After the frigid breakfast,as they stepped into his armored transport,Ryder’s specialized comm-link pulsed with an emergency code.It was Lyra.
From the other end,her voice was a trembling sob,thin and fragile.“Ryder,my former mate’s Clan is blocking the main gateway to the refuge den.They’re demanding my return—I…I don’t know what to do…”.
Ryder’s entire posture instantly darkened.His powerful Alpha scent,usually a soothing anchor,turned sharp and aggressive.He slammed the accelerator pedal,and the car lunged forward violently.
“Do not panic.Stay inside the den and do not let the guards see your face.I am Shifting and coming now,”he commanded,his voice raw with urgency.
Elara grabbed the seatbelt,her knuckles white,her face paling at the reckless speed.“Ryder,slow down!The forest road is too dangerous at this velocity!”.
Ryder seemed to recall his Claimed Mate’s human presence.He slammed the brakes,the car screeching to a halt,and swiveled to face her.
“Take a different transport to the Keep by yourself.I have a critical mission,”he barked.
Before Elara could reply,he was gone—the car speeding off again,tearing through the overgrown track,ignoring the Pack’s safety protocols in his desperate rush toward Lyra.
Elara stood by the edge of the forest road,feeling like a useless discarded pelt.She took a shuddering breath,managed to call a service transport,and headed to the Keep.
The entire day,she buried herself in work.Elara performed her duties flawlessly,but with every task completed,she was mentally severing another piece of her connection—letting go of her loyalty to Ryder and the illusion of the life she had desperately clung to for five years.
It was late afternoon when Ryder finally returned to his office suite.He seemed lighter,the primal worry gone,replaced by a satisfied,almost joyous disposition.When Elara entered to give her final report,she caught the faint,lingering scent of Lyra’s sharp,rival Pack musk on his clothing.
While flipping through her documents,Ryder abruptly noticed her bare ring finger.“Why is your Claiming Ring off your hand?”he asked,his golden eyes narrowing slightly.
Elara met his gaze without flinching.“Did you not command me to keep it off?You didn’t want the lower Ranks to know of our bond.And yours,Alpha,has never left your private safe,”she answered calmly.