Chapter 4 Redmoon pack
RYDER
A slight cut from a bullet graze burns as I pour myself a glass of bourbon, and I don’t even bother to get it treated.
I lift it up and take a sip. Fuck it, the satisfying taste instantly calms me. I place the glass down with a click, then turn to face my Beta. “So what did you say the problem is?”
He eyes the bruise on my arm, “you should get that treated, Alpha Ryder. You safety comes first, not that of some strange woman who might not even survive.”
“Oh, she will,” a smirk appears on my lips as her fierce face flashes before me.
“She’s a fighter, she’s not one to give up easily,” I say calmly. “Is that why you rushed here?”
Kayden shakes his head. “Alpha Bernard is dead,” his tone drops lower. “I’m sure you must have heard, but there’s a crazy twist. His Luna, Isolde, killed him in cold blood.”
I smirk, “I’m aware.”
He looks a little surprised, but then he continues. “Are you also aware warriors from the Ashlore chased her through the woods until she escaped?”
I nod again.
Kayden’s eyes widen. He connects the dots, and he suddenly stiffens. He points at the door, “Alpha Ryder, don’t tell me….the strange woman you brought into the pack is Luna Isolde.”
I slowly take another sip of my bourbon, savoring the taste. “She is,” I watch as his mouth falls open. “And she’s under my protection now.”
“But Ryder, Ashlore is after her. They want her head.”“Ashlore won’t dare to go against me.”
“But that woman murdered her husband, she can kill anyone.”
“She’s going to behave,” I rise to my feet, then tap Kayden's shoulder to help him relax. While Isolde is a fox that’ll bare her teeth at anyone who strikes her, she’s smart enough to know when to lay low.
“But—”
“No more buts,” I let out a low growl that silences him. “If that’s all, you may excuse me.”
He nods, about to take his leave. When he reaches the door, I suddenly recall something important. “Kayden,” I lower my voice, “If anyone asks about her identity, tell them she’s no one important.”
He nods again.
As soon as Kayden leaves, the door bursts open again.
The smell of thick perfume weaved with shampoo and sickly jasmine fills my nostrils, and that annoying mixture can only be associated with Nicole.
Her teary eyes meet my gaze. “You brought a woman to the pack house today, and everyone’s suddenly wondering if she’s going to take my place.”
The bourbon instantly tastes sour. “What do you want, Nicole?” Her excessive tantrums are starting to get on my nerves.
“An explanation, Ryder.” She flings her bag on the couch and stalks toward my table.
Resting both of her hands on each side, she whispers. “You’re not one to bring stranded women into the pack. Hell, you don’t even let any on your personal bed, so why is this one different? Maids say you carried her into the pack house, since when do you stoop so low?”
I cock my head, “and since when do you shove your nose into my matter, Nicole? I thought I made that clear sometime ago. My business is mine, stay out of it.”
“But we’re getting married soon!”
“And I get to decide if that fucking marriage holds or not.”
“Ryder, we both know that marriage has to happen,” she snaps, pulling away from the desk. “I’ve longed for you all my life, and when my father finally betrothed me to you, you said you’d marry me.” She starts to panic, her hands shaking as she paces my study. “You have to marry me, Ryder. What do I do with the plannings, the outings, the people I’ve told—”
I run my hands through my hair, messing it all up. “If you want a marriage Nicole, we’ll fucking have it, but first I need to breathe.”
Her eyes meet mine, and then a small smile lights up her face. “I’ll leave then, soon to be husband. But I’ll be back.”
I dismiss her with a wave of my hand as she walks away. I remain in my study for a few more hours, going through peace treaties and contracts concerning the pack, before standing to check on my prisoner.
I shouldn’t have saved her. I should have allowed her to get caught by those warriors, but she killed Bernard, the man I’ve always wanted to slaughter with my own bare hands.
I had a plan in motion, I had a fucking date in mind, but she ruined my revenge by slitting that fucker’s throat. And now she’ll pay for it.
The pack healer bows immediately when I step in. “Alpha Ryder,” his voice trembles with respect. He raises his head, a faint smile on his lips. “I was just about to call you, the young woman is awake.”
My lips curl up. “I knew she’d survive.”
He laughs as he leads me toward her bed space, and he freezes when the spot is empty. Blood drains from his face, and heat flushes through my body.
“She’s…she was right here,” he stutters, too frightened to look at me. “I swear she was right th—”
I tap into the Alpha link immediately, barking orders in a loud voice. “Seal all the fucking exists,” my breathing comes out harsh. “If my prisoner escapes from this pack house, I’m breaking some bones.”
