MATED TO THE SECRET ALPHA
Chapter 145: Luna Reana’s Fury

Chapter 145: Luna Reana’s Fury

"She’s not worth it." An elder said. "A war with the Dark Snow Pack is the least thing we want right now. We can’t afford it. Moreover, she’s just an omega." The old man frowned.

"I agree with Elder Logan, Luna. Although it’s not a noble gesture, we can’t risk the pack’s safety for one member, especially an omega. They’re vulnerable, and..."

"I disagree with that, Elder Mira," Elder Jaxson frown with displeasure. "Omega or not, she’s a member of this pack. If we cannot even protect one of our own, then what kind of pack are we?"

"They’re offering a hefty price for her. Such wealth could go a long way for the pack after winter."

"I agree...!"

"What if the young she-wolf doesn’t want him?"

"Then we force her to want him. She’s contributing to the pack in a good way."

"We could also reap benefits from this union. An alliance with the Dark Snow Pack would give us access to uninterrupted trading and–"

"That’s outrageous!"

.

.

.

In no time, the hall plummeted into a war zone – elders screaming over each other, egos getting bruised, insults flying, spit soaring in the air, and voices rising in anger.

The once-respectful council meeting had devolved into a shouting match, with men and women taking sides and tempers flaring.

Reana’s face darkened, the screams grating on her nerves, making her head ache. Like a boiling volcano, she erupted, a loud bang that soared through the noise reverberated in the hall, accompanying her rare bellow.

"ENOUGH!" Reana’s voice was like thunder, shaking the very foundations of the hall.

The shouting match abruptly ceased, and the council members froze, their faces turned toward their Luna, eyes widened in shock.

The Luna’s armchair had splintered from the impact of her slap, the wooden frame shattered into fragments.

A sharp fragment embedded into her palm. Reana’s eyes flashed with pain, but her expression didn’t change. She didn’t flinch or show any signs of weakness.

The room was silent, except for Reana’s anger still simmering in the air. Her green eyes blazed with a fierce intensity, daring anyone to defy her.

The council members exchanged nervous glances, their faces pale. It was rare, extremely rare to see her so furious. The first time she’d displayed so much anger, a few elders had died under her claws. And that was three years ago —when she was reforming the pack and preparing it for greatness.

That was the moment all the elders fully submitted to her... Or so it seemed.

But as the years went by, Reana had honed her control, put her temper in check, and dealt with the council, using wisdom, wit, and sarcasm.

Yet, it seemed that her lack of brutality in the past two years had made the council members too relaxed, thinking she’d lost her claws.

However, right now, the old men and women swallowed hard. They knew better than to cross their Luna when she was in this state.

"Which of you will risk your own daughters’ lives for the sake of an alliance?" Her words hung in the air, piercing gaze sweeping through the guilty greedy men and women with disgust.

The greedy old men and women looked away, avoiding her gaze, their faces pale. None of them stepped forward, none of them volunteered their daughters. None of them tried to fake it. Knowing this cunning woman, she would take it literally and send their daughters away if the need ever arrived. She might even send their daughters to the rogue leaders – to end the war, if she was too angry.

She was that petty and wicked.

Reana’s eyes narrowed, lips curling into a sneer. "I thought not," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "Then keep your opinions to yourselves."

She continued, "Mirian is old enough to decide her own path. If she doesn’t want to go, I’ll make sure this pack, you all, protect her with your lives. That’s what this pack stands for – unity, loyalty, and trust.

"It does not cater to the whims of the minority. No omega is a pawn to be used in games of power and control." Reana’s voice was like ice, her words cutting through the council members’ pretenses. "Mirian’s safety and happiness are paramount. If she chooses to go with Detroit, it will be because she wants to, not because she’s coerced into it."

Her gaze swept the room, daring anyone to disagree. "I will not sacrifice one of our own for the sake of politics. My father did not, my grandfather did not, so this diabolical practice will not manifest under my watch!"

And with that, she rose from her seat. "Seems retirement might serve some of you better." Striding towards the entrance, she added, "I’ll start considering it."

It was a threat to strip some of them off their titles, and the warning wasn’t lost on them.

...

Sigh...

"You didn’t have to hurt yourself to show them you’re angry, My Luna." Ryder said as he carefully pulled out the wooden fragment from Reana’s palm.

Reana winced slightly as the wood came out, but her expression remained stern. "It wasn’t about showing them anger, Ryder," she said, her voice firm. "It was about making a point."

Ryder said nothing. He lifted her hand to his face, stuck out his tongue as he licked the blood from her palm, eyes pinning her in place.

Reana’s gaze softened slightly at the unexpected gesture, her eyes locking onto Ryder’s. The tension that had built up inside her slowly began to unravel.

Her heart skipped a beat when the tip of his tongue trailed away from the healing wound towards her fingers. Then, he turned the back of her hand and planted a soft kiss on her knuckles. "I insist that you don’t hurt yourself when you’re angry."

Reana’s face flushed. She took her hand back — the injury had closed up and the blood was gone.

"Are you commanding me now, Ryder?" her voice was stern and her eyes were cold, but the blush on her face spoke otherwise.

Ryder’s eyes sparkled with amusement, but his expression remained innocent. "Who, me? Never," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Reana’s flush deepened, and she couldn’t help but smile. For a moment, she forgot about the council and the drama that had just unfolded. All she saw was Ryder, his eyes crinkling at the corners, his lips curved into a gentle smile. "You’re a bad liar, Ryder," she said, her voice softening.

Of course, he wasn’t, and she knew that much – He’d effortlessly lied to her from day one.

Ryder chuckled, "I’ll take that as a compliment, My Luna."

Reana smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder. The two remained like that, in silence. The morning sun, the chirping birds, and the rich smell of flowers filling their noses.

Slowly, Ryder moved his weight, the swing began to sway gently – their bobies moving back and forth – and Reana’s eyes drifted closed. The motion was soothing, and the warmth of Ryder’s body was comforting.

For a moment, they just existed, no one said a word, breathed too loudly, or move. And then, after what seemed like an eternity, Reana broke the silence. "Do you know the hardest part of being a leader?"