Misery - Chapter 3

Flora – POV

"Alpha Ryker of the Black Mist Pack," the slave trader said, his voice quivering with fear. "If you're here, this place is finished."

"You've got that right," came Alpha Ryker's cold reply. As he pulled me close with one hand, he swiftly ended the life of the slave trader with the other. I could hear the distant sound of fighting.

"My team will shut down this illegal operation," Alpha Ryker reassured me. As he fought the guards and people and killed them mercilessly, it was a brutal scene, and he felt engulfed in anger after he wiped the blood from his hand and face. Looking down at me, he asked, "Where do you come from, my mate?" The sight of the surrounding blood made me hesitate.

"I'm... I'm a rogue. I don't have a wolf," I admitted hesitantly, my heart 

heavy. The idea of facing another mate, especially after the pain of my earlier rejection, was daunting. The Moon Goddess had sent me a second chance on this stormy day to save me from more problems, or Would I be in for more heartbreak? Couldn't fate be kinder?

He took a moment to examine the bruise on my wrist from the shackle, and my eyes followed his gaze to the lighter marks on my knees and palms, the remnants of last night. The scars were barely concealed by makeup. "You're bruised. I should have made that slave trader suffer before I ended him," he said with a hint of regret. I shuddered at the intensity in his voice, but he seemed to notice and softened.

"What's your name?" Alpha Ryker inquired as we settled into the car, waiting for his team to update him.

"Flora Evers," I replied softly.

"The Evers? From Whitewood Pack? They're of omega lineage, aren't they?" He probed. I remained silent, and he didn't push further.

"Alpha, all the women have been freed and are being cared for in our pack's infirmary," reported a man who approached the car. By his build and demeanour, I guessed he held the beta rank.

"Well done. Meet Flora, my mate," Alpha Ryker introduced me. The man, seemingly taken aback, quickly broke into a wide grin and cheered for Alpha Ryker.

"Calm down, Nathan," Alpha Ryker chided with a slight smile. "I apologize, Flora. My beta tends to get overly excited." Nathan slid into the driver's seat, starting the car with Alpha Ryker beside me.

"It's been a decade, Alpha, you waited for a mate. You deserve happiness," Nathan remarked as he drove on.

"You shouldn't have mentioned that," Alpha Ryker said sharply, and Nathan sighed quietly.

"Anyone would guess you're in your twenties, not thirty," Nathan commented. I was taken aback by the age revelation but tried not to show it, especially when I felt Alpha Ryker's gaze on me. He signalled for Nathan to stop talking.

The car ride became silent, likely due to Nathan fearing Alpha Ryker's temper. When we finally stopped, Alpha Ryker opened my door and extended his hand. I hesitated momentarily before placing my hand in his. He surprised me with his gentlemanly demeanour, leading me to the infirmary. A female doctor attended to me, her voice gentle, as she inquired about my injuries. I avoided the truth, especially with Alpha Ryker intently listening nearby. I worried he might inform Bryan if I said anything negative about him. And if Bryan found out where I was, he might try to imprison me again.

"You need to stay in the infirmary for medical care," the doctor advised. Though Alpha Ryker hadn't given me any real reason to be concerned, I remained cautious. It's never wise to be too trusting too soon.

"Would you be alright if I visited while you're recovering infirmary?" he asked. I nodded in response. He smiled briefly, and I couldn't help but notice how striking he looked as he ran his fingers through his wavy brown hair before departing. Feeling drained and tired, I clutched his coat, appreciating its comforting presence, and slowly drifted to sleep.

****

The next morning, when I awoke, my eyes immediately found Alpha Ryker and Nathan. Nathan looked cleaner than the bloody mess he was the previous night. His brown eyes and tan skin were striking, but I didn't let my gaze linger on him for long, especially with Alpha Ryker sitting beside my bed.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Good," I whispered. "I think I can leave. I feel fine."

"The doctor advises against it; your wounds haven't fully healed," Alpha Ryker stated firmly. I remained silent. Past experiences have taught me to stay quiet and obedient, especially to those of higher rank. Otherwise, there were consequences. Alpha Ryker gently tried to touch my hand as I clenched the bedsheets. I flinched, causing him to retract his hand.

"I'm sorry," I murmured.

"Why apologize? I should've been more understanding, given what you went through at the slave trade," Alpha Ryker replied empathetically. It was surprising to see such humility in an Alpha. Most Alphas I knew were arrogant, often looking down on those they deemed beneath them.

"Why don't you want to stay in my pack?" Alpha Ryker inquired.

"I don't have a wolf inside me. I don't see why I should stay in a pack full of wolves. I don't think I'm suited to be a Luna," I quietly explained. Alpha Ryker studied me as if trying to understand my thoughts.

"Are you uncomfortable staying with the pack?" he asked. I nodded.

"What if I arranged a place for you within the pack territory but away from the main pack? No one would bother you," he proposed. I was puzzled. Why was he so persistent?

"I don't want to stay for free. I can work – maybe handle laundry or help clean," I offered. Alpha Ryker wasn't keen on letting me go, even if he didn't say it outright.

"You don't need to work. Just rest and eat well. The doctor mentioned you're underweight," he pointed out. I glanced at my thin arms.

"You don't plan to let me leave the pack, do you?" It was a bold question, but it needed to be asked.

"Stay for a month. If you eat well, rest, and regain your health, I'll let you go," Alpha Ryker promised. Yet, I couldn't shake off the feeling that he wasn't being entirely truthful. Just the night before, he'd said I could leave once I healed. Now, he was asking for a month. I wanted to confront him about it, but fear held me back.

After speaking, Alpha Ryker departed. Nathan, looking sympathetic, followed him out. Later, a doctor came in to see me. After another day in the infirmary with periodic visits from Alpha Ryker, Nathan eventually came to escort me to my new residence within the pack territory.

As I moved through the pack grounds, I caught whispered conversation. "Isn't this woman the one Alpha Ryker brought from the slave market?" 

"Yes, and rumour has it she's his mate and doesn't even have a wolf spirit." The words stung, especially being labelled as a 'slave'. But I felt too insignificant to challenge the pack members' gossip, and triggering the pack exile from the white wood pack was so painful.

"Enough of this! Get back to work, unless you want to face Alpha Ryker's anger for gossiping about his mate," Nathan snapped. The crowd dispersed quickly, fear evident in their eyes.

Nathan led me to a beautiful bungalow nestled among the trees. Nearby, there was an even larger bungalow. "This one is yours. The one next door belongs to Alpha Ryker," Nathan explained. 

"This is too much. A small house would have been fine," I murmured, hesitant to enter.

"Alpha Ryker insists on this for you. If you have any objections, discuss them with him," Nathan responded. He seemed to know that I wouldn't dare confront Alpha Ryker.

Stepping inside, I was taken aback by the luxurious and spacious interior. Two maids greeted me with a bow. Nathan departed, leaving me in their care.

In my new room, a wardrobe was stocked with designer outfits, shoes, and handbags. Why was Alpha Ryker treating me this way? I didn't understand. 

"Ms. Evers, Alpha Ryker will be joining you for dinner soon," informed one of the maids, Robina. I chose a pair of blue jeans and a white T-shirt, added a touch of makeup, and waited.

When the doorbell rang, Robina ushered in Alpha Ryker. He looked even more striking in a brown leather jacket, white t-shirt, and black jeans.

"I was tied up earlier and couldn't welcome you properly," he said.

"Thank you for everything, Alpha Ryker," I whispered, looking down. He gently lifted my chin, ensuring our eyes met. His grey eyes were mesmerizing.

"Just call me Ryker. Now, say my name."

"Ryker," I replied softly, lost in his gaze.

"Shall we eat?" I suggested, attempting to shift the intense mood. We dined silently, the delicious taste of fresh meat filling my mouth. It had been so long since I'd eaten so well. Tears welled up in my eyes.

"Do you like the food?"

"Yes," I managed, avoiding his gaze to hide my emotions. After the meal, he sat beside me, engrossed in his phone, but the silence was oddly comfortable.

"I need to attend to some matters. Rest up, Flora. Goodnight," he said, smiling. 

"Goodnight, Ryker." 

**Alpha Ryker - POV**

After my dinner with Flora, a sense of ease washed over me. My wolf, too, felt content. But this starkly contrasted with the raw fury I'd felt when I discovered my mate at the auction. The urge to take out my anger on everyone around me who had a hand in auction selling my mate has been overwhelming. Ironically, I hadn't even planned to be at that auction. I was there to track down my abducted sister, based on information from my spy about a slave trader. Little did I know that I'd encounter my mate. 

From what I gathered, Flora has suffered a lot. My wolf instinctively wants to keep her close, but she seems eager to leave the pack. Is she considering rejecting our bond? Did my anger frighten her too much? I should've controlled my emotions better, but seeing her in that state was heart-wrenching. Even now, thoughts of her beauty occupy my mind, and her floral scent lingers in the air as I sit in my office to catch up on work.

I need to learn more about Flora. Something tells me she's hiding something, and though my past experiences make it hard for me to trust easily, my wolf urges me to trust her. The scars from my past weigh heavily on me. Will Flora reopen old wounds, or will she be the one to pull me out of my darkness?