Mated to A Rival Alpha-Chapter 171: Slow Desperate Truths

[RANIA]

"Rani is the reigning alpha of Incayon," Dalrae began slowly, knowing that what she was saying was enough to trigger a revolution against her.

However, before Dalrae could explain more, Lee Daehyun suddenly spoke, shocking everyone.

"My loyalty is to you, my Luna. Use me as you wish," Daehyun said, the confidence and pride in his voice forcing the already silent crowd into even more silence.

It was almost like today was the Incayon day of silence and shock because they were really getting dosed from all ends. It was dangerous and crazy but damn, there had to be an explanation for it, right?

"What?" Dalrae mouthed as she looked between Daehyun and Rania.

It was clear that none of them had expected Lee Daehyun to be in Incayon of all the places. He knew that he would be imprisoned, or even worse, killed on sight if he was spotted, and yet he had decided to show up at the most crucial time.

Was he following Rania and Chang Wook?

Was the Calindra beta trying to prove something? What the hell was going on in his mind and why the hell was he even here?

"Luna Rania, good morning," Daehyun greeted and this time, everyone was sure that he was talking to Rania really. It wasn’t making any sense, but since when had anything that had Rania in the middle ever made any sense to anyone?

Silence.

That was all that could be heard.

The pack that had been bustling with life and complaints, was once again thrust into silence. It was like something strange had passed and they were trying desperately not to trigger it, but goodness, they hadn’t been expecting this.

Hell, even Rani herself wasn’t expecting to see Daehyun here, or even hear him call her his Luna. This was easily the most unexpected return of events this early in the morning. Maybe he had a better reason for it, right?

"What did you call me?" Rania asked, her tone so stiff like she was trying to ignore what was happening at the moment. She wasn’t sure whether she was supposed to acknowledge what Daehyun had said or if she was to play dumb this time.

Over the years, Rania had always had a feeling that Lee Daehyun, the Calindra beta, always knew the truth, but damn, right now, she was seeing it and it wasn’t as encouraging. This wasn’t how she had thought of admitting to her people that she was the Calindra alpha’s, true mate.

However, the circumstances around her didn’t exactly give her a reason to keep pressing on with the hidden truth. It was somewhat hopeless, even as she watched the Incayon wolves look at her like there was more that she needed to explain.

Would they believe her though?

Rania had always thought she would get to tell everyone about her cursed and awful yet appealing bond to Jihoon on her own terms, but if the Calindra beta was her and on her side, then it meant that his alpha definitely also knew the truth.

But how much of the truth did Park Jihoon know?

If anything, what did Jihoon even know on this particular subject anyway, right?

Oh but if only Rania knew what the man knew, she wouldn’t have been so confused and worried.

Or was she?

"Hello alpha Rania, beta Dalrae. You know me, but I’ll reintroduce myself. I’m Lee Daehyun, the Calindra beta, and I have been tasked with making sure the Calindra Luna and the reigning alpha Kim Rania, are safe and well protected. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"The order comes from my alpha, Park Jihoon of Calidnra. I am here in an official capacity, as our Luna’s first defender. Pardon me for intruding, Luna, but the crown’s troops are on their way to Incayon.

"They are a lot and are accompanied by the warriors from different packs, who unanswered the king’s call to find you and the Viking warrior and take you to the king, whether dead or alive. Those troops also have Calindra warriors, as sent by the alpha.

"The alpha does not want anyone to know the truth yet unless you permit it, so I am here, under your command, alpha Rania. I know that there have been wrangles between you and Incayon for quite some time now.

"—And as such, there is a high chance that they won’t protect you even if you make the request politely. If Incayon won’t protect you, then I have orders to take you to a safe place.

"The alpha also said there was a definite chance you would decline, and with that in mind, he commanded me to defend you with my life, even if it’s the last thing I do," Daehyun said, before making a full bow to show his Luna respect.

Once again, the Incayon wolves were in shock.

They hadn’t expected that Daehyun, the enforcer of Calindra would ever come to their home, in an official capacity, to protect the woman they had all shunned and abandoned without even a care in the world.

If the enemy could show up for Kim Rania, then why couldn’t they be by her side now that they knew that Yanna was alive and well?

It was strange and unexpected, but slowly and surely, the dots were connecting, and the wolves were about to understand it all.

"I’m sorry, what?" Rania said, this time, she was sincerely in shock, and it was evident on her face.

Jihoon knew she was his Luna and mate? That also meant that he definitely knew by now that Kim Rania had been in his chambers and had taken him to bed last night. Damn, that meant a lot of things and the only thing Rania wanted to do, was to disappear.

For the first time, Rania wanted the ground to open up and swallow her. She wasn’t sure what the fuck was she even supposed to do with that knowledge on her mate knowing that they were bound.

How the hell was she supposed to respond to the man who was bowing before her in respect?

Was she supposed to tap him out as the Lunas always did?

Then again, if she did that, it would go to show that she was accepting the role but was she? Or would she wait for the fates to tell her that it was time she accepted the damn mate bond that had almost ruined her life?

Oh, but there were so many things that were going on in Rania’s head and she hoped that she would find a way out of this. Maybe it wouldn’t even drag as long, right?

"Rani, what the hell does he mean?" Chang Wook asked as he watched the bowing beta.

Calindra and Incayon were enemies by default and it had been like that since Rania had ascended the Incayon throne. Of course in the years before, there were mini-rivalries but they were never full-on enemies until Kim Rania and Jihoon took over their parents’ seats.

Then the chaos and madness had begun for a long long time.

That was how it had always been for years, and Jihoon sending Daehyun to Incayon alone and unarmed was something that needed them to look into.

"Nothing, he’s just blabbering. Don’t take his words to heart. Anyway, now that everyone knows I’m the reigning alpha of Incayon and Dalrae is my beta, we need to get ready to f—" Rani tried, as she hopelessly attempted to change the subject.