Alpha Ryder, You Have Lost Me Forever

Seven

Chapter Seven

Ryder’s POV

“Double the number of the guards stationed at the border of the packhouse for patrol, and have a new recruitment process conducted if need be. We need to stop strangers from encroaching on the borders. They’re becoming a nuisance, and the last thing I want is an enemy in the guise of a stranger to have access to the pack,” I say to Austin, my Beta, who’s following me from behind as I head to my workspace in the mansion, hoping to distract myself with work.

“Noted, Alpha. It’s been brought to our notice that an exiled rogue has been lurking around and trying to get information about the modus operandi of the pack in the last…”

“Blake!” Austin swallows the rest of his words and forces a smile as his eyes land on Blake, my uncle.

“Why are you here?” I add, surprised to find him in my workspace.

“I needed to talk to you about an urgent matter,” he answers, rising from my seat.

“Er… I’ll just take care of things from my end and report on the progress.”

“I’m counting on you. As always,” I say, as Austin retreats with a nod, and when the door clicks shut, I adjust my tie and remove my cufflinks.

“What’s the matter?” There is silence in the air, and I raise a brow as Blake studies me.

“Look, Blake, if this is about the supposed mate matebond between me and that woman, you really shouldn’t have come, and I’d advise you to use the door because I have quite important things to do.” I settle in my swivel chair and reach for a file on my mahogany desk.

“Well, I didn’t intend to bring that up, but seeing that we are on it, we might just as well get to it,” he says with a shrug that makes me almost roll my eyes.

“I already told you that’s settled, uncle. I don’t want further discussions on that.”

“I think you’re failing to look at—” I’m about to tell him not to sternly tell him not to push the discussion any further when the door snaps open.

“What the hell is wrong with everyone in this pack, and why do y’all treat women like a piece of—” The rest of her words die on her lips as soon as she sees Blake, and she freezes for a moment or two.

“Oh… I didn’t mean to intrude. Can I, uh, speak to you for a moment?” She asks, looking from Blake to me. “In private,” she adds.

I just raise a brow, wondering what all of this is about and why she would barge into my office. I’m about to say something when Blake speaks.

“Since you’re here already, why not just go ahead? I think whatever she wants to say must be very important, Alpha. I think you should hear her out,” Blake says, directing the words at me although his eyes don't leave Seraphina.

She turns to me, as if asking for a go-ahead, and when I wave a hand for her to go on, she begins.

“I wanted to bring to your notice that I don’t appreciate what I see here,” she says, her voice firm, and again, I raise a brow, her words piquing my interest.

“Women here are treated like chattels. It’s like they are nothing more than mere objects of men’s satisfaction and pleasure, and seeing all of this brings a sour taste to my mouth. They are either taking care of the kids or doing chores, or worse still, getting assaulted by men in the pack. It’s preposterous. I just witnessed an experience firsthand, and to put it mildly, the pack laws are oppressive to women. They subjugate women, and respectfully, it’s very archaic and makes absolutely no sense!” She blurts out, and I feel my ego being attacked.

What?

“Seraphina!”

“What impunity? How dare you? Do you even realize who you’re before, and how dare you speak in this manner to the Alpha?” He looks from her to me, looking aghast, as if still trying to comprehend everything she just said.

“Alpha Ryder, she needs to be immediately punished for such treachery! How dare she question the laws of the pack? No one has ever dared to question the laws of the pack, but this rat dares to talk against it?”

The words of Blake only intensify my fury. He’s right. Seraphina crossed a line she shouldn’t have, and even though a part of me feels like pardoning her—which is quite strange—I won’t. She deserves to be punished for even thinking that she can go toe-to-toe with me like she’s in combat. I’m the head of the pack, and no one has ever dared to confront me in this manner.

“Alpha Ryder, you are listening to me, aren’t you?” Blake prompts again, probably bothered by my silence.

“Who’s out there?” I ask, my voice booming in the air and commanding attention, and one of the pack guards strolls in, bowing, his face almost to the ground. He’s new.

“Alpha. At your service.”

“Take this woman away from here and punish her accordingly. Show no mercy. She’s defied the laws of the land and must face the music.” I watch as Seraphina presses her lips together in disgust. Or is it shock? Frustration?

Also, she looks a little bit surprised, and is that a little hint of fear I see in her eyes?

Good. She should actually be scared of me.

She looks like she wants to say something to me. Her eyes don't leave me, even as she is taken out of my office, and I turn my attention to Blake, my jaw ticking.

Don’t feel bad for punishing this woman, Ryder. She’s nothing more than a mere stranger who defied the laws of the pack. You should show no remorse.

Even after I tell myself these words, it still doesn’t feel right, and for some reason, even my wolf thinks so. He feels I just betrayed Seraphina.