27
Amelia's POV
I marched down the hallway before pausing. My mind was made up. I was leaving, but I had to at least say goodbye to Ryan and Nancy.
I went to the beta's room and knocked. I didn't get an answer and after a few moments I opened the door.
I peered inside, but Ryan wasn't in the room. I looked at his empty bed and frowned.
I shrugged and went to Nancy's room.
I paused when I saw the door was cracked open, I could've sworn I'd shut it. My hand reached out and gripped the handle and I crept inside.
I looked at the bed and I frowned slightly in bewilderment.
Nancy wasn't in her room either.
Well they were watching Cinderella earlier? My wolf said questioningly and I nodded and started toward the living room.
My wolf seemed anxious about something and I hurried my pace. The living room was dark, the television was off. I looked at the couch and chuckled.
Nancy was asleep in Ryan's arms and her hands were hugging her little toy.
"Hey Ryan?" I asked. He remained asleep and I sighed.
"Ryan." I said louder and the beta started awake and clutched Nancy closer to him, a low, possessive growl rumbling from him. He looked around obviously not seeing me.
I blinked in shock.
"Ryan it's me." I hissed and he whipped his head toward me and relaxed. I raised an eyebrow and I could see him loosen his hold on Nancy who was still fast asleep.
"What the hell was all that about?" I asked and the beta looked down at Nancy. He pressed his lips into a thin line.
"What?" He asked looking up at me. Nancy squirmed a little in his arms and he moved her a bit before she sighed in content and snuggled closer to him. The beta looked down at her and I saw emotions flash in his eyes.
"Ryan." I said and the beta gave a defeated sigh. His mouth smiled a little before frowning.
"She's my second chance... My mate." He said and I felt my mouth fall open. He looked up and caught me eye and glowered at me anger sparking in his usually peaceful eyes.
"See that's how everyone's going to react. I'm mates with a child." Ryan growled and pointed to me before slamming his fist against the couch cushion.
"I'll seem like a pervert... I can't do this. I can't be with her." Ryan said and a whimper came from Nancy. Ryan and I looked at her in shock as she wriggled out of the beta's arms. I guess she wasn't asleep after all.
"N-Nancy--" Ryan stumbled over her name.
"I'm happy I don't feel the sparks. Don't ever talk to me again. I hate you!" Nancy yelled and threw the plushy at Ryan. The beta groaned as it hit his chest and he stood from the couch.
"Princess please--" Ryan tried, but Nancy growled. Her blue eyes glittered with anger and hurt.
"I know that you're my mate. But you don't want me. I'm okay with that it will only make me tougher." Nancy said and ran from the room.
Ryan whined and watched her go before yelling, "Nancy come back!" But she ignored him and he sat on the couch with a sour look.
"Well..." I said not able to really process what I'd just witnessed.
"I can't do this Amelia. My wolf wants her too much. She's only nine. Besides I'll have to wait at least eight or nine more years for her... that's a long time Lia." Ryan sighed and ran his hands through his hair. He bent and picked up the little wolf toy.
"It's up to you Ryan... Say bye to Nancy for me okay?" I asked and he looked at me bewildered. He looked down and seemed to see my bags for the first time.
"He's making you leave?" Ryan growled and I shook my head.
"No; I'm leaving." I said and Ryan gave me a sad look.
"I'll miss you Lia." The beta said after a long moment of silence and I gave a weak smile.
"I'll be back one day." Maybe. I said and Ryan frowned.
"Where will you go?" He asked softly.
"Away from here, find a job, probably move to a predominately human town." I said and the beta nodded slowly.
"If that's what you want." Ryan said and I nodded.
"Not want; need." I corrected and he smiled bitterly.
"Well... I'll help you get to where you're going. I'll get my keys." Ryan said softly and disappeared and returned a few moments later with some car keys.
He rubbed his nose and looked to be a little in pain, but I shrugged it off.
He smiled softly and we went outside. He got into his car and opened the door and placed my bags in the back. I slipped into the passengers seat as he got into the drivers and shut the door.
I'm a few moments we were driving away. The car was quiet and comfortable.
"So you're just gonna disappear for a while?" Ryan asked breaking the silence and I glanced over at him.
"Yeah." I said sighing.
"I'm surprised Kaden let you leave." He said and I looked out the window.
"I was leaving whether or not he let me. I think he understood that." I said softly.
"He really cares about you... ya know?" Ryan said after a pause.
"Yes I know." I sighed.
"Then why are you running?" He asked and I growled suddenly annoyed.
"I'm not running. Dammit Ryan what do you want me to do? Stay there and act like everything's okay? I won't do it." I snarled and Ryan tried to lift his hands in surrender and the car started drifting to the side; he swore softly and put his hands back on the wheel.
"I'm sorry. You're not the one who's gonna be living with a mateless Alpha. I didn't mean to offend you, I know why you're leaving. He hurt you and you're trying to teach him a lesson. I get it. Sorry." Ryan said and let out a breath.
"Speaking about mateless... Did you decide what you'd do about Nancy?" I asked after we rode for a while longer in silence. The beta sucked in a breath.
"Not yet..." he said and chewed on his bottom lip. I nodded softly.
"Did you apologize?" I asked. He frowned.
"Tried to." He grumbled.
"And?" The beta huffed.
"She slammed the door in my face. Literally." He growled and I couldn't help, but gasp and chuckle a little.
"Is that why you were holding your nose earlier?" I asked and he sighed and nodded.
"It hurt so bad, I almost thought she broke it." Ryan muttered and I sighed.
"Damn." I said and smiled to myself.
"Yeah..." Ryan cleared his throat and looked out the window at the road. A soft frown wrinkled his brows.
The conversation was dropped we carried our drive on in silence for a long while.
"Are you sure about this?" Ryan said as I told him to stop the car beside a bus stop. I nodded and he handed me a wad of money. I looked at him and he smiled softly, "Just in case." He verified and I hugged him gently.
"I'm sure." I sighed and turned away from him while putting the money into my bag.
I stepped out of the car.
"Wait-- do you even have a place to stay? Amelia I'm not just gonna let you go with nowhere to stay." Ryan said leaning over on his seat.
"I've got it covered Ry. Stop worrying." I said with a soft smile. His green eyes studied me. After a few moments he sighed.
"Here." He said handing me a phone. I looked at it in confusion.
"Keep it. Contact me if you need to. My number's in there so... catch you later?" He said looking a little uncomfortable and saddened. I nodded.
"I almost forgot the charger." Ryan said handing it over and I giggled softly.
I stepped away from the car and the beta sighed heavily and muttered something I didn't catch.
I walked over and sat at the bus stop and looked over to where Ryan sat in his car.
"Goodbye Lia." He called and started up the car.
I waved, "Bye Ry." I said and watched as he drove away.
It wasn't long before I was sitting on a bus and being driven closer to my destination. I huffed softly and laid back against the seat.
I knew exactly where I'd go...
I jumped slightly as the phone began vibrating and I pulled it out.
The screen lit up with a message and I realized it was from Ryan.
Take care of yourself Lia. Hurry home baby?
I frowned at the message unsure how to respond. My cheeks burned. Why'd he call me baby?
I meant okay! Idk why it autocorrected it to baby! He responded quickly and I chuckled softly and was relieved.
Sure thing Ryan. I replied and slipped the phone back into my bag.
I sighed and looked out the window. Inside me Rain howled softly.
It was time to be on our own for a while. The life of a lone wolf would help us... right?
