MATED TO THE SECRET ALPHA

It was all Beta Ryan's fault, they claimed. He had coaxed them into working for him, whispering sweet promises of promotion and power once he became the Alpha.

But when the chips were down, he had abandoned them, leaving them to face the Luna's wrath alone. And to make matters worse, he had killed one of them, a stark reminder that he could have just as easily killed the all if the Luna hadn't intervened.

The guards' resentment and anger boiled over. As self-proclaimed eyewitnesses to the alleged infidelity, they claimed to have heard incriminating sounds - moans, they whispered - emanating from the Beta's cell.

Furthermore, they revealed that Vivian had been sharing the same cell as the Beta, a fact that seemed to seal the deal in their minds. With righteous indignation, they began to spread their version of events, fueling the fire of gossip and speculation that threatened to consume the pack.

It was not a crime for the Alpha to have mistresses, but in this case, Beta Ryan wasn't an Alpha yet. To top it all, he was allegedly cheating with the Luna's stepsister. And while the Luna was out there fighting to protect the pack, the beta was in the dungeon, indulging in illicit pleasure.

Beta Ryan claimed that Luna Reana locked him up, yet, he had the power to control the servants and guards from the dungeon. Shouldn't he have also had the power to let himself out when the pack was facing an attack? But he didn't, all because of his own selfish desires.

"The Beta chose Vivian over the pack's safety!" The rumor spread like wildfire, repeated from tongue to tongue, gathering momentum and malice with each retelling.

….

Luna Reana's lips curled with satisfaction, a subtle smile playing on her lips as she strolled through her garden, the autumn flowers seeming even more vibrant and beautiful today, their delicate petals swaying gently in the breeze like nature's own confetti, celebrating her small but significant victory.

The soft rustle of leaves and chirping of birds created a soothing melody, a symphony of serenity that mirrored the calm, calculated demeanor of the Luna.

"My Luna seems very happy this evening."

Reana didn't need to turn around to know who that was. Her lips stretched even wider, her smile blossoming into a radiant grin as she recognized the smooth, velvety tone that belonged to none other than Ryder, her now favorite person.

She appeared to be focusing on the beauty of the view before her, but her senses were heightened to Ryder's every move, her awareness of him acute as she felt his eyes on her. She could sense his approach, his footsteps quiet on the gravel path, and her heart skipped a beat in anticipation of his proximity.

Suddenly, she felt a warmth on her shoulders. Ryder had draped a cloak over her, the soft, luxurious fabric that clearly belonged to her, yet seemed unfamiliar as it carried a strange subtle sweet and calming scent that is relaxing and soothing. She frowned slightly - she didn't know this scent.

But as the fragrance wrapped around her, Reana felt her tension ease, her muscles relaxing beneath the gentle weight of the cloak.

The evening was growing cold, but not enough to wear a cloak. After all, wolves had more resilient to cold temperatures. But Reana loved everything about this - The gesture was thoughtful, yet possessive, a quiet assertion of his care for her.

Even with the distraction, she didn't miss the feeling of his hands lingering on her shoulders, and Reana felt a flutter in her chest as she realized the intimacy of the moment.

"The evenings are getting cooler," Ryder said, his voice low and smooth, his breath whispering against Reana's ear as he stepped closer, his chest subtly brushing against her back. "I thought you might need this," he added, his hands adjusting the cloak around her shoulders, his fingers grazing her arms with a gentle intimacy.

Heat rushed up Reana's neck, spreading across her cheeks. Her heartbeat raced, pounding in her ears like a drum, afraid to turn around and face him, though desperate to. She felt like a wild animal trapped, her senses heightened as she waited for Ryder to make his next move, the silence between them thick with tension, heavy with unspoken words and desire.

But after so long, Ryder did nothing, said nothing, but remained glued behind her, his chest subtly pressed against her back. She could feel his hot gaze on her head. She could hear his heartbeat mirroring hers.

Reana's hands curled into fists, her nails digging into her palms as she struggled to maintain control, her emotions teetering on the edge of chaos, her breath coming out ragged and uneven.

Suddenly, Ryder's fingers brushed against hers, sending a jolt of electricity through her entire body. Her heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, time stood still. Reana leaned back, her rear coming into contact with the solid warmth of Ryder's chest, his presence enveloping her like a shield, making her feel safe, protected, and utterly vulnerable all at once.

The Luna's eyes fluttered closed, her senses heightened as she savored the touch, the spark of connection that seemed to arc between them like a live wire.

Ryder's gaze was gentle and doting as he watched the woman, his eyes burning with a quiet intensity that spoke of a deep and abiding passion, his attention focused solely on Reana, as if she were the only person in the world, the only one who mattered.

His arms reached out, wrapping around her waist, pulling her close as his chest pressed against her back, his warmth seeping into her skin, his breath whispering against her ear. He heard her purr, then melted into his embrace, her heart beating in perfect sync with his.

Ryder suppressed a growl of satisfaction, his eyes closing as he breathed in the sweet scent of her hair, his jaw resting on her head and she responded by wrapping her arms around his, her hands clasping his wrists, holding him in place as she leaned back into him, her body molding to his, a perfect fit.

This was her favorite position, he thought. She'd always loved being wrapped in his arms, surrounded by the scent of lavender, which relaxed her tension and made her fall asleep. Ryder's chest rose and fell with a gentle sigh, his heart swelling with affection as he felt Reana's body relax, her breathing slowing and evening out.

"Still so trusting," he mumbled as he swept her off her feet. True, she was sleeping. She mumbled something incoherent and Ryder chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he gazed down at Reana's peaceful face, her features soft and relaxed, her beauty captivating him all over again. He shifted her weight in his arms, holding her closer as he began to walk towards her bedchamber, his movements gentle so as not to disturb her.

Meanwhile, the beta, who had rushed over to look for Reana, hoping to 'clear the air and debunk the rumors', saw this scene unfolding before his eyes, and his expression darkened, a scowl etching itself on his face as he watched Ryder carry Reana off.

His fists clenched so tight that thick veins lined his forehead and arms, prompting his elongated nails to dug into his palms, blood trickled down his fists as he struggled to contain the turbulent emotions swirling within him, his eyes fixed intently on the Ryder's side profile.

The urge to kill that servant had intensified and tonight…that servant wouldn't last past tonight!