Chapter 24: Chapter 24

hapter Twenty-Four

Alpha Blake

Ryley’s mood changed as we stood in line to pay. I could hear the whispers of my pack about the woman I was with. I gritted my teeth and held my tongue. I didn’t want to embarrass Ryley. But I had a feeling she could hear them. And when she paid the bill, I was angry, not at her but at my pack who said she was a gold digger. The total was over eight hundred dollars and that was nothing to me. I may be an alpha but I am also a smart businessman.

We walked out to the vehicle in silence, the opposite of how we were in the store. She teased me about getting lost and I may have been grumbling but I loved every minute of it. And I already missed the carefree Ryley. After everything was packed away in the back of her SUV, I beat her to the driver’s side.

“Blake, I’m driving,” she scoffed.

“Nope,” was all I said, hopping in. I chuckled when I heard her growl before she stormed over to the passenger side. She slammed the door after she climbed in.

“You alright?” I asked her.

“Yep,” she answered, typing an address into her GPS.

“We can get fuel here,” she pointed at the map.

“Then, I’ll drive to the cabin.” She told me.

M

“Sounds like a plan,” I said before backing out of the parking stall.

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We were out of the city and my territory before I decided to question her. I knew she was upset. I could feel the tension coming off her in

waves.

“Ryley, what’s bothering you?” I reached over and placed a hand on her thigh.

“Yeah. It’s just been a while since I’ve been called a gold digger,” she sighed. I kept my hand on her thigh and I was surprised she didn’t remove it.

“You heard that? Is that why you paid? Because you didn’t have to.” I told her, glancing over at her. Our eyes met before I turned mine back to the road.

“That and others. But I am not a gold digger. I have paid back every cent that was given to me, with interest,” she scuffed. I could tell money is a sore spot for her.

“And the other stuff?” I questioned. I was surprised she heard anything. I barely heard it.

“I’m used to hearing whispers from guys. Some women saying cr*p about me being too pretty or that I’m a stuck-up b**ch. Blah. I guess it’s just easier living among humans. At least then, I wouldn’t be called a gold-digging w**re, sleeping her way to the Luna position.” I looked over at her quickly. She shrugged, looking out the window.

“You don’t seem like the kind of person to care what other people think?” I asked her.

“I don’t. I don’t know.” She stammered, not knowing what to say.

We went back to being silent. I understand her feelings, but I wonder if Channing’s father had anything to do with her hatred of alphas. There has to be more to it.

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“Maybe, she cares because she doesn’t want you to think of her that way. That’s why she paid. She doesn’t want you to think that she only invited you so you would pay,” Gunner commented.

“Does she think I would believe them? That I would think that?”

“They are members of our pack. And she isn’t. If it came down to it, we would have to believe them over her. That could be why she was so hesitant to be here with Channing,” I sighed because I knew he was right. But I would command my pack members if anything were to happen. Ryley isn’t a liar. She’ll tell you straight out that she’s not answering your questions.

“Gwen tried to lie, even after you told her about the video,” Gunner growled.

I glanced over at Ryley, she was looking out the window. My hand was still resting on her thigh. I smiled, squeezing it to get her attention. She looked at my hand before meeting my eyes.

“Whatever they said was bu***hit and I should have put them in their place,” I told her.

“They are your pack members, Blake. You can’t be protecting a lone wolf over your members. To them, I’ll always be an outsider, and I prefer it that way,” she sighed.

“I hope one day, you’ll trust me enough to tell me your story. I know you were young when you had Channing. I can do the math. But whatever happened, I won’t judge.” I told her truthfully as I pulled into a fueling station.

We were about forty-five minutes from the cabin now. I parked before turning to face her. She seemed lost in thought as she bit her bottom lip. She let out a breath before looking at me.

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“My story isn’t a happy one. Frankly, it’s downright heartbreaking. The best thing in my life is Channing. Everything else can’t be changed.” I could see the pain in her eyes. Whatever she has gone through was life-changing. I didn’t push her for more. When she is ready, she’ll confide in me. I nodded before exiting the vehicle to pump the fuel.

I heard her exit the vehicle as I was paying at the pumps. I wasn’t going to let her pay. We were no longer in my pack, not that I cared. The pack has no right to pass judgment. And I’m the alpha. Who I spend my money on, is none of their business.

“Would you like anything?” She asked. I smiled as I started to fill the tank.

“I’m sure you have great-taste in snacks,” I told her and she chuckled.

“It’s the reason I have to run,” I chuckled as I watched her walk to the store. F*ck, her a*s looks great in those jeans.