Chapter 3: The Betrayal

Luna Teresa stepped into her mates study with her already big belly and a big smile on her face. “What are you doing?” she asked the Intelligence Alpha, Alpha Maxwell and he looked up from the documents he was signing.

“Just signing some documents, do you need anything?”

She pouted and nodded. “Yes. The thing is, I actually feel a little pain in my leg.”

He smiled at her knowing exactly what she wants. “So, you need a massage?”

She smiled back and nodded. “Yes. But if you’re busy, I can come back.”

He stood up and moved closer to her. “You know I can never be that busy not to attend to your needs. Come, let’s go to our room”, he said and held her hand, leading her out of the study.

She smiled as they got to their room and sat on the bed. She stretched her leg to him and he placed it on his laps. “Just near my ankle. There”, she said and pointed to the exact place she was feeling the pain.

He smiled and massaged it like she asked. 

“Oh my! You’re the best mate the goddess can give a female wolf.”

“So, you want her to give me to every female wolf out there.”

“Not possible. You are mine and mine alone”, she said.

He chuckled. “Selfish.”

“Yes. But for a good cause”, she said with a smile and Maxwell smiled too.

His mate was capable of making his heart flutter and he thanks the moon goddess every time for giving him a mate like her. He couldn’t wish for anything else.

“You know”, Teresa spoke up. “I was thinking. What would we name our son?” she asked pointing to her belly.

He smiled and kissed her nose. “You know I’ll go with any choice you make, right?”

She shrugged. “I know. I just don’t want to make this decision alone. I think you should have a say in his naming. Since you are his father.”

Maxwell nodded. “That’s good.”

“So, what are we naming this cute baby I can’t wait to see?”

“What about Ryan?”

Her face light up. “I don’t know if it’s because we are mates, but I’m sure great minds think alike. I was planning on naming him Ryan or Slater. But it looks like you took the name right out of my mouth. You are truly my mate!” she said with excitement and hugged him. 

“Were you having doubts?” he asked with a smile. 

“Of course, I’m not. I’m just happy”, she said and kissed him sweetly on the cheek. “I love you, Max.”

“I love you too”, he said.

She sat upright. “So, I’ve been meaning to ask. Since Ryan will be an elemental, how powerful do you think he will be?”

He sighed. “Well, that’s for the goddess to decide. I believe she knows what to do and the power that suits him most. Right?”

“Right. I just want to be there for him always. I’m sure he will be the most important person on earth to me after you.”

“But I still remain number one, right?” he asked with furrowed eyebrows.

She raised an eyebrow. “Wait, are you getting jealous of your son?” she asked.

He nodded. “Yes, I am. I’m afraid when he is born, you will no longer have time for me.”

She smiled and placed both her hands on each side of his face. “Aw, baby. I will always make time for you. Trust me”, she said and gave him a slight peck on his lips. 

“I really thank the moon goddess for pairing me with a smart and sweet being like you.”

“Aw. You’re going to make me cry”, she said and wiped imaginary tears from her face. “You know what? I always thank her too for making you my mate. You are exceptional”, she said and hugged him. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

She smiled and felt safe in his arms. 

¶¶¶

Alpha Ryder smiled again as he beat yet another wolf in a duel. Everyone knows he is the most powerful wolf but they still think there will be someone out there who will be able to defeat him one day.

“Anyone else?” he asked the members of his pack with a big smile on his face.

“No”, a lot of people shouted and he smiled.

He doesn’t need to shift before he can fight. He can beat thousands of men in his human form and he is like a beast on battlegrounds.

He gave his pack one last smile and went to his house. He’s an alpha but he doesn’t live in the pack house. He lives some feet away from the pack house with is mate, Luna Brenda and they both loved their privacy.

He opened the door to the house and saw his mate seating in a corner and knitting. She knew he entered but she didn’t turn to him. And at that moment, Ryder knew she was angry at him.

He put on a big smile and hugged her from the back. “I’m sorry sweetheart.”

“What did you do?” she asked not stopping the knitting.

“I went to fight when you told me not to. I’m sorry”, he said and kissed her forehead.

She sighed and dropped the sweater. “You know you are always doing this. Every time, you leave me in the house all alone. By myself and you know I’m pregnant with your daughter who is due in just few days”, she said and pointed to her stomach. “I swear you are unbelievable”, she said and walked away from him.

“Babe, I’m sorry”, he shouted back at her but she didn’t turn back.

Brenda doesn’t easily get angry but when she does, it takes a very long time and lots of pleading before she can accept his apology.

“What’s wrong?” Ben, Ryder’s younger brother as he came inside, with a packet of chips in his hand and some in his mouth.

“Brenda is angry at me because I left her alone in the house and went to the pack house.”

“I support her, you know?”

Ryder rolled his eyes and went upstairs after his mate. “Some brother you are”, he said and Ben only laughed.

He got to their room and Brenda was on the bed with her back turned to him. He sighed and moved closer to her.

He placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry, babe. I won’t do that again”, he said.

“Fifteenth time”, she said.

“What?”

She turned to look at him. “That’s the fifteenth time you’ll say you won’t do it again. If you say those words again then it will be the sixteenth time. Yet, you will do it again.”

He couldn’t help but smile. “I’m sorry. I mean it this time. Please, sweetheart. Let me make it up to you. I’ll prepare you a breathtaking dinner”, he said and this made her smile.

“Really?” she asked.

“Really. But you’ll forgive me.”

She rolled her eyes. “You know I can’t stay mad at you for long even if I want to. Especially when the mate bond is already making me feel guilty”, she said and he chuckled. “Why don’t you have a bath first? You stink”, she said and scrunched up her nose.

“Thanks for the compliment”, he said and stood up. “I’ll just bath and go prepare dinner”, he said and gave her a slight kiss on her forehead.

¶¶¶

Dwight sighed as he paced in his study. After the rogue told him Alpha Reid was responsible for the attack, he has been restless. Reid is a fellow alpha and also a friend since they were children and he can’t just believe he could do something like this. But why? What is Reid’s motive for doing this? He has no idea. 

The door opened and Tory entered with a concerned look. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing”, he said and pulled her closer. He doesn’t want to tell her who is responsible for the attack. At least not yet till he discuss with the other alphas and hear what they have to say.

“You know you can’t lie to me, right? First, I can feel your uneasiness through the bond. Second, I also noticed you blocked your thoughts from me which you do anytime you are hiding something and third, you weren’t in bed when I woke up this morning. So tell me. What’s going on?”

He sighed and pulled her closer. “Something is indeed wrong but I don’t want you to worry. You’ll find out soon anyway but I want to discuss with the remaining alphas and know the next step to take”, he said.

She placed her hand on either side of his face. “I’m here for you, babe. You need to tell me what’s wrong so we can find solution to it together. That’s why I’m your mate, your other half. I’m here for situations like this. Just tell me what’s wrong with you.”

He sighed again. “I found out who was behind the attack that happened yesterday.”

“Really? Who was it?”

“Reid”

She gave him a confused look. “Reid? As in Alpha Reid? Alpha of the War pack? Why?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know the reason behind this attack and I want to find out. So, I already called Max, Ryder and Reid himself and they’ll be here tomorrow. I need to find out the reason behind the attack and if it’s true that he did it-”

“You’ll have no choice but to punish him”, Tory completed and he nodded. “What do you think his reasons might be? Have you in any way offended him?

He shook his head. “Not that I know of. I just don’t think he could do this even if we have a misunderstanding. I mean, we’ve been friends since we were kids. Our fathers were friends. I just don’t understand. I feel betrayed.”

Tory placed her hands on his shoulders. “Just calm down. You’ll figure it all out. Don’t worry, okay?”

He nodded and she pulled him into a big hug. He sighed in relief and wrapped his arms around her tighter.

¶¶¶

Dwight, Maxwell and Ryder sat down as they waited for Reid to join them. They’ve been waiting for him for over an hour and he has not been seen.

“Do you think he already knows you found out he is behind the attack and choose not to come?” Ryder asked with clenched fists.

Maxwell shook his head. “I don’t think so”, he said.

“That son of a bitch”, Ryder cursed as anger washed through him. “Please Dwight, give me your permission to go to his territory and drag him here.”

“You don’t want to do that, Ryder”, Maxwell said. “You know it’s against the law for an alpha to go to another alpha’s territory without permission.”

“Fuck the law. He put many innocent lives of the Royal pack at stake. He should be beheaded”, he seethed.

“Calm down, Ryder”, Dwight said, talking for the first time. “We still don’t know if it’s true. As far as I know, the rogues might have forged his signature or stolen the seal from the War pack.”

Ryder scoffed. “That’s bullshit and you know it. There’s no way you can steal from the War pack. Every nook and corners are filled with warriors. Of course he did. If it were to be my pack he launched an attack on, he would have been six feet under the ground”, he said with anger.

“Calm down, Ryder”, Maxwell said. “I know the both of you are just like fire and ice but this matter needs to be treated with caution. I believe he will be here soon.”

Just on cue, Evan, Dwight’s beta mind linked him. “Alpha, Alpha Reid is here.”

“Send him in”, Dwight mind linked back and faced the other alphas. “He’s here”, he said.

“Thank the goddess”, Ryder said. “I would have gone to his pack and hunt him down.”

The door opened and Alpha Reid entered, walking in all glory like a true warrior. “Hello, my friends”, he said with a smile that only irritated Ryder. “I see someone in this room is not pleased to see me.”

Ryder wanted to say something but Maxwell shut him up by giving him a dirty glare. Ryder might be powerful but he is really respectful to those that deserve it.

“Sit down, Reid”, Maxwell said. 

“Okay”, Reid said and sat down next to Dwight. “So, why are we gathered here? Are we having a little get together?”

Maxwell looked at Dwight and gave him a look that clearly said ‘let me handle this’ and Dwight nodded. Maxwell cleared his throat and turned to Reid. “I trust you heard about the rogue attack that happened here in the royal pack two days ago.”

Maxwell noticed Reid’s heartbeat rate increased but he didn’t say anything.

“I heard”, Reid said. “My beta told me. Hope your pack members are okay”, he asked Dwight.

“Yes, they are.”

“That’s a relief”, Reid said.

“But why are you not relieved?” Maxwell asked calmly. Once again, Reid’s heartbeat increased but Maxwell didn’t comment.

“W-what do you mean?”

Maxwell stood up and moved to where Reid sat. “You know, Dwight was able to catch some rogues and one of them said they were sent by you.”

“That’s a lie. I don’t even have any connections with those filthy creatures”, he said.

Maxwell nodded. “I knew it had to be a lie. I mean, how will you launch an attack on your friend’s pack?” he said. “Do you know any rogue by the name Ian?” Maxwell asked again. “He said you offered him a huge sum of money if they killed up to fifty wolves in the royal pack.”

“Ian? That’s a huge lie. I never promised him money. He asked for something else.”

“But I thought you said you don’t have a connection with the rogues.”

Reid’s eyes went wide as he realized what he just did. “I…I…” he stammered. 

Dwight felt anger wash through him as he realized that Reid was indeed the one behind the attack. “You did it?” he asked with threat.

“Listen”, Reid said. “I…don’t”, he wanted to say but Dwight held him by the neck and threw him across the room. 

“How could you?!” Dwight said again and wanted to pounce on him but was held back by Maxwell.

“Calm down, Dwight. Calm down. We still need to find out why he did it.”

Dwight sighed and ran his hands through his hair.

Reid stood up and winced then cleaned the blood from the cut on his mouth which was already healing.

“Reid, why did you do it?” Maxwell asked.

Reid only let out a throaty and evil laugh. “What did you expect me to do? Huh? The four of us are Alphas but the moon goddess decided to give only the three of you pups who will be elementals. Dwight was even given two. Those stupid rogues. I asked them to capture Tory and bring her to me. That way-”

He wasn’t able to complete his statement because Ryder gave him a blow to his head and he fell. “You son of a bitch”, he said and sat on him throwing punches to his face and every possible part of his body. “You deserve to die.”

Maxwell again pulled Ryder away from him. “Calm down, Ryder. This is not the next thing to do”, he said.

“This motherfucker deserves death and nothing but death”, Ryder said with anger.

“And he will receive it”, Dwight said. 

Maxwell sighed and faced Reid. “So, you did this because the goddess said you will not bear an elemental?”

He gave an evil smirk. “Of course. Why suffer when I can just take the one who will bear two and make her mine.”

Maxwell felt irritated and this time, he was the one that did the punching. “You really deserve a painful death.”

“Evan, Frank and Derek. I want you three to come here right away”, Dwight mind linked his beta, third and the head gamma. He then faced Reid. “Trust me, Reid. There’s no way you are escaping this. Your sentencing will take place tomorrow night in front of a lot of werewolves. Including your mate”, he said.

“Of course”, Ryder supported.

Reid only smiled. “You know a warrior like me is never scared of death”, he said.

“Oh”, Maxwell said. “I think you should be this time. Because your death will be done by Dexter.”

At the mention of Dexter, Reid’s eyes went wide. “Please, don’t”, he pleaded. “Just kill me yourself”, he said facing Dwight.

“And where’s the fun in that?” Ryder asked with a smile.

The door opened and Evan, Frank and Derek entered.

“Alphas”, the all greeted with a bow.

“Take this traitor to the cell. The cell where we put dangerous criminals”, he said. “And don’t treat him like an alpha because as of now, he’s no longer one. Treat him like the criminal he is.”

“Yes, alpha”, they said and they dragged him out while he shouted.

“Please, forgive me! Please!”

But they turned deaf ears.

“I can’t believe Reid will do something of such”, Maxwell said and sat down.

“I believe he can”, Ryder said. “That son of a bitch has always been a backstabbing bastard. You guys have just failed to see it.”

“I should have known”, Dwight said.

“Max, are you serious about letting Dexter kill him?” Ryder asked.

“Yes. Why?”

“It’s not like he doesn’t deserve it. For fuck’s sake he does but what of his mate. Apart from the pain of losing a mate, she will also feel his pains while Dexter kills him. Don’t you think that will be too much for her to handle.”

Maxwell nodded. “We’ll just sedate her. She won’t feel any pain that way. And besides I’m sure Reid will block her from feeling his pains and if he doesn’t, we sedate her. He really needs to die by Dexter’s hands.”

Dexter is a wolf but also half vampire who have lived for thousands of years in a cave just outside the intelligence pack. He is known to kill his prey without mercy and everyone trembled at the mention of his name. Even alphas. 

Dwight sighed. He still can’t believe all this is happening. He still can’t believe his friend will try to hurt his mate. He felt betrayed.

¶¶¶

Luna Lily smiled as she watch the two wolves fight to death. As the Luna of the War pack, she feels like she is the most powerful Luna and she treats her pack members like crap just to entertain herself.

She chewed on meat as she watched with keen interest. 

“Luna, please. Let them stop this fight. My son might die. He’s just sixteen. Please Luna”, a woman begged Luna Lily but she just smiled.

“Stop shouting, you old wolf. Can’t you see its fun? Sit back and enjoy.”

“But my son is dying”, the woman said with tears in her eyes.

Lily turned to the woman and gave her a dangerous glare. “How dare you question your Luna, you old hag”, she said and turned to her mate’s beta. “Throw this woman in a cell and don’t release her till this fight ends.”

“but-”, the beta wanted to say but she shut him up by giving him a dirty glare.

“Just do as I say”, she said.

“Yes, Luna”, the man said with a bow and dragged the woman away. 

Lily smiled and continue watching the fight in which the boy was dying as he fought with a wolf three times his size.

“Luna?” someone called and she turned. “There’s a letter for you from the Alpha of royals.”

“Alpha Dwight? If he wants to send a letter, it should be to Reid and Reid has been in the royal pack since this morning.”

“No, Luna”, the warrior said. “The letter is for you”, he said.

“For me?” she asked.

“Yes, Luna”, he said. 

She turned to the people that were fighting. “You can stop fighting now. I have some certain matters to attend to”, she said and turned away.

She took the letter from the warrior and tore it open. As she read, her eyes went wide like saucers. 

It read, ‘Luna Lily, this is Alpha Dwight. I wrote this to you to tell you that your mate, Reid has committed a very big offense to me, the other alphas and all the members of the royal pack. And so, he will be sentenced to death in two days at exactly 10 pm tomorrow. I know it’s a great pain to lose a mate and that’s why I and the other alphas have concluded that we will sedate you. By doing so, you will not feel you mate bond tearing apart and you won’t feel the pain as Dexter kills him.’

She opened her eyes wide as she finished reading. “No”, she said. “This is not happening!” she shouted.

But it was.