Chapter thirteen

Alpha Bran’s POV

My heart shook when the human girl stabbed Saskia—It wasn't just for Saskia's life, but for the aftermath of the incident.

Saskia was my fiancée, yes. But she was also the daughter of Alpha Jayden, the former Alpha of Crescent Pack. Saskia was the bridge that held my pack and Crescent pack together as one.

If Saskia had died or incurred a serious injury, a lot would have gone wrong. There would have been unavoidable bloodshed.

Five years ago, I stood at the border of Crescent Pack with my army ready to fight and take their land the old way—Blood and death. But Saskia's parents had been wise. They offered me their only daughter to marry as a seal of allegiance between our packs. 

I agreed, and my engagement to Saskia bonded our packs into one. Crescent pack became Dark Mountain Pack. And their land, my land. They willingly submitted to me and my pack accepted them. 

Saskia became the symbol of unity, peace and balance in the pack. Her injury or death would shatter everything. This was what I saw when the human girl stabbed her. 

I pushed the human down. Threatened and punished her. While I tended to Saskia's wound and took care of her. All these just to send a message to the public that I hated the human and wouldn't mind killing her for Saskia. This was to clear the ongoing suspicions of pack members who suspected the human to be my mate, since she managed to get my attention all the time.

My wolf snarled, hating me for causing his mate to almost commit suicide. I forced him down. It wasn't the time for carelessness as any mistake from me could cause division in my pack. I needed to use wisdom.

Saskia’s wounds sealed up quickly after I sucked out the wolfsbane put in her body by the knife. Her color returned, and finally, I was able to breathe. 

Saskia was a strong she-wolf. She was the best female warrior in her pack before I took over. It was one of the reasons I didn't deny the marriage alliance her parents proposed. Also one of the reasons I would choose her over Serafine a thousand times.

All through the rest of the day, Ryker tormented me. Flashing pictures of Serafine's weak body, punished, and hurt. Her scent haunted me in every corridor I walked. I couldn’t focus. Couldn’t eat.

And at night, I couldn't sleep.

‘Mate.’ Ryker kept growling in my mind.

I shook my head as I sat upright on my bed, as if shaking off Ryker’s voice. But resistance only sharpened my yearning for her.

“What is it?” Saskia asked as her head shot up, eyes studying me.

“It's nothing. Go back to sleep.” I patted her back gently. She nodded and went back to sleep.

I laid back on the bed, pulling the sheets over me as I shut my eyes. Ryker growled, flashing images of Serafine fidgeting at Madame Roxana’s casino the day I bought her. 

My chest tightened. 

I'd bought her that day to save her from Alpha Jace and the human mafia lord. But regretted that decision later. 

If only I had rejected her that day. If only I wasn’t at the casino that day. I wouldn't be stuck in a shitty matebond.

‘Mate.’ Ryker growled again. 

I gave up. Shoved the sheets aside. Slipped from the bed and out of the room silently. Shadows swallowed me as I moved through the hallways toward Serafine’s room. I told myself I was only checking. Only ensuring she was alive.

Then I saw her in Grayson’s arms as I got to her corridor. He walked into her room, carrying her.

My heart twisted. Eyes burned.

Grayson was Saskia's young cousin. He'd just returned to the pack two days ago. Why was he carrying her into her room? Why did she let him into her room? 

She disobeyed me again.

My hands fisted. Rage whirled inside me.

‘He touched our mate. Kill him.’ Ryker growled.

My claws itched beneath my skin. Every instinct screamed to rip Grayson apart, to reclaim what was mine.

Jealousy burned like acid in my heart.

I wanted to step forward. Make him know she belonged to me.

I couldn’t.

If anyone saw me near her room, there would be questions. Ones I feared I wouldn’t be able to answer. So I turned away when footsteps echoed down the hall, retreating before anyone could catch me near her door.

Back in my room, Saskia lay sprawled across my bed. As soon as I lay down, she stirred and wrapped herself around me, sighing contentedly.

“Did you go to pee?” she murmured sleepily.

“Yes,” I answered softly.

I brushed a loose strand of hair from her face, kissed her forehead. Yet all I could think of was Serafine.

Another man was in her room. A man who had no mate.

Ryker howled inside me throughout the night. Morning came, and I hadn't slept even for a minute.

I left Saskia sleeping and headed straight for Serafine’s room, anger simmering in my heart as Ryker surged to the surface.

I slammed the door open, storming into Serafine’s room.

He was there again. Grayson.

I couldn't contain my anger anymore. 

Did he spend the night in her room? 

Ryker snarled. My claws threatened to extend.

I smelled something in the air. Avocado sandwich and orange juice.

Did he—

I scoffed. Unbelievable.

Saskia doesn't know her cousin has returned. And here he was, taking care of a girl who stabbed her with a poisoned knife.

Grayson’s cool and calm responses watered down my rage a bit. His words made sense, and I hated that they did. Ryker protested as I stormed out of the room, leaving Grayson and the girl.

He urged me to go back. I refused. I didn't know the game Grayson was playing.

I barely made it down the hall when Aric’s voice cut into my mind.

“Alpha, the elders have gathered in your office. They want a meeting with you now.”