Chapter three
1093 Words
The foyer was in shambles, vases shattered, furniture overturned. And in the midst of the chaos, two figures stood eyes locked unto Ryder with unnerving intensity. Ryder’s eyes narrowed; his jaw clenched. He turned quickly to Selena. “go back to your room now.”
Selena hesitated, sensing the tension escalating, but Ryder’s firm tone gave room for no argument. She retreated, her mind racing with questions.
Ryder walked down to Shaun and Shade, twin pack members, standing amidst the shattered vases and overturned furniture.
“what’s going on here?” Ryder demanded, his voice low and even.
“we were sent to confirm the rumors. You brought a human home?” Shaun asked as the aggression grew.
Apparently Shade the gentle one tried to calm Shaun down as they got into the house, which led to a fight.
Ryder’s expression darkened. “you come to my abode unannounced and used the secret entrance without knocking. That’s a disrespect to me, as your alpha.”
Shade intervened, his tone calm. “Ryder, we were concerned…”
“concerned?” Ryder’s voice rose slightly. “you burst into my home, causing chaos. What if Selena had seen you?”
“oh! Selena, that’s exactly the problem. She’s, here isn’t she? A human, in your abode, not just for a visit but as a resident. What about our safety, our secret?” Shaun snarled.
“keep your voices down” Ryder’s expression turned glacial. “she’s a pregnant woman, abandoned by her father. I’m helping her until she gets back to her feet.”
Shade’s expression softened but Shaun’s anger only intensified. “you know the elders won’t accept. Tradition remains the same. Dealings with humans ends at daytime. Her presence here puts our entire pack at risk. We live in their world, what if she discovers our true nature?”
“I’ve taken precautions, she won’t be a problem.” Ryder replied.
“you’re blinded by your feelings Ryder. You’re compromising our security for a human.” Shaun sneered.
“Shaun, stop. We don’t know the situation.” Shade said, placing a hand on his brother’s shoulder. But Shaun shook him off. “you’re always quick to defend Ryder.”
Ryder’s voice dropped to a growl. “leave Selena out of this, she’s under my protection.”
Suddenly a faint noise echoed from upstairs, Selena’s footsteps.
Ryder’s gaze locked unto the stairs, his look warning the twins.”
“this isn’t over Ryder; the elders will demand answers.” Shaun sneer deepened.
Ryder’s footstep came to a halt outside Selena’s door, and she looked up as she entered.”
“Goodnight, selena.” He said, his mien unreadable.
Selena’s curiosity got the better of her. “what happened downstairs?”
“Nothing to worry about, little business hitches.” He said with a fleeting smile.
Her eyes tightened sensing evasion. “do you need help cleaning the mess?”
Ryder shook his head in negation. “the maids will handle it in the morning.”
Her stupefaction grew, but Ryder’s closed off attitude discouraged further questions.
“Goodnight” he repeated.
As Selena laid in bed, she tried to put piece together the scraps of conversation she’d heard.
“…a human home...”
“…disrespect to me, as your alpha…”
“…pack’s safety…”
The words danced in her head.
Who were these people? What did they want?
Ryder’s secrecy frustrated her. Soon exhaustion claimed her and she drifted too soon. The darkness seemed to press in.
Unknown to Selena, Ryder stood outside her door, his eyes gleaming in the darkness, protecting her was his top priority but at what cost?
Selena descended the stairs the next morning, expecting disarray instead the environment was spotless, as if nothing had transpired the night before.
She carefully walked to the kitchen where the maids where wrapping up their cleaning.
“Good morning,” Selena said, attempting to break the silence.
The maids ignored her, their eyes darting nervously towards the hallway.
Just then a sharp female voice pierced the air.
“Ah, Selena, I see you’re settling in.”
She quickly spun around to face the speaker.
A tall, imposing woman stood in the doorway, her piercing blue eyes scrutinizing selena.
“I’m Melissa, Ryder’s to be ma…. I mean fiancée as you people like to call it.” She introduced herself, marking her territory, her smile cold.
“I’m Selena, I’m…”
“I know about you.” Melissa interrupted. Her eyes flashing with pride and resentment, her voice dripping with venom.
“I hear, you’re taking Ryder’s attention from fam... business matters.” She said.
“I’m sorry I do not know what you’re talking about. I’ve being here only yesterday. Selena replied.
“don’t play dumb.” Melissa said, her low hahaha icy.
“Selena why don’t you go freshen up for breakfast? I’ll have Agatha prepare you a floral bath, it’s a soothing bath” Ryder suddenly appeared.
Selena nodded and left. As she left, Melissa’s gaze lingered on her, suspicion burning.
“you’re seriously not involved with that…human. Are you?” Melissa asked.
Ryder’s tone was reassuring. “of course not, she’s just a temporary guest.”
“I don’t trust her. What’s with the pregnancy story?” Melissa’s eyes contracted.
“I see, Shaun told you. I’m just helping, Melissa. Our arrangement remains unchanged. We will get married securing the pack’s future” Ryder’s smile was confident.
Melissa’s gaze remained firm.
“I’ll be watching her. If she gets in the way…”
Ryder’s voice dropped to a warning. “Leave Selena alone, Melissa.”
Selena entered her room, noticing a maid hastily leaving.
“your bath is ready miss,” the maid said, her eye’s avoiding Selena’s.
Her tension eased as she approached the steamy water, fragrant with floral scents.
She undressed, slid into the warm bath and closed her eyes, ready to let the soothing water calm her. But as soon as her skin touched the water, a stabbing pain shot through her body.
Her skin began to c***k and split, like dry earth shattered by drought. Blisters formed, swelling with a sickening crunch.
Selena’s eyes snapped open; horror engraved on her face. The water was poisoned.
How?
Why?
Ryder’s face flashed in her mind, soon her screams echoed through the room accompanied by a hazy, distorted vision.
She tried to climb out but her muscles betrayed her. Paralyzed, she sank deeper. The water churned, as if boiling, bubbles rising.
Darkness closed in and everything went black.
- Writer
