Stuck in the Middle (MxMxM)?

Chapter 17 - Trust Me Bro

"For what it's worth," Ryder got out. "I like you better without the fake smiles. It makes you more genuine, even if you come off as a little scary sometimes."

Adan silently stared after the man before driving away.

It was late by the time Ryder made it home, and he had no classes the next day. Therefore he slept in till nearly 11, when he heard a knock at his door.

Quickly tossing on a shirt and jeans, he answered to find Axel.

"Have fun last night?" The man asked as he walked in without being invited. If Ryder didn't know any better, he'd say the man looked upset with him.

"Uh. Kind of. I did what you suggested and talked to Delilah. It didn't go so well."

"And that took all night?"

"No. I had some...uh...Classmates that offered to cheer me up. So we ran around Blue Field for a bit."

Axel went to the window to stare out over the parking lot. "You could have at least texted me. I was worried."

"Why would you be worried?" Ryder asked, walking up beside him. "I told you, I'm a student. Plus your friends trashed my truck so it takes longer to get around."

At that, the man looked apologetic. "I'm sorry. Sometimes I don't know what the others are up to and I worry."

"You don't trust them."

"No. Anyway, you said you talked to Delilah?"

"Never mind about that." Ryder folded his arms. "What's going on with the other rogues? Why are you so nervous today?"

"The full moon is coming up soon. Henry is getting impatient and wants us to move on to the next town, but he doesn't want to leave until I confirm that you're coming with."

"Henry is your leader?"

"Not really. As rogues, we don't have an official Alpha. It's majority rule, but Henry convinces everyone to do things his way." His eyes flit between Ryder and the door. "Actually, he wants to meet you soon."

"No thanks. I don't think I'm ready to meet a murderer just yet."

"Yeah. I thought so. But you'll have to meet them eventually."

"Do I?"

"If you don't want them to try to kill you."

"I still think you shouldn't have anything to do with those guys."

"What else can I do? I don't want to be alone and I don't have anywhere to go."

"Is being alone really so bad compared to what those guys are doing?" Ryder got closer to Axel. "They're killers."

"They're the only family I have."

"I'm not a fan of this family of yours. Especially not Henry."

"I know. But that's not going to make them change their minds. If anyone finds out a human was turned, we'll be hunted down by every pack in the country. Having you join us is the only way they'll feel safe without getting rid of you."

"Even if I agreed to join. What would I tell my family? How do you expect me to disappear without a trace? Someone would come looking for me."

"Well." The blond scoffed. "They had this crazy idea of having you fake your death."

"Fake my death? Are they insane?"

"Kind of."

"That sort of thing is easier said than done!"