Ryker ambled backwards, stepping away from River as he adjusted the knot of his tie around his neck.
"You'd report to me every morning, henceforth. You are to serve me and do whatever it is I demand from you." Ryker commanded. "You are dismissed."
River limped her way back to the cell, alone. Her thoughts clouded her senses. Tears kept rolling out. It was as if they were drums of them in her eye balls.
All this while, she had loathed her father for being so cruel that he left her all alone to look after herself. She had thought he had made that cruel decision to leave her alone in the world all by himself. However, it had been Ryker. Ryker had been the one that made the offer. He wanted to kill her father after all. It didn't matter that he didn't kill him during the massacre of their Pack. He still killed him anyway.
Ryker's confession had only strengthened her decision to take her life. What other option did she have? She was forced to serve a vile man that had caused her a luxurious life and forced her father to make the cruel decision of leaving alone in the wicked world.
That was the only reasonable option for River.
When River was set to walk into the prison building, she wiped her face clean of the tears. The last thing she needed was having to explain to Aubrey why she was crying. She didn't want anybody to know about her secret relationship with Ryker.
River stepped into the cell, frowning when she met the door ajar and the cell empty. Few minutes later, Aubrey bursted into the cell, a huge scowl painting her face. She is dressed in a white neat sundress and her brunette, long wavy hair was styled neatly.
Her face went pale when her gaze met River's.
"R-River. You are back."
"What is going on? Where were you?" River inquired, a deep frown painted in her gaze.
"Uhm, I—my relative came by to see me. She brought a new dress for me."
Aubrey provided, forcing on a smile.
Few seconds later, a cell guard appeared behind them to lock the cell. The situation was fishy but, River didn't have the physical strength to prod so she let it be.
"How was your meeting with the Alpha?"
River had been lost in thought that she didn't know the question was for her.
"Huh? Yes. It was great." River forced out. When Aubrey raised a confused brow at her, she knew she had caught her lying again.
"He wants me to specially report to him every morning." River blurted out. "He seems to have known my father before he passed so, he wanted to ensure I'm well taken care of as a slave."
"That's good. The Alpha knows you on a personal level. Lucky you."
Aubrey remarked and slurped back on the bed.
River made no comment at the remark. She had hoped Aubrey wouldn't engage her further in the conversation or ask anything. What she had said wasn't entirely a lie, she had only left out the part of Alpha Ryker's intention in his preferential treatment.
When the following morning had rolled lazily by, River's heart lurched to her throat, knowing it was time to face Alpha Ryker again.
The cell assistant came by in her uniform as usual, to clean them up. However, as they all prepared to return to their respective cells, the woman called out, "Hey you!"
River twisted to her when she realized she was referring to her.
"Come on. We are going to the main packhouse."
River's heart skipped but, she said nothing and just followed behind the woman. When she swirled around to check on Aubrey who was led back to the cell by a cell guards, among the other prisoners, she had been surprised to catch Aubrey glaring at her.
But, she had instantly assumed it was an hallucination when the glare is instantly replaced by a soft smile from Aubrey. River smiled back and headed out of the cell building with the woman.
Rykers' Brothers Pack really lived up to its name as the most luxurious Pack in the North. The buildings are made of high quality limestones and marbles, black and sparkling. Few of the houses were glass, tinted and curved to the initials of the Pack - RB.
And, the main pack house - a gigantic mansion made with black marbles and granite - is curved in enormous letters of RB. The building is tall and hovers over everyone strolling by. The largest jacuzzi she had ever since curved in a S shape greets them as they stop before the front door.
The front door - enormous tinted glass double doors - inquired a thorough scan before they are let in.
When they both stepped in, River is greeted by the most fascinating interior she had ever set her eyes on.
The high walls, glowing chandelier dangling below them, tinted floor-to-ceiling windows, premium hardwoods floors, plush cushions.
An enormous staircase is snaked to a second floor. River thought they would be going through that but, the lady had taken a left turn and instead led them to an elevator.
An elevator in a house? River's mouth hung open as the elevator slid close smoothly. The building had three floors because the elevator took them to the third floor. She hadn't even realized the building was a three-storey.
The lady leads them down a brightly lit hallway and stops before a black bronze door with gold intricates.
She extends a black card with the Pack's logo to River.
"Press this against the handle." Was all she said before she twisted around and headed for the elevator that had led them into the third floor.
River watched as the lady stepped into the elevator and the elevator slid shut. She is left alone again. To face a man that wouldn't stop obsessing over her. River let out a noisy, controlled breath and pressed the card against the handle.
The door dinged, flashed a bright green and slid open. The bedroom was as luxurious as the rest of the mansion bit, she hadn't time to take it in because the first thing she set her eyes on was Ryker relaxing into a four-seater couch, his legs propped up against a centre table. He was dressed in a black tshirt, black leather pants and his hair is styled neatly into messy waves.
"Welcome to my humble abode." Ryker teased, jerking onto his feet and strolling towards her.
River is taken aback when Ryker closed the space between them and wraps her in a warm embrace. His scent engulfed her - spicy, lemon and sandalwood. The combination of those scents sent her head spiralling.
River doesn't return the hug until he pulls back.
"I was going to spend the day wrapped with work but, I figured I can't spend a day without you so, I sent for you right away."
River shuddered, trying not to wince at his confession.
"I want you to spend the day with me. I had Miss Caitlyn prepare a bath for you and bring in fresh clothes."
She would be with him all day long? River began to panic.
"I'm going to a meeting outside the Pack and I want you next to me. I kinda like flaunting you." Ryker smirked. "I mean, check you out. You are an absolute masterpiece. I shouldn't waste a chance in telling the world you are mine."
A bile rose in River's throat.
"B-But, I'm not your Luna. You have a Luna, Alpha."
River pointed out, her voice cracking with panic. She had recalled he mentioned having a Luna the previous day which had been the more reason she felt nauseous about their little affair. He was cheating with her.
"If I cared about that, I wouldn't call you for now, would I?"
"But, I don't want to!" River blurted out, her stomach twisting with rage.
"Darling, it may seem you have forgotten who are you. You don't get to decide on this. Or, we could just stay behind and I chose to watch you. You know, watch you finger yourself while whispering my name."
River's breath hitched in her throat.
"If you are not bought on that option, just do as I say. Now, go wash up and get dressed, we have a meeting to catch up."
Ryker twist River around and shoves her gently towards the bathroom.
River was left with no other choice as she walked into the luxurious bathroom defeatedly.