The Alpha's Mate Who Cried Wolf novel Chapter 17

"Astrid! You've come out," he says, kneeling before me, clutching my hands. Everyone is watching us. Ryker has been crying. He looks up at me with big puppy dog eyes, it's endearing, and I'm struggling to stay mad at him.

"Astrid, I never wanted Vanessa to be my mate or Luna. I'm twenty-two. The elders told me they would have to choose a mate for me because I hadn't found my fated mate yet," he explains.

"Why didn't you tell me that before?" I ask. 

"I tried, but you were upset and locked yourself in your room." He is looking down at the ground. I kneel on the floor, facing him. 

"I'm sorry. Had I known, I wouldn't have locked myself in my room. I'm feeling guilty.

"It's okay. You're out now. That's all that matters." He smiles, holding my face and patting my cheeks with his thumbs. 

"I spoke to Vanessa and told her the agreement was off. I never agreed to any of it. The elders put it all in place, even though I was against it. I know she has always had a crush on me, but I felt nothing for her," he explains.

"Vanessa will adjust to it in time," Hayley reassures me. I nod at Hayley. 

"How's your head?" He asks, both of us standing up. 

"My head feels fine now," I say. 

"Join us for dinner," Ryker says.

"I'm exhausted. I'd rather sleep for the night," I say. 

"You haven't eaten all day, though. Eat, and then you can go to bed," he says. I nod, and we sit at the table where Alice has placed assorted platters of food from which we can serve ourselves. 

Sitting down at the table, Vanessa walks in, smiling. She sits down at the table and scoops food onto an empty plate. My fork hasn't even reached my mouth yet. I freeze with her presence, and everyone feels awkward. 

"What is she doing here, eating dinner with us?" I ask Ryker. 

"Don't you know? I live in this packhouse too," Vanessa says with a sour look. My fork drops from my hand at her words and clutters noisily down onto my plate.

"You have got to be kidding me," I say. 

"When the elders arranged for her to be Luna, they expected her to live here," Ryker explains. 

"I'm here with Ryker now, Vanessa. You don't need to be here anymore," I smile.