Chapter 8

_Ryker’s POV_

I stormed into my study, slamming the door behind me with a force that rattled the windows. My wolf, sensing my anger, stirred restlessly within me, its growl a low, menacing rumble that echoed through the room. I paced back and forth, my footsteps heavy and deliberate, as I struggled to contain the fury that threatened to consume me.

My mind replayed the doctor's words, each one a spark that fueled the fire of my anger. Malnourished. Dehydrated. Physical abuse. The thought of anyone harming Arianna, of laying a hand on her, made my blood boil.

My wolf snarled in agreement, and it was taking everything to keep him in as I paced the room relentlessly.

I couldn't understand why I was so concerned. Arianna was just another tool in my game, a way to break the curse that had haunted me for years.

But the thought of her being hurt, of her suffering at the hands of someone else, filled me with a rage that I couldn't contain.

I was the only one that had the right to hurt her. Me! She was mine!

My pacing grew more agitated, my footsteps pounding out a rhythm that synced with my rapid heartbeat. My wolf growled louder, its anger mirroring my own. I could feel its power coursing through me, urging me to take action, to seek out those responsible for Arianna's suffering and make them pay.

Derrick, Arianna's uncle, was the first person who came to mind. I had always suspected that he was a cruel and heartless man, but I had never imagined that he would stoop to harming his own niece. The thought of him laying a hand on Arianna filled me with a cold, calculated fury. I swore to myself that I would deal with him, that I would make him pay for his cruelty.

As I paced, my anger grew, fueled by my wolf's restless energy. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, my pulse racing with a fierce, primal power. My senses were heightened, my hearing and smell acute as I scanned the room for any sign of threat.

But there was none. The room was quiet, the only sound the soft hum of the fire that crackled in the hearth. I was alone, my anger and my wolf's fury the only companions I needed.

As I paced, my mind replayed the events of the past few hours. Arianna's arrival, her fear and defiance, the way she had sparked against me like a wild, untamed thing. I had been drawn to her, despite myself.

There was an innocence in her eyes that made me ache to pound into her relentlessly while she looked at me with tears in those beautiful eyes, but at the same time, I didn’t want to take that innocence from her.

She didn’t belong to my world. Yet, I couldn’t imagine letting her go. She was mine!

I finally settled down, my anger and frustration slowly giving way to a sense of calm. I eventually sat down, and tried to focus on the papers in front of me, but my mind kept wandering back to Arianna. Her fragile face and body haunted me, and I found myself wondering if she was okay, if she was safe.

She had fallen limp in my arms, and I couldn’t remember the last time I’d ever been so scared. The feeling felt so foreign that I didn’t know how to handle it.

Up until now, I didn’t feel. I moved through life with the motions, and had managed to shut off my feelings. It was safe to say I didn’t have a heart.

I had been called a monster countless times, but hearing her call me that, it felt different. Different in a way that I didn’t want to be that, anymore. But a monster was who I was. I didn’t know how to be anything else.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of my beta, Jason, entering the study without knocking. I glared at him as he plopped down in the chair in front of my desk, a look of amusement on his face.

Of course, he would be the only one who would do something like that fearlessly. We grew up as childhood friends, and he was the only person I could tolerate, which was why he was still alive till this point however annoying he was.

"Ryker, I've got some news," Jason said, his voice serious. "The pack's finances are looking good. We've had a few successful hunts, and our trade with the neighboring packs is going well."

I grunted, my responses short and curt. "Good. Keep an eye on it."

Jason raised an eyebrow, his expression curious. "Everything okay, Ryker? You seem a bit... distracted."

I felt a surge of irritation at Jason's question, but I tried to brush it off. "I'm fine, Jason. Just tired."

Jason leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Ryker, come on. I've known you for years. I can tell when something's bothering you. What's going on?"

I sighed, my patience wearing thin. "Jason, drop it. I'm fine."

Jason chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "Oh, Ryker. You're not fine. You’re always cranky, but this is something else. You're wound up tighter than a spring. What's going on with you?”

“That's none of your business, Jason." I glared hard at him, my voice coming out as a growl.

Jason leaned back in his chair, and his grin widened. "Oh, come on, Ryker. I'm your beta. It's my business to know what's going on with you. Besides, I've never seen you like this before. You're always so in control, so calm and collected. But not now. Now you're like a powder keg waiting to blow."

"Jason, I'm warning you. Drop it." I warned coldly.

Jason gasped, like he had just connected the dots of a world mystery. “Wait, don’t tell me you haven’t gotten some sugar from your new bride.”

I balled my hands in tight fists to stop myself from slamming them into his shit face, but if he kept pushing me, I just might.

“No….” He drawled out, followed by a loud rumble of laughter. “What? No way!” His laughter got even louder. “You haven’t….no!” He continued amusing himself, cackling loudly.

I didn’t blame him. I always fucked my new brides the second their feet entered my house. I was always very eager to pleasure myself and more importantly, break the curse.

But this time, I was afraid.

Not afraid to fuck Arianna, but afraid she would meet the same fate as the others. The thought of her going through that horror tugged at the heart I thought had turned to charred ages ago.

But it was unavoidable. That was why I brought her here. I shouldn’t care what happened to her. I didn’t want to. All that mattered was me. I was selfish. But that was it, right? That was what the world was about. Everyone had to live for themselves.

But Jason just laughed, the sound filling the room, cutting through my haze. "Oh, Ryker. You're so easy to rile up. I'm just trying to help. You're obviously stressed out about something. Maybe I can help you... unwind."

"Jason, that's enough. I don't need your help to unwind. I just need you to leave me alone."

Jason chuckled, his laughter dying down. “You're so uptight. You need to relax, burst a knot or two. It'll do you good. I could send for one of your whores and…”

"Jason, get out. Now!” I snapped.

Jason grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Yes, sir. But take my advice, will you?”

With that, Jason stood up and sauntered out of the study, leaving me to seethe in silence. I watched him go, my anger and frustration simmering just below the surface. I knew Jason was just trying to help, but his words had struck a nerve. I was stressed out, and I knew exactly why. Arianna.