CHAPTER 37. DON'T TOUCH HER
ONCE ABUSED. NOW LOVED.
RYDER.
“On one condition, father,“ I finally said, ignoring the painful clenching of the walls of my heart.
“You're in no position to give conditions. This is something you must do for your people!“
“On one condition,“ I repeated sternly. I wasn't in the mood to bicker, but I sure as hell wasn't letting him treat me like some pushover. He was either gonna listen to my condition or we forget we ever had this conversation.
“What is it?“
“Don't touch Hara!“ He surely wasn't expecting this as his eyelashes fluttered in disbelief. I straightened, needing to put this out as coldly and venomously as I could. “I'll leave with the elders, but don't you dare touch Hara. If you do, I'll be back and drag you to ruins with me,“
“How dare you?!“ He roared. “Are you gonna be insolent with me because of some low life?!“
“I'm not being insolent, Father. I'm just putting it all out on the table. Making sure you understand what's at stake should you try to pull your tricks on me again. If you go after Hara or manipulate someone into doing it, I won't just sit back and watch. I'll ruin everything and drag us both to hell,“
“Ryder…“ Jason muttered in disbelief.
My cold expression drifted from Father to him, “And as for you, go get ready. You're leaving with me,“
“What?!“
“No way, Son. Your Beta stays back. The elders demanded just you. Don't defy their request, what has come over you?!“
“Fine, you're staying Jason, but the fuck away from Hara. Do you understand? Not an inch close to her, until we sort this shit out.“ I brushed past him but stopped in my tracks at Father's words.
“What if you brought this upon us, Son?“ He mused. “What if the moon goddess is angry because you went against her will?“
“Father, I don't understand…“
“I told you going after someone else's mate had consequences. I stated every bit of it to you, but you didn't listen. What if this is the Moon Goddess' way of punishing us for what you're doing? What if you brought this flood as a result of going after someone else's mate?!“
“Father…“ I wanted to defend myself, but I had no words to. His words hit me hard and left me speechless.
“Just like the old times, the Moon Goddess uses the flood to exact her anger on those who broke her divine pairing. What if this was it, and the tragedy befalling your people is your fault, Ryder?!“
“But Father, if the Moon Goddess was actually mad at me, why punish innocent people for my mistake?!“
“That's what you're gonna find out at the temple. But keep in mind that this might be your fault. And Son, I hope the guilt hits you hard till you understand that you must let someone else's mate be!“ His tone was melancholic as he strode past me, leaving the room.
I glanced at Jason and he was as befuddled as I was. I headed out too, slamming the door behind me. I could see the sun setting and the dark clouds taking over the sky.
In a few hours, it would be morning and I would be leaving again. Father's words churned my insides, but not enough to stop me from going to see Hara, even for just a minute.
“Ryder, Hey,“ Ciara cooed from behind, locking her hands around my midriff.
An involuntary hiss left me at our proximity. “I need to be somewhere,“ I said.
“Father told me you'll be leaving tomorrow. Can't you just stay with me tonight?“ She said in a sexy tone, coming around to stand in front of me. She has just her panties on. Her pert boobs were glistening from whatever lotion she might have applied to them.
She bit her lower lips and her hand came to grab my dick through my pants, but I slapped her hand away.
“What do you think you're doing out here? What if someone sees you like this?“ I glanced around the hallway, but for now, it was quiet. But it wouldn't be for long. How was she without any sense of dignity?
“I don't care, Ryder. I'm a huge fan of PDA. I wouldn't mind sucking your dick in front of the people,“
“That's why you're never gonna be my Luna. My people need a leader, not a skank,“ I pushed her aside but she blocked my way again.
“Where are you running off to in such a hurry? Wanna take me with you?“
“Go fuck yourself, Ciara,“ I walked past her and headed for the elevator.
Strangely, this time, she wasn't repeatedly screaming out my name. When I turned around, she'd vanished, like she hadn't been standing there a few seconds ago.
'Weird', I thought, heading into the elevator. I got to the last floor and headed outside the castle. I hopped into one of my cars and drove down to Rackline.
The neighborhood was pitch dark. Just yesterday, there was a lampost by the curb. Goddess knows what they did with it!
I had my headlights turned on as I stared at the building Hara lives in. Conflicted about whether I should go in or not, I remained glued in my car.
I caught sight of a silhouette through my wing mirror sauntering in the dark. I was gonna look away but her strong scent caressed my nostrils, setting my insides on fire. Hurriedly, I alighted the car, staring into the darkness with my enhanced vision. That's when I realized she wasn't sauntering, it was more of a wobble. Her eyes were partly shut in pain and her hand rubbed at her stomach.
Her staggering slowed, her hand fell from her stomach and her knees gave. I rushed to her with the speed of a thunderbolt and she fell into my arms instead, rather than landing hard on the ground.
I was terrified. Holding her in a tight embrace, I thanked the moon goddess that I came. What would have happened to her and her if she'd hit the ground hard? The thought of that gave me chills.
She was groaning in pain and mumbling a bunch of gibberish. I picked her up in bridal style and took her inside the apartment. I thought I heard a movement behind me but I was too engrossed in my unconscious Mate that I didn't turn to see who it was.