MATED TO THE SECRET ALPHA

"Leave Vivian behind," Reana said with a warm smile. "It's been ages since we've had a chance to catch up, just the two of us. Don't you agree, Vivian?"

Katherine's eyes widened in alarm as she tightened her grip on her daughter. "What are you planning to do to my daughter?!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with fear.

Reana's fake smile never wavered. "What are you so afraid of, stepmother?" she teased. "I don't eat people, I assure you. And even if I did, as a senior, you'd be the first I devour." Her eyes sparkled with mirth as she chuckled at Katherine's shocked expression.

Reana's gaze locked onto Vivian, her eyes glinting with a mixture of amusement and warning. "Vivian, do you want to come willingly, or do you need a little push?"

Vivian's anger flared, but she bit back her retort, taking a few deep breaths to calm herself. "Mother, you should head back first. I'll come home shortly."

Katherine's grip on her daughter's arm tightened, desperation creeping into her eyes. But she knew she was beaten. If only Kael were here... The thought was a bitter comfort as she released Vivian and hurried out of the hall, tears streaming down her face as she covered it in shame.

Vivian's gaze followed her mother's retreating figure before she turned to face Reana, her eyes flashing with a mix of anger and wariness. "What do you want from me?" she asked, her voice tight with restraint.

Reana's gaze drifted to the broken jar, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "The servants are busy with their duties. It won't kill you to lend a hand, will it?" She raised an eyebrow, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Vivian's nails dug into her palm as she took a deep breath. "I'll clean it," she said through gritted teeth, dropping to her knees to pick up the shards.

But Reana shook her head, her expression unyielding. "I don't think that's how it's done," she said, her eyes glinting with amusement.

Vivian's head snapped up, her eyes narrowing as she wondered what more Reana wanted from her. And then Reana turned to Kira, her voice dripping with condescension. "Get a servant outfit that would fit her. If there's none, summon the dressmaker to create one."

"Reana!" Vivian cried out, her voice laced with outrage.

But Reana wasn't done, her tone dripping with saccharine sweetness. "I've heard the dungeon hasn't been cleaned in days. Vivian has graciously offered to take care of it. And those poor laundry servants must be exhausted from washing clothes daily. Let them rest for a while; Vivian will lend a hand. After that, tell the stable hand to take a break too. Vivian knows her way around horses, don't you, dear?" Reana's eyes sparkled with malice.

Vivian's anger boiled over. This was it! She'd had enough! Reana deserved to die!!

But her outrage only made Reana more pleased. If there was anyone Reana hated after Katherine, it was Vivian. The bitch was just like her mother – manipulative, pretentious, and cunning.

Vivian had tried to drive a wedge between Reana and her older brothers numerous times. She 'innocently' seduced Reana's eldest brother while on heat.

When her seductive tactics didn't work on her eldest brother, Vivian targeted Reana's other brothers. Like a snake, she whispered revolting thoughts into their minds, convincing each one of them to take on the Alpha role, presenting countless reasons why they were best suited for the position.

Vivian did so with perfection, just like her mother, making it seem like she was looking out for Reana's well-being. "Reana will be taken advantage of by her mate. Once he became the Alpha, he would treat us and Reana badly. Brothers, it's only right that one of become the Alpha," Vivian had said one time.

She only stopped when she realized that Reana's older brothers weren't interested in becoming the Alpha. And surprisingly, a few months later, Alpha Roughman and his son were killed.

Reana didn't know who killed her father and brothers. She'd used her powers to investigate Katherine and her children, but they seemed to be innocent, but Reana refused to rule them out completely. She kept them around not only because of the promise she made to her father.

She was keeping an eye on them. If she ever found proof of their involvement, they would wish they were dead.

"Reana, must you take it this far?" Vivian's jaw clenched, her eyes blazing with suppressed fury. She winced as her elongated claws dug into her palm, drawing blood. Her hands itched to strike Reana, but she knew she was no match for Reana.

Reana nodded curtly, her expression unyielding. "You pushed me, Vivian. Now I must push back harder. I won't let you beat me, not even in your dreams."

Vivian's lip curled, her sharp canines sinking into the tender flesh as she struggled to contain her rage — she had half-transformed, thanks to her fury.

The thought of performing servant's duties was humiliating. What would the pack think when they saw her, the future Alpha's mate, groveling like a lowly servant? What would Ryan think?

"Reana, we are sisters," Vivian began, desperate to appeal to whatever familial bond they shared.

"Of course, we're step sisters," Reana corrected, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "And as your step sister, turned Luna, shouldn't you be eager to help me with pack duties? Doing the servants' chores for a couple of days or weeks is the least you can do, Vivian. Don't be lazy."

Reana's hand fluttered in a dismissive gesture, her eyes flashing with irritation. "Now, go. You're wasting my time."

Vivian's body crumpled to the floor as her half-wolf retracted. She wept, her sobs echoing through the hall. She, a lady of noble birth and honor, was being reduced to a mere servant. The humiliation was suffocating, her pride shattered into a million pieces.

"Kira, please escort her out. Her dramatics are too captivating. I fear I'll be distracted from more pressing matters if she remains." Reana's voice was tinged with amusement, her eyes glinting with sly humor as she watched Vivian's tearful display.

Kira swiftly dragged Vivian out of the hall, the echoes of her sobs fading into the distance. With the hall finally quiet, Reana let out a relieved sigh and turned her attention to Ryder, who sat patiently at her right.

Ryder's eyes sparkled with amusement as he asked, "My Luna, how do you manage to balance protecting the pack with being effortlessly sarcastic and witty?"

"Do you want to know what's more interesting?" Reana asked, leaning forward in her seat, a mischievous glint in her eye.

Ryder's brow arched, intrigued. "Do tell, My Luna."