Chapter 18: #18 Forest Surprise

Ryder's P.O.V

"Hey." I wrapped my arms around my mate's slender neck, kissing the top of her head. "Hey. What are
you doing here?" She smiled, turning around to give me a quick peck on the lips. "Cleared my
schedules. I'm taking the day off." I grinned and slid onto the couch beside her.

God, I wanted to kiss her so much... but the redheaded, Clover was sitting on another couch, looking at
us. And I don't think she'll appreciate PDA.

"God... Just kiss already... You guys are eyeing each other like you guys are pieces of meat. And guess
what, I haven't missed the lust in the Alpha's eyes. Just get on with it." Clover said exasperated. Sapph
blushed while I smirked. Ain't that a nice way to start a conversation. "No thanks. I'll do that later." I
gave my mate a heated look which reminded me of last nights kiss. The way she blushed harder
confirmed my suspicion of her having the same thoughts.

"I guess I'll have to leave because of the sexual tension." Clover sighed dramatically. "Hey! I thought I
was going to train you today." Sapphire protested. "Nope. Go have fun with lover boy. I'll see you later."
She grinned. Sapphire frowned, making wrinkles form on her forehead. "Don't do that. You'll get
wrinkles on your pretty skin." I muttered, kissing her on the cheek. She immediately stopped frowning.
Clover winked at me before skipping out. Yes, skipping. That girl has an undeniable energy in her.

I admit. I told her about my day off and that I wanted to spend it with Sapphire.

"Looks like my plans are cancled." Sapph grumbled, giving me a glare. I laughed and pecked her soft
lips. She grumbled under her breath. "Don't pretend you aren't thrilled at the thought of me having a
day off." I scoffed. She put on a thoughtful look and said, "no. No, I am not." "Fine." I huffed, crossing
my arms. I don't care if I was acting like a child. Who can blame me? My mate, whom I cleared my
schedule up for, was disappointed because her friends left and She's stuck with me. "I'm kidding." She
grinned and wrapped her arms around my neck.



Her hands felt skinny against my skin. It's almost like she never ate. It's true. I haven't seen her eat a
decent meal since she got here. She keeps telling me that she ate snacks here and there.

"You need to eat more. You're too skinny. I like you for who you are." It flew out of my mouth before I
could process it. She tensed against my body, her smile fading. She looked almost... lost.

I internally punched myself for ruining the mood as tension filled the air.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything." I apologized. "No. It's okay... it's just... it means a lot to me..."
she chocked as tears began to fill her eyes. I smiled and wiped away the tear that rolled down her
cheek. She must be thinking about the life she desperately got rid off. The bullying and all the rejection
she got from the people around her. I smiled and kissed her. It soon became heated and I pinned her
down on the couch and kissed her hungrily, letting her feel how much she means to me. She hugged
me tightly as she pulled away for air.

"I want to bring you somewhere." I whispered into her ear, making her shudder. I smirked in triumph at
the reaction I got. She nodded and hid her face in my chest as her tears slowly stopped.

Sapphire's P.O.V

"Where are we going?" I whined. I don't know why, but this guy has the ability to make me whine or
giggle, like a girl. I'm a girl, I know that. But I was never one of those whiny girls.

"Shut up, Sapph. This is the third time you whined in a minute." Ryder grumbled, directing me with with
his hands that was on my shoulders. "You can't blame me. I'm blindfolded and walking through the
woods." I protested. I blame everything on my curiosity. "Oh please. We both know that you enjoy it."
Ryder said. I could almost hear the smirk in his voice. "Yeah, of course I do, I mean... What's there to
not like about the wet ground that's wetting my Converse." I said sarcastically. He huffed and continued
continued to navigate through the woods.



"Ryder..." I whined and he ignored me. Gwen fidgeting in excitement didn't help at all. Where is he
bringing us? A picnic? Gwen asked. Shut up, I growled at her. Gwen continued yo pester me while
Ryder took his time torturing my feet,making me occasionally stumble on rocks and sticks.

Suddenly, I couldn't feel his hands anymore. "Ryder?" I called. Two arms snakes around my waist.
"Take off the blindfold." His warm breath fanned my ear. I let out an involuntarily sigh. I fumbled with the
blindfold, successfully taking it off. I looked around. It was the woods. There was a blue picnic blanket
on the ground, away from the rocks. But there wasn't any picnic basket. It was also almost getting dark.
What are we doing here?

"What are we doing here? To kill me?" I asked jokingly. Although fear with feeling my heart. Did he find
out? Is he going to kill me?

"No. It's a surprise." He flashed me his blinding smile. I raised an eyebrow in question. We laid down on
the blanket, with me in his arms. I felt safe. I snuggled to the side of his body. "Hey, we'll keep the
snuggling for later, okay?" He said, stroking my blonde hair. I grumbled into his side and pressed
myself against him even more. "Come on. Look up... Or I would have done this for nothing." He
laughed, planting a kiss on the top of my head. I grumbled but obliged and looked up. All I could see
was the leaves of the trees. "What?" I grumbled.

"Okay. Now. Look." Ryder said excitedly. I looked up and gasped.

The sun was already going into hiding. The orange light coming through the leaves. But here was a
shape in the leaves. The orange light made those alphabets clearer. And it said, R love S.

"It's beautiful.' I whispered. "I found it before I met you. I guess it was a hint." He said as he continued
to stroke my hair. "Thank you. It's lovely." I smiled up at him. He grinned at me. The happiness on his
face made him look like a free little boy. My heart wrenched in guilt. I was going to leave before the



Changing. I made the decision earlier. I couldn't endanger anyone, especially my mate.... I'm sorry,
Ryder.

We watch till the light totally disappeared and the air turned chilly. "Come on, it's getting cold." Ryder
mumbled, sitting up. I grabbed his hand, pleading him with my eyes. I wanted to stay. I don't have much
time with him. I want to make up as much memories with him that could anchor me to the life when I
left him. I at least needed a part of him when I'm alone. "It's getting chilly." He furrowed his eyebrows.
"I'll be fine as long as you're here." I whispered. He thought for a while and obliged. He laid back down
and wrapped me with his muscular arms. His body heat warming me. I snuggled into his arms, hiding
my face from him, afraid that he'll notice the tears that were threatening to fall. "Thank you, Ryder." I
whispered to him softly. If he heard, he didn't give any comment.

I love you, I added silently.


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