MATED TO THE STRONGEST ALPHA
Chapter Four

*Selene's Pov.

I opened my eyes to the delightful surprise of breakfast in bed. The sun filtering through the curtains painted a warm glow, creating a cozy atmosphere. However, Riker was nowhere to be seen, and a sense of curiosity filled me. "Must have gone out to train the betas," I thought aloud, rationalizing his absence. On the tray, a note caught my attention, and I picked it up.

It read, "To the most amazing woman ever." A gentle smile tugged at my lips as I read those words penned by Riker. He had a way of making ordinary moments extraordinary.

"Riker..." I murmured, touched by his thoughtfulness. The sentiment in his words lingered in the air, and I found myself reflecting on our connection. The note continued, "I never want us to stop being like this if only I was a strong enough Luna to properly support him."

As the words resonated within me, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of emotions. The desire to be the support Riker needed to be stirred within my heart. It was a simple note, yet it held the weight of unspoken promises and a shared commitment to weather any challenges together.

Just as I put on my slippers with the intent of taking a shower, a loud explosion occurred from a different part of the Castle. It was followed by a peculiar type of howl that werewolves use to alert their pack members.

We have intruders. My heart skipped a beat, the first thing on my mind was Riker.

I put on my clothes as fast as I can. Making my way to the hallways, I stumbled upon a horrific scene. I had to cover my mouth to control my gags.

A scene of chaos unfolded before me as I surveyed the aftermath.

Dozens of our pack members lay on the ground, their bodies bearing the scars of vicious claw marks.

The air was thick with tension and confusion. "What's going on?" I uttered in disbelief, my eyes scanning the wounded and the remnants of the once-serene surroundings.

Amidst the devastation, I felt a subtle tug underneath me. Turning my attention, I saw a man, his body covered in blood, signaling that he had somehow survived the brutal attack.

Concern etched across my face, I crouched down beside him and inquired, "What happened here?" The urgency in my voice mirrored the gravity of the situation.

"Intruders, Rogues. Run!" he gasped, his words carrying the weight of a dire warning. Before I could delve further into the details, his strength seemed to give way, and he passed out, leaving me with a sense of urgency and a myriad of unanswered questions.

The urgency to secure our pack's safety surged within me, and with the haunting image of the injured pack members imprinted in my mind, I knew there was no time to waste.

"What were rouges doing here?" I'll replace out sooner or later.

"There you are," One of the enemies spotted me while I was descending from the stairs.

"Get her, she's the one!" he pointed at her putting a target on my neck. I instinctively sprinted to cater for myself. I am no fighter, but I'm confident in my Dashing skills.

The rouges chased me to the courtyard. That was where the real battle was going on.

The sight of two groups clashing out throwing biting and slashing at their foes disgusted me. I hated violence.

"Protect the Luna!" Dave, Riker's closest friend, and his right hand shouted upon sighting me. It took less than a second for me to be surrounded by the betas.

I seem to keep developing more questions instead of answers.

"What's going on Dave?"

"They planned this. The rouges. It was a well-timed attack. They waited for when the Alpha was away."

"Where did he go?"

"I'm afraid he didn't say."

The pack valiantly risked their lives to shield me from the invaders.

The rouges were heavily outnumbered, but they made up for the difference with their number.

Dave emerged as the fiercest defender, his dedication evident as he fought relentlessly to safeguard me.

The question lingered in my mind - why did this group of rogues target me?

As if he could read my mind, Dave addressed my unspoken thoughts. "I mean no offense, but you're the weak Luna to a powerful Alpha. What better way to get leverage on him?" "That makes sense, but couldn't they wait until we have our honeymoon?" I questioned.

The battle lasted for an hour, with the majority of rogues succumbing to defeat. The few survivors chose to retreat with their tails tucked in defeat.

With a relieved sigh, I mused, "Phew. Is this what life is like in a big pack?" I turned to Dave.

He shrugged nonchalantly. He proceeds to survey the courtyard transformed into a battlefield.

"Tend to the wounded first; I need a report on casualties soon!" He emphasized the reality of their existence.

I wanted to be useful in any way possible so I assisted in taking care of the wounded.

The pack members, were accustomed to such situations, they behaved in a nonchalant manner, suggesting that dealing with these circumstances was part of their routine.

We spent the rest of the day focused on tending to the injuries sustained during the battle that transpired earlier.

Moments later, the Alpha, Ryker made his return.

"Where did you go? I was scared to death."

"I had an urgent business to attend to, I'm sorry I wasn't here when you needed me. I swear, those responsible for this will face my wrath." He declared with malice dropping from his mouth. We shared a warm moment as he embraced me, his hand affectionately patting my head.

Dave had already given Riker a recap on all the things that happened and unfolded during his absence.

"Hmm," Riker pondered, his fingers rubbing his chin to signal him contemplating.

We found ourselves in the cozy space of Riker's office room. This is where all the important decisions relating to the pack were discussed.

The atmosphere carried a mix of tension and anticipation, as we collectively processed the events of the day and prepared for whatever lay ahead.

"This attack feels staged."

Dave nods his head. "I figured just as much, Rouges don't just attack an entire pack unless they have the numbers advantage. Their entire strategy relies heavily on numbers."

"Why did they target one of the top packs in the nation all of a sudden?" I questioned, adding my thoughts to the ongoing discussion, my curiosity evident in my expression.

"This seems suspicious," Ryker commented, a furrow forming on his brow as he thought about the situation.

Riker turned to Dave, "Get the stealth and tracking teams. Make them follow those responsible. We need more details before we can take any action."

He gave him clear commands. For some reason, I replace him even more attractive now. I won't lie, sometimes I forget what a powerful and important figure he is. Are the other Alpha's in the Big 3 like that? The obvious answer was no. Riker is the way he is because that's simply his original nature.

"Yes, sir," Dave acknowledged, he met Ryker's gaze with a determined nod.

His attention then shifted to me as he added, "If I may, I suggest you enjoy your wedding. I'll handle this."

Riker firmly placed his hand on Dave's shoulder, showing both appreciation and a sense of camaraderie. "I know you had my back. But..."

What I witnessed rendered me speechless... Riker is known for his cheerful attitude.

But now, he was engulfed by a chaotic aura. It looked as if it could devour everything at once.

'Throughout my life, I've never witnessed such a strong surge of bloodlust.' My mind raced as the air I breathed seemed heavy.

"Whoever's behind this reckless act," Riker declared with determination, "I'll make sure I carve their hearts out. Whether it's the Rogues or another big pack."

"Riker..." I barely managed to say, my voice almost a whisper. I urgently wanted him to calm down. It surprised me to see him so upset. Was this the depth of the bond between Riker and his pack? Even though my father is also an Alpha, our pack had around 40 members, with even fewer skilled fighters...

While my father had the strength of an Alpha, he wasn't known for his fighting skills. Compared to other Alphas at his level, he was outmatched.

The difference between our pack and most other packs was significant. We lacked the numbers and manpower.

Riker and I retreated to our room. We were exhausted and drained.

"I'm sorry Selene," He looked at me with a sad face. "I was too carefree. I promise this won't happen again."

I held his hands. "Hey, it's okay. I'm fine. Dave protected me, no, not just Dave. The pack protected me. They didn't let any of the rogues harm so much as a strand of hair on me."

I reassured Riker.

"I was skeptical about this marriage, but I'm really glad I gave it a shot. You're one of the best things that happened to me in my life."

We shared a kiss and made love. I developed a new resolve - I will grow stronger.

No longer will I allow others to get hurt trying to protect me

Never again

*