.- Their jaws dropped. The pups of our pack were good kids but very hyper and also huge trouble makers.

- Well, we will see - said my father and I heard Wilson mumbling under his mustache:

- We are lucky if they don't burn down the packhouse today - Eric and Matthew laughed.

- Please dad, give her some more credits! She surprised us many times already! - Matt said hitting his father on his back. That moment I felt something very disturbing and my wolf got alert.

– Mate in danger! - he said, and I wanted to run out of the office when my wolf talked to me again. – Huh she is okay now….

- Moon Goddess help us! - Anthony said dramatically and we started our work. After hours of hard work we heard a strange sound from the corridor, it was like a marching footsteps' sound so I decided to check it. I peeked my head out of the room and saw Ariel singing a rhyme and marching with the kids. She noticed me and stopped marching but they still did their steps in spot.

- What are you doing? -I asked her forcing myself not to smile but I completely failed. This was just too good to keep on my poker face. She was adorable and even more with the pups. Involuntarily, a thought ran through my brain wondering what she would be like with our own children? Before she could've said anything, Tom from behind her, answered:

- I respectfully report to Alpha that we are the Full Moon Pack's first young army and we are following Ariel commander to do our duty! - I looked at him and then at Ariel,  they was still continued in the spot. I busted in laughter and gave her a peck. The kids said "gross "from behind her, ruining the moment.

- Well in that case I let you go on your way. Rest solders! - The kids laughed and they all saluted to me and walked away. I went back to the office.

- So what was going on? - Eric asked.

- You will not believe me if I tell you.

Chloe

It was very difficult to smile at this f*****g slut all day and pretend to be friends with. At the mall, I met my uncle.

- Hey thanks for today! - he gave me a peck on my cheek.

- Anything for my princess. Is she suspecting anything?

- I don't think so. She is too stupid for that - I smiled and we shared a vicious smile with my uncle.

- So what is the plan for the rest of the day?

- I will help her with the pups and wait if they make a big mess then it will be clear that she is not worth being a Luna. If she is not being able to take care of ten pups how will she take care of a whole pack?

- Well just let me know how things are going and if you need more help.

- I'll but I got to go now. See you soon!

 We said goodbye and I went back to the candy store to buy sweets for the pups. After that Ariel bought helium balloons. She is definitely weird. We arrived at the kinder garden but the kids weren't happy to see me. But somehow, they felt safe around Ariel which I couldn’t understand. She is a human, she can't protect them if someone attacks, still they felt safer around her than around me. We headed to the older kids’ school. They came out in a group and I saw Vic who ran to me and I spun her around!

- What are you doing here? - she asked once I put her down. Tom looked at Ariel with excitement and screamed to the rest of the group.

- Today Ariel is taking care of us until dinner! Ryder just told me! - they cheered and got her in a group hug. How silly is all this? I mind-linked Vic.

“- What do you think about all this?

 - She seems nice and Tom really loves her.

 - Don't trust her, she can't protect you like I do okay?

 - Yes Chloe!”- our chat was interrupted by Ariel’s voice.

- Okay kids! - Ariel started and the pups giggled. - What is so funny? - She stared at me and I tried to hide a smile.

- Well they are actually pups - I said to her and she blushed a little. Little stupid human, but she started again.

- Okay...pups. Hop in the car I have some great entertainment for today. - They got in the car and we went back to the packhouse. We walked to the kitchen where Ariel prepared a few mini sandwiches for them. They were eating, licking their fingers. After brunch, ten pairs of eyes were staring at us with curiosity from the other side of the table. They got me uncomfortable and I whispered to Ariel.

- And now? – they kept blinking on us.

- Well I will take them to the playroom, can you please bring in the surprises and hide them? -I nodded and left the room and headed back to the garage I still heard the slut saying.

"- Okay pinch team! After me in a single line! "

I went back to the garage and grabbed everything we bought. I had thought of just simply throwing them in the trash, but I wanted the pups to eat sugar so they will become uncontrollable. I went to the playroom and arrived before them so I hid everything in the cupboard. Actually, the activities she found out for the group were pretty entertaining. I wanted to ruin it somehow, but Vic really enjoyed it so for her happiness I played along. If she wasn't Ryder's supposed mate and human, I would probably like her a little. But because of her weirdness, I think I would rather make fun of her. It doesn't matter which alternative universe we are in; she has to go. We were singing and Ryder came in the room he was just standing there with his muscular arms crossed at his chest and haven't taken out his eyes off this f*****g human. When the song ended I turned to Ariel.

- I have to admit, this was great.

- Thank you! – she said. I nodded and walked out of the playroom with my sister.

Ryder

We kept working and immediately Tom's mind- linked me.

" Alpha Ryder come to the playroom now you have to see this!"

I got up from my desk so fast that it almost fell over. Without a word I left my friends and father in the office and ran to the playroom, Tom was like a secret agent for me since he got his ass saved thanks to Ariel. I told him to warn me if some problem happens, therefore, I got so nervous.

 "I can't feel like our mate is in danger" - my wolf said.  Me neither, but maybe because we still haven't marked her yet. I arrived at the playroom but heard a high tone singing from the inside. I wanted to go back to the office but got very interested in what is happening, so  I slowly opened the door and leaned against the doorpost. I crossed my arms in front of my chest. The next scene opened in front of my eyes: all the pups with a helium-filled balloon on their hands sitting in a circle with Ariel and Chloe? I got surprised at her presence. And they were singing in high pitch voice.

“You're my number one -Eva

There's no doubt -Sebastian

And we stick together throughout -Esme

Like boy scouts, we about- Candy

All for one 'till lights out -Chloe. When she sang her line she turned around and kept staring at me. This made my cute mate to turn back as well. She saw me and her eyes were shining happily. All this situation and her lovely voice made me incredibly happy. She changed the lyrics of the song and sang directly to me.

So Ryder, where you at? - she mimicked like she was searching for me. Causing me to grin even more.

Wave your hands, front to back - Tom stood up singing and waved his hand to me. All the other kids followed him. This is how they were coming closer to the end of the song.

Everybody take a look around - Kate.

At my dad, out in the crowd (oh) -Drake.

I love you SIS! (oh, oh, oh)” -Vic. Changed a little the lyrics as well and she sang it to her sister. They continued all together.

“You are my home, home, home

Wherever I may roam

You are the place where

I can rest my weary bones

You are my home, home, home”

They finished the song and all the kids were whooping and hugging Ariel. Also giving out high fives. Chloe turned to her.

- I have to admit, this was great –she said with a bit of harshness in her voice .

- Thank you! – Roo said. Chloe nodded and walked out of the playroom with her sister. I walked to her, spun her around and gave her a long deep kiss. Our tongues were fighting and the heat was getting higher in our bodies. I wanted to make her mine, so badly!!! My wolf was howling with happiness. The moment was interrupted by nine kids screaming us to stop. We laughed and pressed our foreheads together. She inhaled my scent and it looked like she loves it. So did I like hers. Her scent was the best and most unique I have ever felt, and she was mine. The kids waved and slowly went back to their parents to get ready for dinner.

- So how was your day?

- You know, just the usual. - she said. I held her hand and we went out for a little walk.

- What was Chloe doing with you there? - her glance turned troubled and avoided mine so I stopped and forced her to look at me – What’s wrong baby?

- Don't get angry. Someone, well… threatened me today before I left the packhouse but it wasn't from your pack and Chloe helped me out. - my hands clenched in fists and the hair on my back stoop up. I couldn't control myself and shout at Ariel.

- AND WHY DIDN'T YOU CALLED ME AFTER OR MAKE CHLOE TO MIND-LINK ME!? - she let go of my hand and pulled away. Took two steps further and this made me even more frustrated. I stepped after her and grabbed her by her shoulders and shook her a little. She lifted up her eyes to meet mine and the way she looked at me made my wolf cry out loud. She was disappointed!

- It was fine, I wasn't in danger and Chloe came with me just in case- her muscles flexed under my hands and it felt like a wall was growing between us. But I just got more and more angry and scared. I shook her so hard that she fell to the floor. My wolf started to fight me in my head, it was total chaos. I felt so many things at the same time and they were all so strong that I couldn't stand it more. I shifted and ran away into the forest leaving my hurt mate laying on the floor. My wolf howled in pain and I cried:

“ -We have hurt her! She is disappointed” – he said.

 - She still doesn't take her safety seriously!

 A little later I walked back when I calmed down. I went to my room to apologize to Ariel. But her stuff was nowhere. I mind-linked Eric and Matthew. They ran to my room finding me lying on the floor holding a letter and crying my heart out. A deep, sorrowed howl let my chest.

She was gone...

Chapter 23

She is gone but she used to be mine…

Eric

Ryder mind-linked us and together with Matthew, I ran to his room. Before we opened the door we heard the most heartbreaking howl. It shuddered the house. When we slam the door open Ryder was crying a river kneeling on the floor with a letter in his hands and we knew that Ariel left him. I kneed next to him and took the letter from his hands. Mathew kneed next to him as well and embraced Ryder in a manly hug. He was clutched at Matt like a child at his mother. It made us fear. I've never seen him so broken. I started to read Ariel's letter.

Dear Ryder!

After everything that happened, I came to the conclusion that your pack was right. This is not my world. I'm not good or strong enough to be their Luna and your mate. I know that it hurts and believe me it also breaks my heart to write these lines... You will be the best Alpha you pack have ever seen and you will find a woman who can help you and who will make you happy. One you can rely on and you won't have to be worried about her safety all the time. I will not reject you, because I love you, loved you and I will always love you. This is why I have to let you go... You haven't marked me and we didn't do the mating process so you have no obligations towards me. I'm so sorry love. I hoped we will work things out.

Please take care and be happy ...It looks like you were wrong about me and I was just another storm...

Only yours

Ariel

PS: I will keep your secret forever...

I handed the letter to Matthew and sat next to Ryder with a loud sound. A few tears were falling from my eyes as well, she was like a sister to us and she is gone. Matthew read the letter and joined us in staring into nothing. Anthony and Anne came running to see what happened to their son. We got up and told them, Anne was crying as well and she hugged her son, Ryder buried his face in his mother's shoulder. Anthony signed us to go out with him, he closed the door behind us.

- I want you two to find her. This is a command!

- But Alpha... - Matthew started.

- No but Alpha! Find her! I want to know where she is and keep an eye on her. GO!

-Yes Alpha! - We ran away outside of the house we shifted and followed Ari's smell. We arrived at a hotel and we asked the receptionist about her. He told us that she indeed checked in but he can't give more information. We thanked him and updated the information about her to Alpha Anthony. Matthew went back to be there for Ryder to avoid him doing any stupidity, and I slept in the bushes next to the hotel.

The next morning; I saw Ariel leaving the hotel with a newspaper in her hand and I followed her to a café. She talked with the owner and they shook hands. After that, she went into a tall townhouse. I followed her carefully and saw her entering the apartment. Thanks to my wolf hearing I heard that she rented the apartment and got the keys. I hid in the landing. She walked back to the hotel checked out and moved her belongings to the apartment. Then she went shopping and on her way back to the apartment she turned around and said.

- You can finish following me, Eric. I saw both of you yesterday - so  I came out from behind a trashcan.

- Ari, why did you leave? Don't you love Ryder? - Her eyes were filled with sorrow and sadness.

- I love him. This is why I left. Listen, yesterday he got upset because I got in danger again. This wasn't the first time and if Chloe hadn’t appeared that rouge could've killed me. I won't be a burden to him! He can't live his life, do his duties and job, and be constantly worried about his weak mate - she started crying.

- You are not weak Ari! Everybody was amazed at how well you handled things back at home. They started to accept you.

- Eric, if a fight comes Ryder will be so worried about my safety that he can get hurt. I'm not risking his safety nor of the pack's. Also, he can't be himself around me. Yesterday he got angry and violent and I couldn't calm him down.

- Don't you see that you are already a perfect Luna for our pack? You are willing to give up on everything for their good.

- So you finally understand my point. I won't be far but I'm not part of the pack anymore. Take care, Eric. - She started to walk away but when  I caught her hand she turned back.

- Please reconsider it. Ryder found himself along your side don't let him lose it again - she took away her hand and walked back to her apartment. I decided to head back to the packhouse but I had to fasten my steps because Matt mind-linked me.

" Hurry up Ryder is going crazy "

Matthew

I came back from the hotel and went up to Ryder's room but he wasn't there. Everything was broken into pieces, the curtains tore apart, bloody glass shards all around the room. The feather from the pillows were flying in the room. I got terrified by the destruction and ran downstairs to talk with Anthony. I found him and Anne crying in his office. The worst scenarios ran through my head.

-Alpha, Luna! Where is Ryder? - Anne looked at me and buried her face in her husband’s shoulder. Anthony took a deep breath before he answered.

- We had to close him in the dungeons – my heart skipped a beat and my hands started to sweat.

- But why? 

- He was going insane Matthew - Anne cried. - His wolf wanted to find Ariel but he tried to respect her decision so he was shifted between human and his wolf until he fainted. We had to close him before he hurts himself. - Anthony embraced her in a hug and she snuggled her face in his chest. He looked up at me and our eyes met. I've never seen anyone so broken...

- Can I go down to check on him? -he nodded and I closed the door behind me. I walked down the dungeons and found him in the last one. They brought him a comfortable bed and a few personal things. But he was lying on the cold floor with his phone in his hands. I asked the guard to let me in, he did, but closed the door behind me.

- Hey man! What are you looking at? - I asked but he was mute, just scrolled on his phone. I lay next to him and saw the pictures of him and Ariel on his phone.

- Ryder I'm really sorry - he started to cry again.

- It's all my fault Mat. I hurt her... - This was the first time since she left that Ryder said something.

- Can you tell me what happened?

Ryder's * Flashback*

- So how was your day? - Ryder.

- You know just the usual. - She said. I held her hand and we went out for a little walk.

- What was Chloe doing with you there? - Her glance turned troubled and avoided mine so I stopped and forced her to look at me: What’s wrong baby?

- Don't get angry. Someone threatened me today before I left the packhouse but it wasn't from your pack and  Chloe helped me out. - My hands clenched in fists and the hair on my back stoop up. I couldn't control myself and shout at Ariel.

- AND WHY DIDN'T YOU CALLED ME OR MAKE CHLOE TO MIND-LINK ME!? - She let go of my hand and pulled away. Took two steps further and this made me more frustrated. I stepped after her and grabbed her by her shoulders and shook her a little. She lifted up her eyes to meet mine and the way she looked at me made my wolf cry out loud she was so disappointed and scared Matt!

- It was fine, I wasn't in danger and Chloe came with me just in case. - Her muscles flexed under my hands and it felt like a wall was growing between us. But I just got more and more angry and scared. I shook her so hard that she fell on the floor. My wolf started to fight me in my head, it was total chaos. I felt so many things at the same time and they were all so strong that I couldn't stand it anymore. I shifted and ran away into the forest leaving my hurt mate laying on the floor. My wolf howled in pain and I cried. We hurt her! She is disappointed but she still doesn't take her safety seriously! A little later I walked back when I calmed down. I went to my room to apologize to Ariel. But her stuff was nowhere. I mind-linked Eric and you. I was on the floor holding a letter and crying my heart out. A deep sorrowed howl let my chest.

*--------------------*

I looked at Ryder with contempt and pity.

- Believe me, I ran away because I was afraid I would hurt her...

- I know bro.

- I wish I knew where she was I want to find her but also want to let her live her life and these conflicted feelings are driving me insane! - He screamed and shifted into a wolf he was growling and snarling his teeth he ran against the cell's door over and over again until he finally hit his head and lost consciousness. I called the guard and the pack doctor and also mind-linked Eric to hurry up. The pack doctor examined Ryder and told them that he had a concussion of his brain. So we had to chain him to the bed and give him medication which prevented him to shift for a few days. This is when Eric arrived.

- Dude! What is going on? -he asked pointing at the chained Ryder. I told him shortly what happened and he was staring at Ryder then at me.

- We should bring her back - he said.

- No we can't. Imagine if we force her to come back and she rejects Ryder or he loses control and accidentally kills or hurts Ariel. By the way where is she?

- She will work at Little Bear Café and she rented an apartment, she said that she will be close but not part of the pack anymore.

- It looks like she still loves this fool...

- Yes. What can we do? - we both were thinking hard.

- That is ironic you know? - Eric smirked and we sat down on the floor next to our friend's "room".

- What do you mean?

- Well. - he scratched the back of his neck- first we had to convince Ryder to open his heart to Ariel, now we should do the same with her.

- That is not a bad idea. But how?

- I don't know... But I think I'll have breakfast in Little Bear from now on.

- I'll join you!