"Probably more like passionately obsessed," - Kei Valancia

~~~~~~~~~~

I watched Ryker's back as he worked, noticing how his parents were nowhere to be seen.

"Next time, it would be wise if you didn't talk to the dead without warning." Rei managed to chide and make me sound like an idiot with the tone of her voice. An amazing skill I tell you.

"Yes well. I'll keep that in mind for next time," I retorted. After that though, my thoughts wandered somewhere else.

I could still hear Dumpy's words rolling around in my head, like an excited puppy that wouldn't calm down.

"My name is Zoltan." He had looked at me with earnest in his eyes, and an undertone of threat.

I looked at him with pursed lips. "That's sexy?" He rolled his eyes and sighed, looking off to his right where I could feel Ryker's presence recede. I smiled faintly as I felt him follow my abrupt request, feeling the tinge of fear that he had a moment before.

"This is a warning."

I could practically feel his urgent gaze on me, the weight of what he had told me shackling me to the ground beneath me. The information he shared was something that was not to be spoken out loud if I didn't want to risk Ryker's life in the process.

"Ugh, he just had to tell me." I groaned inwardly and closed my eyes, suddenly becoming tired.

"But you know we can use it to our advantage." This time, as Rei spoke, she was more subdued.

I felt my whole body tighten, clenching my teeth with ground breaking pressure.

"Do you really want to risk it? Even if it would hurt Ryker?" She didn't reply for several seconds, feeling her turmoil.

"We'll find a loophole. We always do," she spoke with a confidence that was as fake as a spray tan.

"Well, for all of our sakes, I hope we do." We didn't speak after that and I tried to move on to less important matters. Like, seeing the dead for example. Witnessing ghosts was just another thing to add to my list of things to push under the bed until it starts to stink. Easy.

"That's a long name for a list," Rei couldn't help but butt in her input.

"But it's true," I huffed quietly and rested my chin on my palm. "Maybe not the brightest idea but we just came back from the dead. I want one day where I don't have to think."

She scoffed at my naivety. "Whatever you say."

Rolling my eyes, I poured silently. "Alright, you pessimistic old woman. Do you have anything better to do?"

She wasn't able to answer in time as Ryker set a plate full of cheese omelet and crispy golden bacon right in front of my nose. With my eyes still closed, I inhaled deeply as the aroma of food fluttered up to my nose like an eager butterfly.

"Now that," I say opening my eyes, "is what I call heaven."

Ryker stood on the other side of the bar, a faint smile teasing the corners up.

"Ironic since you were there not only but a few hours ago." I scoffed and grinned wickedly at him.

"Who said that I ever went to heaven?" He caught the same mischievous glint in his eyes as he gave me a matching smirk.

"Pardon my mistake. I forget that devil horns would look so much hotter on you." He gave me a flirty wink and I threw my head back and laughed. I laughed and laughed until my side was in stitches and tears fell down my cheeks.

I laughed because I could. Because I wanted to.

And because I had missed my mate.

Suddenly, I felt his hand meet the side of my cheek tenderly, his fingers brushing lightly against my skin.

I calmed and looked into his dark eyes. His dark lashes were lowered as he looked down at me, the counter between us doing nothing to distance the connection that we had.

"I've missed that so much. You can't even imagine," he muttered so sadly, it made my heart tug painfully in my chest.

As his words washed over me, I could imagine. The way the sadness dripped from his words like icy water, freezing my heart to the point it would crack. Standing, I walked around the counter and to his side.

He watched me with somber eyes, his mouth flirting downward. I tried to smile but it appeared more broken rather than comforting.

"I'm sorry," I murmured quietly. I took his hand and put his palm flat on my chest, right over my hummingbird heartbeat. I stared up right into his eyes, his darkness the light in my shadowed world.

"Feel this, and know that it was meant for you, and you only. King, this beat is only possible because you were my reason to find the rhythm again." I lifted his palm up to my lips, kissing individual finger sweetly. "Your touch is the only thing that makes me get withdraws whenever you're gone; your smile makes a family of butterflies take residence in my stomach, and your eyes..." I paused and gazed up at him, a soft smile on my lips as I caught the look of utter adoration and awe on his face.

"Your eyes remind me of a pitch black night with no moon in sight. But they don't terrify me, instead, they still twinkle with stars that make the black all that more beautiful. You're my beautiful darkness that gives color to my world."

I closed my eyes and pressed a feather-light kiss to his palm.

Every word I said I meant, even if it did get cheesy in some moments. But I couldn't help it-he brought the girly out of me.

"I love you, Ryker Dare." As I said his name, I looked up at him and I was surprised to see his dark eyes mist over.

"Goddess, how did I survive so long without you?" he said before yanking me closer and kissing me like a man who got a taste of a drug that he instantly got addicted to. It warmed me up to know that I was that said drug.

Weird, but boosted the old ego nonetheless.

It didn't take a rocket scientist to know that I responded with as much intensity, maybe even more.

His large hands got entangled with the strands of my hair, and I did the same to him. I had missed the feeling of his soft, thick locks of hair between the spaces of my fingers, the way the dark strands felt so smooth on my skin.

"I love you," he said in between kisses. "I love you so damn much." I smiled against his lips, the warmth of his words spreading through my veins and filling every atom of my body with it.

"I love you too."

I won't be embarrassed to say that we had unabashedly made out on the bar for another twenty minutes. Probably giving an amazing show to any of those who dared enter the kitchen.

Sadly, our time had to end as I heard someone clearing their throat. We pulled away from each other reluctantly. Ryker slower than me but he managed to look up and glare at the man responsible.

With dirty blonde hair gelled to perfection, and glittering dark brown eyes staring at the both of us humorously.

"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Alpha, but you have a meeting that is in need of attention." In response, he growled lowly in annoyance before grumbling something incoherent underneath his breath.

"Tell him to go away," he said with a grunt, burying his nose into my neck.

Ah, there it is. I kind of missed his weird obsession to sniff.

Patting his head like a small child, I knew that he didn't want to leave my side for a single second. But I knew that he couldn't stop his whole day just to babysit me. Even though that idea sounded so enticing.

"Now King, this is not the time to procrastinate. Go do whatever you need to do. I'll be fine by myself for a little while." My words struck something inside him as he stiffened. Furrowing my brow, I looked at him questioningly as he looked up with deep anguish.

"Don't you remember what happened the last time I left you alone?" he asked in a low tone, the deep words full of guilt.

"I won't be alone this time, Clarky here will watch over me." I heard a sharp intake of breath and a choked chuckle, but I didn't look up. Instead, I focused all my attention on the man that was scared to lose me again.

I cupped his face in between the palm of my hands, brushing my thumb on his cheek bone delicately. To make it more convincing, I smiled confidently.

He didn't respond for a quiet minute, instead only staring at my face with an intensity that would have been uncomfortable if it were anybody else. But I simply met his eyes steadily, not breaking eye contact.

Finally, he let out a long sigh before nodding, his face still between my hands.

"All right, fine. But if you see anything, hear anything suspicious, you'll tell me. Are we clear?" I straightened my back as he stood to his full height, giving a mock salute to him.

"Yessir." Rolling eyes at me, he bent down to give me one last lingering kiss before leaving me breathless.

"Be good, please. Don't make Clark run around trying to find you."

"I promise. Now go and do your boring job." He groaned and sneakily gave me one more peck before finally leaving.

"Clark, if anything happens, you already know the consequences." Ryker stared down his beta with hard eyes, Clark meeting his gaze unflinchingly.

"I know, Alpha. Her life comes before mine in any circumstances." With a few more minutes of manly stare down, Ryker nodded, seemingly satisfied with his answer.

He gave me one last tender look before disappearing completely.

Once he disappeared, I sagged into the bar stool with a sigh, already missing him like some pubescent teen.

"I need to get a life," I muttered. "Wait, I never had one to begin with so I guess it doesn't matter." A chuckle made me look over to see both Clark and a beautiful young woman standing by the door while staring at me in amusement.

"Yo, Clark. How've things been since I last saw you?" He smiled warmly, his eyes brightening.

"I've been doing good. How about you, did death treat you well?" he asked. I laughed and shook my head.

"You have no idea, Clark." I glanced at the beautiful woman standing beside him, her dark brown hair up in a high ponytail showing off her slender features with her skin a golden tan. She caught me staring and smiled at me kindly.

"Hello, it's nice to finally meet you." She walked over and held out her hand. I smiled back and took it firmly.

"I would say likewise but I don't seem to know who you are." She laughed and we let go.

"Sorry. I'm Adeline Davis, Clark's mate and wife." I cocked my head to the side and saw Clark giving Adeline an adoring look.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Adeline. I'm guessing you already know my name?" I ask.

"Of course. Everybody knows of the woman who challenged the Alpha King and won." I groaned as I recalled that time, my cocky self such an ass.

"He let me win," I muttered which caused the two to laugh at me.

"He probably did because he didn't want to hurt you," Clark offered.

"Yeah, I figured from the beginning. He's such a gentleman," I said it as if it was a bad thing but really, it made my soul lighter to know that I had such an amazing mate. "But, I guess that's what makes him such a wonderful alpha."

Clark smiled gently and nodded. "Yes, he is."

"Is this your breakfast?" Adeline gestures to the uneaten food and I nodded.

"Yeah, but I guess I've let it go cold." I licked my lips and made a move to warm it up in the microwave but she had already beat me to it, picking the plate up and making her way to the microwave.

"No worries, once you get your stomach full, I would like you to meet some of my girlfriends." I quirked a brow at Clark but he simply sent me a look that said to just go with it. Shrugging, I stayed silent until my food was warmed back up and I dug in, too busy shoveling food in my mouth to make any conversation.

It seemed like it had been forever since I had food, and my stomach would agree.

Once I polished the plate of any crumb, I smiled in satisfaction.

"I can honestly say that that was the best thing ever." I sighed happily and rubbed my stomach, making the two laugh. "Now, who are these 'girlfriends' that you mentioned." Adeline's whole face brightened as she smiled widely.

Standing, she took my plate once again and placed it in the sink and walked back over. I, along with Clark, stood as well. However, she surprised me by linking her arm with mine.

"I think you'll like them. They are a pretty laid back bunch," Adeline said. "They'll make sure to make you feel comfortable."

"Well, Goddess only knows I could use some more friends," I commented. She only laughed in return and I was soon pulled into winding halls.

From what I could see, the house was old in a modern way. With dark cherry wood glistening brightly against the crystal lamps on the walls, with antique looking paintings that made my fingers itch to feel their texture, it gave off an atmosphere of old sophistication, yet still kept the homey feeling intact.

I noticed that we didn't meet anybody in the halls but I couldn't think too much of it, as Adeline pulled me into what seemed like the game room, a large TV hanging on the wall with a black box sitting underneath on a table, cords connecting the box to the TV.

Off to the right, a weird wooden table with green fuzz on the surface gleamed underneath the light hanging overhead, noticing black little holes in the corners and in the middle sides.

Strangely shaped spherical chairs were in various places in the room and I was mystified as to what all of the technology was.

Looking once more towards the TV where I heard shouting, a black sort of machine was shooting towards the people on the screen, killing the enemies on there quickly.

"What is that?" I pointed to the black box. I noticed four other women staring at the screen with rapt attention and didn't seem to hear my question.

"What's what?" Adeline answered back.

"What's that black box thingy?" Adeline gave me a weird look.

"You've never heard of an Xbox?" I shrugged.

"I've heard of them but I've never played on one nor have I seen one," I walked over and stood by the couch that the women sat, one of them yelling abruptly.

"What the hell Carrie?! That was such a cheap shot."

"Oh? I didn't hear you complaining when you used that same exact move on me five minutes ago." A woman with red hair retorted.

"I didn't do it. Sara did," the first woman whined.

"No, you are not pinning the blame on me or I will blow your ass off of the map," who I assume was Sara that replied.

"She will do it," the fourth woman interjected, her blue-black hair up in a bun sitting on top of her head. What truly amazed me was how they carried out their conversation while keeping their eyes glued to the screen and killing people rather viciously.

They continued to bicker for a few more minutes before I saw Adeline walk in front of the screen, blocking their view.

A chorus of 'what the hell?' was simultaneous as someone managed to pause the game. Adeline ignored their angry protests and instead glared at all of them.

"I think you are all being extremely rude to your Luna who is in your presence." This got everyone's attention and they all directed their eyes on me.

"Yo." I smiled and gave a little wave. They all sat there for a moment, just staring.

"Ladies," Adeline snapped and they all jumped a little before standing.

"Luna," they said in synchronization.

They all bowed and I let out a small chuckle, feeling like Ryker for a moment.

"Not going to lie, that sounds weird," I said honestly. They all looked up at me with confused expressions.

"So you don't want us to call you Luna?" The woman with black hair asked.

"Ah, well it doesn't really matter but you can call me Kei if you prefer." They all stared at me dumbfounded before the woman with red hair pointed at me.

"I heard stories that she was a total bitch but she seems pretty chill," she said blatantly.

"Carrie!" Adeline sounded horrified and I couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"See, she even thinks it's funny." She defended herself, and for some odd reason, I found it funnier.

"Carrie, I am going to smother you in your sleep if you do not shut up," Adeline said through gritted teeth.

"Adeline, it's fine. Trust me, I've been called much worse," I smiled reassuringly at her before turning my attention back to the four women, knowing that the red head was Carrie.

They all seemed to tense up at my gaze and I grinned to ease their nerves.

"The rumors would be right; I was a total bitch. You should ask Ryker, he knows all about it." I winked and that got them to laugh.

"You know what? I was really hoping that our Luna wouldn't be a total drama queen and now I'm so happy it's you." Carrie did genuinely seem relieved.

"Well thank you. I'm glad that you think that but I also hope I don't screw up royally later."

"Ah well, everybody makes mistakes." The woman with the black hair added. I smiled at her and looked at all of their faces.

"I guess they should introduce themselves." Adeline nodded to the woman closest to her and she smiled at me warmly. Her chocolate eyes were welcoming and kind; her matching chocolate brown hair hanging loosely around her face in smooth waves.

She seemed to be the shortest in the group looking to be around 5"4' and dressed in some jean shorts and a black shirt that had a green looking frog that had the letters Y-O-S-H-I spelled on the bottom. Can't say I had any clue what or who Yoshi was but he seemed kinda adorable.

"I'm Kasey, and I'm the Call Of Duty queen."

"I think what Kasey meant was that she is second place to the real COD queen which would be me, Carrie Carmen. But my friends call me CiCi for short," Carrie interjected, her light green eyes bright and her hair a shocking red. Kasey stuck her tongue out and Carrie in return pulled it.

"While those two children fight, I would like to point out that I'm the grown-up one in this friendship, after Adeline of course. I'm Sara Vance, mated to Nathaniel."

Her hair was cut into a dark blonde bob, looking sleek and suited her features well with her slender nose and high cheekbones. Unlike Kasey, she appeared to be the tallest in the group.

"Yeah and she's so lovey-dovey with him. It's almost sickening sometimes," Kasey added from the floor where the two had begun wrestling.

"You know how the mate bond works," Sara retorted.

"We do but you still take it to the next level. I swear, one time her and Nathan were making a baby in the living room once with all of us in it. Like seriously, keep it in your pants." This was Carrie this time. Sara let out a growl and jumped on both of them, making them screech.

Adeline only shook her head in disappointment before I looked back at the last woman who had yet to introduce herself. She smiled and walked forward.

"I'm the calmer one, Noni Key. I'm also the youngest at the age of twenty but you wouldn't be able to tell with those other three," she teased and I saw Adeline nod.

"Believe it or not, Kasey is actually the oldest one out of all of us. At the ripe age of twenty-five, she still acts like a pubescent teen." Obviously hearing this Kasey untangled herself from the limbs and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I wouldn't say I was a pubescent teen. More like an overgrown sixteen-year-old," she puffed out her chest proudly.

Adeline scoffed.

"I've met sixteen-year-olds more mature than you." She huffed in response and sat back on the couch.

"So that's pretty much all of them. And as you can tell they are all obsessed with video games."

"Obsessed is such a strong word, Addy. More like passionate." Sara and Carrie also got up and sat on the couch in front of the TV.

"More like passionately obsessed," I mused out loud. They all stared at me in surprise before I heard Clark burst out in laughter. This time all of the attention was on him as we had forgotten that he was even there.

"Kei, you'll fit in great." He grinned and wrapped an arm around Adeline's shoulders.

"Passionately obsessed. Huh, I kind of like the sound of it," Noni said thoughtfully as she grabbed what I would guess was the controller from the coffee table and sitting beside the rest of the girls.

"Kei, I need you." Ryker's voice suddenly filtered through my mind, filling my thoughts.

"Don't worry King, I'll be there in a jiffy," I replied back chirpily.

"You better be," he growled teasingly. I smiled before focusing on the present.

"Talking to the big boss?" Kasey asked while they resumed the game.

"Yeah, and it seems my time here has been cut short."

"Come and play a game with us whenever you have the time," Noni offered.

"Actually, I've never played before," I say almost sheepishly. This got them to look up at me in surprise a second time, or was it the third?

"You've never played before?" Carrie seemed almost disbelieving.

"Well, I was blind for most of my life so I would be pretty useless as a teammate."

"You were blind?!" This time they all spoke out loud.

"Alright! That's all for today ladies but I must really get Kei on her way. Alpha Ryker really needs her company at this very moment so why don't you all continue playing your little game?" Clark grabbed my shoulders and swirled me around facing the door before pushing me.

"It was great to meet all of you and I will take up your offer for later!" I called over my shoulder.

"Hey, wait-" Clark shut the door, cutting them off in mid-sentence. However, he still didn't stop and instead urged me to keep going and so we were practically running down the hall until we had arrived at what I assumed was Ryker's office.

He leaned against the wall and let out a deep breath.

"We're lucky they were taken by surprise. Or else I wouldn't have been able to get you away from them all day," he smiled and straightened, brushing away invisible dirt off of his jeans. "Scares me just thinking about it."

"That bad, huh?" He looked almost haunted as he remembered.

"You have no idea," was his reply before he opened the door to reveal a rather angered looking Ryker and a calm Brad Hale.

Oh, how I missed the fun.