MATED TO THE SECRET ALPHA

"Anything?" Reana avoided the question, her exhausted body protesting as she dragged herself out of bed to change clothes. Yesterday's mental exertion had left her drained, and she desperately needed a few days of rest to recharge. But time was a luxury she couldn't afford.

"I came to inform you that the warriors are ready," Kira announced. "I've selected fifty powerful warriors, and they're awaiting your parting words."

Reana's eyes narrowed. "Double the number. I want fifty to fall behind as reinforcements. If something unexpected happens, they'll have time to send a message."

Kira's eyes sparkled, "Brilliant idea! I'll take care of it immediately."

As Kira turned to leave, she hesitated and looked back at Reana, her expression curious. "I heard you had the beta locked up. Unpleasant rumors are circulating, and people are confused about the reason…" Kira didn't finish. The rumor was unpleasant - some said the Luna punished the beta because of a servant who she was having an affair with.

"Because they feel it's improper to humiliate whom they thought would be their Alpha?" Reana's tone was matter-of-fact, her expression indicating she already knew the answer.

Kira nodded in agreement, then her brow furrowed in confusion. "But, Luna, I don't understand. If someone like me can uncover Ryan's secrets, surely you must know them too. So why tolerate him? You could expose him and end the pressure to marry him."

Reana turned, her robe fluttering around her, and met Kira's curious gaze. "What if I don't know what he's hiding?"

Why won't Reana know? She just wanted to know how perceptive and informative Kira was. Kira had brute force. She was one of the strongest warriors, even stronger than Ryan. But she lacked the brains for politics and schemes.

Kira's gaze locked onto Reana's, her expression deadpan serious. "He's loyal to Kael, not you. He lied about rejecting his mate, and he's secretly involved with Vivian, your stepsister. His lust for power is written all over his face. How could you not see this?"

Reana suddenly gave her a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "If you've grasped this much, do you think the council of Elders are oblivious?"

Kira's frown deepened. "If the Elders suspect Ryan's intentions, why are they still pushing for him to become Alpha?" She shook her head, frustrated by the complexities of pack politics. "I'll never understand these games."

"Haha," Reana's laughter was dry and humorless. "Most people aren't as simple-minded as you, Kira. Just because there's a faint rumor of Beta Ryan juggling between multiple women, is not enough to discredit him. After all, Alphas often have mistresses. My Roughman family's traditions may not condone such behavior, but that doesn't make it forbidden."

Reana's gaze drifted, her eyes clouding over as she spoke. "And as a she-wolf, when I'm worn out by childbearing, the Alpha will eventually leave my shadow." She turned to Kira, a knowing smile on her lips. "That's why the council doesn't care. They see it as the natural order of things."

It would appear that Reana didn't see anything wrong in any of that, but was merely stating the harsh realities of their world. And she wasn't one to succumb to that cruelty.

She walked to the mirror, giving her face a good look, "Beta Ryan is not an easy problem to eliminate without a solid reason. I could kill him if I chose to, but that would only create a power vacuum. Who's to say the next Beta - the next candidate to become my mate, won't be worse? And then there's Kael, pulling the strings from behind the scenes."

Reana's eyes narrowed at her unsightly dark circles. "I still don't know who killed my family, my mate... I have many hidden enemies, Kira. That's why I must tread carefully, avoid making decisions that could further complicate things." With a sigh, she turned away from the mirror, her gaze meeting Kira's.

Kira's head bowed, her eyes filled with remorse. "I'm sorry, Luna. I didn't mean to bring up painful memories."

Reana's expression softened, her voice gentle. "You've done nothing wrong, Kira. Enough of this conversation. Don't keep the warriors waiting."

Kira bowed deeply before departing, leaving Reana to her thoughts.

As the door closed behind Kira, Reana let out a deep sigh. She wished more people were as genuine and simple-minded as Kira. Even the servants had their own ambitions and secrets... Speaking of servants, her thoughts drifted to one in particular, the person who had tipped her world to the side in just one day.

A knock sounded on the door followed by a maid servant, who carried a basin of water and a towel. "Luna, Madam Katherine has been waiting for..." The servant's words faltered as she took in Reana's already-dressed state.

Reana's gaze flicked to the servant, her voice firm. "Put that down. Go fetch Ryder for me."

Mirian's eyes widened in feigned innocence. "R-Ryder? Who is Ryder?"

Reana's narrowed gaze pinned her in place, "Mirian, a gossip devotee like yourself can't possibly be unaware of the rumors. Even Kira's heard them."

Mirian's face flushed with embarrassment as she realized her love of gossip hadn't gone unnoticed by the Luna. She bowed hastily, her eyes darting away from Reana's knowing gaze. "Yes, Luna. I'll fetch him immediately." With that, she scurried off to fulfill Reana's command.

Reana scoffed as she took the basin of water to begin washing her face and foot. These people would think she didn't know what's happening around her but she not only knew such little things, she knew what ran through their minds, except Ryder's.

Ryder again! Reana was frustrated as she slammed the towel into the water, sending droplets flying everywhere. "Why can't I stop thinking about you, Ryder?" she muttered, exasperated. "What have you done to me?"

Nothing, except the mysterious death of her family and mate, had ever kept Reana awake like Ryder's haunting presence now did. Throughout the sleepless night, guilt gnawed at her for the way she'd treated him. If not for her iron will, she would have surrendered to the urge to seek him out late in the night. Reana was at a loss to explain her own behavior, unsure what was driving these uncharacteristic emotions.

…

The wait had been agonizing, but Reana had found herself inexplicably compelled to apply a light layer of makeup, telling herself it was to conceal the dark circles under her eyes. Yet, deep down, she knew she didn't like the idea of Ryder seeing her in such a state.

Ryder and Mirian entered Reana's room after a brief knock.

"My Luna," Ryder's deep voice rumbled, sending a flutter through Reana's stomach as her heart skipped a beat. His husky tone had an enchanting effect, tensing her muscles and conjuring an image of his slight smile and mischievous gaze, even though her back was turned to him.

Despite her better judgment, Reana felt a thrill at the possessive undertone in his voice. She'd feared that after the ugly incident yesterday, he would stop addressing her in that manner, but hearing the way he called her 'My Luna' seemed to stake a claim on her.

Reana's lips curled into a slight, unconscious smile. Upon realizing that, she quickly smoothed her features back into her signature icy mask. Taking a couple of deep breaths, she turned to face Ryder, her expression stern.

Suddenly, her eyebrows furrowed in disapproval. "Why are you still wearing that?" she asked, her gaze fixed on the torn shirt from yesterday

"I only have this to wear, My Luna," Ryder said, his eyes cast downward, but his voice dripped with a seductive tone that irritated Mirian but sent Reana's heartbeat racing.

Mirian's face darkened with displeasure. "Call her Luna!" she chastised, her frown deepening. "What's with the 'My Luna'? She's not yours."

Ryder's gaze snapped up, meeting Reana's. His voice grew even more velvety. "Does My Luna not like it?" The air seemed to thicken as Reana's pulse quickened under the intensity of his scrutiny. A faint blush crept up her cheeks, but her expression remained impassive.

Mirian, however, misinterpreted Reana's silence as anger, and she waited expectantly for Reana to reprimand the insolent servant. The tension in the room hung like a challenge, with Ryder's eyes never leaving Reana's face.