MATED TO THE SECRET ALPHA
Chapter 158: Expected Visit

Chapter 158: Expected Visit

Ryder’s expression remained calm, but his mind was racing. He couldn’t reveal his true identity, not yet. "I’ve heard stories," he said finally, his voice measured. "Stories about Alpha Snow’s power and influence. It’s clear that he’s a force to be reckoned with."

Reana’s eyes searched his face, as if trying to gauge the truth behind his words. Ryder held her gaze, his expression neutral. After a moment, she nodded, seemingly satisfied. "You’re right," she said. "If we can secure the Dark Snow Pack’s vote, it would give us a significant advantage."

Ryder’s smile widened, relief washing over him. He had dodged a bullet, for now.

Now that Reana had planned things out, the heavy feeling in her heart subsided. She only hoped that Alpha Snow wouldn’t be so petty and come for them, for using his name without permission... And if by chance he did, what would she do?

Reana bit her lip softly, then she glanced at Ryder. He was staring down at her with a knowing smile. Her heart skipped a beat. Why was he being so creepy?

Clearing her throat, she began. "Ryder, if by chance, Alpha Snow gets a whiff of us using his name in the council of Alphas, and he brings a fight to my pack, what would we do?" Reana’s voice was laced with a hint of concern, and Ryder’s smile only grew wider.

"Don’t worry about that," he said, his voice low and reassuring. "I’ve got everything under control."

She raised a brow. "What?"

Ryder’s smile faltered for a moment, and he leaned in closer to her. "Let’s just say that I have a certain... understanding of Alpha Snow," he whispered, his breath tickling her ear. "He wouldn’t hear of it. He didn’t care for such trivial matters."

Reana thought of that, he was right. Ever since she took the mantle of leadership, she’d attended the Alpha council twice, and each of those times, the representatives that were sent from the Dark Snow Pack were omegas. She was surprised that no one objected. Only later she realized that it has been the norm.

Speaking of strength, Reana glanced up at Ryder. "If you and Alpha Snow were to fight, who would come out Victorious?"

"Hmm... me, perhaps?" He chuckled, and quickly added, "Alpha Snow is also gifted, reason his wolf is coated red, like mine."

Reana’s eyes widened as shock coursed through her. "H– he is gifted? His wolf is red?"

Ryder’s heart shuddered. She didn’t know that much about Alpha Snow? Oh fuck! He thought she did! He thought he was so famous that everyone in the Southern region knew he had a red wolf.

His mood plummeted a little bit. He didn’t know why he felt slightly disappointed. Should he order his people to spread the word and make sure everyone, living or dead knew of his wolf’s color?

No, that’s not his ways. That’s too childish. He sighed softly. Seeing she was still waiting for a response, he smiled awkwardly, "So I heard."

Reana blinked. No wonder Alpha Snow had so much power and influence. No wonder the Dark Snow Pack was feared and respected.

Suddenly, a light bulb lit up in her mind and she looked up at Ryder. "And your wolf’s coat is also red..." she drawled.

Ryder’s heart was still feeling upset and didn’t register the meaning behind her words in time. He managed to nod. "Yes, it is," he said, his voice low and smooth. "I think people with gifts have unnatural color–"

"Mine is white..." she said meaningfully, cutting him off.

He blinked, finally catching the undertone. She was suspecting him. He swallowed as he scrambled for a cover.

But before he could come up with something, she began. "My wolf is white, and the seer before me was white too—"

"Pure white," he quickly corrected, "no blemish, no speck of color, Reana. Your wolf is pure white. The purest there is."

Reana stayed still, her unwearing gaze pinning him in place. Her expression was blank, eyes cold, and Ryder’s instincts kicked in, sensing the shift in her demeanor.

He knew that look - it was a warning sign that she was not buying his bullshit. Ryder’s grip on her waist tightened, his mind racing with trepidation as a bead of sweat formed on his brows.

"Reana?"

"Seems you’re right," she suddenly said, catching him off guard. "The last seer before me had a pure white wolf too. I never read meanings into it, but now that I hear you say it, perhaps, you’re right."

Without giving him a chance to speak, she rose from his chest. "Winter came a month too early this year. It doesn’t make me feel good. And the mating ceremony will soon be here. You still need to win the people’s trust before then."

Ryder was stunned at how she suddenly changed the topic, but he knew her better than to breathe a sigh of relief.

....

That evening, Reana had a visitor, someone she’d been expecting for a while now.

Kael.

When her spy in Katherine’s residence informed her of Kael’s return, she had ordered the servant to withdraw and return to the pack house.

Reana’s eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Kael walk into the garden - behind the packhouse - striding confidently like he owned the place. It had always been like this and he didn’t change one bit.

"Reana, my sister," he said, his voice bland. "It’s been a while."

His face remained calm, too calm that it unnerved Reana. This person was her nemesis. The only formidable enemy she acknowledged and was genuinely wary of.

"I see you’re back," she replied.

The air was thick with tension as he walked past her and took a seat on a wooden bench under the shield of a tree and crossed his long legs.

Although he looked wicked and cold, he still had that scholarly air around him. Plucking a grape fruit from the fruit tray before him, he popped it into his mouth, before his gaze darted to the three female omegas standing with their heads lowered.

"Lift your heads," he ordered calmly, but the subtle edge in his voice didn’t go unnoticed.

"You’re dismissed," Reana said to the omegas before they could obey Kael.

The servants bowed and quickly began to withdraw, but suddenly, Kael flashed from his seat, half transforming as he went after the servants.

Chunk!

His victim stood rooted to the ground, her eyes wide with horror. She tried to speak but blood gushed out of her mouth as Kael’s claws tore through her chest from behind.

Reana’s eyes widened in shock and rage. With a low grown, she half-shifted and lunged at Kael, yanking him from behind with all the strength she possessed.