chapter 8

~~~~~Ryker's POV~~~~~

My wolf had been restless ever since I sent Layla to the dungeon.

Reid wouldn't let me have a moment of peace. He kept pacing inside my head, whining and growling whenever I tried to concentrate on anything else.

I couldn't understand what his problem was.

Layla had brought it upon herself. She was far too full of herself, daring to push Zoey to the floor and even attempting to slap her. She needed to understand that her actions had consequences.

But that wasn't the only reason I had sent her to the dungeon.

I hated seeing her walk around freely, as though nothing had happened between our packs. She needed to suffer. She needed to struggle and pay for the sins of her family. And when the time was right, I would find a way to wipe out every last one of them.

That was the plan.

Yet Reid seemed determined to ruin it.

Let me hear her voice, he kept demanding.

I clenched my jaw.

Stop disturbing me.

She's our mate, Ryker. How can you be so cruel to her?

I ignored him, but his constant complaints were beginning to get on my nerves.

Eventually, I pushed myself out of my chair and headed for the dungeon. I needed to see what was going on with her, even if I wasn't entirely sure why.

The moment I stepped inside, something caught my attention.

Zoey was already there, standing close to Layla's cell with a meal in her hands.

I stopped walking.

What was she doing here?

Hadn't I specifically instructed the guards not to give Layla any food? Why was Zoey going against my orders?

But before I could question her, my gaze shifted to the woman sitting inside the cell.

Layla.

For some reason, I couldn't take my eyes off her.

She looked exhausted, her clothes were dirty, and her hair was slightly dishevelled. Yet, even in that miserable state, she somehow managed to carry herself with the same stubborn confidence that had irritated me from the moment we met.

Then something strange happened.

A faint silver light flashed in her eyes.

I blinked, wondering if I had imagined it, but it was already gone.

What was that?

I stared at her for another moment, trying to make sense of what I had just witnessed.

Who is she, Ryker? Reid suddenly asked, his voice filled with curiosity.

I had no answer.

"Wow! Are you here to get me out, or have you simply come to admire my pretty face? Because I hate having someone stare at me for too long," Layla said, tilting her head with a playful smile.

I frowned.

Was she seriously making jokes in her current situation?

Before I could respond, Reid burst into laughter inside my head.

Ryker, I love her already! She's so funny.

I rolled my eyes internally, refusing to entertain his nonsense. Instead, I turned towards one of the guards standing beside me and gave him a signal.

"Get her out," I ordered.

The guard immediately stepped forward and began unlocking the cell.

Layla rose slowly, brushing her hands against her clothes. She looked rough and uncomfortable, but she didn't complain.

Zoey moved closer to me, slipping her hand around my arm.

I glanced down at her.

Lately, she had been behaving strangely, and I couldn't quite understand why. She seemed unusually interested in everything concerning Layla, especially since I had brought her into the pack.

"Wow, you two look good together," Layla remarked, looking between Zoey and me. Her lips curved into an amused smile. "You should just get married already. I'll gladly give you my blessings, especially if you agree to remove the mark you placed on me."

Her words caught me off guard.

For some reason, hearing her talk about removing our mate mark made something uncomfortable twist inside my chest.

I didn't like that feeling.

Perhaps Reid was finally getting what he wanted, forcing me to experience the emotions he had been feeling since I sent her away.

I immediately pulled my arm away from Zoey.

"Take the Luna to get dressed," I instructed the maid standing beside Zoey. "Have the other maids assist her. We have a meeting to attend, and she's coming with me."

Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked out.

Zoey hurried after me.

"Ryker, wait!"

I continued walking, but she eventually caught up with me.

"Why did you mark her when you know she's an enemy to our pack?" she asked, wearing an expression of concern.

I stopped briefly, turning my head towards her.

"I know what I'm doing, Zoey. Stay out of it."

"But..." She hesitated, then lowered her voice. "Or do you love her? Are you beginning to feel attached to her?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

She looked uncomfortable but didn't look away.

"I just noticed how you've been behaving around her. You seem concerned about her, even when you pretend otherwise."

A humourless laugh escaped my lips.

"Don't mistake things, Zoey. I don't feel attached to her, and I certainly don't love her. Marking her doesn't change anything. I only want her to suffer for what her family did to mine."

"But—"

"No buts, Zoey. Just mind your own life and stay out of my affairs."

With that, I turned around and continued towards the meeting hall, leaving her behind.

I had more important things to deal with than Zoey's unnecessary questions.

And I certainly wasn't going to let a woman like Layla distract me from my plans.