Hey

Sorry I write so late at night . . . or mornings.

I just have a better focus when it's late for some reason. Anyway, sorry for the tragic turn of events with Zara's mom. All will be explained shortly. Love you!

Zara's POV***

The cops idlessly wondered about, looking almost as clueless as a lost puppy. My whole body was numb, and I couldn't focus; on anything. I felt like I was underwater, watching everything slowly happen. The image of my mother's lifeless pale face was still imprinted into my mind. There were caution tapes all around my house, and we had attracted a large amount of people.

What did they find so interesting? My mother's death?

I so badly wanted to run them over with a bulldozer, but I hadn't a license for one. My family was none of their concern. What, were they hoping to get answers as to how she died? I wish I could bring myself to even say "My mother killed herself" But alas I cannot bring myself to say the four daunting words. I'm afraid that if I do, reality will really start to sink in harder than it did before.

 At that moment, I realized I was now truly alone. I was always alone when she was home, but it seemed different now.

It's been hours, and the pointless detectives were speaking with witnesses that heard her loudly moan. But I didn't care about their statements. She was dead, nothing more to it. I was just standing there, still reiterating the words to myself on the piece of paper she left behind. I still had a few unanswered questions.

1) My mother's life wasn't all that bad, why go as far as killing herself?

2) Why did she want me to stay away from Ryder?

3) Was there some sort of weird connection between them?

4) Where would I go?

"Mrs?" I heard a deep voice ask. I swiftly blinked once or twice, coming out of my strange mind haze.

"Yes?" I asked.

"I was wondering if you had any relatives you were staying with." He said again. He was short and pretty old, about in his late 50's. His soft brown eyes were warm, and his large gut overfilled his shirt, leaking onto the tip of his pants. He had a white mustache and a little hat. I realized it was the sheriff.

"Uh . . ." I managed, raking my brain.

"She does." Someone said from behind me. Shocked, I turned around to see the one and only Ryder with an angered look. His hair was perfectly touseled in the perfect way, and his jaw was clenched. His white t-shirt clung to his chest, showing off his array of abs and nice toned pecks. A few girls were oggling over him, making me want to punch them in the face with a brick for some reason. I shook my head at my silliness.

I stared at Ryder, too surprised to say anything. "Alright, I'll have your father, James, sign some papers." Sheriff Walker said before walking off. They brought out a stretcher, with a figure laying in it and a blanket on top. I blinked hard, not sure if tears were going to fall or not.

A gasp escaped my lips as two arms wrapped around me, and turned me so I was in someone's hard chest. I couldn't ignore the sparks flying all around in my body, and soon, I could feel heat creeping onto my face. I glanced up, my face smushed to the guy's chest.

Ryder was staring at me with soft eyes before he hugged me tight to his chest. He was trying to distract me from the scene, and it was somewhat working. He smelt so amazing, like chocolate and pine trees. I couldn't get enough of it.

"Why did you say that?" I asked in a muffled voice. He placed his hard chin on my head and rubbed pleasurable circles on my back. I had no doubt I was getting glares from girls, but that didn't matter now.

"Because, you have no relatives, and you need someone to stay with someone. And that's going to be me." He said, his voice calm and relaxing. I didn't have the strength in me to respond. I gave one last glance at the house, before Ryder led me to his car in the parking lot.

--

We silently drove in his car. I made no movements or sounds. I kept staring outside the window. I hadn't even noticed that Ryder's large palm on my thigh, rubbing up and down. My breath got stuck in my throat as I tried my hardest not to stare right at him with wide eyes.

Each stoke sent tingles throughout my body. The whole car ride consisted of his movements, making me clench my teeth on and off while forcing myself to look out the window. Finally, we got out of the car and in front of us was a large mansion. I gaped at it as I closed the door behind me.

"You live here?" I asked, still taking it all in. (A/N - I'm not going to go into full detail with discriptions, pic on the side-->)

He came around the jeep and held two bags in his hand that belonged to me. "Yep." He said and so we walked forwards. It was beautiful to say in the least. I just couldn't describe it.

He led us through the gates and into the house. The inside was just as gorgeous as the outside. I smiled to myself. At least I'd be staying in this awsome place until I was back on my feet again.

"Ryder, thanks again . . . you really didn't have to do what you did." I said slowly, avoiding his eyes as I turned towards him. He surprised me slightly when he grasped my chin with his fingers and slowly lifted my head up to meet his. 

"I wouldn't have it any other way." He whispered, his eyes dark and determined. I studied him. He was being sincere, but why? We hadn't known each other for that long, yet I was a fool if I was to lie and say we didn't have some sort of connection. 

I glanced towards the double stairs that twisted together at the top and led into a balcony. Ryder suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me up behind him. A blush crept onto my face as his hand touched mine. 

"You're staying in the . . guest room." He said the last part as if he was strained. I shrugged it off. I followed him into the exquisite hallway and found a room at the very end. He opened it, and allowed me to go in first. I gasped. It was teal and silver - my two favorite colors. A large bed with a duvet. A cute silver spiral wrapped along the sides with a couple of teal droplets intertwined with it.

"Honestly, thank you," I turned to tell him. He smiled at me. "I'm serious, this was a lot, you didn't have to," I added.

"It was no problem at all. Don't feel guilty or bad that your here, it doesn't bother anyone, I want you here, so it's okay, got it?"

I smiled, holding in my tears and continued to examine the room.

Across from it was a white wardrobe with a flat screen perched onto the wall. There were two nightstands next to the bed, one with a silver lamp, and the other with an odd alarm clock. It was circular, like the old ones, but on the bottom, there was a small silver wolf in a running position. I couldn't help but admire it. 

Next to the wardrobe was a door leading into the bathroom. Feeling curious, I went into it. There was a bathtub and a shower next to each other and a toilet across from each of them with a door. I came out of the bathroom and walked out onto the balcony. It was huge but I loved it. It overlooked their backyard, which was amazing as well. 

There was a large maze, and in the middle was a wolf statue. It was on it's two back paws, and his head was pointed right towards the sky, almost in a certain direction. The fore paws were just in an upside v-shape. I stared at it, somewhat intrigued.

"Do you like your room?" I heard Ryder ask from behind me, almost sounding nervous. I turned and walked back into the room.

"Love it." I said with a smile, that seemed to hurt my face. My heart clenched when my mother's image came back into my face. I had been a terrible daughter to her.  Instead of hating her for her provacotive ways, I should've tried to help her find a better job. I should've thanked her for trying to keep me alive, and providing us food. I wish I could've made more of an effort as a daughter.

"Zara?" Ryder asked. I sniffled and stared at him, my eyes now glossy.

"Y-yes?" I asked, trying to make sure my voice didn't waver.

"You know, you don't have to be so strong all the time." He whispered and slowly made his way to me. The tears were brimming my eyes and my throat was tight. 

"I do." I replied, my voice becoming strained.

His large arms wrapped around me and pulled me into his chest.

"She'd be proud of how strong her daughter is." He mumbled, and that's when I lost it. I couldn't choke back the sobs anymore. I didn't like keeping it inside. I had held it in, and now it was over filling. My tears slid down both sides of my cheeks. I wrapped my fist in Ryder's plain t-shirt and let my sobs take over. I was in so much pain. I spent so much time hating my mother, when in reality I should have been helping her. 

I felt guilt crash onto me harder than anything I've ever felt.

Ryder's POV***

"I do." Zara said, her voice tight and her eyes red. Seeing her so hurt was killing me inside.  I hated seeing her like this. I pulled her into my embrace, hoping to comfort her. 

"She'd be proud of how strong her daughter is." I whispered. Loud sobs erupted from Zara's small throat, and hot drops of tears clung to my shirt as she dug her head into my chest and let out her pain. Her hand wrapped itself in a ball in my t-shirt. I felt like my heart was being torn into thousands of pieces as I watched her break down in front of me. 

I held onto her hopelessly. Her sobs subsided, and her eyes were now closed. I hadn't even realized we had gone down to a sitting position on the floor. She was sitting on my lap, her head buried in my chest. Her nose was red, and occasionally she would whimper every so often. I tugged her closer to me.

Anger rose deep within me. 

[He's coming back.] My wolf said to me. I growled low in my throat.

[I know.] I replied angrily.

[If he did this to our mate's mother, imagine what he would do to get to her. We still don't know what his plan is.] My wolf reprimanded me in anger. 

[Dammit I know! I'm not letting him near Zara no matter what. I'll kill him before he even sets his eyes on her in any way.] I pledged.

[We need to tell her about us soon. Her not knowing furthermore will continue to hurt her.] My wolf responded in a low voice. I sighed. I hate lying to my precious mate, but I don't know how to tell her about what I am. She's already hurting right now, so what do I do? When do I do it?

[We'll do it tomorrow. This cannot wait any longer.] My wolf said in a determined voice. I grunted in frustration. She was in too much of a delicate manner for me to do this. I lifted myself up, with her bridal style in my arms. I quickly walked to the teal bed and laid her down. I had no idea what her favorite color was, but when I saw these colors, something just told me to get them.

I put the duvet sheet on top of her and rested myself behind her. I wrapped my arm around, almost afraid she'd disappear.

Eh, not much happened in this chapter, but we're getting closer to him showing her his big secret :D

Ideas for next chapter, message me or COMMENT them(:

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Pic of the house to the side