You Rejected A Silver Wolf
Sharing Secrets

Chapter Forty-Nine - Sharing Secrets (Revised) Rihanna's POV

About two hours ago, I felt as though I might have been a dead wolf. The fear that coursed through me in those few seconds was intense. But I pushed it aside. No wolf was going to strike fear into me. I am Your Silver, the one who strikes fear into wolves.

The Blue Fire pack hadn't been on my blacklist initially. I thought they were merely influenced by Red Moon, but then they turned around and influenced Blue Bloom. They were just as corrupt and had the audacity to send their warrior after me, barely a week after I was announced as one of theirs? They'd have a taste of me of course, in a subtle way since we weren't rogues.

"Feel better now?" Jaden asked from behind me. My wolf Lana smiled, urging me to be nice to him. Why did I feel like this gesture was going to cost me a favor?

"Yeah, thanks," I replied nonchalantly. "Care for tea?" I added, trying to be nicer.

"Sure," he responded.

I knew he would. He was looking for any excuse to stay longer. It was almost evening, and he and his warriors could return soon.

"Thank you," I said to the warrior who served us tea. She wore her uniform with a dagger strapped to her side. Jaden noticed it and smirked.

"I can introduce you to some servants you can pay to work for you. Your warriors should focus on training."

"We don't complain," the warrior replied sharply before walking out with the tray she had brought, taking his spoon with her.

He gasped and stayed quiet. I chuckled.

"I can easily find willing workers and keep them on a paycheck. You needn't worry. Also, you'll be returning with your warriors," I said firmly.

He choked on his tea, setting the cup down quickly. I wasn't sure if it was because the tea was too hot or because of what I had just said. "You want to give me no reason to visit you, right?" he sounded offended.

That was far from the reason. I could pay for workers to build. Having his warriors do it for free, even as allies, felt like slavery to me.

"I really appreciate your help. I just want to bear the cost of everything I'll be using to raise my empire," I countered.

"Empire?" he raised an eyebrow.

"You heard me, Alpha. My empire. And I don't want to be indebted to anyone," I added.

He bobbed his head to some unknown tune, lifting his cup to his lips but not drinking. "I'm impressed that you want to be independent."

Of course, I was impressive. I drained my tea and stood. "I should continue my patrol..."

"You didn't sound this impressive back at Black Hills," he said, stopping me in my tracks. I sat back down.

I didn't like reminiscing about my time at Black Hills-it was in the past. But I had created a better future for myself, so it didn't scare me. My voice had been stifled there because my Alpha had never valued me. Redemption came only after I left.

"Jake told me about the Beta vote for Ray and his twin. I've never seen twins before and wondered what you looked like," Jaden continued, sipping his tea.

"Yeah, twin wolves are rare," I said simply.

"Coupled with one being a silver wolf and the other not caring about the world."

"Ray?" I smiled.

Jaden nodded. "He's nonchalant and blunt, but in a good way. Sometimes."

I chuckled silently at the sometimes. Ray had grown up well if someone could testify to that.

"I wasn't my parents' favorite growing up. Ray was, and he had a lot of freedom," I shared, feeling a need to be honest. "But don't tell anyone that."

He chuckled. "We're sharing secrets now? As mates or allies?"

Did he really want to bring up the mate issue again? I'd disappoint him. "As allies."

He nodded. "Well, I can relate to that."

"You can?" I asked, surprised. How could he relate to being the least favored when he was Alpha? "You must have proven yourself to be where you are now."

He nodded. "Many thought I shouldn't be Alpha."

"Why?" I asked.

"My father and uncles wanted Jake as Alpha because I seemed quite autistic growing up," he said softly.

"Your father and uncles? That's like your whole family," I said, shocked.

"Yeah, except my mom. Jake didn't want to be tied to duty. He wanted freedom and stubbornly pursued it."

The way he spoke of his brother showed no grudge for being the family favorite. Similarly, I held no resentment toward Ray. It wasn't his fault. Between us, he had always been careful. "I want to know something," Jaden said, holding my gaze this time. "You know we're mates, right? Why do you keep ignoring it?"

I blinked, hesitating. He deserved an answer, but I couldn't tell him I felt nothing because I wasn't with Ray. It would raise too many questions. "Without my twin Ray, I can't feel the mate bond. I will only feel it after the rites of mating are completed," I explained quickly, avoiding his gaze. "Twin telepathy and connection. I read about that once," he mused.

I sighed in relief, glad he wasn't pressing for the rites to be done immediately. "Yeah, that."

"But Ray found his mate. How did he?" Jaden asked suspiciously.

I exhaled before answering. "We met while he was chasing Beta Gaius on the night I killed him. Ray was with a warrior who turned out to be his mate." Jaden seemed stunned but not judgmental.

"So, he knew you were Your Silver before you stormed Black Hills?" he asked, though it sounded more like a statement.

"Yes. Don't tell Jake that or anyone," I warned.

"We're sharing another secret?" he teased.

"Yes, and this one's even more important. It could put Ray in serious trouble," I admitted.

"Right. Is this shared as allies or mates?" he asked, smirking slightly.

"Mates," I shrugged.

He smiled faintly. "Fine. To the grave it goes."