CHAPTER 8: UNEARTHING SECRETS

RYAN

The mating ceremony preparations continued around me the next day, the pack buzzing with energy. Marissa’s wolves moved about in organized chaos, ensuring every detail of the event was perfect. But none of it mattered. My wolf was restless, pacing inside me, clawing for release and completely distorted, and I couldn't figure out why since my ability to regulate my emotions has always been perfect.

The scent of my mate lingered like a ghost, faint but undeniable. It clung to the air, and worse, it clung to Flora.

Logan stood beside me, his shoulders tense. He hadn’t left Flora’s side since our arrival, and the conflicted look on his face mirrored my turmoil.

“Alpha,” he said, his voice low as he glanced at Flora. “We need to talk.”

I nodded sharply. “Not here. Follow me.”

Flora’s eyes darted between us nervously, but she didn’t resist as Logan guided her away from the crowd. We entered a quiet room in the packhouse, the hum of the preparations fading behind the closed door.

“Explain,” I said, fixing Flora with a hard stare.

She wrung her hands, her small frame trembling under my scrutiny. Logan placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch calming her slightly.

“Alpha, I... I don’t know how to say this,” Flora stammered.

“Try,” I said curtly.

She hesitated, her gaze flickering to Logan as if seeking permission. Logan nodded, his expression softening.

"Alpha Ryan (she wrings her palms together nervously), I know your mate is Hailey, and you probably just want to pick her up and leave this place, but there is so much going on here that I don't even know where I'm to start from".

Logan growled low, his wolf bristling. “Flora, you have to tell him. This isn’t something you can hide remember that he is the Alpha King so if there's anyone capable of resolving it all, it's him.”

Tears welled in her eyes, and she whispered, “It’s Hailey.”

"Okay, her name is Hailey; I know this already now it's a beautiful name; what's the issue?"

Flora’s hands shook as she spoke. “She’s wolfless. Marissa... she doesn’t trust her. She’s been treating Hailey like an outcast for years.”

“Wolfless?” I repeated, disbelief lacing my tone. “And yet her scent is unmistakable. Are you saying my mate is wolfless?”

Flora nodded hesitantly. “I think so, Alpha. Her scent is strong on me because she’s the only friend I’ve had here. We’ve spent so much time together... I couldn’t let her face this place alone.”

Logan stepped closer to Flora, his protective instincts clear. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked gently.

“I was scared,” she admitted, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Marissa hates Hailey. She would have done worse if she found out anyone was helping her.”

Marissa’s name sent a fresh wave of fury through me. “Marissa knew?” I growled.

Flora nodded. “She’s the one who ordered Hailey to be locked away. She told everyone Hailey was dangerous and untrustworthy. But it’s not true. Hailey’s kind and loyal. She’s done nothing to deserve this.”

I clenched my fists, my wolf snarling with rage. The thought of my mate—my mate—being treated like this was enough to make my blood boil.

Logan looked at me, his expression grim. “What’s the plan, Alpha?”

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. “For now, we do nothing. If Marissa suspects we know, she’ll escalate things.”

Flora’s eyes widened in fear. “Please, Alpha, don’t let her hurt Hailey. She’s suffered enough already as it is.”

“I won’t,” I promised, my voice cold with determination. “But first, I need to see this for myself.”

The scent of my mate was no longer just a tantalizing mystery. It was a call to action, a thread pulling me toward a truth that couldn’t be ignored.

I have no idea what's happening here but I intend to find out. The beautiful she-wolf whose eye I connected to is no wolfless omega. Rather, her power is intoxicating and powerful, yet she keeps it tamed; she probably only reveals herself to trusted people, and the shock of meeting me yesterday is why she let her guard down while I discovered her.

As we left the room, my resolve hardened. Whatever Marissa had planned, whatever lies she had spun, I would unravel them all. And when I found Hailey, there would be no force strong enough to keep her from me.

I tell Logan to investigate things silently without bringing attention to her, Hailey. My beautiful little mate, how every one of them believes a redhead can be a victim is beyond me; everything about her spells mystery and danger, yet she puts on a facade of innocence and helplessness, but she must have her reasons.

"Prepare the master bedroom properly, I am coming back with the rightful Luna of the pack"

There's a long pause at the other end. I hang up.

Things will get a little messy once we're back home because just two weeks back when I thought that I wouldn't find my mate, I had chosen one of my warriors as a chosen mate just to handle things a Luna should handle but it was a mistake because not only is she entitled, she's disrespectful and she had done everything to get into my pants but that won't happen.

As we feast at the table the next day, I look around, hoping to see her, but I don't see her at all today, and my wolf becomes restless.

"You've come so far Flora, from Omega to the Alpha King's beta congratulations "

The envy in her voice is deep and bitter

"Thank you, Luna Marissa.

"Where is the maid from yesterday?

The chatter ceases immediately and there's total silence at the table. Thomas recovers and retorts quickly "Did she steal from you? She's so destructive.

"Really?"

Marissa cuts in with a nervous laugh, "Why would you care about that low life?

Before I could give a response, Logan told her to be quiet.

I stand " Tomorrow, Thomas, I want to see her here; no excuses".

As I step away from the mating ceremony, I move with precision, tomorrow is the last day of their event, and I must know everything before then.