CHAPTER 62. HER EX-MATE IS BACK
RYDER
Silver Pack's annual mate-gathering ball kicked off an hour ago but my mate was yet to be here. I was beginning to get worried. Did she change her mind about coming?
Silver Pack has an annual, mate-gathering party, which all the Alphas of invited packs get to attend with their mates. I've never attended the party, because of my suspicions about Silver Pack. I still believe there has to be a reason why they easily get infiltrated by rogues. It's more than a coincidence. If Jason hasn't always defended them, my men and I would have already struck up a war against them.
When I got the invitation to this year's party, I tossed it into the trash can as usual. But then I realized this was the perfect place to meet the Alphas of different packs and discuss the estate we plan on building for the displaced. I planned on holding a compulsory, general meeting where we would discuss it over in my pack, but discussing it here would save us a lot of stress, especially for the Alphas from faraway packs.
Deciding I was gonna go to the party, I had Darius order a dress and a pair of shoes for Hara. It was the parcel I handed over to her yesterday. I briefed her about the party last night, and this morning, I was in a hurry to leave so I didn't get to talk to her. But I already had ready the car that would bring her down here, as well as the chauffeur. The party was already in full swing and the Alphas had already been invited to the dancefloor for a waltz with their mates. But she was yet to get here.
I emptied my glass of whiskey in a draught, hoping it chills my nerves.
“Relax, man. She'll be here,“ Darius patted my shoulder. Alphas never go anywhere without their Betas, that's why he came along.
”What if she changed her mind, dude?“ I asked anxiously. “What if she decided not to come?“
“I don't think that's the case, so please relax. Everyone is beginning to notice how agitated you are,“
“I don't care. Give Jay a call. Find out if Hara already left the pack. I need to know she's okay,“
“No need for that. She's already here,“ Darius said, gesturing behind me with a broadened smile. I turned around and was pretty much struck by the sight in front of me.
Hara was making her entrance in a red, strapless gown, which had a slit at her right leg, splitting it to her inner thighs. There was an opening at her cleavage and the dress was fucking tight on her, accentuating her sexy body.
“I asked you to get me a dress, not a thong!“ I barked at Darius. He was the one who ordered the dress. If I had any idea that it was this scandalous, then I would have had it changed. I can't bear seeing almost all the unmated Alphas and Betas ogling at her. Including this damned Darius!
”That is a dress, the best I've ever seen, to be precise. She looks…stunning!“ He smiled admiringly, and it kick-started my jealousy.
“Go wait in the car. That's where you're gonna be spending the rest of the evening,“ I ordered him. He wanted to protest but I didn't give him room for that. He's very lucky I didn't order him to head back to the pack. How dare he stare at my mate like that?
He left grudgingly, taking a bottle of tequila with him. Just then, Hara approached me but tripped and fell into my arms.
“Hey, easy,” I chuckled, as I wrapped my arms around her, keeping her from falling.
“These shoes are killing me. How did you expect me to walk in these stiletto heels? I already told you walking in high-heeled shoes isn't my forte,” She said breathy, lowering her voice to a whisper so no one eavesdropped.
My gaze fell to the shoes and I couldn't help but cuss at Darius for being incredibly daft. How did he pick up shoes like these? Now, I wish I'd ordered the dress and shoes myself. Then maybe, I would have done it right.
“I'm sorry. Come, have a seat,“ I led her to our table and placed her butt firmly on a chair. The men were still staring so I was left with no choice but to cover her with my coat.
”Why are you covering me with this?“ She asked.
“I don't want you to catch a cold,“ I lied. I couldn't tell her that it was because I was jealous. She might snap at me.
I sat opposite her and engaged her in a random conversation, helping her loosen up. She looks jittery, probably because this was her first time at a party like this.
Within half an hour, she was laughing and chattering like she belonged here. And as matter of fact, she does.
”Where's the Luna of this pack?“ She asked out of the blue.
“Who? Evelyn? She's somewhere here with her mate. Why? Do you know her?“
“Not really,“ She shrugged her shoulders. “Jason told me about her,“
My heart raced at the mention of 'Jason'. I can't fucking deny it. I miss him, like hell. I stopped visiting him because the Doctor feared I might get infected. Jason was far from recuperating, and I fear what he's gonna turn into. His rogue blood was eating up whatever pure blood he had.
“What did he say?” I was eager to hear it.
“Evelyn was his first love, but she abandoned him and got married to the Alpha of this pack,“
“What?“ I was very much bewildered by her words. Jason was in love with Evelyn? Wait, was she the woman he always talks about, the one who broke his heart beyond repair?
”He said Evelyn was Ciara's step-sister. And Ciara had been the mastermind in ruining what he had with Evelyn and marrying her off to the Alpha of this pack,”
So that's why he hates Ciara to pieces. He had a tremendous fear for her, but he hates her as much too. Was this the reason?
”But I don't understand. I mean, how could Jason trust you with his secrets but not me?“ It was hard to conceal my feeling of betrayal. I thought Jason and I were good enough to confide in each other. Now, I see it's all in my head and he didn't care much, not like I thought he did.
“Maybe he didn't feel comfortable talking to you about it. And Ryder, I'm really sorry about what happened to Jason. I know you miss him more than you let on. I see your struggle and how you hurt when I talk about him. I see it all, and I'm sorry,“ She smiled warmly, placing her hand on mine.
I nodded, hating how tear-jerking her words were. I stood without any preamble and headed for the restroom. Had to go fix myself.
When I got back, she was in a heated argument with a female who wore a similar dress as she did.
In a flash, the female picked up a glass of wine and emptied it on Hara. Gasps filled the hall.
My legs sprang into action and my eyes flashed fury. I got to them and held the female's hand in a tight grip, wanting nothing more than to rip those hands away from her shoulders.
“Ryder,” The female gasped in pain. Having a closer look at her now, I realized it was Evelyn. She got a lot of Ciara looks, including her bitchy attitude.
“How dare you?!“ I seethed, tightening my grip around her hand. It was taboo to manhandle a Luna in her pack. But Evelyn just crossed the lines. First, she broke Jason's heart, and now, she was out to hurt my mate.
“Let me go!“ She shrieked, bringing as much attention to herself as needed for her theatrics. A lover of scandals, just like Ciara.
“Ryder, let her go. People are beginning to stare,“ Hara mused from behind, caressing my back. I wish she didn't, because that one move soothed away my anger.
“I'm gonna let this slide but don't you ever come an inch closer to Hara. You do that, I'll be hunting your ass down. Yours and your scoundrel mate!“ I warned her and roughly let go of her hands.
Evelyn gasped dramatically, rubbing at her sore hand. “So it's true. You've been bewitched by that lowlife behind you. You abandoned my sister for this good for nothing!“ She pointed at Hara.
Her words made me cringe in disgust. Why did Jason fall in love with trash like her? He deserved better. The likes of Evelyn and Ciara belonged in hell. Jason and I deserved much more than those two witches.
”Watch your mouth. I swear to God, I'll hit you right in the face if you say one more mean word about Hara again.” I pointed a finger at her. I already lost the last strand of my patience. I don't hit women but I'm considering it right now.
She didn't say another word but ahead for an onslaught, pulling Hara's hair from behind me. I gave her a vehement push that had her crashing into a table.
I realized a little too late that the force had sent Hara falling to the ground too. I turned to help her up but someone else already did.
My gaze went from the stranger's shoes to the face and I went instantly pale. Hara was in his arms, and their eyes were locked on each other.
My heart sank. Tears brewed up in my eyes at the sight in front of me. Hara was in the arms of the man she used to love. She was in the arms of Roland. He found us. He found her.