Standing at the entrance of my room, I couldn't move or look away from where Ridge was watching me. He raised an eyebrow, not breaking eye contact as he pointed to the window. I swallowed hard, forcing my cement heavy legs to move over to my window seat and raise a shaky hand to flip the lock.

After pushing the window open, I stammered, "Ridge...? What—what are you—doing here?"

Ridge cleared his throat and asked if he could come in. I looked over my shoulder, listening for anyone coming up the stairs but the upper floor was quiet. Frowning, I slowly faced Ridge and nodded before stepping back to give him space to climb in. He was a little hesitant, glancing around as he held the edges and put a foot through. Ridge noted the dirt footprints he left on the seat cushion and he muttered an apology, brushing his hand across it to clear it off.

I crossed my arms, shaking my head that it was fine. That I could clean it off later. It allowed him to just nod and step away from the window. He raked his fingers through his hair, sighing as the minutes ticked away and I asked again why Ridge was here. To be more precise, I asked why he didn't use the front door.

Ridge took a step forward, I immediately took a step back. He stopped, his eyebrows furrowing and his hands dropped to his sides. His shoulders slumped a bit, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down with the hard swallow he took. Ridge pursed his mouth to the side, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his jeans and his gaze wandered around my room.

I looked around too, frowning as I took in the drawings I painted on the walls. There was even some of my artwork on the ceiling. My attention was drawn back to Ridge when he says, "That's beautiful..." and saw him staring at the tall tree I had drawn in the corner of two connecting walls.

The tree trunk was a dark navy blue and purple mixture and took up space on both sides of the walls. Each of the tree's branches spread out and the red-wine colored leaves I painted were outlined with a slight white highlight. To finish the look of the tree, I had pinned white fairy lights throughout the "leaves". It was to make my room a little more cozy and kinda got carried away with it.

I admired my tree, the corner of my lip curling up and nodded, "It is... thank you."

Frowning, I turned to look at Ridge who finally turned to me. My frown was still in place, remembering that I wasn't what Ridge wanted. I was just someone who could ruin his relationship with the 'love of his life'. Lowering an eyebrow, I put a bit of desperation in my voice and questioned, "What do you want?"

The Beta squinted at me until he bowed his head, groaning with his hands against his temples. I swallowed, taking a hesitant step forward while reaching out that if Ridge was alright. If I should call someone. He shook his head, still groaning with his hands to his head and then he let out a long breath before straightening. Ridge sighed out an apology, sharing that he had been having a lot of bad headaches lately but hadn't told anyone because he didn't think it was that big of a deal.

When our eyes met, Ridge paused with this curious look on his face. His broad shoulders rolled back though I couldn't help watching the way that motion flexed his arm and chest muscles. My gaze quickly returned to Ridge's green one that turned into a deeper green and their pupils pulsed. A small growl vibrated from his chest and he lowered his chin towards his chest, that darkening stare focused on me.

My wolf side was being coaxed by Ridge's behavior, a sure-tell sign that this was his wolf. Shivers trickled down my spine as Ridge's growl sounded delicious to me. I'd never felt aroused before and didn't know what it felt like until now because my wolf side was sharing this instinctual reaction towards our True Mate. That growl of Ridge's along with that enticing stare made my stomach clench and my heart race.

My eyelids lowered a little, peering over at him through my lashes and bit my lip. I couldn't help it when I let out a small moan. Ridge focused on this, another growl rolled out of him—this one hungry. His lips pulled back a little, revealing elongated teeth. This only added fuel to the heat I was feeling everywhere. I bit my lip again, grinning as my wolf allowed her golden hue to shield my human eyes to entice her mate. I wish I could say that we had been decent and remembered about our horrible situation but that didn't happen. Not even a little bit. Not even close.

From trying to pry an answer out of him earlier to responding to his wolf's prowl, I ended up pressed against my bedroom door, lip-locked with Ridge. The burst of energy within me came from the 'pull' we shared, those beautiful waves in our connection danced across the surface of my skin leaving goosebumps in their wake.

There had been one other boy who had kissed me when I was in high school but it was during a game of spin the bottle at a classmate's party. It wasn't anything to make a big deal about but it was nothing like my first kiss or like the kiss I was having now. This one was more primal, more heated, and although I was inexperienced with this type, Ridge was more than okay with showing me how.

Ridge's touch was perfection. He had held my face to keep our mouths locked together, his lips moving against mine so I could lean into him. His thumbs caressed my cheeks before his hands drifted down my sides to my hips. He stood a little closer to bend and hoist me up, wrapping my legs around his waist. My heart raced, blood pulsed, and our breath panting erratically while I raked my fingers through his hair to pull him closer.

When I pulled from his lips to catch my breath, Ridge growled, scrunching his nose in dissatisfaction but then shifted direction across my cheek, trailing down my jaw then lowered to my neck. Ridge used his nose to gently nudge my head back against the door. My lips parted, a small breathy gasp escaping followed by a small moan. Ridge's kisses turned open-mouthed, descending my throat in a line towards the v-line of the dress I was wearing with nothing underneath.

Ridge's hands slid to the back of my thighs then drifted upward, leaving goosebumps in their wake. His fingers were just under the bottom of my dress skirt, his touch making me tremble.

"Ridge..." I whispered, unable to help arching with my breasts pushing against his chest.

The Beta growled, kissing his way up to my ear and took my earlobe between his teeth. I gasped, shutting my eyes again and clutched to him. My legs wrapped tighter around his waist, pulling him closer and Ridge rumbled out a pleased groan. My hands wandered downward when Ridge claimed my mouth with a hard kiss. I whimpered at the force but was distracted by the shirt I was lifting off him. Ridge pulled back a bit, lifting his arms for me to yank the shirt off him completely.

My mind was on overdrive and I needed him. I needed him so badly! I didn't care who would hear me or see! I just wanted Ridge to ease this fire he erupted inside me.

I let my fingers graze down the hard pectorals towards the just as hard abdomen belonging to this delicious male. My hands came back up, wrapping my hands around the back of his neck and rested my forehead against his as Ridge's green eyes stared into my brown ones. When he rolled his hips against mine, I gasped, my eyebrows quirked up. Ridge growled, his green hue disappearing behind the gold of his wolf as I melted in his heated gaze. He leaned in again and I matched his fervor of our desperate kiss. The taste was intoxicating and my fingers raked through his hair again.

"Gianna..." Ridge whispered against my lips, his eyes shut.

I'm not sure what it was. I don't know what it was that pulled me out of the haze. Perhaps something in the back of my mind wanted to remind me of the heartache I felt that night Ridge slept with Molly. It was what had been brought forward in my mind and I immediately pulled back.

Ridge opened his eyes, his eyebrows furrowed as he stared at me. He swallowed, panting and must have started to pull himself out of the haze too. I stared at him, eyes widening then lowered my gaze to our compromising position. Frowning, I felt my face burn and quickly pushed against his shoulders for him to let me down. There seemed to be hesitation on his end but he slowly set me back on my feet.

Embarrassed at how I behaved, I turned away, my back to Ridge and tucked my hair behind my ears. Biting my lip, I squeezed my eyes shut as while mentally scolding myself for what I just did. We shouldn't have done that! Ridge wasn't in love me! He was in love with Molly! He was in a relationship with her! He—he didn't want me! He couldn't! To make things worse, I kissed him back! I let him touch me so intimately and he was with someone!

The numbing sensation started to seep through my veins. My realization that this was just the 'pull' Ridge and I felt because of what we were to each other. True Mates that I knew we were but Ridge believed he'd already experienced with Molly. Did this mean he'd see it? That he'd realize that what he had with Molly was farce? Because of the long years of separation, our wolves' connection was trying to break through. I know it was because then why would Ridge and I act so primal towards one another?

But despite how much I believe what we are to one another, Ridge didn't. He'd been made to believe, somehow, that Molly was his True Mate and I was just some wrench the Spirit World threw into his life.

Swallowing hard, my chin trembled and I took a deep breath before I sniffled, shaking my head with a shaky, "You should go..."

The room was quiet and I didn't want to turn around. I couldn't after feeling so guilty of kissing my mate who was with someone else. I'm sure he would feel the same once the haze lifted.

"Gianna..." he spoke so quietly.

I shook my head, smiling weakly as I turned around. My head tilted a bit, shrugging a shoulder as I crossed my arms. "It's—it's fine... I'm fine, okay? This never happened. You don't have to worry about me saying anything..."

The look Ridge was giving me was unreadable. He was quite good at masking his emotions for most things and this time wasn't any different. I was just hoping I wouldn't start crying in front of him. I didn't want him feeling bad for me. That would only make me feel so much worse.

I turned away again, lowering my head and used the back of my hand to wipe my cheek as a traitor tear slipped down anyway. There was more silence between us before hearing the footsteps heading my way and then feeling his hands on the sides of my arms. Immediately, I stepped away from him, not turning around.

Shaking my head, I whispered, "Please... Please, Ridge. Just go."

I can't believe I let myself lose control like that. It only made me feel worse about not being the one Ridge wanted. I let myself get used.

"Gianna... I—I'm sorry. I don't know what happ—"

Turning with a teary eyed glare, I grit my teeth and growled at Ridge that I asked him to leave. He stared at me, eyebrows pinching together. His jaw clenched tightly, his fists curling at his sides. I could tell he wanted to say something but it wasn't what he actually said instead.

"Fine. I'll go. I just—just came here to apologize about how Molly approached you today. It was uncalled for and I..." Ridge swallowed hard. "I'm just sorry about everything."

A small fire was lighting me up again. And not the good one I felt earlier. This one was agitation. My jaw locked at his apology, my eyebrows furrowing as I tried to ignore the tug of my heart strings in hoping that Ridge would have said something better like he was changing his mind. So much disappointment in one day, dammit.

I stuck my chin up despite my hurt look and tearing eyes. I shrugged, "Apology accepted." then nodded towards the window. "Now get out."

Ridge narrowed his eyes. He took a step towards me, forcing himself to stop and take some steps back instead. Ridge shook his head and ran his fingers through the front of his dark hair. He groaned while clutching his head again, a headache, I assumed. This time I remained where I was because I didn't want to get caught in another heated moment again if I got too close.

When the headache seemed to ebb, Ridge straightened and sighed, frowning at the tree on my wall again. His attention focused on it, his features softening as he spoke so low that I wouldn't have heard him if I didn't have enhanced hearing. Ridge's shoulders slumped.

"I don't know what to do..."

My mind was still semi-fuzzy from that hot moment we shared but I didn't want to think about that. I'd only work myself up again and I didn't want to give Ridge a reason to hate me, if he didn't already.

I crossed my arms, tightening them and turned my attention to my tree. I stared at it, feeling a sense of calm from it. Taking in a small breath, I directed to Ridge my promise of keeping what happened today between us. Ridge didn't say anything. He just stood there before taking slow steps to go over and pick up his shirt. He was pulling it on, turning to face me. I could feel his stare again.

"I wish things were different..." Ridge spoke finally. His voice soft, almost whispering. "But I can't hurt Molly like that."

My tearful gaze switched to the Beta, my lip trembling because I wanted to tell him then and there that what he felt for Molly was manipulated. Had been since he was thirteen. But he wouldn't believe me. Why would the love of his life do something like that to him, he'd think. And to him, I came after the one he believes is his True Mate. Even if it hurt me... I couldn't hurt him.

I weakly grinned, "They're not. Never will be, Ridge. And... and that's okay."

I turned away from him, tucking my hair behind my ear and left my bedroom. His gaze still followed me even as I was shutting the door. Even though I fought hard to not look at him... I gave in. Our eyes locked and I sighed under my breath before shutting the door on him for good.

.დ.❧

"He did what?!"

I sniffled, sobbing again as I buried my head into my arms resting on my pulled up legs. My body shook with the trembles of having let myself get lost in Ridge as I did those days ago.

I had managed to avoid him at all costs. I screamed into my pillow as Cece held me tight whenever I felt him and Molly together. At this point, it felt like they were doing it on purpose though they weren't screwing as often as I thought they would just so Molly could get back at me. Did Ridge start getting a conscience of what their being together was doing to me? That had to be why, right?

My sister kept telling me that she was really worried for me. That my self-isolation and the painful moments she had to bear with me wasn't healthy. Cece encouraged the need for me to make a decision about maybe accepting the rejection. I'd thought about this and even if I did accept the rejection, I'd still have lingering aches. It wouldn't be as severe as now but the ache would eventually fade away completely. Years from now.

"Gigi. Gigi, look at me!" Eden frowned.

Cece tried to shush her, defending to give me a moment.

We were at the creek since it was my day off from the shop and I was glad since I ran into Molly a few times there ever since she found out that I worked there.

Molly kept coming in with a group of girls from the pack—her new friends, I guess—and shopping around while smiling at me if I'd "be a Dear and ring these things up" for her. And the few times she'd bring Ridge along with her, I would purposely switch spots with Cindra— the woman who hired me—so that I could stay in the back and stock without being interrupted.

I was so stupid to let that moment of weakness happen. The root of the problem was that I was still attached to him. The instinctual pull between us wasn't helping matters either. That first kiss after the Recognition set off a chain reaction and I was, unfortunately, paying for it now because I was alone and had no one while Ridge and Molly had one another.

Alpha Beaumont had even announced at another meeting about his son and Molly being engaged. Not that I didn't already know, but still. To see everyone so happy for them while I was the only one who felt such heartache about it, was devastating. Those spared glances from Ridge even as he stood beside his parents on the stage were just spurts of hope. My mind wanting for those glances to mean something for me. But they weren't. They never would.

I sniffled, looking up at the creek as I shook my head that it was my fault. That had I pulled away when I could then Ridge and I wouldn't have done what we did. My sister and friend were trying to convince me that it was natural for us Werewolves to be that way with each other because Ridge was my mate. My True Mate.

"We might be mates but I'm not the fiancée!" I shouted irritably. "I'm just the other woman! Not even really that because that was the last time that he'd ever come around to touch me again!"

Disgusted with myself, I scoffed, "And what's even worse about this whole situation is that I'd let myself get caught up again if Ridge asked me to!"

Cece sighed, pulling me into a hug and I cried again. That's all Ridge was good for; making me cry. I wanted for him to love me and instead he was hurting me. Biting my lip, I shook my head that there was no way that I could come up from this. That I was just going to have to accept the rejection or I'd die.

My sister scowled, taking my face in her hands and leaned towards me with her eyebrows raised. "Excuse me, little sister, but there is no way that I will let you die over that asshole! I'd kill him myself—future alpha or not—if it ever came to you taking your own life, Gigi. But I know you won't... you know why?"

I shook my head.

"Because you are the one with the kind soul. The one who is so selfless to leave everyone behind in so much pain even though you wouldn't be."

I tilted my head, nodding as I sobbed and Cece hugged me again. My sister was right. I'd be selfish to leave my family behind wondering why I would take my own life and if there was any way they could have helped me. That was selfish in itself and I wasn't the type to be that way.

When I sat back, Eden offered a small smile at me and asked if I was still up for going into town for the candy she promised me. I swallowed, nodding that I was, as long as Cece would come with us. My sister looked surprised at my invitation and then she smiled widely that she'd love to. Cece frowned that most likely Wade would have to tag along too.

"Really?" Eden's eyebrows rose, grinning at me as I rolled my eyes and then had to explain to Cece that Eden had a longtime crush on our brother.

My sister laughed and told Eden that she wished her luck with Wade who was pretty clueless. I lightly slapped at my sister's arm, frowning for her to not encourage Eden's sickness. I pointed out who knows what kinds of things Eden wanted to do to Wade behind closed doors.

Cece laughed again but this time Eden said my name sternly. I grinned at her. It was somehow easy for them to distract me from my rejection problem, which I was delighted for, because I wasn't sure how much more I could endure.

Our laughter simmered hearing the baritone chime of the bell from the tall tower in the middle of our gated community. All of us went wide-eyed and looked at one another before turning in the direction of the echoed bell. It was a way to alert the pack there were visitors at our gates and the alpha was requesting us to gather. In the bell tower, there was also a siren which was only used to warn of invaders but that was never used. At least not as long as I've lived in Carmel.

Pushing myself to my feet, I sprinted towards the bell.

"Gigi! Wait! Wait for us!"

I kept running, the loud echoed bell chime getting louder as I got closer towards the steeper part of the forest that overlooked the pack. It was a well-hidden space and nearest to the gates. Eventually, as I got to the hiding spot, my sister and Eden caught up. They were out of breath, as was I, but I was more intrigued by our pack members rushing towards the entrance of the gates with the Alpha and his family at the front.

I quickly led the way to the small ledge and gestured for them to lie down with me. We wedged our way between the bushes, lying underneath but could see clearly enough of the front gates. Our alpha was coming to a halt behind the iron gates.

The man on the other side of our secured home had a whole group with him. There were about thirty of them and all were wearing the same stoic looks as the man in the front who I assumed was their Alpha. My eyes shifted beside him and suddenly widened when I saw the blond man that had chased after me!

I whispered Eden's name, pointing him out and Eden told my sister about him. Cece gulped, her eyes wide before shifting uncomfortably. I asked her what was wrong and Cece muttered that lying here was not very comfortable. That it was not as comfy as I made it seem.

Looking back down below, the Alpha belonging to the new group raised his voice as he greeted, "I see your ways of greeting guests has not changed, Darren! Surely, you don't think it polite to just leave an alpha and his pack members out in open territory."

Our alpha narrowed his eyes, retorting back, "That would be correct, Hannibal. My greeting to my guests has not changed but you come here uninvited. And let me remind you that Carmel is my territory. Not open."

Alpha Hannibal chuckled, looking at the blond man beside him before the alpha grinned back at Alpha Beaumont.

"Well then... let me inform you of my business and perhaps then... you and I can sit down and discuss the matter at hand." He looked at our pack members and spoke a bit louder, but directed this towards Alpha Beaumont. "It has come to my attention, some days ago, that among one of your pack is a Quail wolf!"

My eyes widened under furrowed brows and the rest of my pack gasped. They began to murmur. Alpha Beaumont frowned, looking away from his disturbed pack members and back to the other alpha on the other side of the gates.

"You are mistaken, Hannibal. No Quail wolf lives here. Such a wolf does not exist. Has not for centuries."

"But that is where you stand partially corrected, Alpha Beaumont," the blond man who chased me cut in, stepping forward. He explained that he had a run in with the Quail wolf just a few days ago and that it was actually a she-wolf.

The crowd again murmured and I gulped, looking away as I tried to catch my breath. Biting my lip, I pondered what this could mean for me now. If they found me out.

Our alpha narrowed his eyes, growling at the blond man and looked back at Alpha Hannibal who was smirking with a raised eyebrow.

"I assume you will be letting us in then?" he teased before our alpha shouted, "Open the gates!"

Alpha Beaumont turned his back, the crowd parting like the sea as he and his family led the way back up the roads to his home. The newcomers were looking around, taking in the pack members and their new surroundings as they followed behind their alpha.

I stood up then, running back to the clearing with the girls behind me. My eyes scanned the crowd until I found my parents with my brothers. I rushed over, shouting, "Dad! Mom!"

They both turned, wide eyed and looked around before coming over to take me by the arm and rushed me home. We got inside with Eden in tow and Dad locked the door before checking the curtained window. He looked back at me, his aging face filled with worried lines.

Looking at my parents, I asked them what was going to happen now.

Cody, having been informed only two nights ago about my secret, frowned as he growled out that the others would only touch me over his dead body. He curled his fists and glared at the front door. I appreciated the support and I gave him a small smile which Cody returned with a crooked grin and raised eyebrows.

"Now's not the time for thinking such a way, Cody," Mom scolded, looking at Dad with a sigh. "She's going to be found out, Angus. We have to hide her."

I frowned, looking between the two while Dad nodded as he scratched at his chin. He bit his lip, narrowing his eyes at the ground as he paced. He mumbled to us that it was possible to send me out of town to live for a short period of time.

"For the time being at least," Dad pondered out loud. His eyebrows pinched together as he was still rubbing his chin. "It could prevent Gianna being found out while the search for the Quail wolf takes place. She won't actually be here."

I stood up, scowling with my hands up defensively. "Whoa! Hold on! I am not leaving!"

Dad frowned at me, his brown eyes narrowed as he let me know that if the decision came down to it that I was going to comply whether I wanted to or not. He reminded me that I had to remember this was about my safety.

When I tried to argue that I wanted to be with them, not all alone in some strange place, Dad bellowed that he was not going to let his daughter get killed! I blinked, my eyebrows dipping while Dad shut his eyes and let out a slow breath. Everyone else tensed at his outburst then felt uncomfortable when Dad opened his eyes, now tearing up.

Mom got up to comfort him as he hoarsely whispered, "I can't lose you, Button. You're my baby girl... and I would rather die than see them take your life because of you being a little different."

The realization that this was finally real... that my secret I'd harbored for so many years was close to being exposed to everyone, hit home for me. It was making my dad; the man I saw as so strong all the time, get so emotionally stressed.

I walked over, wrapping my arms around his middle and breathed in his familiar scent. Dad enveloped me in his arms, weeping into my hair as he whispered that he loved me too much to not give me every, and any, chance I could to be kept safe. I pulled back a little, lowering an eyebrow as I stared up at my dad.

"I love you too, Dad. But I need you to understand that I'm not a little girl anymore. I have you guys to protect now just as I promised all those years ago... remember?"

When I could see him returning back to those years ago, Dad's eyes shined more tears and nodded. He kissed my forehead and laughed lightly that he knew there was something about me Dad would never understand how wonderful I was.

I grinned, kissing his cheek before looking at Wade who had been standing at the window, on watch. He was still peering through the side curtain when he muttered, "Uh, Dad...?"

Wade looked at us, frowning, "The alpha's coming."