MATED TO THE SECRET ALPHA

In the dimly lit dungeon, a maid servant stood before Beta Ryan, tears streaming down her face. "Ryan, this isn't fair. Why is she treating you like this?"

Ryan's expression softened as he pulled her into a comforting hug. "It's just a little more time, Lilly. The mistreatment will end after we become mates. Once I marry her and become the Alpha, I'll make her pay for every humiliation and suffering she's put me through."

Lillian's eyes searched Ryan's face as she pulled away from his chest. Despite knowing her place and the plan, she yearned for reassurance that she still held his heart. "What will happen to me after you become the Alpha?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Ryan's hands reached out to her, but Lillian took a step back, her eyes welling up with tears. "A-are you going to abandon me? Y-you told me you don't like her. I'm your destined mate, Ryan."

"I'm aware of that," Ryan hissed, frustration rolling off his body. "My hands are tied." He clenched his fist, his eyes blazing with resentment. "Even when I become the Alpha, I won't be able to marry you immediately. Once we eliminate Reana, another obstacle awaits."

"Vivian?"

Ryan nodded calmly, his voice dripping with disdain. "Yes. Her family expects me to make her my Luna."

Lillian's eyes narrowed, her voice laced with hurt. "What about me?"

Ryan immediately responded, "You'll become my mistress." Before Lilly could react, he added, "I'm sure Kael won't object. You're a crucial part of our plan, Lilly. Without you, our scheme falls apart. So, I'm sure Vivian will understand when–"

"Understand?" Lillian chuckled bitterly, "Have you forgotten I'm your rejected mate?" Lillian felt emotional. She was sad, angry, and desperate. "Do you know how long I've been pretending that we're enemies? Do you know how many nights had gone by with my side of the bed cold? Do you know how many winters I longed for you? Just when I thought I could be with you in a few months, you bring me this heartbreak? You're telling me that I have to wait another what…three years, five years, ten years!?"

Ryan's expression softened, and he reached out to her again. "Lilly, no. That's not true, you don't have to wait for years anymore. I'll make things right as soon as possible…" But the words seemed hollow, even to his own ears. He knew he was promising her something he might not be able to deliver. And Lillian knew it too.

Reana was a handful, but her stepfamily was worse, especially Kael. If they got a whiff of what he was planning, or that he was even seeing Lillian behind their backs, they would kill her, just to make sure their plan didn't fail.

Those people pulled strings to make sure he was the pack's choice for the Alpha position. In exchange for making him the Alpha, he would make Vivian his Luna after they'd taken care of Reana. So, how could he jeopardize that plan now? Something they'd been planning for three years.

"Lilly, please," he held her tightly, "Wait for me, I'll be with you, I promise. Once I become the Alpha and have all the power to fight against those people, I'll come back for you, even if it takes 20 years. You know how much I love you…" With that, he sealed her lips with his.

Lillian was weeping but she returned the kiss and held him tightly, not wanting to let go. She'll wait for him. She'll support him with everything, even if it means killing a few people, she thought.

Meanwhile, Vivian was being led to the dungeon to start her work.

Hearing footsteps growing closer, a guard rushed over and cleared his throat, "Someone is coming, send her away, quick."

Ryan broke away from Lillian and quickly pushed her to the opened cell gate. "Go, don't let anyone see you."

Lillian looked back at him before nodding and quickly followed the guard, who took her into another cell to stay there until the coast was clear.

"Wh– what is this? A– am I supposed to work here? It's so dark, scary, and smelly!" Vivian's booming voice echoed in the dark dungeon.

"You told the Luna that you wanted to help clean out the dungeon. Didn't you know it was not an easy place before you volunteered?" the warder glared at her.

"I didn't –" she bit her tongue. Even if she told the truth it wouldn't change anything. For the fact that Reana didn't kill her or let others know that she threw a porcelain at her, was already lenient of her.

If Reana had announced it, everyone in the pack would have come for her head.

"Some cells have been empty for quite some time now. You'll clean those cells," the warder continued after a pause. "I'm going easy on you because you're Luna Reana's sister. Otherwise, you'd have cleaned the cells that are in horrible conditions."

Hearing that, Ryan and the guards' hearts dropped. Lillian was in one of the empty cells. If Vivian saw her, there would be trouble!

"Vivian?" Ryan suddenly called. "Is that you, Vivian?"

"Ryan?" Vivian dropped the bucket and broom she was holding and rushed off towards Ryan's cell. "What are you doing here?"

Ryan smiled bitterly as he held her hands through the bar gate. "Your sister put me here."

"What? Has Reana gone mad? You'll soon become her Alpha!"

"I must have upset her. But don't worry, once her mood is calm, she'll call me out of here," he glanced at the guard and their eyes met. A tacit understanding passing through them.

"What are you doing here?" Ryan asked her again."

"That bitch, she sent me down here to clean the cells," she said, gritting her teeth.

Ryan frowned, "That's too harsh a punishment. Why don't you come in? I'll have someone do the work for you."

Hearing that, Vivian's eyes lit up and she quickly asked the guard to open the gate. After the guard let her in, he locked the gate. Not long after, moans and groans filled the air.

Understanding it was time to let Lillian escape, the guard quickly went to the other cell and whispered to Lillian, telling her to leave without making a sound.

Lillian didn't understand at first, but when she drew closer to Ryan's cell, she froze. Ryan's pants were down, and he was slamming his waist repeatedly, his face twisted in pleasure. Vivian's moans grew louder, her hands pressed against the wall.