Chapter 5

RYDER’S POV

“We need to cut down on the budget for the next quarter. We seem to be spending a lot now.” I complained as I flipped through the pages of the document sitting in front of me.

Nobody in the room said anything… They knew how I am whenever I am in my business mood.

“What about what we spoke about the last time? We can't continue purchasing everything we need from the market; it's racking up a lot of cost. Did you all come with an idea?” I asked.

“Actually we did, we…” Beta Atlas started to say, but I raised my hand to stop him.

I felt a pull on my mindlink…it was Grandpa Alan. I opened my mindlink, and his voice flowed in.

“Come to my office; Adira said she has something important to tell us.” he said.

“I am in the middle of a meeting; I will come immediately after I am done.” I replied.

“Stop the meeting and come now. This concerns your child and this pack; it is important.”

I stopped myself from hissing and replied, "I will be there soon.”

“Sorry, gentlemen, but we will have to take a short break. Grandpa Alan requires my presence, and it is urgent.” I said to them,

“Okay, Alpha.” They all replied and left the office.

After they left, I hissed angrily. “Why is Adira constantly doing something these days? She has been acting strange and ignoring me since she publicly refused to marry me, and now she has something to say?” I muttered angrily.

I picked up my phone and left for Grandpa Alan’s office. On entering, I saw Mum sitting in the office too, and Adira sat on the seat I was supposed to occupy.

I quickly observed her, and there was that look that I have been noticing for a while now. The facial expression that gives an “I don’t give a fuck” vibe.

I inclined my head to Grandpa Alan and took another seat, choosing to ignore her as she has been ignoring me.

“Ryder, I know you are busy, but it's good that you made it here.” Grandpa Alan said to me.

He turned to Adria. “Everyone is here now; you can go on and say what you have to say.

Adira cleared her throat and started. “I have thought about it and realised that it would be wrong for me to take Lumina away from her father and pack. She is still young, so I cannot leave her here alone. So I came to a decision,” she said coldly.

“I will stay here but only temporarily. I still do not intend to marry Ryder or become his luna.”

Her eyes landed on me briefly as she said that. They were cold and sharp. And for some reason it cut through me sharply.

My eyebrows furrowed. “This is the third time she is saying this. How does someone go from wanting you so badly to suddenly not wanting you at all? Is this a ploy to get under my skin?” I thought to myself.

“However, if I am to continue staying here pending when Ryder will show that he is deserving of me, then it has to be on my own terms.”

I scowled, irritated by her choice of words. “Sorry, what? Deserving of you? I chuckled dryly. “I am sure you meant until you prove that you are deserving of me and the Luna title.

She turned to me slowly. “I am very certain that you are not deaf nor dumb,” she hissed and turned away. “As I am saying…”

“Did you just speak to me like that?” I asked, cutting her off.

I was in shock. “Is this the same girl who couldn't even look me in the eye before now?”

“Ryder, please, can we hear her out?” Grandpa Alan asked.

“Are you going to act like you didn't hear how she just spoke to Ryder?” Mum? asked Grandpa Alan calmly.

“Adira, please choose your words more carefully,” Grandpa Alan said to her.

“I will try as long as he doesn't push me,” she replied unapologetically.

My jaws tightened, but I said nothing in reply to that.

“Well, as I was saying, it will be on my own terms. Firstly, I want to move out of the house I share with Ryder. Secondly, I will not accept any form of maltreatment towards either me or Lumina, no matter who tries to do it. If it ever happens again, I will not ignore it just because you are Ryder's mother,” she said, looking directly at Mum.

"Also, I want to freely leave and return to the pack without questions or restrictions. I am the mother of the Alpha’s daughter, not a prisoner.” she said.

“How dare you! You think you can dictate these things to us?” Mum snapped, but Adira didn't even flinch.

I, myself, was still in shock. I was still locked on the part where she said she wants to move out of the house. The same house she begged to live in.

****

Ryder, please…” She had begged, kneeling in my office, with tears in her eyes. “Let me live with you. I do not want Lumina to grow up in a dysfunctional home. We made this baby together; you cannot abandon me alone with her,” Adira begged.

She had arrived at the pack in the last month of her pregnancy, and I had refused to let her move in with me. But after she gave birth to Lumina, she followed me around begging me to let her live with me until I agreed. But we stayed in different rooms.

***

“You want to move out?” I asked in shock as the memory faded from my eyes.

“It is either that or nothing,” she replied and relaxed into the chair.

My eyes lingered on her. She looked like a totally different person, and her boldness was even more shocking. She was saying that she would only stay on her own terms… the same person who was begging to stay in the pack before. I sat there confused and unable to wrap my head around it.

“Fine. You will get everything you just asked for.” Grandpa Alan said with a smile. “Anything to keep you here.” He said sweetly. “However, there is one thing I cannot agree with you on. You have to continue living in the same house with Ryder; it is important for the pack to look strong,” he said to her.

I scowled. “Am I not supposed to have a say in this?” I asked.

Just because I am surprised by her sudden change doesn't mean that I want her in my space. I was more than happy to let her go.

“Your choice can only be what makes the pack stronger, Ryder. It is why she moved in at first, and it is why she will continue living with you.” Grandpa Alan said firmly, with no room for argument.

“I will manage that. I guess there is nothing I can do about that.” Adira replied.

Her words and tone make it seem like she is the one displeased and not me. It irked me.

“Thank you, Grandpa Alan.” She smiled and got up.

She didn't spare me a glance as she turned to leave.

“You must think you are in control, but you better be careful. Because I promise you, your stay here will not be a sweet one,” Mum threatened in a cold voice.

Adira lowered herself a bit and leaned towards Mum. “Keep those threats for people who actually fear you. If you cross me again. You won't know what hit you,” she replied in a chilling voice. She threw Mum a smirk and walked out.

“What is going on? What has gotten into her?...