Chapter 3
Ryder lied effortlessly, his voice steady and calm, his expression so convincing that, for a fleeting moment, I almost believed the nonsense spilling from his lips.
And if that wasn’t enough, he had the audacity to try and comfort me. My stomach twisted, my heart sinking lower than I ever imagined possible.
Yet, despite the harsh truth staring me in the face, three years of marriage held me back. I needed to give Ryder one last chance.
“But I heard my name is on the initiation list for the elite werewolf academy,” I whispered, my voice barely audible and tight with uncertainty.
1/9
“You heard wrong.”
Ryder cut me off without hesitation, his brows furrowing as he looked at me like I was some naïve pup refusing to accept reality.
“Amber, I know this is difficult for you to hear, but this is your fate. If the Moon has decided that you are meant to be an omega, then no amount of fighting will change that.”
He exhaled deeply, shoulders sagging as if he carried the weight of his words himself.
“Some wolves are leaders, and some are not. Now, you’ll never have to question where you belong.”
Η
Fate? That was what he called it?
Ryder knew better than anyone how hard
2/9
Chapter 3
I had fought for my place. He knew I was strong enough to stand among the elite. Yet, it was he who had torn up every one of my acceptance letters, ensuring I was never considered for advancement.
My eyes burned with unshed tears, but I refused to panic.
The Calloway elders were not blind; they noticed my silence, the stiffness in my posture. Ryder’s mother shot him a disapproving look before stepping in to smooth things over.
“Ryder!” she scolded, her tone sharp. “Is that any way to speak to your mate?”
Then, forcing a strained smile, she turned to
- me.
“Sweetie, don’t take it personally. What Ryder
3/9
Chapter 3
meant to say is that even if you don’t fight your rank, you’ll be just fine. He’ll always keep you safe.”
She gave Ryder a pointed look, and he quickly pulled me into an embrace–a hollow attempt at reassurance.
“They’re right,” he murmured, his voice low, as though he was trying to convince both me and himself. “You have nothing to fear. I’ll take care of you as your Alpha. You’ll never want for anything.”
Before I could respond, a voice rang out from outside the house.
“Alpha Ryder! Miss Sage is back! She’s at the border and asking for you!”
Ryder’s entire demeanor shifted in an instant. His eyes gleamed, his body tensed
4/9
with anticipation.
“Already here?” he muttered, barely letting the words settle before bolting toward the door. “Why didn’t you say so sooner?” he snapped, grabbing his coat and rushing out. “If she’s been out in the cold, she’ll get sick. I need to be there now.”
And just like that, he was gone.
The Calloway elders exchanged uneasy glances but quickly covered his abrupt departure.
“Finn called earlier, Ryder’s father said, his voice taut. “He asked Ryder to meet Sage. You understand, don’t you?”
“Yes,” May–chimed in. “After all, Sage is his sister–in–law. It’s only natural that he’d go greet her.”
5/9
muttered something about needing medicine from town, and left.
At the apothecary, I rummaged through my pockets in desperate hope of finding enough loose change. Nothing. Not even enough for the most basic remedy.
Just as I turned to leave, a familiar voice drifted through the thin wall.
“Ryder, it’s just a little blood loss. You didn’t have to bring me all the way to the clinic, Sage’s voice was soft, honeyed, as though she feared speaking too loudly.
“But,” she added, her tone both light and hesitant, “you’ve spent so much on me already. Will Amber be okay with it?”
Ryder laughed. Not the distant, measured tone he used with me, but something
7/9
Chapter 3
+ 5 Points
warmer, softer.
“Her?” he scoffed. “What’s she gonna do? She relies on me. It’s not like she has any say in how I spend my money.”
My breath hitched.
“Your health comes first, Ryder continued, his voice smooth as silk. “Doctor, I’ll take whatever she needs. And some candied plums–she hates bitter medicine.”
A pause. Then Sage spoke again, this time quieter.
“Thank you, Ryder. But… shouldn’t we get some for my sister too? What if she feels left out?”
Ryder chuckled, as if the thought itself was ridiculous.
