MATED TO THE SECRET ALPHA
Chapter 69: Ally Or Another Foe

Chapter 69: Ally Or Another Foe

The morning seemed exceptionally beautiful, but only to Ryder, who wore an uncontainable grin, like a triumphant trophy winner. He greeted nearly everyone who crossed his path, humming what sounded like a worship chant, except it wasn’t - it was a victory chant, a silent offering to the goddess, as if gloating at her failure to stop him from tasting victory again.

His first victory was locating Reana early on, his second victory was making her fall for him, and his third was claiming her.

Gloat about what, one would ask, but to Ryder, claiming Reana’s first time was a huge accomplishment.

In his past life, Ryder had toiled endlessly for Reana, dedicating 115 years to finding her. But when he finally did, fate dealt him a cruel twist; she was reborn as a man, mated to her destined partner, Mirian, with three grown sons.

Ryder’s world shattered, his sanity teetering on the brink. Realizing that Reana’s love for him persisted - his love for her wasn’t one-sided, only fueled his obsession.

Desperate, he proposed they be together, but Reana rejected him, unwilling to swing that way, unwilling to abandon her [his] mate, Mirian, the children, and the life they’d built.

Ryder’s heart shattered, his mind consumed by darkness. In a desperate bid to alter fate, he unleashed unholy wrath upon the world, targeting everything sacred to the goddess.

He slaughtered her devoted worshippers, razed her temples to the ground, and desecrated her holy relics. The goddess’s wrath was not something to be trifled with, but Ryder’s madness knew no bounds.

Reana, horrified by Ryder’s atrocities, severed all ties with him, refusing to associate with a monster who had declared war on the goddess.

This rejection only fueled Ryder’s fury. In a heinous display of brutality, he annihilated Reana’s pack, butchering everyone she [he] held dear, including her sons.

Mirian, her mate, suffered a fate worse than death for instigating Reana to reject him, a cruel torment that haunted Reana’s memories until she [he] couldn’t bear it anymore.

Overwhelmed by grief, trauma, and despair, Reana abandoned the world to Ryder, taking her own life, an act considered shameful and cowardly.

The world scorned and judged her, adding to Ryder’s utter despair and soul-crushing regret. He realized too late that his thirst for revenge had consumed him, leaving him with nothing but ashes and the haunting memory of Reana’s tragic fate.

But he didn’t give up. What he went through only served to increase him in transgression and loathing for the goddess, further fueling his obsession with defying her will.

With a fierce determination burning within him, Ryder sought out forbidden knowledge, delving deep into the darkest corners of magic and sorcery. His ultimate goal was to resurrect Reana, apologize to her [him] and claim her [him] as his own, no matter the cost to the world or his own soul.

But in the last minute, before he could dive into hell with no hope of return, he found what seemed like redemption, a glimmer of hope he desperately clung to. A mysterious figure emerged, shrouded in shadows, claiming omnipotence that rivaled the goddess herself.

He promised Ryder the world: reunion with Reana, vengeance against those who wronged him, and unparalleled power. But Ryder wasn’t one to believe in mere words.

In this lifetime, he’d find out if he’d truly forged an ally or an enemy.

...

As Luna Reana, Gamma Kira, and Delta Tara arrived in the grand hall, Alpha Julius and his council members rose from their seats, their eyes fixed on the trio.

Alpha Julius’s pupils dilated when Reana sat in the seat of honor, beside him, her presence commanding attention.

Yet, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of confusion - despite her proximity, he couldn’t perceive her pheromones. The alluring scent should have intensified by now, spreading across the room, but nothing.

Unless...

His eyes widened as the implication dawned on him - Reana had been claimed! Under his roof!

A low growl rumbled in his chest, anger and humiliation coiling around his gut like a venomous snake.

The same woman he’d wooed just last night, the one who had humbled him with a slap for demanding the very thing she’d willingly given another, had been taken right under his watchful eyes?

Who was it?

He didn’t believe that his pack members would do that. Unless, it was the same person his omegas told him about... Reana’s servant!

A servant? He, a respected Alpha lost to a servant?

The sting of betrayal, humiliation, and embarrassment seared his pride, and Alpha Julius’s gaze locked onto Reana, his eyes blazing with a mixture of fury and hurt.

Reana met his gaze head-on, a provocative smirk playing on her lips, her eyes glinting with a challenge. "Shall he begin, Alpha Julius?"

The others around the table had no idea what had transpired between the two last night, but they could feel the strained energy between them.

Alpha Julius’s eyes narrowed, his expression a mask of calm, but his pupils betrayed a flicker of anger. He nodded curtly, his voice low and even. "Proceed."

Beneath the surface, a maelstrom of emotions churned, but he refused to let Reana see the depth of his feelings. She may have dealt a blow to his ego and pride, but Alpha Julius’s fascination with her remained unshaken. He wasn’t ready to concede defeat – not yet.

After his mate’s passing years ago, Alpha Julius had thought himself immune to the charms of others. But then he caught a glimpse of Reginald’s cute little sister and his dead heart swelled with feelings once more.

He watched her transcend trials and ultimately became a formidable leader for her pack.

Reana embodied the very image of the woman he had envisioned by his side - intelligent, rebellious, fierce, and captivating.

Though he had handled their encounter poorly last night, earning the slap she delivered, he couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming attraction to her.

The fire inside him burned brighter at the challenge she’d thrown at him, and as an Alpha, he loved challenges and failure was not an option for him.

...

Meanwhile, Alpha Killian of the West Wood Pack received devastating news that morning, his gut churning with a slow-burning fire that threatened to consume him.

"What did you say?" he demanded, stunned by this revelation.

"The warrior, Gail, is dead," his Beta replied with a sigh of resignation.

His Alpha wanted to play smart. He’d thought that he could get useful information from the warriors who witnessed Ryder’s fighting prowess, but unfortunately the testimonies didn’t go as he wished.

’Ryder was a formidable force. He swept through the monsters like wind.’

Those were their words, which only served to frustrate the Alpha. But somehow, the Alpha felt that Gail saw something more, something that had shaken him to his core.

Otherwise, why would a battle-hardened warrior faint at the mere sight of another man’s strength? He’d thought to question Gail, to pry the truth from his lips, only to be presented with the devastating news of his passing.

The Beta understood why the Alpha was so devastated. Yesterday, he’d sent a message to the nearest Silver Ridge Pack, forbidding them from helping Luna Reana, but Alpha Julius had not responded to his message, which could only mean one thing...

If Alpha Julius decided to help Reana, considering how large his pack and pocket were, Alpha Killian wouldn’t have leverage over Reana anymore.

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