SIX

Alecia played with her hair as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. There was a smile pasted on her face. Gabriel had indeed been a gentleman, taking her out on dates, spending on her, and treating her like a princess. And unlike Ryder, he didn’t wave the fact that he was a werewolf in her face, when he was with her, they were just like two people having fun together.

Suddenly the thought of coming under a werewolf’s protection did not sound as bad as her mother had made it sound. It was not that she was considering coming under anyone’s protection, she still hated the idea of being anyone’s slave, but . . . It would not be so bad if she had a legal reason to call him anytime she felt afraid. Alecia realized she wasn’t thinking of Gabriel, she was thinking about Ryder.

She sighed. Why was she thinking of him? Because he was so dreadfully handsome; more handsome than Gabriel with his pale gray eyes and dark hair. The guy invaded her thoughts. But it was just his looks. There was nothing appealing about his character. He fit every stereotype that Gabriel broke.

She sat on her bed, pushing her feet out in front of her, looking at the clock. It was 7:30

p.m. Time to go meet Gabriel downstairs. She pushed herself from the bed and flung the strap of her black purse over her shoulder. If she just concentrated on Gabriel’s character, Ryder would slip from her mind.

• * * *

Alecia looked around at the people at the party dancing in the middle of the living room or congregating in small groups while holding red plastic cups probably filled with beer. By now the faces were becoming familiar, and a couple girls came up and talked to her, taking her hands and complimenting the floral skirt she wore. Thankfully, Ryder wasn’t amongst the small crowd. Maybe they wouldn’t be here long. She hadn’t really wanted to come, but Gabriel had insisted after dinner. Every muscle in her body yearned to shut down. She had been studying a lot and longed to take a shower and slip under her warm sheets. She took Gabriel’s hand. “I’m going to sit down for a second,” she said.

A smirk slipped on Gabriel’s face before he walked away. What was that look for? Alecia sat on a couch, crossing her arms. He looked odd as if he had a different mind. She must be just seeing things. Gabriel came over to her and leaned on the couch - his eyes clear, full of a sweetness. Yup, she was seeing things.

“Are you thirsty?” he asked.

“Can I have a Coke?”

He nodded and turned towards the drinks, stopping to talk to a group of men. He was in no hurry to help her. The Coke would keep her up, but hopefully not too late, she needed to finish a paper tomorrow. Alecia leaned her head back and closed her eyes, letting her muscles shut down.

Something smooth slid across her cheek. She turned her head to the right as a form passed behind her. She turned her head to the left. Ryder walked towards a cooler of beer and grabbed one - his black hair slicked back as if he just took a shower. Alecia shook her foot back and forth as heat seared where he’d touched her. He wouldn’t give up. Ryder walked up to the group of young men - the seductive smile plastered on his face. Her body warmed just looking at him. If he was a decent fellow, she would fall for him in an instant since her body had no problem responding to his slightest touch.

She smiled as Gabriel made his way back towards her with her drink, but he stopped right next to Ryder and started talking to him. Why was he talking to Ryder? He said he didn’t like him. Apparently, Ryder could get all his

enemies to befriend him. She shook her head again. How long were they going to be here?

• * *

Ryder crossed his arms over his chest as he listened to the whispers around him. He had this conversation every time he went to a party. People who knew nothing about him tried to impress him by guessing what they felt he would do as Alpha of the entire Carli park once he left uni.

He wasn’t just Alpha, he was the son of one of the most powerful people in the country, and the godson of the president of the country. It would surprise them to know that he did not want the system of protection and slavery, that he felt the plight of the humans . . . but all that didn’t matter, in the end, he was only going to do what his father wanted, no one interfered with his father’s plans.

“Talking about your godfather again,” Gabriel said, stopping next to him.

“Yeah.” Ryder looked over everyone’s head, scanning the girls in tight dresses. Gabriel was worse than the rest, always challenging him as if they were in competition. There was no competition as far as he was concerned.

Gabriel dropped a pill into a cup, and swished the liquid around, dissolving the pill. A smirk crossed Ryder’s face. Gabriel always had to drug the girls and then rape them. If his father wasn’t so rich, that kid would have been behind bars years ago, werewolf or not.

Gabriel held up the cup to the group. “Time to open the iron curtain.”

Ryder chuckled as Gabriel walked away. He was such a fool who was going to get burned one of these days. Maybe it would be soon.

The Alpha ran a thumb across his chin, wiping away the cool moisture the beer left - images of Alecia flickering through his mind. He should try talking to her again. She looked so pretty tonight in her little white top and lavender tulip-covered skirt. He rubbed his fingers together recalling the silkiness of her hair.

“Hey Ryder,” Lucas said interrupting his thoughts and pointing behind him. Ryder turned around. Gabriel sat next to Alecia with his hand in her hair. His body stiffened as a heat grew in him. Gabriel was messing with the wrong girl. And the little fool just drank him in with those big bright eyes, looking at Gabriel as if he was some kind of god. Well, he’d let her take a couple more sips and she’d see.

Ryder could feel everyone’s stares on his back. They were probably wondering what he was going to do. Everyone but Gabriel knew he had claimed the girl. Alecia took one more long sip, holding the cup on top of her lap. Her red lips glistened as she laughed at something Gabriel said.

Alecia lifted the cup to her lips. Ryder rushed to her and slapped the plastic cup out of her hand, sending it flying across the room and spilling the brown liquid on the floor.

The color left her pretty face as her mouth dropped open. She’d thank him later.

“What’s your problem?” Gabriel shouted

Ryder grabbed Alecia’s arms and yanked her from the couch. He wrapped one arm tightly around her waist. Her small body trembled next to his. “This one is off limits.”

Gabriel jumped to his feet. “Maybe to you.”

The Alpha let go of Alecia. In one swift motion, he pounded Gabriel across the chin, sending him to his knees. “Won’t you shut up and think of who you’re talking to.”

Alecia’s hand flew to her mouth as Keith wrapped her in his arms and dragged her out of

the house.

• * * *

The cold air hit her dead in the face. She looked up at Ryder’s silver – gray eyes as he walked her towards the steps. Where was he taking her? She needed to get away from him. She turned towards the door, but Ryder pushed her forward to the first step. She pulled from him, stepping away. “What is your problem?”

“Pour your own drinks at parties, Alecia.” His face constricted into anger. “How could you, with all your morals, be such a fool?”

“What?”

“He drugged you.”

“How do you know?”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Because I saw him do it.”

This was impossible. Tears brimmed at the corners of her eyes as a shiver raced through her. Gabriel was a nice guy. Not a rapist. Ryder was. Gabriel wanted to work in the Peace Corps – make something of himself. She had sat next to him this weekend at church. “I don’t believe you.

You’re just jealous.”

“Alecia.” His voice was calmer as he took her face into his hands, wiping away a warm tear with his thumb. His eyes looked soft. Where had the anger gone? “Let me take you to your dorm, and we’ll see if you make it awake. Okay.”

“I’m not getting alone in a car with you.” She turned from him and started to walk away. Her legs wobbled, making her clench onto the side of a post. Alecia placed a hand on her forehead, feeling her burning skin. Something strange was happening. She felt as though she wasn’t even in her own skin. The dark forms of the trees in front of her blurred in and out and mashed together. Ryder wasn’t lying.

“It’s already working,” he said. He stood right behind her with his hands on her hips. She needed to get away – to get back to her dorm. She would be safe there and she could wait out this strange drug.

Alecia shook her head and took a couple steps, but the ground came towards her fast. His hands grabbed her waist and pulled her against his hard chest. Why couldn’t she move her limbs? Every part of her felt like a weight. He lifted her in his strong arms, cradling her like a baby. The sky became darker, as her eyelids slid down over her eyes. Please Ryder. Please, protect me.