New Alpha – New Rules(20)

“He’s pretty intense.” Harper finally said after looking around and not seeing him.

“Yeah.” Cindy’s brows climbed up her forehead. “I’ve never seen him like that, all sexy Alpha. He’s always just been Ryder.” Her eyes widened then she sank her teeth into her bottom lip. “I hope Mathew comes home for lunch.” Harper grinned at Cindy’s flushed face. “I’d hate for him to miss out on my…state.” They both giggled while Cindy fanned herself.

“He’s a good guy though right? Ryder I mean.”

“The best honey. The best. He’s been looking for a mate for a while, and no one fit the bill. You’re the first he’s brought to the pack. None of them held his attention for more than a few seconds.”

“How many? I mean, were there a lot?” Harper had only been with one wolf, had only intended to be with one during her life. Now, she hoped there was one more. She wasn’t sure how she felt about a mate that had been with many. “I’ll bet there were a bunch huh?” Harper looked around nervously.

“Nah, I can count maybe five, there could be more but I don’t think so. I’m just glad the last one is gone. Her name was Fiona or something. Ryder dallied with her for a while and I thought he was going to ask her to come here with us but then he didn’t. I guess he came to his senses. I glad she stayed there and I’m glad that you’re here instead. You’re a lot nicer than she was and you don’t seem like a slut. I heard she was doing half the men in town. Ryder could never find any proof but where there’s smoke there’s fire.” Harper chuckled when Cindy waggled her eyebrows.

“No, I was never that. I looked like one last night though. My friend Sidney dressed me and took me out to that bar, she thought that I needed to get laid.”

“Ryder pretty much offered. If that’s what you need…” Cindy giggled when Harper covered her face. She was loading the sandwiches with cold cuts when Harper finally moved her hands away. Harper followed with the vegetables she’d sliced. “I think it would do him a lot of good too.” Cindy whispered conspiratorially.

“Harper?” Lucy tugged on her tee shirt. “No onion or tomato please, just bologna.” Harper smiled down at Lucy.

“Sure thing kid.” Lucy grinned up at her then went to the table and sat down. Three other kids ambled in and took seats around the table.

“Jasper, Kelly, Justin,” Cindy called to them. “This is Harper.”

“Hey,” the three of them echoed around the table without looking up. They all had smart phones and their faces were buried in them.

“She’s mating Ryder.” Three heads snapped up at once to study her. She gave them a wave. Kelly scowled at her then gave her a look of open disgust. She heard Cindy snicker behind her. Justin and Jasper elbowed each other. Harper turned back to Cindy.

“What’s funny?” Cindy’s face collapsed into utter joy.

“Well, Kelly’s been telling people for the past few years now that she was mating Ryder. He’s ignored her efforts because she is an infant next to him but her mother has fed into this fantasy since Ryder had no mate. She’s a lazy wolf and hoped that if her daughter mated Ryder it would secure her place as the queen of do nothing. There’s no love lost between us if you haven’t guessed.” Harper turned back the kids.

“He’s stated his intentions but we’ve not agreed to a mating.” Harper looked Kelly in the eye.

“Kelly.” Ryder strolled into the huge kitchen that suddenly seemed very small. “I am mating Harper. I was never mating you no matter what you or your mother think. I don’t want to see that look on your face again and I don’t want to hear of any ill will or acts toward Harper. You and I were never happening, Harper or not. I have no interest in a child. You should turn your thoughts to Lee, Jack, or Eddie.”

“Oh Ryder, don’t be silly, you’ve just met that female. She won’t hold your interest just like the rest of them.” A tall lithe she-wolf came in from the living room. Her hair was long and straight, black as night, her heavily made up eyes were dark blue. The lipstick she wore was dark cherry, almost brown and went unexpectedly well with her tanned skin. She was beautiful and exotic, Harper thought. She turned her gaze on Harper then visibly dismissed her. “I’m Nicole. You won’t be around long so I don’t need to learn your name.” She said haughtily.

“Oh goodie, the queen of lazy has arrived.” Cindy muttered behind her. “Don’t mind her.” Cindy said. “Just ignore her like the rest of us.”