MATED TO THE SECRET ALPHA
Chapter 113: Mirian Can’t Speak Anymore

Chapter 113: Mirian Can’t Speak Anymore

The news about Mirian’s misfortune didn’t reach Reana until the next morning.

After the morning meeting with the beta and every leader overseeing their workers’ group, she went to check on Mirian and found the young omega lying on a bed in the healer’s quarters, still unconscious.

Kira had given her the gist that morning.

"How is she?" Reana asked the healer, her eyes glued on Mirian.

The healer, with a kind face, looked up from the notes she was scribbling on a parchment. "I can’t say for certain yet, until she wakes up," the healer replied calmly, her eyes never leaving Reana’s face.

The healer continued, "Two veins in her neck were severed. She might have some scarring, and there’s a possibility of permanent damage to her vocal cords."

"In other words, she won’t be able to speak anymore?" Reana asked.

"I’m afraid so, Luna."

Reana’s expression remained serene, but the air around her seemed to thicken, heavy with unspoken menace. The silence stretched out, taut and oppressive, before she spoke again.

"Do everything you can to help her," she instructed, her voice firm and commanding. "I want her to have the best care possible."

"I understand, Luna. I’ll try my best." The healer bowed.

As Reana turned to leave, the healer deliberated whether to bring up the matter with her research. In the end, she decided to. The Luna would be disappointed in her, but healer Dira didn’t want to give her false hope.

"Luna," she halted Reana in her steps, who turned her head, meeting her disappointed gaze.

"About the experiment..." her voice trailed off, ashamed to have disappointed the Luna, again. "I couldn’t –"

"I understand." With that, Reana turned and walked away. She didn’t need the result of the experiment anymore. Ryder had confessed to his crimes.

"I’m sorry, Luna. I’m useless." The healer remained bowing, even after Reana was out of sight.

Meanwhile, after the meeting with Reana and the other high-ranking warriors, Marcus went directly to see Ryder in the dungeon.

"I’m sorry, Zeta Marcus, I cannot let you see the prisoner."

Marcus paused, turned his head and the playful smile on his lips vanished, replaced by a cold, hard stare. "What did you call him?" His voice was low and menacing, sending a shiver down the guard’s spine.

The guard, unaware of the extent of danger he was in, swallowed nervously. "I-I called him prison–"

But before he could finish, Marcus’s forearm shot out, pinned the guard’s throat, slamming him against the cold stone wall behind him.

The guard’s eyes widened in shock as Marcus’s grip tightened, choking the life out of him.

"You will show respect," he growled.

The guard’s face turned red as he struggled to breathe, his hands grasping futilely at Marcus’s arm.

"Understand?!" he thundered.

The guard’s head rattled as he nodded vigorously, his eyes bulging in fear. Marcus’s grip tightened for a moment, then he released the guard, who slumped against the wall, gasping for air.

"Good," he growled, his voice still low and menacing. "Now, take me to Alp – Ryder."

The guard nodded again, still trying to catch his breath, and stumbled forward to lead Marcus to the cells.

...

Inside the cell, Ryder remained standing with his back to the entrance. When the gate clanged open, Ryder’s head turned slightly, his ear cocked towards the sound.

"You may leave," Marcus said to the guard, his voice still carrying a residue of his previous anger.

The guard hesitated, then bowed slightly before leaving. Marcus of a Zeta, a commander of the Western border, with one thousand, five hundred warriors under him.

He was feared and respected, the most powerful commander, one who defeated Delta Xavier the other day, which meant that, if he were to fight Beta Thane, he could win.

How could the guard not be scared of him?

After the guard left, Marcus sighed, trying to put his anger in check. He’d been in a foul mood ever since Mirian was hurt and the healer had not been able to find the proper treatment for her.

"I can’t believe she’d lock you up in here," his gaze darted around the cell. It wasn’t dirty per se, but absolutely not a place for someone like his Alpha.

Ryder slowly turned to face Marcus, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Reana has her reasons," Ryder said, his voice calm and even, but with a hint of warning. He leaned against the cold stone wall. "She’ll release me when the time is right."

Marcus’s gaze snapped back to Ryder’s, his eyes flashing with frustration. "You’re not going to defend her, are you?" he asked, his voice low and incredulous. "Our warriors are not pleased."

He was referring to the other six warriors of their Dark Snow Pack. They’d been very angry ever since Ryder was locked up. It took Marcus a great deal of suppression for their anger to be put in check. But he couldn’t guarantee that they wouldn’t lash out anytime soon.

"It’s a lover’s quarrel. It’s not something you should worry about." Ryder said, eyes shut.

Marcus stared blankly at him, not knowing what to say at this point. He was convinced that if Reana asked for his head, he’d give it without a second thought.

The Alpha has been bewitched. He concluded.

"The report just came in," he changed the topic. "Qasas has given the orders to allow trading with the Black Moon Pack merchants, though it would take a few more weeks for them to reach the Southern Islands."

He hesitated before adding, "Tamara has left the Islands. She’s on her way to the Mainland."

Ryder slowly opened his eyes, "On whose authority is she abandoning her role in the pack?"

Marcus’s expression turned grim, his eyes clouding over with concern. "Qasas’s, apparently," he replied. "He wrote that Tamara had lost trust in Orion and wanted to see his claims for herself. But I’m sure that’s not the only reason she’s coming over."

Ryder didn’t speak further, nor did his expression betray his thoughts. In fact, he wasn’t even thinking about anything but Reana.