MATED TO THE SECRET ALPHA
Chapter 74: The Human Village

Chapter 74: The Human Village

They called this the human village, a small settlement nestled among hills, its tranquility shattered by the scars of recent destruction.

The wooden houses lay in ruins, some burnt to ashes, others torn down, their splintered remains a testament to the violence that had ravaged the village.

The fields, once green and lush, now lay barren and still, the air heavy with the acrid scent of malice and destruction.

As Reana’s group approached, a few humans, engaged in the painstaking task of rebuilding the houses, froze, their eyes widening in alarm as they huddled together, fearful of strangers, especially the werewolves.

And for a moment, it seemed they would raise the alarm. But then, upon remembering the imposing presence of the Dark Snow Pack warriors at the gate, they breathed a sigh of relieve.

These strangers couldn’t enter the village with the Members of the Dark Snow Pack at the gate, unless they were allowed in.

With that, they slowly returned to their work, their eyes darting nervously towards the strangers.

Before the destruction that befell them, the humans used to take turns guiding the gates, opening it to merchants once in six months. But after what happened days ago, the Dark Snow Pack suddenly arrived, as if they had been lurking just beyond the perimeters, waiting for the perfect moment to assert their presence.

Now, the pack’s warriors stood guard at the gates, their imposing figures making most of the humans uncomfortable. But as days went by, they learned to adapt to the changes.

Reana’s teeth clenched. This was the destruction from the Crisom Caravan. Those malicious bunch. Her gaze drifted to Ryder, wondering how he felt upon seeing the destruction, but his gaze was focused on the path ahead.

Yet, upon sensing her gaze, he turned his head and smiled at her - a soft, knowing smile that made Reana’s heart skip a beat.

Reana, caught off guard, swiftly turned her head away, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. After that passionate night with Ryder, she’d been trying to ignore it, to pretend it didn’t happen.

But the memory lingered, refusing to be ignored, and Ryder’s smile had just brought it all flooding back.

"The village has been destroyed," Kira said, her brow furrowed in concern. "Who would do such a vile thing?"

Reana had kept their destination a secret until three days ago, when they were already on their way. The werewolf society rarely interacted with humans, but they knew of their existence.

Humans were fragile and timid, preferring to keep to themselves, avoiding trouble whenever possible, and the werewolves had also learned to not target them.

Yet, the destruction before them could only be done by their kind, and Kira didn’t find that fact comforting. A werewolf’s strength and ferocity were unmatched, and the devastation of the human village was a grim testament to that power.

Kira’s eyes narrowed, her mind racing with the implications. Which pack in the Mainland carried out such brutality among the weak humans? And why had they targeted this innocent village?

But she wouldn’t wait long as the answer she sought would be unraveled shortly.

Ryder, leading the group, didn’t linger in the village. He pressed onward, towards the green forest, the buildings and fields fading into the distance as the village disappeared from view.

Midway into the forest, the air shifted. Unlike the dry, earthy scent of the village, the forest was alive with the sweet, damp aroma of blooming wildflowers, cricking insects, small animals running through their paths, and the soft, filtering evening light that danced through the canopy above.

The atmosphere was tranquil, and the group felt their tired bodies wanting to surrender to the forest’s soothing energy. Their muscles, worn from days of travel, began to relax, and their breathing slowed, as if the forest itself was exhaling a collective sigh of relief.

Continuing up a winding path, they came across a river, its crystal-clear waters glinting in the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. The group reined in their horses, stopping to let them drink from the river’s edge.

As they waited, some of them rummaged through their saddlebags, producing dried meat and taking bites while kneeling to cup their hands and take refreshing sips from the river.

The sound of contented sighs and the occasional snort from the horses filled the air.

Meanwhile, Steve retrieved his dried meat and scanned their surroundings, searching for Ryder. He spotted him walking towards the Luna, who suddenly veered towards Kira, whether intentionally or not.

Ryder stood motionless, his eyes fixed on her retreating side profile.

Steve walked up to Ryder, his expression thoughtful. "Hey," he said, offering him a piece of dried meat. "I’ve been wanting to apologize for my behavior at the camp the other day. I was completely out of line."

Ryder’s gaze met his, then drifted to the meat in Steve’s hand. "Who said I’m mad?" he asked, a soft, low chuckle escaping his lips.

But the amusement didn’t reach his eyes, and Steve felt a shiver run down his spine. "You were talking to a princess, right?" Ryder’s tone was casual, but his words sent a subtle warning. "And I’m no princess."

"Right, right," Steve muttered, swallowing nervously as he scratched the back of his head. His hand, still extended with the offered meat, hovered awkwardly in the air.

Ryder’s gaze drifted past it, his expression neutral, as if he hadn’t even noticed the gesture. An awkward silence fell between them, punctuated only by the soft rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds.

Steve’s eyes darted to Ryder’s, searching for some sign of acceptance or forgiveness, but Ryder’s face remained impassive.

Steve’s eyes lit up with a newfound enthusiasm as he broke the silence. "You like the Luna, don’t you?" he asked, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

Ryder’s expression remained stoic, but Steve detected a faint flicker of interest in his eyes. The tension between them eased slightly, "What do you think?"

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