MATED TO THE SECRET ALPHA

He shook the thoughts from his mind, dismissing the fleeting doubts.

What was he thinking?

With a soft sigh of self-rebuke, Marcus couldn't help but wonder how Tamara would take this new development.

"When we reach the bridge, we find a way to cross it." With that, he shifted into his wolf form, chasing after Ryder's horse as it galloped out of the forest.

…

Reana~

Arriving at the pack, a servant took the reins of her horse. Reana jumped down, her weary muscles protesting the movement, and headed towards her chambers. A bath, dressing her wound, and then a meeting with the council were all pressing matters and she had no time to dilly-dally. No time for breakfast, even.

But just as she turned a corner, Mirian hurried over to report some matters to her. "My Luna—"

"It's Luna to you, Mirian," Reana corrected, her tone firm but measured as she continued striding forward.

Mirian was taken aback, her eyes widening slightly. But Ryder, that servant, had used the more informal address, and Reana hadn't rebuked him. Though momentarily aggrieved, Mirian quickly composed herself and hurried to catch up with Reana, as she continued her report.

"You have some visitors, Luna. They're waiting in the hall."

"I'm not expecting anyone," Reana replied. "Who are they?" she asked.

"Beta Ryan's family," Mirian replied. "They're here to plead for leniency on his behalf, given the mating ceremony is fast approaching."

Reana's expression remained impassive. "Go tell them the guards at the dungeon are still searching for the keys to Ryder's cell." Her voice was firm, brooking no argument.

"Understood… Wait, what?" Mirian was dazed, halting in her steps. What keys? What was Luna Reana talking about?

However, Reana didn't break her stride. She had no time for herself, let alone for a bunch of useless werewolves who couldn't train their son right.

Although Mirian didn't understand Reana's previous comment, she hurried to keep pace with her. "Also, I have some additional information, but I wasn't sure if it was worth mentioning."

Reana's eyes narrowed slightly, her tone crisp. "If you're not sure, then keep it to yourself."

Mirian hesitated, but Reana's gaze flicked briefly toward her, and she took it as a sign to continue. "It's about Vivian."

Reana glanced over her shoulder with interest. Seeing this, Mirian caught the hint and continued, "I had someone keep an eye on her, to see if she was completing the tasks you assigned to her."

Reana's gaze snapped back to the path ahead, her voice firm. "And?"

"She's not doing the work herself. Instead, she's delegating it to others. And when I asked about her whereabouts, I was told she hasn't left the dungeons since..."

"Wonderful," Reana said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Since Vivian seems to have a fondness for the dungeon, relay my order; Vivian is to relocate there immediately. For the next three months, she'll reside in the dungeon while cleaning it every day."

Reana's gaze turned icy, her voice taking on a menacing tone. "Beta Ryan has learnt his lessons. He should be let out."

If Vivian thought she could be happy in that dungeon, then she must be mistaken.

She continued, "As for the guards who seem to be operating under their own agenda, bring them before me. I need to understand if this pack has another master issuing orders behind my back. Perhaps we can all serve this mysterious individual together."

Mirian felt a chill running down her spine. No day goes by without Luna Reana making someone a scapegoat. But she couldn't be blamed. After all, a few idiots were constantly testing her patience. "Yes, Luna."

As Reana reached for the door handle, she halted. "Get me Ryder," she commanded, her tone firm and authoritative.

Mirian's eyes flicked back to Reana's cold face before clearing her throat, "He left the pack yesterday and no one in the servant quarters has seen him since."

Mirian had been keeping a close watch on Ryder like a hawk ever since Reana had taken interest in him. She wanted dirt on him so she could expose his true nature to Reana. When she saw him and Marcus leaving the pack yesterday, she sent someone after them, but they had thrown that person off their tail.

Reana's brows furrowed. For some reason, she didn't like that he left the pack without protection. She stood there for a moment, her silence oppressive, before finally opening the door and walking in, leaving Mirian to wonder what was running through Reana's mind.

Meanwhile, Reana paced back and forth in her room, her mind consumed by the unsettling thoughts – the mysterious killer was still in the pack. What if they targeted Ryder next? Her frown deepened, reflecting her growing unease.

Reana didn't like this one bit. Was she able to read Ryder's future, at least, she would have had ways of protecting him better, but now, she was forced to rely on precaution.

A knock at the door broke the silence, and a few omegas entered with her bath water. As they headed into her bathroom, Reana mindlinked the nearest warriors, ordering them to find and bring Ryder to her immediately.

….

As the healer tended to her wound with gentle precision, Mirian entered the room, her eyes cast downward in respect. "Luna, Ryder is waiting outside," she announced softly.

Reana's gaze narrowed, a mix of relief and irritation swirling within her. She had been worried sick about Ryder, and now that he was safe, she couldn't help but feel a little annoyed that he had put her through such distress. Her eyes flashed with anger as she planned to give him a piece of her mind.

"Has Beta Ryan left the cell?" she stuck up Ryder's matter at the back of her mind. Let him remain standing outside. That was a small punishment for making her worry, she thought.

"Yes, Luna," Mirian replied. As the healer finished up, Mirian stepped forward, carefully lifting Reana's dress and slipping it over her head. "He was insistent on seeing you, but I informed him that you weren't receiving visitors." Mirian's voice toned down a bit, as if she was gossiping with her friends. "He was quite adamant, Luna. He seemed... anxious to speak with you. He was quite worried about your sister."