CHAPTER 44.RYDERThe bust of activities at home was enough to keep you on an edge. Reporters from prominent media houses were swamping in, it was a damn frenzy.On my arrival, I got snatched from their questions by the warlords and Jason.“Save it for the press conference,” They repeatedly told the reporters, keeping them off me.They were distressed and bothered, but not as much as I was.With Jay and a few trainees left back at Hara's apartment to keep watch, I had just Darius and Giveon at my side as we headed to the main hall where the press conference should commence any minute from now.Jason was behind us, checking his phone. “Jesus, this keeps getting worse. The main video has over a million views, and it's got over a hundred thousand shares. Does Ciara have this much influence over the people or is this some kind of glitch?““Ciara's an icon, no doubts about that. But this is much more than just her fanbase.“ I countered, fastening my strides. Couldn't wait to get into the m
CHAPTER 45. COME STAY WITH MERYDER“Do you know the woman in the video?!“ The first question was thrown at me.The aggressive camera flashes would be frightening to someone who wasn't used to it, but I was. Standing on the podium, I tried to maintain a poker face. “Yes, I do,“ My reply slid right out. It was hard to keep the emotions out of my words.“What's your relationship with the woman in the video?!“As much as I wanted the whole world to know that Hara was my mate, I knew more than anyone that this wasn't the right time to say that. “You'll find out soon,“ That was my reply instead, and it seemed to tick them off.“Does that mean the claims made by Ma'am Ciara are true?!““Are you really bewitched?! Is that why you're after her even though she's pregnant for another?!““Is she the reason behind the flood?!“Their questions came rapidly, leaving me no room to reply. They all had something to say, and it's worse that they seem to be believing Ciara's trash.“It seems your rela
CHAPTER 46. OUT OF MY LIFERYDER“So here's how it's gonna be, Ciara. I ask the questions and you try your hardest to be honest. Do you understand?!“Her defiant stare was the last of her pride, but I knew she got the message. They took the duct tape off.“Now tell me, how did you know I was staking out Hara's apartment?““I followed you every night, and you know what? You're a bastard and I hope you rot in hell for every pain I went through. You treated me like some worthless creature and then you ran off to that freak!““Her name's Hara. Be sure to remember that, or I'm slitting that tongue of yours,““I don't give a damn about her name! My heart's hurting. I can't afford any iota of niceness right now,““Don't come playing the victim with me, Ciara. It doesn't suit you. And for the record, whatever pain you had to endure was caused by you. I never gave you a reason to think I had feelings for you. Hell, I never shot any shots at you. All I've ever done from the onset is reject you
Once abused. Now loved.CHAPTER 47. A ROGUERYDER“Where is he?!“ I demanded sharply as I walked through the main door of the pack house. It was a two-storied building, situated at the heart of the city. “He's at the secluded area,“ Victor replied, and he, alongside the warlords, led the way to the secluded area. Victor was from the Beta lineage and called the shots here in the pack house whenever the Warlords were away on their missions.Being here today made me briefly nostalgic. This place held a lot of fun memories, back when I was young and free to indulge all my crazy whims.Ever since I assumed the position as the Alpha of the pack, things changed. The palace held me hostage with its overwhelming responsibilities. I had no time to visit. Been a hell of a time since I came here. All I do is give instructions on what I need from the pack house. But today, I was forced to grace it with my presence.I looked around the quiet abode and wondered just how boisterous it would have bee
Once Abused. Now loved.Chapter 48.Rogue.I had no reason to go cover-up. My blood could resist the venom in the rogue blood and that keeps me at an advantage above others. That's also the reason the rogues would slit my throat in a heartbeat if they could.That's why I find it so hard to believe Jason was a rogue. The first thing on the bucket list of the rogues was to kill me. If Jason was really one of them, why hasn't he made a move? All these years together, he sure had the chance to harm me in a way. Why didn't he?The evidence was right there. He was the coldest creature I've ever laid my eyes on. He killed my men. Those were proof enough that he was a rogue. But still, it just doesn't sink in that way.“If he was really a rogue, why did he wait so long to show it?“ I voiced my confusion.“Maybe he needed something to trigger that side of him. An emotional trigger, perhaps,“Emotional trigger, you say? Hara? Shit!Dr. Freya was very much covered up, with gloves, face shield, g
CHAPTER 49. A SHADOW OF MYSELFRYDERIt's been two days since Hara's disappearance. Two days of living in hell. Two days of wallowing in depression and misery. Two days of basking in sheer confusion. It's the most unexplainable shit. No one knew anything. Like she just disappeared into thin air. I tried getting Jason to talk again, but he wouldn't. He just glares at me, gets aggressive, and goes mute. It's already been more than 48 hours but I still can't completely believe that Jason was a rogue. Nothing made sense at all. And I'm fighting, dear Goddess, I'm fighting damn hard to keep my wits around. But it isn't easy. The people still needed consolation from the flood and I always go out there to give that to them. I show up, maintain a poker face and do what an Alpha should do. The flood already hit Rackline so we helped those living there evacuate. Helped them settle down in new homes and compensated them for their loss.But at night, I'm the shadow of myself. I stayed up all n
CHAPTER 50 AUSPICIOUS VISITRYDER“There she is,“ Jay pointed at the female, standing in front of me, clutching her bag and quivering slightly. She was human. Her scent said it all. Short auburn hair, roughly 5'6, pretty but not in a way that gives you an instant hard-on. Probably my age or a year younger.What could she be looking for here? Her appearance spoke volumes about her social class. She was human. Lacked enough confidence. I was beginning to think she lost her way.“Ryder!“ A sudden squeal startled me and Tiffany popped out of the garden, laughing out loud.I was forced to chuckle at her childish act. Yeah, she was a ray of sunshine, alright. Can't believe how lightened up I am in just a second of seeing her.Her bubbly personality was the one reason I never noticed she was broken when I decided to stop fucking her. Looking at her now, I could say she got over it. She's never shone this brightly. It was such a relief.”Come here you,” She cooed, stretching out her arms and
CHAPTER 51. A TALK AND MORERYDERHailey had already cried her heart out before I ended my narration. I just told her everything, every bit of the incident that led to Hara's disappearance. The mob attack. Everything, but I left one crucial point out of it. I didn't mention that my Beta was the possible mastermind of Hara's disappearance. I couldn't bring myself to say it. It hurts like hell to admit it.“Oh God, what would happen to Hara and her child? If the rogues do have her, I don't wanna imagine the misery they're gonna put her through,“ She wailed.I wasn't in the right state of mind to console her. I was as broken as she was. The only difference was that I wasn't wailing like she was doing.“Don't worry, Hailey. I'm gonna do everything I can to find Hara. You have my word,“ I said.Her sobbing died down but she was still sniffing. She dabbed her tears with a handkerchief and her gaze held mine. “You– you really feel that she's your mate?““Yes, I do. Told you already. I'm madl