The Alpha’s Mate Who Cried Wolf
Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Alpha Ryker

We arrive in the city, park outside Zenith Creations, enter the facility, and replace an elevator. Theelevator door dings and opens. We step out and spot a large door and enter. It's quite a modern,sleek waiting room. It even has a water feature on one wall. I approach the large desk to see ablonde receptionist on the phone. Leaning on the desk, I tap my fingers impatiently. Thereceptionist raises a perfectly shaped brow at me. I take the phone from her and throw it behindher.

“Excuse me!’ She says. “That was a significant client on the phone!” She yells.

'I don't give a shit who was on the phone. Where's Zenith? I want to speak with him immediately!” Iyell. She picks up a phone and presses a button.

“There is a vulgar man here, with two other men wanting to speak with you immediately, she says.She covers the mic on the phone with her nail-polished hand.

“What is your name?’ She asks.

"Alpha Ryker, I snap.

"Alpha Ryker, sir, Yes, okay. I will send them in," she tells Alpha Zenith. She puts the phone down andstands. “Follow me, please, she says.

We're escorted to the middle door a few metres behind her desk. Alpha Zenith sits in an oversizedchair behind a desk with two bodyguards.

“Alpha Ryker! What a surprise to see you here. Please, sit,’ he

says with a smile.

“No, we will stay standing. Where is she?" I ask.

“Where is who? Zenith asks. Placing my hand in my pocket, I pull the card out and slam it onto hisdesk.

“My mate, Astrid. I know she is here. We can smell her scent!’ Zenith pauses and stares at thebusiness card.

'I found this card in her room after she ran, I say.

'Yes. Astrid was here, but only for a few days. She asked me for a few days’ work to skip town. Ididn't question her. She was a young girl who needed help, so I helped her and gave her a job, andshe left, Zenith explains.

"You're lying,” I yell. Zenith puts his hands in the air.

“Look, believe me, or don't believe me, I don't care. I dont know why you're bothering to replace Astridif she doesn’t want to be with you. Maybe you should let her be, he suggests.

“She only left because some of your old pack members threatened to kill her if she didn't!" I growl,Zenith has a poker face, and his two men give each other a look.

And which old members would they be?” Zenith asked.

“Alice and Vanessa. But not to worry: they're currently locked up awaiting punishment.” I notice thetwo men give each other another look, and then glare at me.

“And what will their punishment be?’ Zenith asked calmly.

T'll have them killed, and their heads ripped off for threatening my Luna and mate,’ I say, lying.Zenith glares for a split second.

“I see,’ he says, his fists clenched.

“I suppose you haven't seen my missing beta Seth either?’ II ask, expecting another denjal. I cansmell Seth's scent in the room. He has been here as well.

“No, we haven't, but I will let you know if Astrid contacts me if you like?" He says. I glare at him. He isthe worst liar I have ever met.

I would appreciate that.

"Your beta and gamma?” I ask, looking at the two men.

“These are my sons: James, the future Alpha of Shady Crest and John, he says. James is glaring at meas though he despises me and wants to rip my head off. John is smirking

I'm sure we will see each other again soon,’ I say, leaving Kane and Leon following behind. Out ofthe elevator, we go

straight to the car.

“He is lying," I say.

“We figured as much, Kane says

“I can smell Seth's scent. He has been there, I point out.

“What's our next move?’ Leon asks

“Let's get back home and make a plan. We will need all our warriors,’ I say.

We arrive at Shadow Crest a short while later.

“Leon, get the maps of Shady Crest from the library. Kane, bring Mia and Hayley here.’ They bothnod and leave. Leon returns a short time later with a couple of scrolls he hands to

me.

“Alpha Ryker!" Mia says as she enters the room, Kane and Hayley behind her.

“Please tell me you found them, she says, hopeful. I shake my head

“No, but I can confirm they were both at Zenith Creations. Their scents were faint but were there.Alpha Zenith denied seeing Seth but said Astrid worked for him for a few days before leaving withenough money to skip town. So, he has them. He's lying,

We gather around the table and roll out the map showing Shady Crest.

“I think they're in his house. They're not exactly going to let us have a look around. The only way inis if we trespass and declare war. The girls gasped.

'If we go to war, some of our pack members could die,’ Hayley grabs Kane's arm tightly.

“No one has to die, I reassure her.

“How so?’ Leon asks, confused.

“When we were in the office today, I mentioned Vanessa and Alice as the reason why Astrid fled. Itold him they would be punished by death. Zenith tried to hide it, but he and his sons weren'thappy about it. We need to replace out why he doesn’t want Alice and Vanessa harmed. Leon, take afew warriors with you and bring Alice and Vanessa here for questioning.’ Leon nods and leaves theroom.

Leon returns with warriors who are dragging Alice and Vanessa into the room. They sit them on achair next to each other. Alice spits at my feet as I approach.

“That isn't very nice, Alice,’ I say. She lets out a deranged laugh,

"You have to tell me, what are you to, Shady Crest? What are your rankings? I ask. Alice glares at me,remaining silent.

Vanessa stares into my eyes with sadness.

“Why couldn“t you just love me as I loved you?’ She cries. Kneeling in front of her, I lean in closer.“What are you to, Alpha Zenith?” I ask, glaring at her. Vanessa recoils from me and looks away."You will answer me, or Mia will convince you to talk." I motion for Mia to step forward, and shecracks her knuckles, giving Vanessa a death stare.

I'm his daughter,’ she confesses. I could have heard a pin drop.

'Vanessal’ Alice growls at her.

"You're Alpha Zenith’s daughter? That makes Alice the Luna of Shady Crest! You said they abusedyou, that you were the pack slaves! Why did you come here if you're the Luna, and you're hisdaughter?” I ask, half questioning, half-wondering.

'Vanessa, keep your mouth shut!’ Alice snaps.

“Leon, take Alice back to her cell,’ I order. Once Alice is gone, I

grab Vanessa by the chin.

“Tell me everything you know, now!" I demand.

My father, Alpha Zenith, sent me here to become Luna and bear your pups, But unfortunately, hekilled my true mate. Dad said my mate was weak, and his children would only breed

with the best. Knowing you were mateless and one of the strongest alphas around, he told me toseek refuge here, with the intent of us sleeping together. The irony is, the moment ! met you, Iinstantly had a crush on you. It was all too easy to fulfil Dad's wishes.’

'Do you know where Astrid is?" I ask. Vanessa looks away.

“Please, Vanessa. She's, my mate. I love her. Tell me, and your punishment will be lenient,’ Icompromise. Vanessa looks at me, my eyes are glassy.

I'm only going to tell you, Ryker, because I love you, and I want you to be happy, she says, tearsrolling down her cheeks

“She is at Shady Crest,’ she confesses.

I knew it! Seth's there too!" I growl.

“Wait! There is something you should know. My brother James plans on marking her, and sleepingwith her, tomorrow night after her shift, she says. Angry, I growl loudly at her words,

“No wonder he wanted to rip my head off when I saw him today, I ponder.

Kane, let's go over the map and work out the best strategy to defeat Zenith and his pack, Leon, youcan get the warriors prepared. Then, tomorrow evening, it's war!’ I declare.