MATED TO THE SECRET ALPHA
Chapter 46: Ophilia’s Fruits

Chapter 46: Ophilia’s Fruits

Just as it was too much to bear and a scream seemed to tear its way up her throat, the feeling vanished abruptly. Mirian froze, her mind reeling. This was no mere imagination; the terror was too real. She felt her life slipping away.

"Mirian, you look unwell," Ryder observed, his voice dripping with feigned concern, while his mischievous dark blue eyes sparkled with amusement. "Perhaps you should take some fresh air."

Reana’s gaze shifted to Mirian, her expression softening as she took in Mirian’s pale complexion and erratic heartbeat. A faint frown creased her brow as she commanded, "Mirian, take your two days off. You may leave."

Mirian’s lips parted to protest, but a sudden shudder coursed through her body, leaving her breathless. She swallowed hard, her eyes darting nervously to Ryder and the Luna. She was afraid to leave her Luna with this fox, called Ryder, but then again, she didn’t know what was happening to her.

In the end, she nodded weakly, before tuning to make a hasty exit.

Ryder’s lips curved into a subtle smile as he watched the servant leave. It seemed that the moon goddess was particularly fond of Mirian, sticking her around Reana like glue in every lifetime.

Reana cleared her throat, subtly acknowledging the sudden shift in atmosphere - they were alone in the room. Her gaze refocused on Ryder’s stomach, where the wound was already showing signs of rapid healing. "The injury is closing up quickly," she observed, her voice neutral. "By tomorrow, you should be nearly fully healed."

Ryder’s lips curved into a charming smile. "It’s all thanks to your care, My Luna," he said, his voice low and smooth. "I was told that you sent for Healer Dira. I’m honored," he added, his eyes locking onto Reana’s, their depths gleaming with genuine appreciation.

"It’s what I ought to do. Considering I was the reason you got hurt in the first place." Reana’s expression turned somber, her voice tinged with remorse.

Reana’s brow furrowed, a faint frown etching her features. Despite having eliminated the culprit, a lingering anger still simmered within her. Her mind wandered to a haunting what-if scenario:

What if Ryan had succeeded in killing Ryder, the only person who stirred such an inexplicable, intense attraction within her? A shiver ran down her spine as she envisioned the overwhelming sorrow that would have consumed her once again.

A hand suddenly appeared in her line of sight, and before she could react, his fingers gently soothed the lines on her forehead, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through her entire being.

"You’ll get wrinkles if you keep frowning like that," he teased, his voice low and husky, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled.

Reana’s heart skipped a beat as she subconsciously released the frown on her face. For some inexplicable reason, the moment their skin made contact, it felt eerily right, like two pieces of a puzzle clicking into place. The sensation was both calming and exhilarating, leaving her wanting more.

His calloused fingers trailed down the delicate contour of her face, pulling the strings in her mind and making her heart flutter wildly, like a bird set free. Her breath hitched when his finger grazed the curve of her lips, the fleeting touch electrifying every fiber in her body, heightening her senses and intensifying her desire.

But outwardly, she remained calm and indifferent, a mask of serenity slapped on her face. Yet, her body betrayed her. Her knuckles had turned white from gripping her dress so tightly, willing herself not to reciprocate the touch. She schooled herself not to pull him close and kiss those cherry lips, not to climb on top of him and feel every line and every dip of his body. She resisted the overwhelming pull to sink her fingers into those long, dark locks that were tied in a messy bun, her fingers twitching with the effort.

"You’re so beautiful, My Luna," he whispered, the words dripping with sincerity and adoration. "Many years have passed, yet your face remains the same, but your personality has shifted. You’re here with me, yet unreachable," he murmured, his voice tinged with a hint of longing, eyes clouding over in mist as his tone grew somber.

Reana’s heart ached at the sight of him, like someone buckling under the weight of tremendous agony, his eyes haunted by the ghosts of a painful past. The depth of his sorrow was all-consuming, a heavy mist that wrapped around her, squeezing the air from her lungs and making her chest bleed with sympathy.

She grasped his falling hand, holding it tenderly to her cheek, the warmth of his skin seeping into hers. "Have we met before?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes searched his for a glimmer of recognition, a spark of connection that went beyond mere coincidence.

For a fleeting moment, Reana thought she saw hurt flicker in his eyes, a shadow of pain that vanished as quickly as it appeared. But then he chuckled, a low, deep vibration that resonated through her entire being, igniting the fire coursing through her veins.

"Everyone in the pack knows you, My Luna," he said, his smile growing wider, his tone shifting to mischief. "I’ve been part of the pack for ten years, and I’ve seen you... many times." His gaze locked onto hers, the intensity of his stare making her heart skip a beat.

Reana didn’t suspect anything out of the ordinary. Ryder’s words were true - before the tragic loss of her family, she had been carefree and social, much like Mirian, minus the omega’s love for gossip. Mirian reminded Reana of the woman she would have become if fate had dealt her a different hand.

This nostalgia was why, despite knowing Mirian’s true intentions and her repeated betrayals of trust, Reana found herself unable to dismiss her personal servant. For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, Reana had developed a soft spot for the omega.

But Reana held onto the hope that Mirian would eventually come around and submit to her fully, surrendering her loyalty without reservation. Because, another betrayal would seal Mirian’s fate, and Reana wouldn’t hesitate to deliver the fatal blow.

She didn’t tolerate betrayal lightly, and second chances were a luxury she couldn’t afford. Yet, for Mirian, she had bent her rules, and she hoped the omega would soon recognize the value of the mercy she had been shown.

"I brought you–" Reana’s words trailed off as her gaze wandered to the tray of fruits on the table. Her eyes snapped back to Ryder, a hint of disappointment flickering across her face. "You already have fruits," she stated, trying to keep her tone neutral.