We saw you following Nash away from school the other day," Ivy said the next day at the mall when we met by the food court for some girl time after school.
"You did?" I asked. I was surprised they noticed and wasn't prepared to talk about it.
"Yes. Where were you guys going?" Abby asked.
"Yeah, what's going on? A secret rendezvous with your old boyfriend?" Ivy teased.
"Does Brandon know about this?" Abby said as if she was worried about my boyfriend's feelings.
"Yes, he knows," I said.
They both paused. "So you did go somewhere with Nash?" Ivy said. "Do tell."
"It was no biggie. Really." But the fact was it really was major news. Nash was a werewolf, and he wanted to see if he'd ever be cured. But now that he knew there was a possible antidote and he'd be taking it on the upcoming full moon, he was a much happier person.
However, I couldn't tell them about Dr. Meadows. They would want to know all sorts of information, and I was hoping to skate through the next week without incident. We only had a little over a week until the full moon appeared and I didn't need any more drama with my friends.
"Where did you guys go?" Ivy insisted.
"Did you make out?" Abby raised her eyebrows.
"No," I said. I wasn't one to lie - I always cracked a smile when I tried to even tell the slightest fib; or worse, I would break out in a rash. But I couldn't tell them what we really did.
"He just wanted to talk. That's all," I said.
"About what?" Abby asked.
I sighed. I hung out with Abby and Ivy to get my mind off my troubles. Instead they were pushing me back to the difficult thoughts of werewolves. I knew my friends would be persistent. I wasn't sure why I expected anything else.
"Ooh, there are those guys again," Ivy said.
"What guys?" I was happy to have the subject switched from me and Nash to anything else.
"Those thugs," Ivy said, pointing down to the first level. "Totally gross!"
I saw the backs of a few guys talking to a pretty girl with a few shopping bags, but I couldn't tell who they were.
"We saw them yesterday outside the coffee shop. It was like they were deliberately pushing our buttons," Ivy said.
"Maybe they were flirting," I said.
"Didn't seem so. They were asking us strange questions," Abby said.
"What sort of questions?" I asked.
"All sorts. Did we like the outdoors?" Ivy remembered.
"They asked me if I liked wolves," Abby added.
"That is weird," I said.
"We didn't answer, just ignored them and walked on. Eventually they left us alone." Ivy took a breath. "This one guy had tatts and spiky hair," she said. "He was totally gross."
"I thought he was cute," Abby said, defending him.
"You did?" Ivy asked, making a disgusted face. "You would."
When the girl moved on, the guys turned around. They were in plain view. I stepped closer to see them below. It was Ryder and his two friends. I froze. They seemed to be scanning the shoppers for something - or someone. Ryder continued to eye the shoppers, then suddenly glanced up and caught sight of me watching him. I lost my breath. He stared at me as if he'd found what he was looking for. Just then Ivy pulled me toward the store and out of view.
"Uh...we have to leave," I said anxiously.
"Why? We haven't even bought anything yet," Ivy whined.
"I don't know. We just do." I felt weird with those guys in the mall. Even with hundreds of people in the same place, I didn't feel safe. I must have appeared as if I'd spotted a hungry zombie.
"What's wrong?" Ivy asked me.
"I've seen them before, too," I confessed.
"You did?" Ivy was shocked. She put her hands on her hips. "Where?"
"At the convenience store when I was getting gas."
"Which one?" Ivy asked.
"The one in Westside."
"I meant which guy." Ivy rolled her eyes.
"Oh...Ryder."
"You know his name?" Abby asked, intrigued.
"Why were you getting gas in the Westside?" Ivy asked.
"I was on my way to Brandon's."
"You shouldn't be stopping there," she warned.
"Who cares why she was there? How do you know his name?" Abby wondered.
"He was bugging me - he was really rude. But then he introduced himself."
"That's weird," Ivy said. "Promise you won't go there anymore."
"He was trying to pick you up," Abby said. "He likes you."
"I wouldn't want to go out with him," I scoffed. "Can we just leave?"
"Why? They won't bother us again," Abby said. "I'm not going to let them spoil a good day of shopping."
"What if they come back to bother us?" I asked.
"Then I'll kick them with my brand-new heels," Abby said, holding a Macy's bag.
"Seriously," I said.
Abby glanced around. "They're gone."
I inched a few steps toward the glass overlook; they'd disappeared.
"I wonder who they are," Abby said.
"We know one of them is Ryder," Ivy retorted.
"They aren't from around here, I know that," Abby said. "They don't go to school here, and they appear to be around our age."
"Maybe they are juvies or homeless."
"They seem like they are searching for something," Abby said.
"Trouble," Ivy said emphatically.
Suddenly we spotted them coming up the escalator only fifty feet away.
Ivy gasped. Then she pulled us into a lingerie store.
"Why do we have to hide in here?" Abby said.
"They just spotted me," I said. "I feel really weird."
We hurried to the back of the store and hung out behind a display of bras.
The guys came in.
"Can I help you?" a saleswoman asked them.
Ryder paused. "You? No, I'm not looking for you."
"They are following us!" Ivy said.
The woman gave him a puzzled expression as he glanced around.
"Did you see a girl with a pink headband in here?"
"Honey, they all have headbands," she said. "Feel free to check around."
The saleswoman walked away from the guys and helped another customer.
Abby tugged at our shirts. "Quick," she said, and we raced into a fitting room.
She locked the door, and we all stood on the bench.
Ivy was panicking. Sure, we didn't know these guys, and no, he hadn't done anything to us besides being rude, but their vibe was deadly.
"Shh!" Abby said. She put her hands over Ivy's mouth.
We could see a shadow move by the door. Then it paused. Black boots poked through the bottom of our door.
We all held our breath. I thought Ivy or I would faint.
"What is he doing here?" Abby whispered. "This is the ladies' changing room!"
Abby was ready to open the door and attack but I held her back.
We were filled with fear as we waited.
Then Ivy's cell phone rang.
Ivy tried to cover her phone when the boots disappeared.
"Jake?" Ivy whispered. "These weird guys are following us. Can you come to the mall, now?"
Abby opened the door and peeked her head out. "All clear."
We sneaked out of the room and peered into the store. When we didn't see them, we walked through the aisles until we reached the entrance. We all gazed around; fortunately the guys were nowhere in sight.
"That was so creepy!" Ivy said.
"What does he want?" I asked.
"I think he wants you," Abby said, turning to me.
"Why?" I asked. "Why would you say that?"
"Because he asked the clerk for you. You're wearing a pink headband."
"I don't know why he wants me," I said, freaked out.
"It's okay," Ivy said, putting her arm around my shoulder. "He's gone. Let's banish those losers from our minds. Jake will be here soon. We have real men to talk about. What's up with you and Brandon?"
He's going to turn into a werewolf in a few days, I wanted to say. As if I didn't have enough to deal with already.
I texted Brandon about meeting us at the mall, but he responded that he was taking his grandmother to the doctor.
We waited until Jake and Dylan met us outside the store. They hung out with us as we continued to shop. Ivy's and Abby's minds quickly were distracted with things they could add to their spring wardrobes.
I, however, had two particular things on my mind. Who was this Ryder guy, and what did he want with me? I met Brandon at his house after the mall. I was preoccupied by my frightening experience but was so relieved when I saw my handsome and strong boyfriend standing outside his guesthouse. I rushed to him and gave him a hug, my body caving into his. Apparently I couldn't hide my worries from Brandon, as he immediately gave me a curious look.
"Sorry I couldn't meet you at the mall. Your text sounded strange. Weren't you girls having fun?"
"That rude guy from the gas station was there."
"Really?"
"He was following us."
"He was?"
"Yes, he gives me the creeps," I said with a shudder.
"Are you sure he is really following you? Or could it just be a coincidence?" he asked in a tone that was trying to soothe me.
"He was bothering Ivy and Abby, too," I continued. "They must be a gang of some sort. He was trying to talk to other girls at the mall as well. It's like he's trying to test us - or find someone special."
"Well, you are special," he said.
"I'm serious. He saw Ivy, Abby, and me at the mall. When we ducked into a store, he followed us in there. He even followed us into the girls' changing area."
Brandon was visibly disturbed by this. He immediately changed his tone. "That is weird. I wonder why he's doing that. I don't want you out of my sight," he said protectively.
"Then you'll have to stay at my house and accompany me everywhere?" I asked coyly.
"I can do that," he said.
"You can have a bed right next to mine."
"I'll watch you all night."
"Would you?"
"I would be glad to," he said. I leaned against his chest, comfortably engulfed by his protective arms. "If he comes near you again, I'm going to release the wolves."
I felt relieved that Brandon was here with me. Without him I would be even more nervous. However, thinking about Ryder following us into the changing room area really made me anxious.
I looked up at my handsome boyfriend. "He wants something, Brandon," I said. "And I think it's me."
"Well, he can't have you," he said, stroking my cheek. "Someone already does."
He leaned into me and kissed my fearful thoughts away.
When I got home, I still couldn't completely shake off the odd behavior of Ryder and his crew. I knew he wasn't from around here - and it was unusual for three students to transfer to a new school together. And since they hadn't shown up at school, it made them all the more intriguing.
I decided to take Champ for a walk and calm my nerves. As we headed down my street, Champ began to bark. I saw someone standing by the wooded area about fifty yards away. It was hard to make out who it was from my vantage point. I was hoping it was Brandon.
Champ continued to bark. "It's okay, boy," I said.
I knew Nash was acting squirrely, so I assumed it was him.
But as I drew closer, I didn't see Nash's blond hair or even someone unfamiliar. It wasn't Nash. And it wasn't even Dr. Meadows. Or a stranger. It was just someone strange. I gasped and held on tightly to Champ's leash. I couldn't believe my eyes. Fear ran through my flesh, and my heart began to pound out of my chest.
"Ryder?" I said, startled.
"You remembered my name," he said with a churlish smile.
"Why are you following me?"
"I wasn't."
"Then what are you doing here?"
"Walking. Same as you."
"I was going - " But then I realized I didn't want to tell him where I was going. I didn't want him to know where I lived, in case he was stalking me. "Where are you going?" I asked.
"You are the curious one. Most girls would have ignored me by this point. But you...you're inquisitive. I like that." He eyed me closely, his gaze sending chills down my spine.
"I'd like to know why you are here. That's all."
"What if I said I was trying to talk to you?" He was coy and quizzical.
I was stunned that now he was so candid. That he admitted to it, and that my gut was right. "Why?" I asked as I inched away.
"Uh...I thought you were cute the other day." He grinned a sheepish grin. Ryder didn't budge; his confidence was as intriguing to me as much as it made me anxious.
"Thank you, but I'm not interested." I tried to say it politely - enough to let him know where I stood but not too coarse to upset him.
I snuck my cell phone out of my purse and pressed the button to speed dial Brandon.
I waited for a moment, then said loudly, "Well, I gotta go. It's probably best that you go on your way, too. Legend's Run can be sort of dangerous at this time of day."
"Are you serious?" he said. "This is the sunny suburbs. Nothing happens here."
"Well, let's keep it that way." I said again in a loud voice.
Ryder stepped closer. He locked his gaze with mine; I felt as if he would kiss me if he could. "I'm looking for someone. Someone like you."
Just then I heard a car approaching. I was hoping it was someone I knew - one of our neighbors. If so, they might stop and notice I was talking to a stranger. I felt as awkward in the open with Ryder as I did alone in the woods that snowy day with the wolves. But they passed by.
I clenched my fist.
Suddenly I heard another car coming down the street. I was so relieved as this one was familiar.
Ivy was driving her SUV and stopped alongside of me, where I was standing on the sidewalk. "What's going on?" she asked as she and Abby hopped out.
I thought I'd dialed Brandon - but instead I had dialed my best friend. Thank goodness she got the message and lived so close.
"What are you doing here?" Ivy asked Ryder.
"I came to town to see the Legend's Run Werewolf Festival. Is that a crime?"
"No, I mean, what are you doing here?" she reiterated.
Two figures emerged from the same woods Ryder had come out of.
"Again, I'm here for the fest," he said with a grin.
"Well, it doesn't start for a few more days, and it still doesn't explain why you are bothering our friend." Ivy was forceful and protective.
"Yes," Abby said in her toughest voice.
"I'm sorry if that's the way it appeared," Ryder said, softening. "I was just hoping to make some new friends while I was in town."
"Well, we have enough friends," Ivy said.
Now Ryder's two friends were close behind him.
Champ continued to bark even louder.
"Well, perhaps you can squeeze in a few more," Ryder said.
Champ began to growl.
Ryder stared at Champ, his gaze fixed with intensity. Champ stopped growling and sat down quietly.
I was shocked. Brandon was able to do this all the time, and Nash had done the same thing only a few days ago to a barking Apollo. It wasn't normal. There could be only one reason Ryder had the power to do that.
I held on to Champ's leash and moved back a few inches.
Ivy and Abby seemed puzzled.
"What are you, a dog whisperer?" Abby asked.
"Of sorts," he said cryptically.
I didn't let on that I knew who - or what - he was. I couldn't say it in front of my friends.
"What were you doing in the woods?" Ivy said.
"Hunting," the blond said with a laugh.
"You can't hunt here!" Abby scolded.
"We don't use guns," the redhead chimed in.
I felt creeped out by their insinuations, and I knew what they were talking about.
"I don't care what you use," Abby said. "You need to go back where you came from."
"We're planning on being here for a bite longer...I mean bit," the blond said. The gang laughed at his joke.
"You guys are juvies," Ivy said. "We have better things to do than talk to you. C'mon, girls, let's go."
"Wait - " Ryder said. "We got off on the wrong foot." He held out his hand.
"I'm Ryder and this is Leopold," he said, referring to the scraggly blond. "And this is Hunter," he said, gesturing toward the fiery redhead.
The two guys waved and smiled.
"Hunter?" Abby said with a laugh. "Seems appropriate."
"Nice to meet you," Ivy said, polite enough. "But we have to be going." She pulled me and Abby away from the guys and toward the SUV.
But Ryder jogged after us.
"We wanted to know if you ladies would like to go out sometime," Ryder said, catching up to us at the car.
Abby turned and gazed up at him. It wasn't the first time guys had ever flirted with us, and she always seemed to get a rise out of it. "Our calendar is filled," she said to him coyly.
"Well, maybe you can cancel a few things," he insisted.
"Uh...I think not," Ivy said. "We really have to go."
Then Ryder stepped toward me. "What about you?" he asked, staring straight at me.
"She has a boyfriend," Abby said for me. "And he's really big and strong."
"Can't she speak for herself?" Ryder asked.
"Listen," Ivy began. "You leave her alone. Leave us alone."
"I don't know what tricks you put on to her dog. You must have one of those whistles that only dogs hear," Abby said.
Ryder just smiled.
"And wolves, too," Leopold said.
I could tell that Abby liked the attention slightly and couldn't help but flirt back with the guys. But I didn't want to give them any passes to hang out with us now or in the future.
"I'm sure you can find three single girls in town who would love to hang out with you guys," Ivy finally said.
"You think so?" Hunter said.
"Absolutely."
"I'm not so sure," Abby challenged with a mischievous smile. Everything was a game to her, and this was no exception.
"Yes, there will be some," Ivy said. "We've got to go."
"Are you so sure?" Hunter asked.
"Come on, Ivy," I said. "It's been lovely talking but we have to get home and study. We have school, you know."
"We hope to see you again," Ryder said.
"In your dreams," Ivy muttered.
Ryder's comment left a feeling of uneasiness inside me. They hung back as we got into the SUV.
When we were safely inside, we turned around. The guys were gone.
I petted Champ, who growled as he stared toward the woods.
"Those guys were creepy!" Ivy said as she drove off.
"I know. I wonder what they want," I said. The idea that Ryder could possibly be a werewolf frightened me. The full moon was only a week away.
"Yes, total stalkers," Ivy said. "Like they have nothing to do but hang out in malls - and now the woods - accosting girls?"
"I think that Ryder guy was hot. They all were," said Abby. She leaned against her seat, dreaming. "If I wasn't going out with Dylan, I might like Ryder. Or maybe Hunter. Or maybe Leopold. Which one would you like?" she said to Ivy.
"Gross, Abby! Besides, I love Jake."
"Duh. I know that, but if not."
"Ooh," she said. "Not going there."
"C'mon, Ivy!" Abby said. "You have to pick one."
"Well, I guess I'd choose the redhead. I thought he was cute. I mean, no, I don't!"
"You do!" Abby squealed.
"Now you, Celeste."
"Yes, we've both done it," Ivy said, looking in the rearview mirror.
"Who would you choose?" Abby pressed.
I couldn't bear to think about anyone besides Brandon. "Brandon is the only guy for me," I said.
Ivy pulled into Abby's driveway and turned off the engine.
"But if he didn't exist," Abby said.
"I don't know - "
"You have to say. We did," Ivy insisted. "I'm not letting you out until you do." She pressed the locks on the car.
Ryder was different. He was unlike any guy in town - or that I'd ever seen. He was edgy and had piercings and tattoos. I was intrigued by his style and brazen attitude, though put off by his rude behavior. Now that my friends put me on the spot, I couldn't help but wonder what I'd think of him if I hadn't met Brandon. I thought long and hard. The three guys were each hot in their own right. But there was one who looked a lot like the guy I was already in love with. "Ryder," I said.
"I knew it!" Abby said. "There's a connection there."
"There is not."
"I could feel it," she went on. "He is so hot for you!"
"No he's not. Don't say that. I love Brandon."
"Leave her alone," Ivy told Abby.
"He doesn't even know me," I said.
"He doesn't have to. It's your beauty and aura," Abby teased.
Ivy unlocked the doors and we all got out. We went into Abby's house, and Pumpkin and Champ played around as we ate pizza. I continued to be distracted by our new situation. I think we had just come in contact with three more handsome, but freaky, werewolves.
When I got home, I had a hard time shaking Ryder from my thoughts. The way he stared at me was no longer creepy - it was intense. It was as if he knew me - or wanted to know me. The part that bothered me was that it was slightly thrilling. He was so intense and confident, it was attractive.
I'd also never been exposed to someone like him. Was he a hood or a thug or just a misunderstood teen? He was the opposite of anyone I'd ever been attracted to in my life. He lived on the edge, and though this usually turned me off, I found in this case I was battling myself because this time it didn't.
I'd had a crush on Nash for a few years before we dated. He was handsome. Popular. A basketball star.
And I was so in love with Brandon, sometimes I couldn't see straight. I loved everything about him: the way he was compassionate toward animals, the times he helped his grandmother with groceries, how he wasn't afraid to put his life in harm's way. He really was the most courageous guy I'd ever known.
Ryder was also something out of the ordinary. I wasn't sure why he was so interested in me. I might not give him a second thought, since I was already in love with someone else, but there was this magnetic pull I had toward him that I couldn't shake. His edgy personality and intensity stuck with me; I was having a hard time getting him out of my mind.
I wondered what it would be like if I'd never met Brandon or Nash - that I'd met Ryder instead. Would I be the kind of girl who would be pulled to someone who was so unlike myself? And live on the wild side with a dangerous and daring guy with spiky hair, tattoos, and more earrings than I wore?
But I was in love with someone - and it wasn't him. It was Brandon. A handsome, rugged gentleman in his own right, with integrity and a zest for life and nature that appealed to me way more than a reckless, back-talking, attractive punk. I reminisced about being held in Brandon's powerful embrace and being lost when our lips touched and melted together. It wasn't long before I forgot all about a guy named Ryder.