CHAPTER 004: JEALOUSY

The days in the mansion had started to blur together, but school remained its own kind of battlefield. Ashley sat on the bleachers during her free period, pretending to read a book while her eyes kept drifting to the training below, Ryder dominated the practice like he dominated everything else in his life.

He moved with grace, powerful thighs pushing him across the ice in explosive bursts, his hockey jersey clung to his broad shoulders and back, damp with sweat, every time he slammed into an opponent during drills, the sound echoed through the arena.

His body was pure power, muscles flexing, jaw tight with focus and she couldn’t look away, the way his strong hands gripped the stick, the way his hips shifted as he turned sharply

He was her stepfather now, she kept reminding herself of that but her wolf didn’t care it watched him with hungry interest, drawn to the raw Alpha energy he gave off even from a distance.

It was best to leave the area, to stay away from the temptation, so she moved, but the tension followed her like a shadow. She walked into the cafeteria, sat at her favorite table, the one that allowed her to stay away from the spotlight.

She'd gotten used to the whispers, but they never fully stopped. She kept her head down, hoping the day would end without another incident.

But well, it didn’t. One of Ryder’s teammates, Mason, dropped into the seat across from her with a cocky grin he was tall and handsomely built, with messy brown hair and an easy smile that probably worked on most girls. “Hey, Ashley looking good today, that sweater really suits you.”

Ashley blinked, surprised. No one usually notices her like this. “Uh… thanks.”

Mason leaned in, ignoring the curious glances from nearby tables. “Seriously, you’ve been hiding too long, with Ryder as your new stepdad, maybe you’ll start coming out to more parties I could even show you around.”

His eyes lingered on her chest a second too long she shifted uncomfortably, forcing a small smile but before she could respond, the air around them changed…Ryder.

He didn’t say a word at first. He just stood there, tall and imposing, his jaw clenched tight. His dark eyes locked on Mason with cold warning. The aura rolled off him in waves but was impossible to ignore and Mason’s smile faded instantly he straightened up, hands raised in mock surrender.

“Chill, man, just talking to your new stepdaughter,” Mason said, trying to laugh it off.

Ryder’s voice came out low and dangerous. “Talk less.”

That was all it took Mason grabbed his tray and left quickly, muttering something under his breath then Ryder walked away without another word, but the silent message lingered in the air between them long after. Ashley sat there, heart racing, wondering why that affected her so much.

****

The mansion had transformed with the cool evening breeze, Ryder was hosting one of his famous pool parties, music pulsed through the backyard, lights glowed under the water, and the place filled with his friends, teammates, and girls in tiny bikinis, laughter and splashing echoed everywhere.

Ashley tried to stay indifferent, unnoticed; she wore a simple black bikini that covered more than most of the other girls’, but she still felt exposed. She stayed at the edge of the crowd, sitting on a lounge chair with a towel wrapped around her waist, watching from a distance the warm night air brushed against her skin, but it did nothing to calm the nervous energy inside her.

She spotted Ryder across the pool, he looked devastating…Shirtless, water glistening on his carved abs and chest, dark tattoos shining under the lights, his athletic shorts hung low on his hips as he laughed with his friends, but his eyes kept scanning the crowd, every time they landed on her, her breath caught.

Mason appeared again, clearly buzzed from whatever he was drinking he wandered over to her corner with that same cocky smile.

“There you are, hiding again?” He sat on the edge of her lounge chair. His eyes roamed over her body, lingering on the swell of her breasts and the curve of her hips. “You look incredible in that bikini, seriously why don’t you come swim with me?”

Ashley shifted back. “I’m good here, thanks.”

But Mason didn’t take the hint he leaned in closer, his hand brushing her waist, fingers grazing the bare skin above her bikini bottom. “Come on, just one swim I promise I’ll be gentle.”

The touch sent discomfort crawling up her spine, before she could push his hand away, a low growl cut through the noise.

He moved with quiet fury, grabbing Mason by the shoulder and yanking him back with controlled strength Ryder’s eyes burned as he stared Mason down. “Touch her again and you won’t play another game this season.”

Mason paled and backed off immediately, disappearing into the crowd the people nearby pretended not to notice, but Ashley felt every eye on them for a moment Ryder just stood there, breathing hard, water dripping down his powerful body, his fists clenched at his sides as he looked at her.

The party continued around them, but the air between them felt charged Ryder jerked his head toward the pool house. “Inside. Now.”

Ashley’s legs felt shaky as she followed him, the pool house was quiet and dimly lit, away from the noise and lights of the main party, then he closed the door behind them, space suddenly felt too small. He was still damp from the pool, his chest rising and falling, muscles tense. Heat rolled off his towering frame in waves.

He stepped closer, backing her against the wall without touching her, his hands stayed fisted tightly at his sides, knuckles white.

“Stay away from them,” he growled, voice low and husky. His breath brushed her hair, “All of them. Especially Mason.”

“Ryder…” she whispered.

“They don’t get to touch what belongs to me,” he continued, voice rough with rage his gaze dropped to her lips, then slowly down her body, taking in every inch of her in the black bikini. “You’re under my roof now, under my protection and my rules, Understood?”

The words hung heavy in the air, the tension crackling between them like electricity, his massive chest was so close she could almost feel it brush against her breasts if she breathed too deeply.

Ashley’s breath came fast and shallow. She's was confused,scared and shamefully turned on by him.

This was wrong, he is her stepfather but right now, all she wanted was for him to close that final inch.

Ryder’s eyes darkened even more, about to grab her, pin her against the wall, and finally give in to whatever this twisted thing was between them.

Instead, he forced himself to step back, one heavy step…then another, his fists stayed clenched, arms shaking with the effort.

“Fuck,” he muttered under his breath.

He turned and left the pool house without another word, the door clicking shut behind him. Ashley stayed pressed against the wall, legs trembling, she slid down to sit on the small couch, not certain what this feeling was, but she knew it was undoing him, just as it was undoing her.