MATED TO THE SECRET ALPHA

"Luna, I must commend you for a job well done," Beta Ryan said, his voice dripping with sarcasm and venom. "But don't you think that all you did was for naught?" He paused, a sly smile spreading across his face.

His gaze swept through the silent crowd, and he was met with a sea of hostile faces, their eyes blazing with anger and condemnation. Right, no one would believe him if he told them that Reana had orchestrated this entire disaster. They would think he was just a desperate, defeated man, grasping at straws to salvage his shattered reputation.

Moreover, no one believed the Luna could do wrong. She was a perfect leader to them.

"All of you hate me now," Beta Ryan declared, his voice ringing out across the square. "But soon, you'll realize why I did what I did. Soon, a refugee who became a servant will climb up that chair and become your Alpha." He paused, his eyes scanning the crowd with a mixture of contempt and warning. "Who knows if he's a spy from other packs? Who knows what his true reputation is? You're blind to the danger that's been lurking among you, and you'll pay the price for your ignorance–"

"Executioner!" Kira thundered, her voice cutting through Beta Ryan's words like a knife. The crowd's murmurs ceased, and all eyes turned to the executioner, who stepped forward, his massive silver axe at the ready. Beta Ryan's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with a mix of defiance and resignation.

But one thing he was happy about was the fact that the crowd's expression had shifted after what he'd said. Beta Ryan had successfully planted a seed of doubt in their minds, and he could see the faintest glimmer of uncertainty in their eyes. It was a small victory, but it was enough to give him a sense of satisfaction as he stood there, awaiting his fate.

"Ryan, I'm happy to die with you," Lillian said, her voice trembling as she broke her silence. She shuffled towards Ryan, her eyes brimming with tears, and rested her head on his chest. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry I couldn't protect us," she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion.

But instead of comfort or forgiveness, Lillian was met with a look of utter disgust. Ryan's eyes blazed with contempt as he moved away, causing her to stumble. His chest heaved with revulsion. "All this is your fault," he snarled, his voice dripping with venom. "I hope not to see you in the hereafter. Otherwise, I'll kill you again." He spat, his eyes flashing with a fierce, unbridled fury.

Had she not been so desperate to be fucked, had she not been on heat, they wouldn't have been caught redhanded. He would have been at the pack house, and perhaps, none of this would have happened.

Meanwhile, Reana observed the execution unfolding before her with a detached air, her expression unreadable. Even Beta Ryan's provocative words that had turned the atmosphere somber hadn't managed to pierce her composure.

Her mind was preoccupied with more pressing concerns, such as uncovering the identity of the person who had manipulated Killian and understanding their motives.

She watched with an impassive gaze as the traitors met their demise, one by one. When Beta Ryan's lifeless body slumped to the ground, his head severed from his shoulders, Reana's expression remained unchanged. With a calm, detached tone, she instructed Kira, "Bring me his head."

Kira's eyes flicked to Reana's, a hint of curiosity flashing across her face, but didn't ask questions.

…

Reana rose from her seat, her gaze sweeping across the crowd as the last echoes of the execution faded away. She could see that Ryan's last words had struck a chord, sowing seeds of doubt and unease among the pack members. Their faces, once set in determination and outrage, now wore expressions of uncertainty and concern, as if they were beginning to wonder if they had been misled.

"The traitors have been punished, but it seems to me that they've cast their shadows over the pack," Reana said, addressing the people.

"Is it true, Luna? Is a refugee servant going to become the next Alpha?!" Someone from the crowd shouted.

The murmurs of dissent grew louder, with pack members exchanging worried glances and whispering among themselves. Even the council members and warriors, normally stoic and reserved, were intrigued, their curious gazes betraying their otherwise calm demeanor.

Luna's eyes swept across the crowd, her expression unreadable, before she finally spoke. "What is true and what is not is not for me to decide," she said, her voice measured and enigmatic. "But I will say this; the next Alpha will be chosen after winter, not by birthright or social status, but by the will of the pack."

The crowd was silent at first, Luna's words hanging in the air like a challenge. But then, like a dam breaking, they burst into a cacophony of curious shouts, incredulous gasps, and heated debates, with some pack members even hopeful.

"What does the Luna mean?" Elder Jaxson asked.

The crowd grew silent again, eager to hear Luna's explanations, their faces tense with anticipation. All eyes were on Reana, waiting for her to elaborate on her statement.

"Henceforth, any male above marriageable age who contributes the most to the pack's welfare and protection before the next mating ceremony, and has gained the pack's trust, will be eligible to become the next Alpha," Luna declared, her voice clear and authoritative. "It matters not whether he is of noble blood or humble origins. What matters is his strength, wisdom, and devotion to our pack."

Once again, the square buzzed with conversation, excitement, and hope, as the pack members' faces reflected a renewed sense of possibility and responsibility. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, as the omegas and low-ranking warriors began to envision a future where anyone, regardless of birth or status, could rise to lead and protect their pack.

But the strong, higher-ranking warriors and elites scoffed at their unattainable dream, convinced that omegas and low-ranking warriors couldn't possibly outdo them in terms of strength, bravery, or leadership prowess. They saw Luna's declaration as a mere formality, a nod to equality and fairness, but ultimately, a competition they would easily dominate.

Even the council members had the same thoughts as the high-ranking warriors, but nodded to the challenge Reana threw out. It was a brilliant move by the Luna to get all hands on deck with no one complaining about workload. With the Alpha title on the line, even the laziest pack members would be motivated to work.

Everyone was happy and eager to prove themselves as they cheered, chanting the Luna's name as she walked away with her entourage.

This was Reana's goal - motivate them and use their strength to build the fortress in preparation for the coming winter.

And as for Ryders...