MATED TO THE SECRET ALPHA
Chapter 54: Night Attack

Chapter 54: Night Attack

As they broke apart to catch their breath, Ryder’s hunger tripled. He buried his face in the delicate curve of Reana’s neck, inhaling deeply as he scattered kisses and gentle nips across her skin.

Reana’s eyes fluttered closed, her head tilting to the side, as she let out a soft sigh of pleasure. Ryder’s warm breath danced across her skin, sending shivers down her spine, while his gentle nibbles and kisses ignited a fire that threatened to consume her.

His hands roamed up her back, holding her close, as he continued to worship her skin, his touch sending waves of desire crashing through her. "Ryder," she moaned, but he just growled softly, his lips never leaving her skin.

"Luna! There’s a monster..." Mirian’s words trailed off as she froze in the tent entrance, her eyes wide with shock and horror. Before her, the Luna and Ryder were entwined, their bodies locked in a passionate embrace. Ryder’s face was buried in the curve of Reana’s neck, while the Luna’s face was ablaze with a fiery flush.

The air was heavy with tension as Mirian’s sudden presence shattered the intimate moment. "Mirian," Reana whispered, her voice husky with desire, as she tried to pull away from Ryder’s grasp.

But Ryder’s grip only tightened, his fingers digging deeper into her skin, unwilling to pull away from her neck.

Reana swallowed, her conscience wavering despite her conviction that she’d done nothing wrong. For some strange reasons, she felt guilty, but for what exactly?

Ryder’s refusal to release her only made things more awkward. But Reana knew she had to do something. Clearing her throat, her stoic mask shifted into place. "What did you want, Mirian?" she asked, her tone neutral, as if the tension between them was nonexistent.

Mirian’s gaze flickered to Ryder, whose face was still buried in Reana’s neck. Her eyes narrowed before she spat out the words, "There are monsters outside. They’re heading straight for us."

Reana’s heart chilled. The Southern Mainland consisted of seven packs, inclusive of the Black Moon Pack and West Wood Pack.

Historically, the region only had been plagued by the Poison Claw monsters, which only launched attacks in the daytime, as they couldn’t see during the nights.

Reana had no knowledge of monsters attacking any of the neighboring packs at night. She was certain that if nighttime attacks had occurred in any of the neighboring packs, an emergency Alpha conference would have been convened to address the threat.

Reana frowned. She had her opinion, but she knew this wasn’t the time to dwell on them. "Ryder, let go," she said firmly, pushing him away. This time, Ryder relinquished his hold, his eyes never leaving hers as he stepped back, his jaw set in a tense line.

"Mirian, stay with him and don’t leave the tent, no matter what," Reana instructed, her voice low and urgent. She didn’t know what kind of threat lurked outside, but she wasn’t about to take any chances. "Keep him safe." With a final glance at Ryder, Reana shifted and dashed out of the tent.

Ryder stepped forward, intent on following Reana, but Mirian swiftly intervened, positioning herself between him and the exit. "The Luna wants me to keep you safe."

"Worry about yourself, Mirian," Ryder’s voice was low and menacing, sending a shiver down Mirian’s spine. At once, she knew he was angry at her.

His eyes gleamed with coldness as he raised his hand, gently yet firmly pushing Mirian’s head aside. His touch was like ice, and Mirian’s heart skipped a beat as she stumbled out of his way.

...

Reana’s white wolf races to the front of the camp to join the other wolves who’d been waiting. Her piercing green eyes scanned the darkness, her ears perked up and alert, as if daring any threat to come closer.

Her fur seemed to glow in the faint moonlight, and her presence exuded an aura of quiet strength and authority.

Just then, the silence was shattered by the unmistakable sound of flapping wings. Reana’s wolf tensed, her ears twitching as she pinpointed the sound to the woods ahead. The noise ceased, and an oppressive stillness fell over the forest.

Then, a tree branch snapped, the sharp crack echoing through the night air. Reana’s wolf growled low in her throat, her green eyes fixed intently on the darkness, as if willing the unknown threat to reveal itself.

And it did.

Shining red eyes locked onto Reana and her pack members, burning with an otherworldly intensity. The creature slowly peeled away from the darkness, its movements eerily deliberate as it took step after step closer.

The air seemed to vibrate with tension, and Reana’s wolf stood frozen, her hackles raised, muscles tensed.

Suddenly, the creature let out a blood-curdling screech, the sound like nothing Reana and her pack members had ever heard before. It was a raw, ear-shattering scream that seemed to shatter the very night air. And then, the creature charged, its eyes blazing with a malevolent fury as it hurtled towards Reana and her pack.

The creature’s twisted form was revealed in the faint moonlight. It was a skinny, tall unsightly beastly body that was a blend of bat-like features and demonic horns. Long, razor-sharp claws extended from its fingers, and its massive wingspan seemed to block out the stars. But it was the eyes that truly froze Reana’s blood - two burning embers of red that seemed to blaze with an inner fire.

’Nightwings’, Reana’s mind recoiled in horror as she silently exclaimed.

Reana’s mind racing with dread and strategies to defeat this monster. She recalled the only other time she’d seen this creature - in her vision of winter. Nightwings were part of the monsters that flooded the Southern Mainlands. They were a vicious and bloodthirsty.

Reana stood frozen, her wolf’s instincts screaming for action, howling and straining to leap at the incoming monster. But just as suddenly, the creature flapped its massive wings and soared into the air, leaving Reana and her group stunned and disoriented.

That was when Reana was forced to confront the daunting truth: she had no idea how to fight this flying creature.