chapter 7

ADIRA'S POV

“You! How dare you go around the pack acting like you own it!” Mrs. Willow yelled immediately as I entered the office.

I stopped in my tracks, my eyebrows furrowed. She was fuming so hard the vein on her head was about to pop.

“What is going on?” I asked, looking around the office.

Grandpa Alan, Beta Atlas, and Ryder were seated in the office.

“What is it again this time?” I thought to myself.

“Mrs. Willow, can you please sit down? This is a peaceful meeting,” Grandpa Alan said to her.

She glared at me, hissed, and went to sit down.

“Am I on some sort of trial?” I asked.

“Well, it is nothing like that, Adira. We got a report that you have been spending too much time with the omegas. But spending time with them is not the issue,” Grandpa Alan said calmly.

I took a seat and turned to him. “Then what is the problem?” I asked.

“The problem is how you have been treating other pack members in your quest to treat the omegas better,” Grandpa Alan said.

“I sincerely do not understand what you mean. I will have to ask that you break it down a bit more,” I said flatly.

I already knew what the whole talk was all about. Those spoilt brats must have complained about me. But in my defense, I have only dealt with those that deserved it.

“In the past three days, you have broken one wrist, four ribs, a nose, a leg, and someone’s head!” Ryder yelled. “All of which belong to different people, all in your quest to protect the omegas.”

I could feel the anger radiating off of him from where I was seated. His fists were clenched so tight his fingers must be digging into his palm.

But I knew his anger was not because I broke some people's noses. It was simply because of my new personality. The omegas now respect and see me as a leader. And it was not just them. Some of the elderly pack members also saw me in that light now. And he absolutely hated it.

I turned to him and smirked. “Alpha Ryder, are you certain you know your duties as an alpha?” I asked.

His nose flared. “What?!”

“Well, I do not mean to insult you, but it seems to me that you have not been doing your duties faithfully.” I glanced at him, my eyes twinkling with mischief.

“Are omegas not your people too? Are they not supposed to be protected by you?…”

As I spoke, I felt my anger rising.

“Which law in this pack states that omegas should be beaten and starved just because they are labelled omegas?” I yelled furiously.

His eyes widened just as Mrs. Willow sprang up from her seat.

“How dare you speak to him in that manner!” she yelled.

I drew out a breath and turned to her. “What have you been doing as a mother to this pack?” I asked.

“What?!” she yelled.

I sprang up from my seat. “Do you think that Alpha Ryder is the only one who has been neglecting his duty?” I yelled.

She stumbled backwards, fear flickering in her eyes.

“I never knew it was possible for you to fear me,” I thought to myself.

I turned to Ryder. “If you can answer these questions, then you will understand why I have been doing what I have been doing. Alpha Ryder, you have been neglecting your duty.

You have allowed your people to be beaten and maltreated. What do you have to say for yourself?” I asked.

He looked at me, speechless. “I… I have not neglected my people. I…” He trailed off, unable to say anything.

“Yes… that is exactly what I thought. You have nothing to say,” I said in a condescending tone and watched him fume.

“Grandpa Alan, I know violence is not right, but I was only trying to protect my people. I may stand in an unofficial position, but that does not mean that I should ignore such evil acts. Do you not agree?” I asked.

“You are right, Adira. You are unofficially the mother of this pack, and the wellbeing of the pack members is within your jurisdiction. Of course you should do something when things are going wrong,” he replied, a little smile on his lips.

I could sense that he was happy that I was taking up the role of Luna gradually. But he does not know that this is all for a bigger plan.

“Ryder…” Grandpa Alan called, and Ryder turned to him.

“What have you been doing as the alpha of this pack?!” he snapped, his voice sharp.

“Omegas are also your people. And their duty is not to serve the entire pack. They are only to serve the Alpha household, cook, and keep the pack house clean. They are not supposed to be running personal errands for pack members or be maltreated by them. You better take your duties more seriously…” he cautioned him seriously in a harsh tone.

“I am sorry; I will do better,” Ryder apologised.

He turned and glared at me. If a person's stares could kill, I would already be dead.

“Grandpa Alan, can I go? I promised to take Lumina on a picnic today,” I asked, smiling.

“Of course you can go. My great-granddaughter deserves to be happy,” he replied, smiling ear to ear.

“Thank you…” I got up and bowed.

Ryder's eyes met mine as I bowed. I tilted my head slightly; a smug little smirk played at the corner of my mouth. I knew it would cut into his pride that I won, and from the look in his eyes, it did.

I grinned evilly at him before I spun around and walked away.

I whistled happily as I made my way to the nursery to pick up Lumina for our picnic.

It was not just the two of us; the omegas were going to join us, and I was excited.

Suddenly someone grabbed my wrist from behind; before I could understand what was going on, I was pinned to the wall.

Ryder's face hovered over mine. I recoiled, my nose scrunched in disgust.

“What is this?” I asked angrily.

“Are you happy that you made a fool out of me in there?” he gritted out.

“Did I?” I smirked, “I did not know that. I was only stating the obvious.”

“Whatever it is that you are planning, I am onto you,” he hissed.

“Planning? Why would I be planning anything? I am only covering your lapses and weaknesses. You are clearly not fully capable of running such a big pack yourself. So why not save your breath and go find yourself a mate and Luna? So that Lumina and I can leave this pack happily?

I am sure that will make everyone happy.” I grinned at him.

Something flashed in his eyes, but it was gone before I could catch it.

I pushed him backwards and walked away.

I hurried to the nursery and picked up Lumina. She was smiling and saying a lot of incoherent things which made me giggle.

The omegas were already waiting for me with the food and snacks I asked the kitchen to prepare. Their faces immediately lit up with smiles as they saw me.

“Let us go,” I said happily.

Ever since I made them my friends, I have been really happy. I no longer felt lonely but rather fulfilled.

We sat on the mat and discussed a lot of irrelevant things. Laughed at jokes, ate and played games.

It was a very fulfilling moment, and as the sun started to go down, we packed up and headed back.

“Luna Adira…” Rose called out to me.

“Yes…” I replied.

“There is something I heard today while cleaning the pack house this morning. I think Kiada is planning some sort of Luna trial to test you. As at the time we were leaving for the picnic, the rumour had started to spread that you are not fit to be Luna and you have to prove yourself,” she said, her voice filled with concern.

I chuckled, “I do not care about being Luna,” I replied.

“I know. But I think it might be more serious than you think. I think they are trying to use this opportunity to find a reason to kick you out of the pack. And you know if it comes to that, you might have to leave Lumina behind,” she sighed.

Little Lumina snored gently in my arms. “I am definitely not leaving my daughter here with those vultures,” I thought to myself.

“Do not worry, Rose. I will handle it,” I said to her,

But I was not even sure what to do or what was going on. All I knew was that there was no way I was backing down.