I AM NO FAN OF DECEIT.

✓ Nathaniel

My mind flashed back to the wounded image of Riya on the ground, and my body shook with anger.

I had watched Riya in her unconscious state, and I knew she had gone through so much. Her bruised and rough hands were of someone who had spent quite a long time doing hard chores.

Her skin was tanned, as though she’d lived under the sun all her life. So, seeing these people hurt Riya made me extremely angry that I wanted to end their existence.

My grip tightened on Brandon's neck, and although I knew he was almost dying, my grip on him didn't loosen.

My wolf was seething with revenge and was feeling blood lust, and that he needed was for Brandon to die to quench the thirst. “You can go tell your regrets to your ancestors when I'm done with you!” I growled. “No one touches my woman and leaves in one piece.”

“She is not your woman!” A lady with a strong resemblance to Riya screamed, cutting me off.

I turned sharply to face her, my marbles losing at her statement. What the heck?!

I launched at her, throwing Brandon away towards God knows where, and almost hitting her on the face, before stopping myself with every restraint that was left inside of me.

“Riya’s ugly and useless!" She continued. "She doesn't deserve to be your mate, I do!” The lady stood before me, firmly, and stared straight, right into my eyes. She was bold, I give her that.

“How dare you?! You think you're worth more?! I see nothing in you, but absolutely nothing!"

"Riya is not who you think she is! She'll jink you, I promise you that!"

"Keep quiet! I will take no disrespect to my woman!” My wolf stirred violently in my head as my body shook with rage, the urge to squash her in my hands overwhelming me.

“I'm a more real woman than she is! She's worthless and she cannot be the Luna of River Heart Pack! Never!” She began to sob.

“You wish! Who has brainwashed you?!” I snorted, and my wolf sneered.

“My mother has—”

“Shut up, Ama!” Riya's stepmother snapped at Ama and slapped her hard across the face. “You insolent child!”

Ama stared at her mother in shock, rubbing her reddened cheek. “Mom! Why'd you slap me?!”

“Who is your mother?” Riya’s stepmother shunned Ama, and walked over to Riya.

She held Riya’s hands, and began to dust her clothes. “Are you okay, Riya? Mommy is here.” I could see through her pretense and I had never been so disgusted.

Riya removed her hands immediately, and moved closer to Maria, grabbing her clothes. Maria drew her deeper into her embrace and glared at Riya's stepmother. “Do you mind giving her some space?!”

“She's my daughter, miss!”

“Stop being obvious, and get away from her! Do not make me angry!” Maria snarled. Her wild wolf was obviously waiting to kill.

“Darling, why don't you tell her that I'm your mother, huh?” She grabbed Riya’s hands again, smiling.

“What are you doing, Mom?! Why are you being nice to the dirty slut?!” Ama yelled at her mother, and dragged her away from Riya.

“Get away from me!” Riya's stepmother shouted, and landed another slap on her face.

Ama glared at her mother, shocked to the wit.

“Enough!” I roared, and they both halted. I’d had enough of their absurdity.

“Take the lady away!” I ordered my guards, and they heed my command instantly.

“Leave me alone, you fools!” Ama struggled and kicked as the guards dragged her away, screaming. “Mom! Don't let them take me away! Mom!”

Her mother watched her being taken away with no remorse, and nothing close to affection.

While Ama was being taken away, Brandon tried to slip away, discreetly, but I caught him.

“Grab him too!” I barked at the guards, and they seized him by the arms.

“I've done nothing to deserve this! I've done no wrong!” Brandon struggled to break free, while glaring at Riya’s stepmother. “You should arrest that woman too! She deserves to be arrested just like me! She sold the girl to me! I was manipulated! Please, Alpha Nathaniel, spare me!”

“You bought a young girl, and that's your sin. Take him away!”

One of Brandon's men, who had been watching, suddenly shot a gun into the wall, catching everyone by surprise.

“Everyone, stop moving!”