Chapter 0003

RYDER

Sleep eluded me tonight. I pulled the covers aside and stood up. The thought of Sarah occupied my mind. I knew she was excited to celebrate the anniversary with friends but I had made other plans.

The anniversary party had been the perfect place to execute them. It was like killing two birds with a stone; denounce Sarah as my mate and introduce Alexis to the world as my Luna.

I have held up my path of the deal, now it's time for them to do the same.

It was supposed to buy me time to strategize, knowing Sarah was tucked in somewhere safe. I had planned everything perfectly with the help of my beta, Trevor.

Now, everything has been destroyed before it even began.

I had met Alexis at a business meeting. She had stood in her father's stead, Regan Blackwood(Alpha of the Blackwood pack). They have been pushing to merge with my company, SC Enterprise (Stormclaw).

Alexis was meant to be a one-night stand. The sex had been incredible. Better than I had imagined. All that perfect skin and her perfectly rounded lips. Deliciously tempting.

I hated her for it.

And I never forgave myself.

That incident was supposed to remain buried forever till she reappeared, sprouting a bump and claiming the child was mine.

I had tried every tactic within the book to make the situation vanish but Alexis had only one goal; to become my Luna.

She had me cornered. In her words, she was doing me a favour, giving me a purebred for an heir.

Truth be told, I played around with the thought. It would get everyone off my back and strengthen my pack but I couldn't go through with it.

The thought of Sarah’s face twisted with anguish upon hearing the news, stopped me in my tracks every time.

When she noticed she couldn't get past me, Alexis enlisted the help of her father who took advantage of the situation.

With threats to eliminate Sarah and strip me of my title if I refused to do right by his daughter, I was forced to play their game to keep Sarah safe.

Today, Alexis got her wish. I broke the heart of the woman I claimed to love and vowed to protect. Things were moving fast and I had to protect her from Alexis even if it meant hurting her.

Now, I've pushed her into the arms of the devil himself.

Lucas Nightshade.

He knew me too well. He would have seen through my act in the study.

He made a failed attempt on my life once and that ended our friendship forever. If it wasn't for the council stepping in, it would have been a bloodbath in both packs.

The council—a group of the most powerful, rare-blooded Alphas and Lunas that govern wolves all over the realm—made us sign a treaty to keep the peace.

But I still wanted my revenge and Lucas knew that. He was taunting me outright, knowing that my hands were tied.

Though I had bravely watched Sarah disgrace herself earlier, something about her being with Lucas broke my resolve.

Sarah Willow was mine. I'll have her back no matter how long it takes to rid myself of the mess I have created.

And when that day arrives, I'm going to have my revenge on Alexis even if it means wiping the entire Blackwood pack off the face of the realm.

Footsteps pulled me from my musing. Alexis walked into the room, swaying her hips to an invisible rhythm. She was clad in a red nightgown.

Sarah’s clothes…she must have raided her closet. Too tall for the gown which should have hit mid-thigh but on her, barely covered her ass and belly.

Irritated. “What the hell are you wearing?”

Alexis ignored my outburst as she walked past me to the bed.

“Get out of her clothes,” I snapped. “Tell the maids to get you something else. There are plenty of clothes lying around this house, which she never wore.”

“I feel comfortable in this,” she retorted sharply, tugging the duvet comfortably under her arms. “It was lying around in the closet and I grabbed it. I bet Sarah won't mind.”

Sarah would absolutely mind.

“Get something else to wear,” I spoke flatly. “ Her clothes would be moved out of the closet and into storage.”

“No it won't,” she spoke with a hint of finality. “It will be shredded and burnt. Same goes for everything belonging to her in this house.”

A scowl marred my face at the tone of her voice. “Is there something I'm missing here?”

She bared her teeth in a false smile. “Nothing, Alpha Ryder. I just want you to be aware that your choices and actions have consequences. You haven't forgotten yourself…Ryder.”

“No, I haven't, Alexis. I have kept my part of the deal. Now, it is time to do yours.”

“And I will, as long as you don't go sneaking behind my back…Sarah would be safe.”

“Is that a threat?”

“No, it is a reminder, baby.” She pouted, wrapping her arm across her belly. “Come to bed, I want to be held. Nothing bad happens to me or my baby or your precious Sarah will be six feet under.”

Seething with restrained anger, I approached her side of the bed. “Do well to pick your words wisely.”

Her eyes stared into mine, unwavering. “Do well not to forget our deal, Ryder.”

I stepped back, the sting of her words kept mine at bay. I need to rid myself of Alexis and her father and I need to do it soon.

“/Alph Ryder, you have been summoned to the house of the council, tomorrow. Alone./” Bill, my personal guard informed me through the mind link.

“/Thanks/”

Alone? I mused inwardly. Has Regan Blackwood gotten to them before I did? Are they about to be mediators?

Maybe my day has arrived earlier than I had expected.