After discussing some other information, like how we tell the packs, we left and started to do our own things. Me, well... I went straight to the training room and started to use the equipment in there.

"I should've known that you would be in here," a male voice said, startling me from a where I was doing a flying back kick.

I yelped in surprised and landed on my back, having the air knocked out of me. I groaned and opened my eyes, not knowing that I had closed them, to see the worried face of Nathan, peering at me. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath of air, filling my lungs with it.

"Shit, Ry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"It's ok, Nathan," I said, opening my eye to look at him. I cocked a small smile as I grabbed hold of his hand and pulled myself up. "I should've been paying attention. I didn't know if someone was going to look for me after..." I paused and rubbed the back of my neck, sheepishly.

Nathan nodded his head and sighed. He had soft brown eyes that seemed to have gold in them. He had bushy brown hair that was shorter in the front and longer in the back and sides. He stood at 5'9, which was a foot taller than me. "It doesn't change that you are still part of our group, Rylan. We all knew that you were a little different." He scrunched up his face. "Liam more than the rest of us."

I looked down and rubbed the back of my neck, which was a nervous habit of mine. "Ya..." I said. "About that. I'm sorry for keeping me being a, no the, Red Wolf a secret. I didn't know who to trust, even though you all have proven yourself to earn my trust and respect." I grimaced. "I just didn't know..."

Nathan grimaced and nodded his head. "How we would react. I understand." He ran a hand through his hair and sighed before looking at me, with a somewhat of an intimidating gaze. "Are you going to go back?"

I instantly looked down and chewed on my bottom lip. I knew what he was asking, and I wasn't really sure. Cooper seemed to have changed, but looks could be deceiving. I mean, he had hurt me so bad. But then again, there was the prophecy that stated us to be together. "I don't know," I said, honestly. "I have to..." I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, "...but I don't want to."

Nathan nodded his head. "It'll be different if there weren't ten people in the group," he said. He grinned. "You've grown on us."

I snorted and grinned. "Ya, I am sure it will be." My stomach growled, causing Nathan to smirk. "Come on, I need food. I didn't eat since yesterday..." I shook my head and sighed, knowing that I was going to have to tell Wafilia's mother that she was killed.

Nathan nudged my shoulder while he walked beside me. "Hey, it's not your fault," he said.

I shrugged my shoulder. "Feels like it," I replied with a sigh. "And I know that her mother will think that it is my fault, also." I shook my head. "You know what, let's not talk about this. I am hungry and need something to eat."

Nathan frowned and nodded his head. He stayed silent while we walked into the kitchen to see other members of the pack there. He moved closer to me when some of my pack mates looked at me with a glare.

"Rylan!" two children exclaimed as they came towards me. Both had big grins on their faces, with chocolate cake covering them. They were brother and sister, and I was fond of them dearly. "You are back." They tackled my legs, causing me to smile.

"Rylee and Caden, come back here," their mother said, sternly. She glared at me, disgust written all over her face. "Don't go near her again. She is a bad woman," she said when they came back towards her.

My heart broke, and I could feel tears wanting to leak out. "You know what," I said to Nathan, my voice cracking. "I'm not hungry anymore." With that, I fled the kitchen, trying to hold back a sob.

***

I ran into my room just as the sob broke through. I fell to the floor and tucked into myself, while I cried.

Why did I think people would like me, even though I was different? I mean, I was still the same person. I was just a stronger Wolf, with a hell lot more responsibility than a normal Wolf.

"Rylan?" someone asked, knocking on the door.

"Go away," I called out.

"Rylan, open the door," the person said. "Please, I don't like hearing you cry."

I could hear that it was Cooper and heard the pleading his his voice. I wiped my eyes and stood, knowing that I didn't have a choice. "Says the one who had me crying more than once," I replied, opening the door.

Lo and behold, there stood my mate in all of his glory.

Water dripped down his sculpted body, getting soaked into his shorts. Some water dripped from his legs and onto the carpeted hallway.

I looked back up from checking him out and couldn't help but feel slightly aroused when I saw that he was smirking at me.

"I would ask if you liked the view, but I think it's not the best of time," he said, causing me to look down and blush. "Hey, now, don't do that." His voice was soft while he lifted up my chin and wiped away the lingering tears. "Don't hide your blush from me, Love."

I shook my head, not used to this caring male. "What do you want, Alpha?" I asked, and I couldn't help but have an edge in my voice.

Cooper frowned and pulled me into a hug. He didn't say a word, but I guess he knew that I needed to be hugged by him. He placed his face into the bridge of my neck and breathed in my scent. He didn't say a word when I didn't put my arms around him instantly.

I stayed tense for a little while before wrapping my arms around his waist, my body molding itself into his arms. Tears streamed down my face, and my body shook as small sobs escaped me. "I think I lost my pack," I whispered, causing Cooper to growl, slightly. "They don't want anything to do with me, because I am who I am."

"Who told you this?" Cooper asked, growling. This caused me to shiver slightly, because his face was still in the area between my neck and shoulder.

I shook my head, not wanting my mate to go after a member of this pack. It was still my duty to protect them, even if they did not like me or trust me "It doesn't matter," I replied. "It hurts, but I'll be fine."

Cooper pulled me away from his body and looked into my gray eyes. His brown eyes were a darker color, and I knew that he was pissed. "Who made you feel like this?" he asked again, his voice going lower.

I blinked and placed a mask over my feelings. "It doesn't matter," I said, my tone a little sharp and crisp. "I will be fine. I know that you are pissed right now, and I, also, know that you would hurt someone if I told you."

Cooper growled but didn't say another word. He knew that I was right, so he closed his eyes and took a deep breath through his nose. "I'm sorry," he muttered. "I'm just... on edge, and I want to prove to you that I can be the mate that you deserve."

I blinked, stunned. I didn't know who this male was, but it wasn't the same male that I've know for the past few years. A small smile appeared on my face, and I couldn't help but look down, biting my lip.

Did I want to go through with this?

Hell, ya.

Did I want to get hurt?

Hell, no.

But, I knew that I had to let him have a try. I knew that I was supposed to be with him, and if I didn't... well, I didn't want to think about that.

I bit my lip and sighed, before nodding. "All right, Alpha," I said, softly. "You have one try."

Cooper's eyes lit up like a boy seeing presents underneath a tree on Christmas. He had this huge grin on his face that tugged at my heart strings. "Yes!" he exclaimed, before picking me up. He started to dance around with me in his arms, causing me to laugh and cling to him. "You don't know how happy that made me," he said, cheerfully. "Now, all we gotta do is get you to call me Cooper instead of Alpha."

I laughed a little. "One step at a time," I teased, causing him to pout. I smiled up at him, loving the sparks that seemed to come from around both of us. "But, that will be the next step."

Cooper huffed and walked me to my bed. He dropped me onto it, causing me to gasp before he fell onto my bed and groaned. "Is there supposed to be a note underneath my face?" he asked, causing me to blink and shove him out of my way. "Hey!" he yelped falling off the bed.

"Oh, that didn't hurt you," I said and grabbed the note off my bed. I knew that it was from Prophet Amelia, but I didn't know what she wanted this time.

Rylan, it read, I am sorry for your loss, but I want to congratulate you on becoming who you have meant to be. There will be many people who will hate you for being the Red Wolf, but they do not matter as long as you protect them. Come see me at the time you came last time, and bring your mate. I have a guest that wants to meet you. Signed, Amelia Grace

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. "Well, I guess we are going on a field trip tonight."

Cooper didn't say a word while he got back onto my bed. "Well, I guess that means you need to get some sleep now," he said. "You've had a stressful day."

I blinked and shook my head. "I'll need to tell Vulcan."

Cooper shook his head and grabbed the note from my hand. "I'll give him this. You are going to go to sleep."

I huffed, not really wanting to. I knew that I wasn't going to be able to fall asleep, because I would be having Wafilia on my mind and how I didn't save her. I looked down and bit my lip, my mood turning slightly dark.

Cooper looked at me and probably knew what was going on in my mind because he laid down and pulled me towards him. He kissed my forehead. "Rest," he said, soothingly, rubbing his thumb over my skin. "I'll be here until you do."

"Promise?" I asked, whispering. I looked up at him, letting my wall fall for a minute to show him all the pain, lost, fear, and hopelessness that I had been feeling since I couldn't save her.

Cooper nodded, wincing at the amount of emotion in my face. "I promise." He kissed my temple, which caused me to close my eyes. "Now, sleep."

I nodded my head and turned around so that my back was on his stomach. I blinked a little before I closed my eyes and fell fast asleep, loving the amount of warmth and comfort that Cooper had given me.

____________________________________________________________________________________

A/N: Ok, so who is rooting for Rylan and Cooper? I sure am. Anyways, this book is almost done and there will be a sequel. It'll be called The Red Warrior. I have no idea when I'll be posting it, but it might be soon because I'm sure some of ya'll will hate me as to where I leave this book off.

Anyways, Peace out Fluffy Munchkins

~Rissa