CHAPTER 24. A RIDE HOME HARAWho would have thought, right? Out of all the places I could see him again, it was here in the Red Cross pack, in this bar. With thousands of people in this pack, What are the odds that our paths would align? Indeed, the world is a small place.If I said I thought about him a lot, then I'll be tagged a lair. But in the past months, he did cross my mind a few times. And I get lost wondering what had become of him. If he was real, or just a ghost that had popped out from nowhere and had said something I needed to hear.His words that night had been my muse for escaping from Roland. I'd never thanked him enough for that night. For showing up. For saying something.”You're a member of this pack?“ My voice was in a brittle whisper. I feared he might not even hear me. “Yes, and you're not. So what are you doing here?“ I was going to answer, but he hushed me with his finger. “Hold on, don't you recognize me from somewhere else?““What?“ I was slightly taken aba
CHAPTER 25. RAGEDRYDER I chugged down the last of the whiskey and loved how it burnt in my throat. Again, I checked my wristwatch and it got me pacing around.The fireplace was warm enough to tune down the coldness my rage had brought along with it. Once again, I thought about mind-linking him but no, I still wasn't buying that thought.It would be an easy rant if I just mind-linked him. I'd rather wait until he shows up.The approaching footsteps got my head snapping up and speaking of the devil! “Ryder–“I cut him off with a hard punch to his mouth and he lost his balance, falling headfirst into one of the couches.“You were supposed to watch her!“ I yelled, and I felt Red come alive, eager to tear him apart.“Ryder, chill the fuck out!“ he yelled back, staggering to his feet. “What's this about?““Hara got hurt on your watch. I should have your head at my feet for your incompetence!““Take it easy, man. I never meant for it to happen,“ Jason said, trying to tone down my rage.“
CHAPTER 26. IN A DEEP SHITRYDER“Don't you get it, Tiffany? I'm gonna be out of town for a day or two. There's no way in hell I'm attending these meetings,“ I stared horribly at the hundred scheduled meetings she'd emailed me. How the fuck did my schedule become this jam-packed? And I'm just one person, My God. How am I expected to attend all these meetings?“But Sir, the meetings were confirmed and scheduled at the beginning of the month. It would be rude to cancel now. Can't you reschedule whatever it is you wanna go do out of town?““I'm visiting the flooded packs. There's no way in hell I'm canceling that.“ “But–““Cancel the meetings. I don't care if I come off as rude and inconsiderate. I'm not attending them. But feel free to reschedule…“The undertone sigh from her showed her damning frustration about everything. The meetings were over a hundred. Asking her to cancel and reschedule was a herculean task. But there was no other way.“Isn't there a possibility that you're gonn
CHAPTER 27. THE TRIPRYDER“Who did this, goddammit?!“ I grunted harshly, holding the newspaper in a crushing grip as I read all the printed lies. “This is fabricated,““So you didn't kill him?““I fucking did. But–“ “I can't believe you killed him, Ryder!“ Jason cut me off with his cry of despair.“Best believe it. He hurt Hara. Death was the consequence.“ I flicked through the pages and back to the front page. “This is bullshit!““You just admitted you killed him,““Yes, I did. But whoever wrote this is trying to make me look sinister and monstrous. They're insinuating that I've lost my mind!““Well, you have. You fucking have!“ Jason ruffled his hair in distress. “How do you not listen?!““I killed him for Hara. Not because I was in a blood rage, or because I'm beginning to lose my shit over the recent flood disaster. Whoever wrote this wants to make me look bad before my people!““And it worked!“ Jason flared up. “Listen to the chaos downstairs. Your Father will be up here any mi
CHAPTER 28. A WEIRD FEELING HARAI filled the lined-up shot glasses with a martini, attended to three orders at once, and filled up a bucket with bottles of beer on the rocks but I wasn't ready to take a break. I didn't want to.Anyone would say I was especially energetic today, seeing how I was all over the place, refusing to take as much as a two-minute worth break.Deep down, I knew I was getting exhausted. I could feel the tiredness slowly taking over me. I shut it out, forcing myself to exceed my limit.I had to be busy, so I wouldn't have the time to think. These churning thoughts wouldn't let me be and this was the only way I could keep them in check.Also, I was working a night shift. And for once, I welcomed its excessive buzz with an open heart. Keep the orders coming. I'd rather sink deep into work than into my misleading thoughts.“Can I get two bottles of tequila over here?“ A man asked, signaling with his hands.“Coming!“ I was already taking out the bottles from the ce
CHAPTER 29. HARAJason was taken aback by my question and I blamed it on how intense my tone was when I'd asked it.His brows were arched and the glass had stopped halfway into coming in contact with his lips.Slowly, he placed the glass on the counter and adjusted it on the stool.“Why do you ask?“ His voice was in a whisper. “Nope, no reason.“ I shrugged, trying so hard to be as nonchalant as I could. Although, I doubted he bought the act. His hooded gaze was still hard on me. “I mean, ever since he made the papers and the lady showed her firm support of him, they've been all everyone is talking about.““Uhmm…yeah. She's just like you heard, his fiancee. Except, there won't be any wedding, not with her,““Why not?“ “Because their relationship is missing the most important thing it should have,““What's that?““Love,“ he breathed out and downed the last of his drink. Love? That's silly. The lady had been so clear on how much they were a loving couple, blessed by the moon Goddess
CHAPTER 30. WATCHING YOU FOR ANOTHERHARAI let out another loud laugh and patted my chest, trying to soothe the hiccups.Jason handed me a glass of water and I quickly gulped it down.I dabbed at the water drops below my lips with a towel. Composed, I looked up to find him watching me with an amused look.“You don't have to laugh so loud. You're gonna choke on your saliva,“ He said, smiling at me.“Yeah, I know. What you said just cracked me up badly. I couldn't help it,“ I said in a low tone.“Has it been a while since you laughed this much?“ He asked, becoming serious all of a sudden.I nodded.He grinned, “So technically, I made you laugh after years of being sad. I can't help but feel proud of myself,“I chuckled. But I didn't say anymore words. My gaze was on the table which had our plates of chocolates.“Does that mean we're cool now?“ he asked. I looked up. “I brought you here without your permission. I'm asking if you've forgiven me for it.“ He added.Right. I almost forgot I
CHAPTER 31. I WANNA FUCK JUST HERRYDER.Staring out the windows, I watched the rain descend in a heavy tide. It was crashing against the small houses, and the violent wind was ripping off the rooftops.From up here on the top floor of the castle, I watched the rain destroy the home of the people. It was the saddest thing to witness. In the one week I've been out here, we've helped quite a good number of packs. I'd called Jason and informed him that I was staying a few more days. For some weird reason, he sounded rather happy about it. Like he didn't want me back, yet. But I brushed off the thought, deciding to concentrate on the issue at hand.These packs were poor. They needed a lot of help. As much as I was dying to see Hara, I knew I was gonna die from the guilt if I left without offering my help.“Ryder,“ it was Darius.“Yes, Darius.“ I turned. My arms were wrapped around my chest. “Tell me what happened. Are they gonna be okay?“ “Yes, they will be. Just a few bruises, and some
CHAPTER 81. A MAFIA?RYDER“What the crap, man? What's gotten into you?!” Darius spat, shoveling to his feet.“Don't you even think of playing dumb with me. The jig is up. I just spoke with Jason, you damned bastard!““I don't know what you're talking about, dude. What did that miserable rogue say to you to get you all worked up?!””You're the miserable one!” I barked, railing free from the guys and delivering another punch to Darius. They held me back immediately, pinning my hands to the back, “Fucking let me go!”“Ryder, get a hold of yourself. What's come over you?” Fred cautioned, pulling me back, it wasn't easy to keep me caged. They were using up all their energy on it.”What is this?“ Giveon asked confusedly, glancing from me to Darius, “Dude, what's Ryder talking about?” Giveon asked him, but he still wouldn't admit it.”I got no clue, I think Ryder just lost his mind,““The hell I did! You had Hara kidnapped, and then you went ahead to inject rogue blood into Jason. And until
CHAPTER 80. SO HARD TO SAY GOODBYERYDER”How is he, Doc? Is Jason gonna be alright?” I asked one of the doctors who have had him under survey ever since he was confined here. We were standing at the entrance of the room, an attempt to stay far away from Jason's earshot.”I'm afraid not, Your Highness,” The Doctor sighed dejectedly. There wasn't an ounce of hope in his tone. Got me scared.”But, he got out of his coma, right? And he's talking now. Isn't that a good sign?” I badly wanted to be told that Jason was gonna be alright. That's all I wanted to hear, but it doesn't seem like I'm gonna be hearing that from the doctor.”This is the last stage for him before he completely loses everything to the rogue blood in him,“”What? Wait, I don't understand–””Your Highness, Jason's case is complicated. I mean, he's the first pure blood with rogue blood in his bloodstream. And even though we're not sure how extreme his case is, we do know that he's gonna have the basic traits of a rogue,“
CHAPTER 79. NO MORE SECRETSRYDER48 hours passed and I was released from confinement. There was no solid evidence to attach me to the crimes and Tiffany took care of providing me with an alibi. So they had to let me go.On my way home, I was restless. The war was yesterday, but according to Tiffany, the war didn't happen. She wasn't sure why, but all she knew was that Red Moon Pack's warriors didn't show up. Something wasn't right and I was itchy to find out what it was. But more than that, I was in a hurry to get back home to Hara and my unborn child.“How's Hara doing?” I asked Tiff, she was right beside me in the car. Her gaze lifted from the phone she held, and she was hesitant in giving me a reply.”Uh, she's fine,“ Her reply was not convincing at all. It got me edgy.“Tiff, is something wrong? You seem agitated, and you've been avoiding my gaze. What's wrong?”“Nothing, Ryder. And please, don't ask me any more questions. I don't have an answer to them,” She whined, forcing her
CHAPTER 78. A SIGNHARAI walked past the lobby of the hotel and headed for Roland's suite. It's been tense at the palace since Ryder was arrested. The warlords wouldn't even let me come out, I had to lie that I was going to see Hailey. Still, they weren't at ease with me leaving. I wouldn't be surprised if they were tailing me right now.I just needed to speak with Roland. I'm all shades confused, but I had to be sure he had no hand in this crisis Ryder was facing. I know Ryder too well, there's no way he killed those humans. Someone was setting him up, I just need to be sure that it wasn't Roland.I got to his suite and was gonna knock but I heard his ecstatic voice talking to someone and I had the urge to eavesdrop. “Yeah, everything's going according to plan. With Ryder locked up, my pack warriors have a good chance of defeating Ryder's four warlords…“He waited for the other person in the line to say something and then he chuckled and continued.“I know the four warlords are str
CHAPTER 77. OUR CHILD?RYDERThe blaring siren sounds awakened me from my slumber. I had a throbbing headache, coupled with the fact that I found it hard to shrug off the dizziness. I'd sedated myself to sleep and I wish I didn't. Now waking up was hard, and my nerves are weak. I tried again and it was futile.I had to implore my wolf side and only then could I shake off the remaining effects of the sedatives. I was fully awake now, and yeah, the blaring siren sounds were real and fucking close.I hopped down from the bed and hurried outside, dressed in my sweatpants and a loose shirt. The hallway was a mess.“What's going on?!“ I asked no one in particular, as I brushed past running bodies.“I think the humans are trying to start a fight!“ A random voice replied. Everyone was in panic and it got me more anxious to hurry outside and see what the hell was going on.I froze in my tracks when I got outside and saw a long line of policemen in my front yard. Also, they had guns and we're
CHAPTER 76. A WAR TO KEEP HERRYDER“What?!” I was already hurrying inside and they came behind me. “They sent over the warning at midnight, a few hours after you left the nightclub,” Jay explained, "And in the letter, it stated that they were giving us two days to let Hara return to them, or we go to war,”“That's absurd. Red Moon Pack doesn't stand a chance against us. They might have good warriors but they're just on the same level as our trainees. Waging a war against us is suicide,” I was gloating, I was being downright disdaining and arrogant right now. But that's the only reaction I could come up with. In all honesty, I'm a bit anxious about this news. I knew it would come to this someday, the very moment I set eyes on Hara in my pack, I knew this day would come. And when her mate showed up, I knew it would come faster. And here it is, the bloody day I get to choose between Hara and the safety of my pack. After last night and how blunt she was about her feelings, the Ideal r
CHAPTER 75. SO EASY TO BETRAY MERYDERTime went still. Our breathing slowed. Distant chattering faded into thin air. My heart banged hard against my chest. I tucked my sweaty hands into my pockets. I could feel the low whimper of my wolf as he slid to the back of my mind. Hara's outburst just spiraled me and everything else around us off balance.”Wh-What did you just say?“ I asked in a weak stutter. But dear Goddess, I heard her loud and clear. I just wished she would be a little bit considerate of my bleeding heart and not repeat what she just said. But she did, she repeated it, more firmly this time.“What if I wanna leave, Ryder?“ She asked, “What if I'm suffocating here and I want nothing more but to be free from you?”“You really wanna leave?” Tears intercepted the free flow of my words, and they made their way down my cheeks. But she didn't seem to care.”Maybe,“”Was that why you defended him back there? To show me just how much you still love him?””I just didn't want you t
CHAPTER 74. I'll RATHER BLEED THAN LET YOU GOHARASeeing him standing there plunged me into a depth of panic and despair. Tears stung in my eyes and made their way down. He was yet to say a word, but his eyes were doing all the talking. He was blasting me with his eyes, telling me to go straight to hell. His eyes held a dose of rage I'd never seen before, and a greater shade of bitterness. He was hurting, more than I thought he would. My endless tears wouldn't let me talk, and even if they weren't in my way, I still wouldn't talk. What could I possibly say to fix this? Nothing, nothing I say right now would quench the fire of rage in his eyes. All I have to do is brace myself up for it.”Grab your stuff!” He ordered me glacially, quavering from anger. His clenched fist was hungry to ruin someone's face.I flinched at how thunderous his voice was. I ran back into the bedroom to get my bag and the bundle of my messed-up clothes. When I got back into the lounge, it was a bloody disaste
CHAPTER 73. IT HURTSRYDER“And that's a wrap,“ Tiffany declared exuberantly as the Frenchmen signed their part, sealing up this deal.I was ecstatic, but the fuck, I had to pull myself together. This deal was worth trillions and just what I needed to kick off my estate project. I haven't felt this fulfilled in a while, the feeling was surreal.The three Frenchmen stood to their feet and we shook hands with them.“I look forward to working with you,” One of them said in a heavy French accent. It's kinda insensitive that I didn't even grab their first names. Tiffany took care of all that. She took care of everything, to be honest. All I did was attend this meeting and sign the papers.”Me too. Have a safe trip tomorrow,” I beamed, stuffing back my hands into the pockets of my pants.“Again, I love your tux. The designs are fabulous,“ The youngest of them commented, breaking off in between sentences. English wasn't his first language and he seemed to be having greater difficulty with it