MATED TO THE SECRET ALPHA
Chapter 51: Princess Ryder

Chapter 51: Princess Ryder

Mirian couldn’t help but wonder at Ryder’s fearlessness. She knew others who harbored anger towards the goddess - she herself felt upset with the goddess for allowing bad things to happen to her. But Ryder’s emotions went far beyond anger...he seemed to seethe with hatred. What could the goddess have done to inspire such loathing?

A name echoed in Mirian’s mind: Alpha Snow, the enigmatic ruler of the Southern Islands, notorious for his own hatred of the goddess and rituals. Was it possible that Ryder had also been influenced by that monster too?

"Ryder, have you lost all sense? This is exactly why I never thought you were suitable for the Luna. Don’t you fear that if she discovers your hatred for the moon goddess, she’ll banish you from the pack? Our Black Moon Pack may not be fanatical, but we are devoted to the goddess. To some extent."

"Worry about yourself, Mirian."

"What do you mean?"

Ryder’s smile was a thin, menacing line. "Depending on my mood, I might just reveal your little secret to the Luna. And I must say, the thought of your head on a spike is... tantalizing."

"Wh– what secret..." Upon recalling that Ryder knew about her and Xavier, her eyes widened in alarm as her face palled. "You wouldn’t dare," she hissed, trying to keep her voice steady.

Ryder’s smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with malice. "Oh, but I would," he whispered, his voice dripping with menace. "You see, Mirian, I have a bit of a reputation for being ruthless. And I always get what I want."

Mirian’s face paled, but she tried to stand her ground. "Th-then, I’ll tell the Luna what you just told me."

Ryder leaned forward, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Is that so?" he murmured. "And why do you think I shared my... sentiments with you, Mirian?"

Right! It didn’t make sense. Why would Ryder reveal something that could get him banished from the pack? Unless...he was manipulating her. Unless he had lied, and his intention was for her to react exactly as she had. A shiver ran down Mirian’s spine as she realized the possibility.

Her eyes widened as her voice raised. "You - what are you planning?"

Ryder smiled but his eyes didn’t. "Nothing, really. Just giving you a little... leverage. It could prove useful someday. But let’s focus on you, Mirian. You should be more concerned about your own well-being. While I must admit, the thought of your head on a spike is... appealing, I think I’ll spare you... for now."

He continued, "So, take my advice: don’t let My Luna confront you with your secrets. Go to her first. You’re welcome."

With that, he stayed silent all through the journey, leaving Mirian reeling and utterly confused. She was good with analysis, but at this point, she failed to spy into Ryder’s thoughts.

Why would he share his sentiment with her out of nowhere as leverage against him? Unbeknownst to Mirian, Ryder was being magnanimous. Cunning, to be precise.

Ryder held Mirian’s secret, but now she held his secret too. The consequences of exposure were dire for both of them - Mirian would face death if her secret was revealed, while Ryder, an enemy of the moon goddess, would be banished from the pack, a fate tantamount to a death sentence at the hands of rogues or monsters.

Mirian now held the power to choose her path. She could expose him to the council members, ensuring his banishment and securing her own safety, or she could opt for redemption, confessing her sins to Reana and protecting Ryder’s secret - ultimately securing herself an ally. One whom the Luna favored.

As for Ryder’s ominous remark about the Luna beheading Mirian, it was a deliberate attempt to poke her fears. Yet, his subsequent advice - asking her to confess to Reana before being confronted - was to offer her a hope of redemption, a chance for Mirian to make amends and start anew.

But why would Ryder offer Mirian such an easy way out, one might wonder. Why would he provide her with the means to save herself, potentially at his own expense?

The answer, for now, remains shrouded in mystery. His thoughts, much like his intentions, are unknown.

But he gained two little victories though; Mirian wouldn’t get in his face or throw shades at him for the time being, giving him some space to be with his Luna, as he’d thrown her into a river of guilt and nervousness.

A perfect revenge for disrespecting him earlier.

...

As nightfall descended, the group stopped to make a camp, adhering to the unspoken etiquette of the packs. It was a long-standing rule that arriving at another pack’s territory under the cover of darkness was considered a hostile invasion. By waiting until morning, they would be showing the West Wood Pack the respect of a peaceful arrival.

While the group busied themselves with setting up the tents, Ryder stood with his back against a tree, observing the scene with interest. As a servant, he should have been lending a hand, but his protector, the Luna, had instructed him to stand down.

The warriors, seething with resentment as they shot him venomous glances. They wanted nothing more than to beat him to a pulp, but unfortunately, it was wishful thinking.

The warriors waited with bated breath for Mirian to call Ryder out and unleash her trademark venom upon him, as that would quench their resentment towards the servant, but the female omega had been eerily somber since leaving the carriage, her usual spark dimmed.

She looked antsy and nervous. The warriors exchanged curious glances, their minds racing with suspicion. Had Ryder done something to unsettle her?

A mindlink suddenly crackled in their minds, and Mirian’s gaze instinctively shifted towards Ryder. But before she could react, a loud, jeering voice cut through the air.

"Hey, Princess! The Luna wants you in her tent!" one of the warriors bellowed, prompting the others to erupt into raucous laughter.

Ryder remained impassive, his expression unchanging as the warriors’ laughter died down. Ryder wasn’t a princess, and the mocking title the warriors had assigned to him was meant for someone else, not him.

In other words, the message wasn’t for him.

The warrior’s tone turned menacing, his voice rising in indignation. "Are you disobeying the Luna?" he bellowed, taking a step closer to Ryder, who still stood calmly against the tree, his eyes fixed on some point in the distance, his expression unreadable.

Mirian’s soft voice cut through the tension, her words a gentle reminder of the Luna’s summons. "Ryder, the Luna wants you in her tent."

"Sure," Ryder replied with a faint smile before pushing off from the tree trunk and ambling towards the Luna’s tent, his movements relaxed and unhurried.