MATED TO THE SECRET ALPHA

Few hours ago...

In the dimly lit dungeon, Vivian was sleeping peacefully on Ryan's leg, as he combed his fingers through her messy hair, looking into the distance. His mind was consumed by bitter resentment.

It's been days, he thought, his anger simmering just below the surface. He had expected to be released within two hours, but that tyrannical she-wolf, Reana, had seen fit to keep him imprisoned for three interminable days!

A low, menacing growl rumbled in his chest as he fantasized about how he'd make Reana pay.

Luckily, he managed to persuade Vivian to stay with him, otherwise, how could he stay there alone?

But Ryan didn't forget whose fault it was – the pretty faced servant, the captivating omega.

Beta Ryan gritted his teeth, the possibility that Ryder might be sharing Reana's bed grew stronger, only adding fuel to the flames of fury burning inside him.

He recalled the way Reana gazed at Ryder, her eyes soft and warm, a look he had never seen her bestow on anyone before. What's more, she made him kneel to that servant. The memory seared itself into Ryan's mind, stoking the embers of his jealousy and resentment.

Ryan's eyes blazed with a malevolent intensity as he vowed to himself that, upon becoming the Alpha, he would personally gouge out Ryder's eyes, then cut him in small pieces and feed him to the monsters - that would be Ryan's first priority.

And as for Reana...

"Hear the Luna's order!" Ryan's sinister musings were abruptly interrupted by the loud, booming voice that echoed through the dungeon. His gaze snapped toward the bar gates, a flicker of hope momentarily displacing his seething anger.

Could it be? Were they finally being released? With renewed energy, Ryan gently shook Vivian awake, and together they hastened to the entrance, their hands grasping the cold metal bars as they peered eagerly into the corridors, staring at the warder who brought the news.

The warder's voice reverberated off the cold stone walls as he delivered the decree: "Vivian, effective immediately, you will relocate to the dungeon and reside here for a period of three months. During your stay, you will be responsible for cleaning the dungeon."

Vivian's eyes widened in bewilderment, her mind struggling to comprehend the guard's words despite their crystal clarity. "Wh– what's going on?" she stammered, her gaze drifting upward to Ryan's furious face.

Ryan's eyes blazed with indignation as he locked onto hers, his expression twisted into a scowl. "Reana's condemned you to three months in this pit," he snarled, his voice dripping with venom.

Vivian's eyes glazed over, her mind reeling in shock. "I– I mean, what does she mean by that?" she stuttered, her brain struggling to process the guard's words. The implications were too terrifying to contemplate: was Reana actually imprisoning her in the dungeon? Vivian's face paled, her eyes wide with fear. "H– has she found out about our relationship?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Ryan's frown deepened, his mind racing with the possibilities. Could Reana have discovered their secret? Was that why she was treating him so coldly? No, there was never a time that Reana wasn't cold towards him.

Then…? But that was impossible... wasn't it? He had taken every precaution, bribing the guards around the dungeon to keep their mouths shut. Yet, a nagging doubt lingered.

Just then, the warder's voice cut through the air once more, his words a surprise to them both: "...Beta Ryan has shown remorse and loyalty, and for that, the Luna has forgiven his sins."

Vivian's face contorted in alarm. "W– what?! You've been freed? You'll leave me here!?" she exclaimed, panic creeping into her voice. She had unwillingly stayed by Ryan's side in the dungeon for three days after he begged her, coupled with the fact that they could do anything they wanted, away from Reana's prying eyes.

But now, Ryan was being released, while she was to remain imprisoned. How was that fair!?

Ryan's expression softened, and he reached out to calm her. "I won't leave you here alone. Wait for me. I'll think of a way to get you out. But if I fail, then tonight, I'll send someone to take your place, while you stay in hiding until your brother returns."

Vivian's eyes widened further, her mind racing with the consequences. "Are you saying I can't prepare for the mating ceremony?" she asked, her voice laced with incredulity, as if the very idea was unthinkable. "Why don't you talk to Reana!? She's your soon-to-be fucking mate!"

Ryan's anger threatened to boil over. This was why he hated spoiled brats! But Vivian wasn't someone he could take his anger out on, so he suppressed it, taking a deep breath to calm his heart.

Grasping Vivian's shoulders, his eyes locked onto hers as he explained the situation with deliberate patience, as if speaking to a child. "Preparing for the mating ceremony is not the most pressing concern right now, Vivian. Moreover, it's in five months." He sighed, trying harder to suppress his frustration as he took a step away, giving her his back.

"We don't know if Reana has discovered our secret, but if she hasn't, we mustn't raise suspicions. If I plead for you, it will only arouse her curiosity." Vivian's face fell, and Ryan's expression twisted into a bitter smile as he turned to stare at her. "I'm afraid you'll have to stay here alone until nightfall. There's no other way."

He continued, his voice taking on a hint of promise. "But I swear to you, Vivian, once I become Alpha, you'll have your revenge. You can imprison Reana in this very dungeon for as long as you desire. I won't interfere."

However, Vivian was too emotional to listen to reasons, and it took Ryan nearly half an hour of cajoling and reassuring her before she reluctantly agreed to stay put.

But what Ryan didn't realize was that, the moment he departed, the guards stationed in the dungeon were swiftly replaced by new, burlier men, and the security measures were significantly tightened.

And those sneaky people who would come for Vivian tonight, well...