My Second Chance
#18 Forest Surprise

Ryder's P.O.V

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

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

"God... Just kiss already... You guys are eyeing each other like you guysare pieces of meat. And guess what, I haven't missed the lust in theAlpha's eyes. Just get on with it." Clover said exasperated. Sapphblushed 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 whichreminded me of last nights kiss. The way she blushed harder confirmedmy suspicion of her having the same thoughts.

"I guess I'll have to leave because of the sexual tension.” Clover sigheddramatically. "Hey! I thought I was going to train you today." Sapphireprotested. "Nope. Go have fun with lover boy. I'll see you later." Shegrinned. 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. Cloverwinked at me before skipping out. Yes, skipping. That girl has anundeniable energy in her.

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

"Looks like my plans are cancled.” Sapph grumbled, giving me a glare. Ilaughed and pecked her soft lips. She grumbled under her breath."Don't pretend you aren't thrilled at the thought of me having a dayoff." I scoffed. She put on a thoughtful look and said, "no. No, I amnot." "Fine." I huffed, crossing my arms. I don't care if I was acting like achild. Who can blame me? My mate, whom I cleared my schedule upfor, 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'strue. I haven't seen her eat a decent meal since she got here. She keepstelling me that she ate snacks here and there.

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

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

"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 hereyes. I smiled and wiped away the tear that rolled down her cheek. Shemust be thinking about the life she desperately got rid off. The bullyingand all the rejection she got from the people around her. I smiled andkissed her. It soon became heated and I pinned her down on the couchand 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 hershudder. I smirked in triumph at the reaction I got. She nodded and hidher 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 theability to make me whine or giggle, like a girl. I'm a girl, I know that. ButI was never one of those whiny girls.

"Shut up, Sapph. This is the third time you whined in a minute.” Rydergrumbled, 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 bothknow that you enjoy it." Ryder said. I could almost hear the smirk in hisvoice. "Yeah, of course I do, I mean... What's there to not like about thewet ground that's wetting my Converse." I said sarcastically. He huffedand continued continued to navigate through the woods.

"Ryder..." I whined and he ignored me. Gwen fidgeting in excitementdidn't help at all. Where is he bringing us? A picnic? Gwen asked. Shutup, I growled at her. Gwen continued yo pester me while Ryder took histime torturing my feet, making me occasionally stumble on rocks andsticks.

Suddenly, I couldn't feel his hands anymore. "Ryder?" I called. Two armssnakes around my waist. "Take off the blindfold." His warm breathfanned my ear. I let out an involuntarily sigh. I fumbled with theblindfold, 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 fearwith feeling my heart. Did he replace out? Is he going to kill me?

"No. It's a surprise." He flashed me his blinding smile. I raised aneyebrow 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 thesnuggling for later, okay?" He said, stroking my blonde hair. I grumbledinto his side and pressed myself against him even more. "Come on.Look up... Or I would have done this for nothing." He laughed, plantinga kiss on the top of my head. I grumbled but obliged and looked up. AllI 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 comingthrough the leaves. But here was a shape in the leaves. The orange lightmade 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 ahint." 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 madehim look like a free little boy. My heart wrenched in guilt. I was going toleave before the Changing. I made the decision earlier. I couldn'tendanger 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 hishand, pleading him with my eyes. I wanted to stay. I don't have muchtime with him. I want to make up as much memories with him thatcould anchor me to the life when I left him. I at least needed a part ofhim when I'm alone. "It's getting chilly." He furrowed his eyebrows. "I'llbe fine as long as you're here." I whispered. He thought for a while andobliged. He laid back down and wrapped me with his muscular arms.His body heat warming me. I snuggled into his arms, hiding my facefrom 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 giveany comment.

I love you, I added silently.