MATED TO THE SECRET ALPHA
Chapter 45: Visiting Ryder

Chapter 45: Visiting Ryder

"No, Luna, I’m not tired," Mirian said, forcing a sheepish smile onto her face, despite the hint of sorrow that lingered in her eyes.

Reana’s gaze narrowed slightly, her expression skeptical. "I insist," she said firmly, reaching out to take the basket from Mirian.

But Mirian stepped back, her eyes darting nervously to the basket, and then back to Reana. The Luna’s brow arched in surprise, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of mild annoyance.

"I want to serve you, Luna Reana," Mirian said, her voice filled with sincerity. "It’s inappropriate for you to do the servant’s work," she added, her eyes locked onto Reana’s, pleading to be believed.

Reana’s gaze lingered on Mirian’s face for a moment, as if searching for any sign of weakness or deception. But Mirian’s expression remained resolute, and the Luna’s face softened slightly. With no word said, Reana turned and headed towards Ryder’s cabin, Mirian falling into step behind her.

Inside the cabin, Ryder stood by the window, his gaze lost in the depths of the woods. Suddenly, he turned his head, and a warm smile spread across his face. "She’s here," he mumbled under his breath.

His eyes crinkled at the corners as he walked back to the bed, his movements fluid and relaxed, as if he didn’t have a wound in his stomach. He lay down and closed his eyes.

At the same time, the door creaked open and Mirian stepped inside, her eyes cast downward. Reana followed closely behind, her regal presence commanding attention. Together, they approached Ryder’s bedside, their footsteps quiet on the wooden floor.

"Luna, he’s still unconscious," Mirian whispered, her eyes fixed on Ryder’s pale face. But just as she spoke, Ryder’s eyelids fluttered open, and he gazed up at Reana with a weak, adoring smile.

"My Luna," he whispered, his voice barely audible. With a tremendous effort, he tried to sit up, but a sharp wince contorted his face.

"Careful." Reana sprang into action, her hands gently supporting his shoulders as she helped him settle back into a comfortable position.

"Luna, he’s a werewolf. We are tolerant of pain." Mirian reminded Reana, her tone laced with incredulity. She couldn’t help but be upset that the smart Luna was blinded to Ryder’s emotional manipulation.

Because, how could a man like Ryder with rugged, muscular physique be whimpering like a child? And the Luna was indulging him, treating him like some fragile porcelain.

Ryder’s eyes locked onto Mirian’s. If looks could kill, he’d have been diced into many tiny pieces by now.

But Ryder’s expression remained unruffled, his gaze never wavering. With a calm, velvety tone, he spoke, "Thank you for your care, My Luna. Perhaps Mirian could learn a thing or two about empathy from you."

Mirian’s eyes flashed with indignation at Ryder’s veiled jab, and she rolled her eyes in disgust, her eyes almost sticking to the back of her head, lips curling into a disdainful sneer. "Glad you could speak clearly," she spat. "It means you’re fully healed. Luna won’t have to worry about you anymore."

A small exaggerated gasp escaped his lips as his face lit up with delight, and he turned to Reana, his eyes shining with excitement. "You were worried about me?" he asked, his voice tinged with hope and vulnerability.

Reana cleared her throat, her expression composed, and dragged a stool to sit beside the bed. "How are you feeling?" she asked, her eyes fixed on Ryder.

"He’s fine," Mirian said curtly.

"My stomach hurts a bit," Ryder admitted, his brow furrowed in discomfort.

Mirian and Ryder responded in unison, their voices overlapping. The simultaneous responses hung in the air, as Mirian glared fiercely at him.

Reana’s lips curled into a subtle, knowing smile, as if she were entertained by the undercurrents of their exchange. "Let me see..." Her voice trailed off as Ryder didn’t hesitate to whip off his shirt, revealing his chiseled torso.

Mirian’s eyes widened in alarm as she froze, her gaze fixed on Ryder’s body. Her lips parted to form an "O" of surprise.

Damn! He has a really good body! His skin is smooth and tight!

Meanwhile, Reana’s gaze drifted to his bare chest, her expression a mask of calm, but her eyes betrayed a glimmer of awe, as if the sculpted contours of his torso had momentarily stolen her breath.

It did.

Ryder’s body was a masterpiece of rugged elegance, honed from years of living in harmony with the wild. His chiseled chest, sculpted abs, and broad shoulders seemed to be carved from granite, exuding a raw, masculine power that was impossible to ignore.

Reana’s fingers twitched, tempted to reach out and explore the rugged terrain of Ryder’s chest, to trace the contours of his muscles, run her fingers down his abs, and feel the warmth of his skin beneath her fingertips. But she restrained herself, her hands remaining still as she struggled to maintain a semblance of her usual mask of calm. But she could feel it slipping away.

Ryder’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he watched Reana’s reaction. This never got old. Reana had always admired his physique, and he took great pride in maintaining his chiseled body. It was a small vanity, but one he indulged in nonetheless. And it was a vanity well worth indulging.

As he watched her in silence, he knew exactly what was running through her mind. She wanted to touch, wanted to feel the warmth of his skin, the ridges of his muscles, and the beat of his heart beneath her fingertips. He knew this because it was a familiar ritual, one that played out whenever he shed his shirt in her presence.

It was a quirk he’d grown accustomed to, even exploited, for he never wore shirts around her, knowing it would keep her enthralled.

"W– what are you doing? Why are you seducing the Luna!?" Mirian was the first to snap out of it and yelled in alarm upon seeing how enthralled the Luna was.

But as Ryder’s gaze shifted to Mirian, she felt a shiver run down her spine. He wasn’t glaring but his eyes seemed to bore into her very soul, and for a moment, she forgot to breathe.

Suddenly, her heartbeat skyrocketed and a creeping sense of dread consumed her, reminding her of the dreadful episode she had yesterday morning - when she caught him hugging the Luna.

Blood drained from Mirian’s face as she clutched the fabric around her chest area, her heart racing as if it might explode. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead, veins popping into relief, and her eyes blurred, as ragged gasps escaped her lips...