•Mara's POV•

I wake up at eight, meaning that I have two hours until I'm due to meet Ryan. I decide I'll get ready at nine, so that leaves me with an hour to kill.

I get up and grab the book that I borrowed from Mandy's house so long ago. I never knew there was a book on tiger mythology.

I skip through the book until I find the tigers part. I skim my eyes over the words to take out anything interesting. One thing does catch my eye though.

'There were many cases of humans being able to shift into tigers. Although there is no proven evidence of this, mythologist's believe that they would have close to the same qualities of a werewolf.'

I close the book and look out the window.

The same qualities as a werewolf? What qualities do werewolves have?

I sit in thought for a bit before they travel to Ryder.

He kissed me again. And I don't know why, but it felt so right to kiss him. Snow is feeling the same, if not even more transfixed in him.

But he hasn't talked to me about anything, he hasn't asked me on a date, he hasn't even straight out confessed if he has feelings for me.

But, then again, neither have I.

Do I have feelings for Ryder?

Hell yes I do.

••••*••••

I check myself in the mirror and nod in approval. I'm wearing my favourite high-waisted shorts and a midriff top, which my high-waisted shorts cover my belly. I've never liked exposing my midriff, so I wear my shorts with any tops like that.

When I'm about to walk out, I hear comotion downstairs and listen in with my tiger hearing.

"Goodmorning Katrina, Richard." 

Crap, that's Ryder.

"Ryder! How nice of you to visit. And Mandy how are you dear?" Mum asks.

Mandy gives mum a polite reply.

"And sorry, hunny. I've forgotten your name." Mum sighs.

"Josh." He replies.

Well this is going to be harder than expected.

But, at least I have a plan. Dad and I organised this usually when we needed to get presents for mum or just needed to get out of the house without mum knowing.

I grab my phone and write a quick text to dad.

Code: Escape

It's only a few seconds until he replies.

Use the back door.

You've gone for a run.

I grin and slip the phone into my back pocket.

I sneakily slip down the stairs and creep around to the back door.

Before I go out, I hear my dad.

"Oh, Mara? She's gone on a run, I'm not sure when she'll be back."

I bite my lip to stop myself from laughing.

Once I make it around the house, I bolt using my tiger speed to down the path a bit before slowing down a little.

I make it to the park about five minutes later. I smell Ryan before I see him, he's sitting on a park bench, looking out to the small lake we have in the centre of the park.

"Hey." I say, sitting down next to him.

He smiles warmly at me, "Hey yourself."

"So," I begin, "You're really not going to tell anyone? Even with that much money?" I ask.

He shakes his head, "Nope. I've known you nearly all my life, Mara. I couldn't."

I smile and throw my arms around him, hugging him, "Thank you so much!"

He laughs and returns the hug.

Suddenly, I hear a very inhuman growl. Actually, make that two inhuman growls.

Crap, crap, crap.

And then I smell his heavenly scent.

That can only belong to one person.

•Ryder's POV•

"Oh, Mara? She's gone on a run, I'm not sure when she'll be back." Richard says.

I notice the look Katrina gives him, but then covers it with a nod.

But that can't be true. I can smell her scent, it's so strong she has to be here.

Then, as I say that, the scent weakens like she just walked out the door. And then I hear a door shut behind me.

I look at Josh and Mandy.

'I think she just left.' Mandy mind-links me.

I nod and turn back to Katrina and Richard.

"Alright then, we'll come back later. Can you tell Mara we stopped by?" I ask with a smile.

"Of course." Katrina smiles.

We wave goodbye and start walking down the path, following her newly left scent.

The scent gets even stronger as we get to the park, she must have stopped there.

We stop on the outside of the park and look around. I finally spot her sitting next to a guy around our age, they're smiling happily at each other.

I'm about to stomp over there when Mandy puts out a hand and stops me.

'Let's just see what they're talking about.' She says.

I sigh but nod.

"So, you're really not going to tell anyone? Even with that much money?" Mara asks.

I think we all frown.

Not tell anyone? Not tell anyone what? And money? Is this guy rich or something? What does he know about Mara?

"Nope. I've known you all my life, Mara. I couldn't."

She then smiles and grabs him in a big hug, making my blood boil.

"Thank you so much!"

And that's when not only I, but Josh growls too, I think he's taken Mara in as a sister type relationship.

Plus, he's my bestfriend, we look out for each other in that way.

Mara opens her eyes wide, like she heard us. But, she couldn't have. Only werewolves have that good of hearing.

She pulls back from the guy and looks around, locking eyes with mine.

She looks back to the guy and smiles apologetically at him.

"I need to go. It was great seeing you Ryan." She smiles, standing up.

He stands up too, and I find myself walking towards them. Mandy and Josh quickly follow.

"It was great seeing you too Mara. We should keep in touch."

I come up to her and pull her to my side.

Mara smiles at me and I can't help smiling back. Damn her and her cuteness.

"Yeah, maybe." She replies, looking back to Ryan. Who, I might add, is now glaring at me.

"Um, Ryan this is Ryder, my um," She doesn't quite finish her sentence, so I finish it for her.

"Boyfriend." I nod.

Mara tenses a little beside me.

"Oh, okay then. Well, I need to go, so bye Mara." He smiles and waves.

"Bye Ryan." She replies and waves too.

Ryan gives me one last glare before jumping into his car.

Mara gets out of my hold and starts walking away.

"Mara." I say pulling her back.

"You don't control me Ryder!" She says, pulling her arm out of my grip.

"I know I don't." I reply.

She groans and puts her fingers on her temples.

"I'm so confused. What are we? You haven't even asked me on a date or anything, you hold me like that and then just go back to your normal way." She looks at me.

I sigh and run my fingers through my hair.

She's right. I haven't even asked her on a date, I haven't done anything but kiss her and that must be giving her the wrong idea.

"I'm sorry. But I can make it up to you if you come out with me tomorrow?" I ask.

She just gives my a look, "Ryder, we have school tomorrow."

I shrug, "Ever heard of ditching?"

She furrows her eyebrows and looks to the ground, deep in thought.

After a little bit she sighs, "Fine."

I smile and pull her into an embrace before whispering into her ear, "You won't regret it."

I kiss her cheek affectionately before walking back to Mandy and Josh who were in a deep conversation.

I wanted to stay with Mara, spend the day with her. But I was going to spend the whole day with her tomorrow and I have Alpha duties to take care of today.

"What are you guys talking about?" I ask.

"Just the conversation Mara and Ryan were in. It's so confusing, none of it makes sense." Mandy sighs.

"We'll think about it later. Come on I have some errands I could have some help with." I say and they follow behind we as we walk.

And a date to plan.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Hello!

Shorter chapter I know.

I'm going camping for three days, so the next chapter won't be until Sunday. Sorry :(

But I assure you that chapter will be awesome because it's their first date!

Okay, so until then bye! xx