Chapter 2

Ryder's Pov

I was in my room, tending to my wounds when word came in that the rogues had arrived.

Lexi, my fiancé, who had been applying ointment on my skin, stopped for a moment and looked at my face.

"Ryder? You brought them into our pack?" She asked and i just grunted in response.

"Do you think they'll submit to you? To us?" Lexi asked again. This time, my eyes twinkled in excitement.

"I don't kill women and children Lex, you know that" I grumbled, my lips tightening from the stabbing pain from my wounds.

"That's not what i heard. There are alphas too. You know how much it took to get the last rouges in line. The omegas, i'm not very worried. We could hand them over to the mateless alphas and--"

I stood up suddenly and turned around to look at her with a furrowed website. "We? This is my pack Lexi. I'm the one that decides what to do with anyone" I said through gritted teeth before i looked at her.

Lexi looked at me, her eyes widened in shock at the sudden change in my temperament.

"Ryder. I would never. I was just trying to help you shoulder some of the pack's responsibilities. As your soon to be mate and Luna of this--"

"You're not my mate. Neither are you my Luna, yet. If i don't ask you to do something, don't impose. It's annoying.." I growled and grabbed the bandage that was hanging from my body. Messily, i grabbed the rest of the roll before i wrapped it around my waist.

"Ryder..." Lexi called out in her usual whiny voice, reminding me yet again just how annoying she can be. As annoying as that very fact is, she was the only one worthy to stand beside me to lead the pack.

"I think it's time you leave now Lexi. I need to rest," I commanded and turned my back on Lexi. I didn't need to look to know the expression she had on her face.

"𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒖𝒔..."

My ears perked up at the plea. I turned around and looked at Lexi as she reached out for the knob.

"Did you say something?" I asked, demanding to know.

Lexi turned to me and frowned in confusion " what?"

"I asked if you said something," I repeated.

"No Ryder. Are you okay?"

"𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒖𝒔 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆. 𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒂𝒍𝒑𝒉𝒂!"

I heard it again, this time loud and clear as if it was being yelled right into my ears. I reached out and held my head in my hands.

"Ryder. Ryder...what is the matter?" Lexi asked as she rushed over and gently touched my hand.

When i looked up at her, she gasped suddenly. I could see the shocked expression on her face and i frowned. "What? What is it?" I asked, worry and urgency in my tone as i looked at her.

"Your eyes...."

I didn't let Lexi finish. At the mention of my eyes, i turned around quickly and used the window reflection. I didn't need to look hard, my eyes were glowing red. A much darker shade of red than ever before. It was my wolf.

Max.

"Leave." I commanded even without looking at Lexi.

"But Ryder. I want to stay with you" Lexi replied, her voice soft and mostly whiny. I hated it. Now more than i actually realized.

"I TOLD YOU TO FUCKING LEAVE!" I growled as i turned back to her, my expression deadly and serious. I didn't even flinch even when Lexi jerked back. I watched her back away before she walked out of the door.

"What?" I growled once i was alone in the room.

"𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧? 𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐭𝐨𝐨" 𝐌𝐚𝐱 𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞.

"So? He rejected us. I have no use for him anymore!" I said and Max growled in response.

"What? You expect me to wag my tail just because he's back? Zed and i are done. Get on with the program dammit" I said before i shut my wolf out.

This is what i was dreading, having to face the man that stomped on my feelings and crushed my heart into pieces. I know our fate would intertwine when i decided to indulge in the war the Red Blades Pack started. I knew what was on the line but even when i ripped his father into shreds and promised the fallen Alpha that i would do it to Zed. I couldn't bring myself to do it.

I hated him. I despised him so much yet i couldn't bring myself to hurt him. That's why i made sure he survived. I wanted him to live so he could see how great i turned out. I wanted to stomp on his every hope, turn his laughter into deep frowns. I wanted Zed to be as miserable as i have been.

I frowned deeply as i grabbed a clean shirt and put it on. I knew my bandaged wound wouldn't hold out for long so i picked a black shirt. Soon after, i walked out of the room while buttoning my shirt up.

I walked downstairs to find Lexi, cradling a bowl of hot soup in her hands. "What are you doing here? I know i asked you to go home" I muttered as i walked past her and headed towards the door.

"I know you did. I was just making you some food Ry. Look, it's your favourite. It'll help you heal faster-" Lexi replied sweetly and i stopped for a moment. When i turned back to look at her, my expression was hardened. My jaw was clenched as i tried to think of a reasonable explanation that would help her understand.

"It seems i've indulged you so much that you've started to forget who the alpha is. You think just because i said i'd marry you, that makes you what? My equal?" I asked and i watched as Lexi's eyes widened. She placed the bowl down and started approaching me.

"Ryder. No... I was just trying to help--"

"And i told you to go home. I can't stand disobedience Lexi. I'm going to let this one go but when i come back and find you here, i promise you. You wouldn't like me. Do i make myself clear?"

"Yes.." Lexi whispered softly.

"Yes what?" I demanded.

"Yes Alpha" Lexi's voice shook as she answered.

Seeing no other reason to linger, i turned around and walked out of the house. I was already in a bad mood and i knew it was only going to get worse, considering where i was going.