Chapter Four - Undercover Encounter

Chapter 4

Ryder

“Go and start the car and wait,” I ordered my Beta, Rufus Hale in a cool, calm tone. But my inside was almost burning with rage.

I had to try and keep it together, at least until I would get back to my pack.

I had gone on an undercover mission to the Moonstone Pack hospital. I came for this myself because it has something to do with my late father, the former Alpha of the Shadowcrest Pack.

“Yes Sir,” Rufus replied with respect, but careful not to expose our identities as we had come to the hospital undercover.

“Go,” I said, dismissing him.

After he had left, I could not stop wondering how the hospital would not have any records of my late father’s autopsy.

“There is foul play happening high up somewhere. I will make sure to dig it out by all means!”

I got up angrily from the hospital chair and started heading out to join Rufus in the car. But then, something happened in a flash.

Someone bumped into me with force. It was a she-wolf.

It was obvious that she had been running and eventually bumped into me by mistake.

To my greatest surprise, though she had fallen from the impact, She stood up and started leaving just like that, without turning to look at me or saying sorry.

I could only see her back as she ran off.

I was furious, coupled with the anger that was already seeping through my insides.

“How rude! Who the heck is this she-wolf? Could she not at least say sorry?” I asked in fury to no one in particular as I stared at her back.

She was running again, just like she had a minute ago when she had bumped into me. 

“I have to see to it that she apologizes. How could she act so uncultured? Are all the people in this pack like this?”

I followed in her direction with burning rage. I had found the perfect person to lash out all my anger on.

I did not walk too far before finally finding her. I could see her clearly now, but she had her back to me.

She was putting on a wedding gown. As I got closer to her, the scent that came from her was heavenly.

It tingled my nose and my wolf, Adrian nearly became awakened. But still, she has to apologize for what she did. I was not about to spare her.

“Hey, she-wolf, you have to apologize for….” 

I was saying as I walked over to her, but then, I heard a wince coming from her. I stopped dead in my tracks.

“Is she crying right now?” I asked myself silently without having anyone to give me a suitable answer.

She seemed to be crying into the phone. 

 “Why is she crying so bitterly?” I wondered, raising an eyebrow as I stared at her back. Her shoulder was vibrating from the pain.

At that moment, all the anger I had in my mind became suppressed. I watched her cry from where I stood, I did not know what to do next.

“I should at least talk to her. I have to know why she is crying so much. It must be something so painful.”

My anger turned into pity. I pitied the she-wolf.

As soon as I took a step, about to go close to standing in front of her, Beta Rufus showed up from behind and called out to me, stopping me from taking another step toward her.

“We have an emergency, we have to go immediately, Ryder.” He said hurriedly, tapping me from behind.

I turned to look at him.

“What emergency is that? I am busy here, I have to…”

“We have to go right now Ryder, or else we will be compromised. Let’s leave immediately.” Rufus said, cutting in before I could finish my words.

“But I have to talk to this…” I started saying in protest but my voice suddenly went faint as I turned around.

The she-wolf was no longer there. She had disappeared.

“Listen, Ryder, we can come back some other day for what you have to do. But for now, we really have to leave right now.” Rufus insisted. 

I gave a grunt. I was torn between deciding if I should find her now or come back some other day.

Eventually, I agreed.

“Okay, whatever. Let’s go, Rufus.” I said simply.

I got moving, walked past him, and headed for the exit. 

“You know what?” I suddenly said, stopping in my tracks and facing Rufus, who was startled.

“What?” He asked simply.

“I changed my mind. Let’s book a five-star hotel not far from here. I still have unfinished business.” I said with a firm tone. I knew Rufus would not challenge me.

“A hotel in this pack?” He asked, surprised.

“Yes, in this pack. We can leave by tomorrow. I have to dig deeper into the investigation. I smell foul play, Rufus.” I said to a confused Rufus.

“Alright, I noticed it too. But for now, let’s leave here and get to the hotel. We might get suspected if we stick around too long.” Rufus said with a look of concern.

He was right. 

I took one last look at the place where the she-wolf had stood before she disappeared.

“Not today.” I mouthed, heaving a sigh as we both turned to leave.

**

“Any update about the investigation from yesterday?” I asked Rufus, my Beta and Best Friend.

“Not yet Ryder, you were right about the foul play suspicion you had. There is something definitely happening, I think there are people in big places trying to cover things up.” Rufus explained.

I knew it. Those scumbags!

I bit my lower lip as I tried so hard to suppress the anger that was starting to rise inside. Adrian was growling too.

“Is the hospital still claiming not to have the autopsy results anymore?” My low baritone voice came through with the question.

“Yes, Alpha. The doctor is not cooperating, I know he is definitely being controlled. But I just don’t know who is behind him yet.” Rufus explained. He was just as confused.

“We have to keep digging Rufus! I need a friggin name. Someone has to pay for this.” I said coldly, folding my hand into a fist and squeezing it hard.

“Yes, Alpha. I will make sure we get to the bottom of this. But we have to leave today. Your mother keeps calling.” Rufus said, gesturing to the phone in his hand.

I waved it off immediately. I had been ignoring her calls and now she is calling Rufus.

“You know what she wants. Don’t pick it up. We leave today anyway.” I commanded.

“Yes, boss.” Rufus teased, almost laughing. I raised an eyebrow.

He was about to turn away when I called him back.

“Wait.” 

“Yes?” He asked, looking at me with an expectant face.

“Did you see that she-wolf yesterday?” I asked, unsure.

“What she-wolf?”

“Never mind. Just focus on the mission.” I said, giving him a dismissive look.

He did not seem convinced, but he did not push any further.

The mission comes before all else! All Else!