The Lunas Second Chance Mate
Chapter 61

Dylan would be terrible at sneaking around. I had considered for a moment that he could go to Ryan, and I could hide myself and arrive another time, but that all seemed too complicated. Plus, since it was a secret that Dylan's stash of the herb was actually on Starstream territory, I asked Ryan to come over to my apartment for the meeting.

All the secrecy and sneaking around was becoming tiresome to me, especially after deciding to come out as Clan Clark someday. It was not the time to do so yet, but I could hardly wait for the time to come where Ryan and I would no longer hide our relationship. The only downside was my reservation to admit what that could mean for us.

Dylan was eating breakfast at my apartment even if he did not stay here. I joined him.

"When will Ryan get here?" He asked.

I shrugged, "Soon, I'd guess."

He rolled his eyes with a smirk in that charming way, and alluded to our time back in Starstream, "How many hours did we pass while we waited for that werewolf?"

"Many," I agreed, recalling an earlier time in Ryan and my relationship where we did not share much with each other and he would go off on mysterious "business" all the time, leaving me to wonder when he might come back. We had come a long way since then. I heard his large boots as Michelle ran to answer the door. Ryan came in with an expression that was entirely unfriendly. I hadn't seen him look like that since we were back in Starstream, and I wondered if it had anything to do with Dylan.

He greeted him coldly like they hardly knew each other. It reminded me that Ryan was normally not warm with anyone but me. I had seen him in secret for so long, I'd nearly forgotten his generally reserved demeanor.

Dylan was all friendliness in his greeting, "It's amazing to see you, old friend! I can't imagine how well you look, and all the good news. I'm very happy for you."

Ryan grumbled, "Thanks." He sat down beside me at the table.

Without showing it, I was laughing a little inside myself at the nostalgic interaction. All we needed was Michael here with his glum comments to make it exactly like old times.

I think Dylan could tell how amused I was because we shared a silly gaze and he winked at me.

Ryan glared between us.

"Sounds like you're treating our girl ok," Dylan commented.

I reached over and smacked him across the forearm that he rested on the table. "I'm nobody's "girl," least of all yours." I glanced at Ryan, trying to reassure him with my gaze.

He looked a little taken a back at first, but then he shook his head and said, "I see you're still the same, Dylan. If I didn't know that I could trust you, I wouldn't." There was a subtle warning in the inflection of his voice.

"I'm harmless," Dylan chuckled. "I wouldn't challenge you, unless you were hurting Alyson.:

"I would never hurt Alyson," Ryan full growled this time.

I was completely shocked as I could see their wolves posturing before me. I had not expected them to act like this. I was worried they might even fight if I didn't intervene.

"Never mind, Dylan's poor taste in humor, Love," I said to calm Ryan. "He sometimes goes a little too far." I shot Dylan a warning look as if he better behave now.

They were actively looking away from each other, and that made it really awkward for me. I continued talking, "Let's speak about business. How about that? Dylan has some exciting news to share about the Blood's Bane supply and trade."

"Yes, Dylan cleared his throat, turning it more respectful and professional. "The supply is going strong still, and we are making enough money that I bought out one of our competitors already. Also, we provide everything to the Alpha and Luna directly. As you were hoping."

"Great," Ryan said. "That is all good."

"I still want the Alpha and Luna's supply to come here first before it goes to them. I have to check it for the quality that we boast."

Dylan nodded, but said, "We do check it We don't really need that if you trust our process."

"I trust the process, but I still like to check it," I said, thinking of how I was dosing the Alpha's supply with the poison. Fortunately, the Alexanders and the blood providers preferred to make their tea from different parts of the plant, so I could be sure that I was not also poisoning Diana, or whomever Jacob's blood provider actually was.

"It is a nice gesture," Dylan said, having no idea what I was doing with it really.

Ryan and I shared a look of mutual understanding. I could not even express how amazing it felt to have someone fully on my side who knew my whole story. I felt so grateful for him.

Dylan must have picked up on our emotional exchange, he cleared his throat, "I wonder that I'm not in the way here."

"You're not," I reassured, smiling back at him. "We're happy that you're here."

Ryan and Dylan began cordially discussing their rights to the competitor that was bought out. It seemed that some revenue would be owed to Ryan since they were making profits off his supply first.

I half listened, but mostly I became distracted as I thought of how Jacob was already beginning to show signs of sickness.

I imagined a day when his health really deteriorated, and they would have to decide on the next Alpha. I relished in the thought of Jacob dying a slow uncomfortable death like a cruel immoral man deserved.

In the future, Ryan could become Alpha, and I would come forth as a Clan Clark she-wolf worthy of Ryan. My mind opened up slowly to the idea that maybe in this case, I could become his mate so he could follow this dream but would not take another for a mate. It would be hard for me to admit that point.

But I knew in my heart that Ryan should be Alpha after Jacob. It could heal the pack to have a noble leader for a change.

As I looked across the table at Ryan in deep discussion with Dylan, I wondered how he would react if he knew I considered this now.

Dylan and Ryan shook hands.

"I'm glad we can agree," Dylan said. "It's a deal."

I snapped back into focus, away from my drifting thoughts. I nodded as if I had listened to every nuance of their conversation. It sounded as if they were fine with their agreement and wrapping up the conversation.

Both men prepared themselves to leave, but I grabbed Ryan's hand and held it. "Since you're already here, can't you stay for a while?"

Dylan turned back with a big grin as if he thought the invitation were for him. I blushed, but my fingers were laced through Ryan's.

Ryan smiled at me, the happiness creasing around his eyes. "Of course." He swung back and took off his boots. I thought I caught him shooting a boastful glance at Dylan as if he'd won some sort of game. "Well, this is goodbye for today. you two love birds," Dylan teased us with a half-hearted smile for a second before he proceeded out the door.