CHAPTER 11. MEETING HER
RYDER.
”Again, I have to say, this seems like a setup. Or a threat. Silver pack is definitely up to something. I suggest we act now,“ Giveon stated firmly.
We've been at it since dawn, going over every pending issue. Deliberating on the possible actions to take about whatever situation wasn't appealing.
It was a roundtable meeting for just the seven top-ranked warlords of our pack, Father and I. Giveon was the third-ranked warlord.
“Nah. We would be seen as bullies, trampling on a weaker pack. We got no solid evidence about their alleged - conspiracy with the rogues. I suggest we wait and watch.“ Fredrick countered. He was the sixth.
“I agree with Fred, Ryder. We should wait and watch. Silver pack is just a speck of dust to us. We could have them destroyed in just a sweep of our claws. They're not much threat, so waiting isn't detrimental to us in whatever way,“ Jason added. He wasn't a warlord, but he was my Beta, so he had to be here.
“But Jason, the earlier, the better, you know that. Why sit around until they become a bigger threat when we can settle their course now? We got a ton of red flags from them. It's not wise to keep overlooking it,“
“What red flags?“ Jason shook his head ridiculously. “All these are just mere speculations and coincidence,“
“I'm afraid they're more than that,“
“What makes you say that?“
“For starters, they've never honored our royal invitation. They remain the only pack that has been easily infiltrated by rogues. I have every reason to believe it was more than coincidences. Maybe, they willing let the rogues in.“
“Or maybe it is just a coincidence and we're working our ass off over something that isn't worth it!“ Jason snapped.
“Coincidences happen once and twice. It's been like the tenth time they've been infiltrated. C'mon, it's way past coincidence.“
The arguments were something I looked forward to in every meeting we have. It gives me room to think, connect with my sixth sense and come up with an ideal solution.
Right now, my head was wrapped around the issue but I was yet to come up with the needed solution.
Giveon wasn't so wrong about his suspicions about silver pack. They've been rather strange and crooked since day one. Though they pay in their taxes and acknowledge our supremacy, they still hold back a bit more in a way that's threatening.
I didn't wanna be paranoid and I wasn't gonna think of my warlords as paranoia either. We were just pretty sensitive people who are always on our toes, ready to strike.
“Ryder, c'mon, you gotta say something,“ Jason urged me. “This is insane. Silver pack would never recover from our attack if we push through with it. They'll be crumbled forever.“
“So what are you saying?“ I finally said a word, after an hour of just listening and assimilating. “We let them off the hook?“
“All I'm saying is, we wait. Watch. No matter how you all put it, attacking a pack on groundless accusations isn't right.“ Jason said.
“So what? We sneak around for crucial evidence instead, and ignore the fact that they are indeed cooking up something?“ Darius snorted. He was the next in line in the warlord ranking after me. Back in our teenage days, we were solid rivals. And until today, he had my respect, and always will.
“Do you really think Silver pack would be stupid enough to strike an attack on us?“ Jason fired back with a question. He gave me a pointed look, and added, “Strike an attack on you?”
The dude just made a valid point. Silver pack or any other werewolf pack would never demand a faceoff with me. It was a death wish, and I always granted that wish. They all knew that. So they'd never challenge my authority. They'd never come for my pack, no matter what happens.
“Jason has a point. Silver pack still had a lot to learn and a future to build. They are not stupid enough to risk all that by coming after me,“ I gave my verdict on the matter.
“What if they are really up to something?“
“We'll see it aforehand. And we'll be damn ready for them.“ They all nodded in agreement. I felt relieved to have finally found a solution to the bugging issue.
“We'll get going, Ryder. Your majesty,“ Darius was on his feet and giving Father a bow. The others followed suit. In the next second, they were walking away from the hall.
“Go ahead, Jason. I'll just take a final look at these,“ I waved him off, already engrossed in the journals which contained our strategic plans for the year.
With Jason gone, Father finally spoke up for the first time since the meeting. “I'm glad you still know how to organize a worthy, roundtable meeting. But It would have looked even better if you had your wife by your side,“
“Not now, Father. Please. I'm swamped to my neck. I have no time for your jokes,“ I dismissed his words, already irritated by them.
“Ryder!“
My head snapped up but it was just Ciara, making her entry. Knowing what the fuck this was, I quickly gathered my stuff.
“Ryder, son. We need to talk. I asked Ciara to join us,” He gestured at her. She had a smug smile on her face.
“There's nothing to talk about, Father. Ciara isn't my mate and will never be my wife. She's dumb and callous,“
“If I was as callous as you paint me to be, I would have already had your Beta killed. It's past dawn, remember?“
“You wouldn't dare. 'Cause then you'll be subjected to indefinite torture and your life will be a living hell. I guarantee you that,“ I stated flatly, my voice void of emotions.
”Father, look at that. He doesn't even know the right way to talk to a woman. He keeps breaking my heart with his words,“ Ciara fake - cried, coming to the seat next to Father.
Father? Wait, did she just address him as Father?? What the hell is this bitch playing at?
Even though Ciara has been treated like royalty since birth and even though she practically grew up here in the castle, she'd never addressed him as 'Father'. It's always been 'Your Majesty.
“What? You don't like the fact that I'm now addressing him as Father?“ She suddenly asked, giving an innocent smile. “It felt awkward the first, few minutes too. But if he's gonna be my Father-in-law soon, I should start addressing him as that, right?“
This is bullshit. I rummaged the table for just the important stuff I needed. Had to be somewhere else. Ciara, Father, and this insane issue can go rot in hell. Got no more patience to deal with it.
Just then, Jason tapped into me through our mind-link.
“What is it?“
“I'm sorry for being a nuisance, but you must go to the bar right now. They're waiting for your final verdict on the issue,”
“I'll be down in five.“
“Where are you going, Son? Ciara just arrived here,“ Father rasped.
I was already on my feet. “Have a good time with her, Father. I got other pressing issues to attend to.“
”But – but –” She stuttered but I was already out of the hall, marching down the hallways.
I met Jason outside and he was standing next to my private car.
The seven top-ranked warlords were standing with him. I guess they have a little something together after now. Not sure, though, but wasn't bothered.
“Do you need a chaperone or would you like to drive?“ He asked, dangling the keys in my front.
I snatched them from him. “I'm driving. I'll be damned if you all let that skank get any closer to me,“ I whispered brashly to them.
It was Ciara, I'd felt her running after me when I left the hall.
”Ryder!“ She hurried down the stairs but got blocked by the seven warlords.
“What?!“ Her eyes shone in rage. She was trembling from so much anger. “Get the hell out of my way,“
They didn't bulge. She was gonna burst out in tears pretty soon from so much rage brewing in her.
“Didn't you all hear me?! Get out!”
I was already behind the wheel and had turned on the ignition.
But I thought about chiding her a little bit and it didn't sound so bad.
“Quit the bullshit, Ciara. These are warlords, not just any mere members of the pack. They are born and trained to listen to just one person, that's me.“
“This is outrageous!“
“What is? The way you berate our omegas or my Beta? Trust me, Ciara. One of these days, I'm gonna have you dismembered for being the most monstrous she-wolf I've ever come across,“
“What?!“
“Get the fuck inside. You've embarrassed yourself enough. And don't come anywhere close to me again. I might not be able to control the strong urge to throttle you.“ With that, I zoomed off.
In a few minutes, I was at the bar and headed to my office, on the sixth floor.
I'd barely settled in when I heard the incessant yelling of the two employees. I sent for them immediately, wanting nothing but to shove it to their faces just how stupid and unprofessional they are. And of course, how unfit they are for my bar.
My door slowly creaked open and I was frozen by the strong whiff that hit my nostrils. What?
I would have contradicted myself instantly that it wasn't that scent. The same one who ruined my life. But Red had just stirred vigorously and banged the walls of my mind.
He too had recognized the scent.
I slowly stood to my feet, awaiting whoever was behind the scent.
She finally walked in, visibly frightened.
My eyes narrowed at her. No way in hell was this Hara. She didn't look like the Hara in the photo I had. I wasn't feeling that connection, that…force between us.
“Why the fuck do you have that scent on you?!“ I growled so loudly I felt Red was almost taking full control of me.
“Hu–hh?“ My staggered back and fell on her butts. Without any heads-up, she was on her feet and running off, shrieking.
I was trapped in a feat of rage and the only thing I could do is try to keep it in check. Try to keep Red back in check. But he wouldn't have it. My wolf was restless, clawing at the bars of my mind to break free.
What the fuck is this? Just when I thought I was having my mind put together, I get a good whiff of that scent and I'm back to ruins.
Why can't this come to an end? Why do I have to keep being tortured by the scent of her?
Again, the door creaked open and I spun around. Wouldn't wanna scare off whoever that was, so I'd rather keep my expression out of sight.
But…impossible. Because this time, the scent was heavier. This time, Red almost burst free. I turned to whoever that was in a mad rage.
“What the fuck?! Why are you all trying to mess with my mind? Why do you have that scent so strong on you, Goddammit!!“
The words had already left my lips before I turned and got to see who it was. Now, I felt my eyes were playing tricks on me. I felt ridiculed. Of course, it was just a trick. No damn way would she be having such an aura around her. Or have such a striking resemblance to the Hara in the photo.
“Your Majesty...“ Her voice quivered and her hands held tightly to her skirt, trying to keep them from shaking so badly.
Something ticked off inside of me and in the next second, Red flung me to her. I was on my knees, grabbing her hand firmly in mine. Red was insisting I claimed her with my words, but I had to confirm something first.
I had to be sure that she was real. Not my mind playing tricks on me again.