CHAPTER 27. THE TRIP
RYDER
“Who did this, goddammit?!“ I grunted harshly, holding the newspaper in a crushing grip as I read all the printed lies. “This is fabricated,“
“So you didn't kill him?“
“I fucking did. But–“
“I can't believe you killed him, Ryder!“ Jason cut me off with his cry of despair.
“Best believe it. He hurt Hara. Death was the consequence.“ I flicked through the pages and back to the front page. “This is bullshit!“
“You just admitted you killed him,“
“Yes, I did. But whoever wrote this is trying to make me look sinister and monstrous. They're insinuating that I've lost my mind!“
“Well, you have. You fucking have!“ Jason ruffled his hair in distress. “How do you not listen?!“
“I killed him for Hara. Not because I was in a blood rage, or because I'm beginning to lose my shit over the recent flood disaster. Whoever wrote this wants to make me look bad before my people!“
“And it worked!“ Jason flared up. “Listen to the chaos downstairs. Your Father will be up here any minute demanding an explanation. What are you gonna tell him?“
“The truth,“
“Wait,“ Jason adjusted in his chair. “You're gonna tell your father that you killed the man for Hara?“
“Not exactly,“ I breathed out, suddenly losing whatever guts I had a second ago. There was no way I could come clean about the real reason behind my action. Father was already in a feat of rage, I can feel it. Telling him about Hara right now would only aggravate the situation.
“Yeah, that's what I thought.“ Jason rolled his eyes heavenwards and leaned back in his seat. He was trying to calm his anxiety, but it wasn't working. The dude was literally shaking.
“Who could have done this?“ I muttered, still staring unbelievably at the fabricated story. It wasn't the first time they spread rumors about me. I've gotten used to it. But right now, it's different. I was scared of what Hara would think if she read the papers. If she eventually believes what the papers say, If she begins to think of me as some gruesome killer, I'm burning down every media building!
“It's the paparazzi, Ryder. There's no mystery behind this. You know they tail you to get something to sell to the media. And last night, you gave them something huge,“
“The only thing I did last night was to take revenge for my mate.“
“Ok…ay, then tell that to the media and everyone else who's gotten the morning papers. I don't think you understand, Ryder. But this is a disaster, a bloody apocalypse! Soon, you'll be bugged by the press, your people, and everyone else. They'll demand an explanation,“
Just then, my phone rang and I reached for it. Seeing it was Ciara, I almost smashed the phone against the wall.
“Guess she's seen the papers.“ Jason puffed, tiredly rubbing his eyes. “You're not gonna pick up?“
“You wanna pick it up instead?“ I retorted and he quickly shook his head. I tossed the phone aside, rubbing my hands together and shutting my eyes briefly.
“How far are you willing to go for her?“ Jason asked, and I fluttered my eyes open.
“Who?“
“Hara. How far are you willing to go to prove your love for her?“
“To the ends of the world. I'll go whatever distance, just for her.” I paused. ”And that's why I've decided to shut down the third floor,“
“Say what?!“ Jason gasped. “No way, man. Don't do that. What happens to me? To us? To our stubborn, random boners?“
“I jerked off last night. I'm certainly gonna do it again whenever the boner hits. You should start doing that too,“
“It doesn't always work, you know that,“
“Then hit a brothel. Go pick up a hooker. I don't know. But I'm shutting down the third floor. Hara got hurt there. I don't wanna take my chances,“
“Gosh, I've never heard of anyone who lost their minds over a mate-bond,“ Jason scoffed irritatedly. He had every right to be mad. The third floor was his zone. Taking that away from him was harsh, but I had no choice.
“Maybe when you find your mate, you'll understand. But then again, I know that's never gonna happen.”
“You're damn right about that.“ He said. We were quiet. I'd crumpled up the paper and tossed it inside the trash can. “Why do you think Hara left her...uh…Roland?“
I arched a brow at his question but just shook my head. “Got no idea.“
“Why don't you tap into her mind and find the answers?“
“I did try. But she has that part of her life sealed up in the basement of her mind. I can't get in, not without her permission. It must have been so hurtful that she locked it away,“
“That's too bad. She looks like she went through a lot,“
“Yeah.“ I couldn't understand why Jason sounded so affected by this. Or why he looked like he was hurting.
“Ryder!“ We heard Father's uproar from outside. Jason sprung to his feet ready to skedaddle. The door was thrown open and Father was storming in with furious strides.
Jason bowed. “Your Majesty–“
“I'm gonna have your head chopped off for this, swine!“ He barked, slamming the paper into Jason's face.
“Father!”
“If you did your duty as a Beta, none of this would have happened.“
“Jason has nothing to do with this, Father. It was all me. Now, I understand you're trying to vent on someone, but please, not on my Beta,“
“I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I'm as incompetent as you say and I deserve whatever punishment you have for me,“
“Shut the fuck up and get lost!“ I yelled at him. How could he demand a punishment right now? With Father's fury, he'd gladly have him punished. He left, shutting the door behind him.
“Just one question, Ryder. Are you really losing your mind as they say?“
“Father, all those rumors –“
“Answer me!“ He barked, his grey hair sticking out with how furious he was.
“No, Father,“
“Is he a rogue?“
“I don't think so–“
“Did he defy your orders?”
“None that I know of, Father,”
“Then what?! What the hell led you to kill a man? A member of this pack!“
“I'm sorry, Father,“
“If you're sorry as you say, then get your ass out there and get to work. Go on your trip. Show the people you still got your shit together. Let them know you haven't lost your mind, and you still have their safety as your priority! Your reputation has just been tainted and you need to salvage it!“
“Yes, Father.“ I bowed. There was no room for arguments. He was right. I had a point to prove to my people.
Outside, the cars were ready and we were already leaving. The warlords have already gotten into their cars. The palace valet just opened the passenger door of my car.
“Hold on,“ I eye-searched for Jason but he wasn't in the small crowd sending us off.
“Get going,“ Father seethed.
I nodded and slid into the car and we drove off the palace grounds. Immediately, I mind-linked Jason.
”Hey,“ His voice came in, low and sad.
“I'm leaving.“
“I'm sorry I can't see you off,”
“I understand. Do me a favor, will you?”
“Sure, man.“
“Hara. Will you please watch over her for me? Don't ever leave her side. She means the world to me than whatever reputation I got to salvage,“
“Sure. You know I got you.“
“And Jason, I'm sorry about Father.“
“It's cool. I've gotten used to it. Have a safe trip, Ryder.“ We disconnected.
But my mind was all over the place. I was having a zillion thoughts at once.
Thoughts of the trip, of Hara, and Jason.