Chapter 187
My eyes flicked to him, searching for some hidden agenda, but his expression remained unreadable.
Before Ragnar could continue his protests, Lirian stood up, his tall frame casting a shadow over the table.
“That’s enough.” Lirian said sternly. “I won’t have my home turned into a stage for petty schemes. Security!”
Within moments, two guards entered the room, their presence a silent warning.
Ragnar glared at me one last time before allowing himself to be escorted out. His retreating figure left an uneasy silence in his wake.
Dinner continued, though the earlier lightheartedness was gone.
I found myself picking at my food, my mind spinning with unanswered questions.
Why had Ryan chosen to defend me? Was it out of guilt, or did he have some ulterior motive?
After we finished, Lirian received a phone call that drew his attention to pressing pack business.
I’ll need to handle this,” he said with a small nod to me. “You should head back to Moon Shadow. We’ll talk later.”
As I drove back to Moon Shadow under the soft glow of the moonlight, my thoughts shifted to the recent troubles at the border.
The
rogues had become more aggressive, their attacks increasing in frequency and ferocity.
Just days ago, Lirian had confided in me about similar issues near Iron Claw.
“They’re not acting on their own,” Lirian had said, his brows furrowed in concern.
“These rogues… it’s like they’ve been drugged. Whatever they’re using is pushing them to madness.”
The description fit too well with the rumors I had heard about Ryan’s underground dealings.
His network was said to dabble in everything from smuggling to manufacturing dangerous
substances.
My stomach twisted at the thought.
Ryan’s enterprise was responsible, then he wasn’t just defending me tonight–he was covering hist
own tracks.
When I arrived at Moon Shadow, I resolved to discuss the matter with Ethan.
Whatever was happening at the borders, we needed answers, and soon.
As I reached the gates of Moon Shadow, I stopped abruptly, my pulse quickening.
There, under the soft glow of the villa’s lights, stood Ryan.
His broad shoulders were framed by the darkness, the faint shadows lending a haunting edge to his otherwise familiar figure..
His eyes
were fixed on the house, as though lost in memories that only he could see.
“How did you get in here?” I asked sharply, stepping forward while keeping a wary distance.
Ryan turned to face me, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“Future Alpha of Stardust, remember? If I want to get somewhere, no one can stop me.”
I folded my arms, unwilling to let his charm disarm me. “That doesn’t answer the question.”
His smile widened, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Instead, his gaze drifted back to the house.
“This place…. it holds so many memories. Do you remember, Sophia? We grew up here, shared so much here.”
I clenched my fists. The memories were a double edged sword.
They had once been a source of comfort, but now they only deepened my mistrust of him.
“That was a long time ago,” I replied coldly.
Ryan chuckled softly. “Yes, it was. But memories don’t fade so easily, do they?”
4lis words unlocked a flood of recollections I had buried deep within.
In
my previous life, Ryan had been a constant shadow, always disant yet unavoidable.
His temper was as sharp as his tongue, and while others sought to undermine me, he rarely stepped
in to help.
Lhad grown timid under his indifference, unsure of my worth.
Ethan, my closest confidant, had always warned me against Ryan.
“He’s no good for you. Sophia,” Ethan had said time and again. But I hadn’t listened.
One night, after a particularly heated argument with Ethan, I had stormed out with Ryan, determined to prove everyone wrong.
We wandered the city aimlessly until a group of hooligans cornered us in a dark alley.
Their sneers and leering eyes sent chills down my spine.
“Hand over your money and get out,” one of them snarled.
When we didn’t respond, their taunts grew crueler.
“No money, huh? How about you let your girl keep us company for a while? Might even get you a nice hotel room for the night.”
They laughed uproariously, the sound grating and vile.
I felt Ryan’s hand tighten around mine. His other hand moved to the ring I had given him, spinning it thoughtfully.
I glanced at him, terrified he might abandon me.
But then he laughed too, a low, chilling sound that silenced the gang.
Without warning, he launched himself at them.
His fists flew, his strikes precise but fueled by fury.
Chapter iss
