Chapter 5

RYDER'S POV

I was too stunned to speak and too angry to react.

“I am glad she decided to stay.” Grandpa Allan said. I could hear the happiness in his voice.

“Really? How can you say that?” Mum shrieked. 

“What do you think, Ryder? Isn't this a good thing?” He asked, ignoring Mum.

I clenched my fist. “No, it's not a good thing, Grandpa Allan. I am the alpha of this pack and should have the right to choose who will be my mate and Luna. You are clearly imposing my decision on me.” I said firmly, my voice unwavering and laced with anger.

But I had to control myself. Grandpa is my grandfather, and he is the one that made the pack what it is today. He grew it from a weak pack to the strong and powerful pack that it is today.

And after my father took over and died early, he had to continue to lead until I grew into a strong and capable man. He taught me everything I know today and has never once tried to undermine my power and authority. But his attitude changes when it comes to Adira. And I cannot understand why.

“You are right, Ryder. You have the authority to decide who would lead beside you. However, you should have thought of that when you slept with Adira and got her pregnant. The moment that happened, you lost that right, and Adira became your mate and Luna. It's time you started accepting that.” He said calmly,

I clenched my fist, anger radiating off me in waves because I had nothing to say for myself.

I got up and stormed out without saying another word. It was truly all my fault; I should have controlled myself better. I shouldn't have had s*x with Adira that night. I regret it every day.

And it only angered me more that Adira used that opportunity to grab onto me and forcefully make me hers. After that incident she followed me around begging for my love, and that only made me despise her more. 

And that is exactly what is making me worried about everything going on now. I have this deep feeling in my guts that Adira was plotting something. 

I pushed the door to my office open and slammed it shut as I entered. 

I paced around my office. That would be the only reasonable truth. That would explain the sudden change. 

Back there she was clearly insulting me; she acted like she wasn't the one begging for my love. Suddenly now she doesn't want to live with me? She was the one that forced her way into the house at first.

“She desires to leave because she is fed up with your attitude. Stop trying to make up stupid theories.” My wolf said bluntly.

“Shut up!” I snapped at him. “The moment you found out that she was carrying our child, you fell for her. So your judgement is clouded.” 

“Well, I am better than you, who is still stuck on his stupid first love. That girl is not better than Adira. Our mate is beautiful and nice. How can you not see that?” 

“No, I cannot because I am not blinded like you are. All you know is your primal instinct, so you wouldn't understand.” I replied.

“Well… I wasn't the only one thinking of procreation when we slept with her.” He taunted me. “But it's okay if you don't like her. Now she doesn't like you too, so just mind your business while she minds hers. Isn't that what you wanted?” He asked. 

“You are not getting the point," I yelled. “Adira is as sly as a fox. She only pretends to be nice. The fact that she is suddenly acting strange means she is plotting something, and we need to find out what it is.” 

“Ugh, fine, suit yourself.” He said and blocked off our connection.

My wolf is only ever this calm when it concerns Adira. 

As I paced, something caught my eye from my window. I moved closer and saw Adira. She was going somewhere and kept glancing around. 

“Where is she going?” I muttered to myself.

I continued to watch her until she cut a corner and disappeared.

"I have to do something about this." I muttered to myself.

“Come to my office.” My mind linked one of my warriors that was closest to me.

He was practically my best friend because we grew up together. He would have been my beta if it wasn't for the fact that Beta Atlas was still occupying the position.

After a few minutes, he entered my office. I was already seated and working on some files.

“What's going on? You sounded like it was urgent.” He said and sat down.

I raised my head and leaned back into my chair. “I need you to do something for me…” I said to him in a serious voice. 

He immediately sat up as he noticed my seriousness. “Is this thing you want me to do a secret mission?” he asked, his tone low and his eyes focused on me.

“Yes. I need you to tail someone and report back to me everything you see or hear.” I said coldly.

“Who?” He asked quietly.

I leaned closer. “Adira”. I replied.

His eyebrows raised. “Why would you want to tail Adira? She practically does nothing other than follow you around or play with Lumina.” 

“That's exactly why I need you to tail her. I think she is plotting something. For the last couple of days she has been acting strange, like she has something to hide. She is definitely plotting something.” 

He tilted his head to the side. I could see the confusion dancing in his eyes. 

“Are you sure about this? What can she possibly be plotting? Adira is too weak and fixated on you to be plotting anything.” He said his voice was laced with uncertainty. 

He clearly didn't believe what I was saying.

“Just now I saw her from my window going somewhere. Her eyes kept darting around like she didn't want someone to see her.” I said to him,

His eyebrows arched. “And where did she enter?” he asked. 

"She cut behind the eating hall.” I replied.

His forehead creased. “Are you sure you are overthinking things? From all you have said, I still haven't seen why you are suspecting her."

I breathed out heavily. “Just do as I have said.” I snapped. “Tail her and report back to me.” I ordered and returned to my documents.

“Fine… I will do as you have asked, my lord.” He saluted me.

“Are you going to come out for training this evening? You haven't been training with us a lot for some days now. Are you still embarrassed that Adira refused to marry you?” He teased and burst into laughter.

I glared at him. “Why would I be embarrassed by that? She did me a favour by refusing.” I replied, lying through my teeth.

The fact that she had rejected me like that in front of everyone was so embarrassing. It made me hate her more. Not that I wanted her to accept me, but she could have done that privately.

The girl has no common sense…

“Yeah, yeah… I hear you, sir. Try to come out for training today. I would love to kick your ass.” He smirked.

I scoffed. “Oh, you know that's not possible. You will never be able to do that. For saying this, I will be there to hand your ass to you like I did last time.” I smirked.

“Never again.” He laughed and stood up to leave. “I will tail her like you have ordered and report back to you.” He said so and left.

“I will find out what you are plotting, Adira… It won't be like the last time that you got away with your evil plot.” I muttered to myself.