I'm Still A Virgin

"Wh– what do you mean by that?" His head snapped to Reana, his eyes wide with panic and his voice trembled with disbelief.

Ryan didn't understand what she meant – or rather, he did, but he couldn't bear to acknowledge it. The implication was too unsettling, the possibility too terrifying. What would happen to him if what he was thinking came true? 

"You heard me, didn't you?" Reana sighed, her tone laced with exhaustion. Her tiredness was already hanging on a thin thread, and now, the dumb-looking beta wanted to dry out the little strength she had left. 

Not waiting for Ryan's response, she shifted her attention back to Ryder. Her gaze roamed over his body, a hint of appreciation dancing in her eyes. With a soft click of her tongue, she asked, "You're clearly not an omega, so why are you a servant?" Her voice was tinged with curiosity. "You have the physique of a warrior, at least."

"I'm not weak, Luna Reana. I'm a sickler," Ryder explained, his voice matter-of-fact. "I couldn't join the warriors, so I thought serving you would be the best option."

Beta Ryan glared at him, 'serving you?' why did it sound lewd? 

Reana's brow furrowed slightly. "A sick wolf? That's extremely rare, especially in my pack."

Ryder nodded. "It's genetic. My parents died from it."

"Which means you'll...?" Reana didn't finish before Ryder stole it from her. 

"Perhaps I might not," he smiled ambiguously. 

His smile was dashing and Reana almost couldn't look away. Lightly bobbing her head, a hint of a smile played on her lips. "I like your positivity. Don't worry, I'll take care of you."

Beta Ryan seethed with rage as he watched the exchange, his anger simmering just below the surface. What was Reana thinking, promising to care for this...this...servant? And what was with the way she gazed at him, as if he were a precious treasure? The possibility that Reana might be developing feelings for this servant sent a surge of jealousy and possessiveness coursing through Beta Ryan's veins.

His eyes locked onto Ryder, his glare venomous. But to his surprise, the servant smirked back at him when Reana wasn't looking. And that was the last straw. 

Beta Ryan's senses snapped, his feral rage taking over. With a sudden, brutal movement, he landed a thunderous blow to Ryder's face. "How dare you, a servant!" he bellowed. 

As his voice thundered, Beta Ryan's claws elongated, shooting towards Ryder's chest with deadly intent, wanting to dig his heart out. But before he could strike, Reana's leg flashed out with fury, kicking the back of Ryan's knee with precision.

Beta Ryan crashed to the ground, forced into a humiliating kneel before Ryder. His eyes blazed with rage and shame as he glared up at Reana, but on seeing the deadly look filled with hated in her eyes, Ryan's defiance faltered and his face turned pale. 

"By what audacity do you dare attempt to take the life of someone I've chosen?" Reana's eyes blazed like embers, her slender frame transformed by an unyielding ferocity. She stood tall, her shoulders squared, as she shielded Ryder behind her. Her exhaustion had vanished, replaced by a fierce protectiveness that seemed to vibrate through every cell of her being.

Ryder looked down at the slender woman shielding him - she wasn't petite nor fat, but he was taller and muscular. He could easily snap her in two with one hand, yet she was protecting him with her body.

Something flashed in his eyes. He'd never experienced this feeling before. Rather, it was always the opposite - he was feared and respect and had always been the protector of his people. 'I like this,' he thought, as a sudden smile crept onto his lips. But when his and Beta Ryan's eyes met, he smirked again, and a disdainful look flashed in his eyes. 'Perhaps, it was time to get rid of that idiot,'  he mused. 

But Beta Ryan was too stunned by Reana's words to even notice Ryder's taunting gaze. His mind was reeling with the implications of Reana's claim. "S– someone you've chosen?... H– he's your chosen mate?!" he stuttered, his voice trembling with a mix of shock, horror, and betrayal.

Reana's expression remained icy, her voice firm. "Someone!" she called out, her gaze sweeping the premises until it landed on her entourage hanging a distance away, waiting for the order. "Throw Beta Ryan into the dungeon for some time to reflect on his actions."

The warriors sprang into action, momentarily suspending their own shock and disbelief. Seizing Ryan by both limbs, they dragged him away with a rough grip. The beta was too stunned to worry about his humiliation. 

As the warriors dragged Beta Ryan away, Reana's gaze softened, though still cold, her attention shifting to Ryder. She turned to him, "Are you okay? Do you need to see the healer?"

Ryder touched his nose, now red but no longer bleeding. With a shake of his head, he smiled, his eyes sparkling with glee. "It hurt, but I think it has healed," he said, his voice low and husky. "Thank you for standing up for me, my Luna."

Reana's heart skipped a beat. There was something about the way Ryder said 'my Luna' that sent a shiver down her spine. The possessive undertone was unmistakable, and for a moment, Reana felt a flutter in her chest. She looked away, trying to compose herself. Perhaps, he didn't mean it that way, after all, he was the first to call her that. It was either 'Luna Reana' or plainly 'Luna.'

With this conclusion, she turned back to him, her face cold and indifferent as usual, intending to respond. "You're my cho—" She stopped herself, her gaze drifting to the smudge of blood on his cheek. She didn't like the stain; it marred his handsome face like a drop of red ink on a white ceremonial dress.

Without thinking, Reana reached out to clean the blood. As her hand made contact with his warm skin, a jolt of electricity coursed through her. Startled and about to withdraw her hand, Ryder suddenly leaned into her touch.

Reana's heart skipped another beat. Ryder's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze burning with intensity. "Does My Luna find me worthy to become her chosen mate?" he asked, his voice low and husky. "I think I have good qualities. I don't have a mate, nor have I ever touched any woman. I'm still a virgin…"