Why My Mate Cries
Chapter 57

REID’S POV

Rage coursed through my veins as I went out of the tent to go to where I would meet the other Alphas. I took a few deep breaths, surveying the whole area as I walked to the red tent, checking over every man’s face and trying to figure out who the hell was Aliyah’s brother among them.

That f*****g bastard who made my mate suffer had to learn his lesson very well. He was the reason Aliyah experienced so much pain that kept her haunted for most of her life. He and his incompetent father scarred her.

My wolf was howling for vengeance inside of me, and I could have sworn it was the same case for me. I wanted to seek revenge for what my mate had experienced, and I knew that the only punishment that would bring his family to the same level of agony as what she had gone through was death.

Aliyah would not have felt the knot of anxiety if only we had stayed in our territory. If only we had another choice. Ever since I’ve become the Alpha of my pack, I’ve been ignoring the invitation to the annual assembly. I hate to see myself sitting at the same table with the people who contributed to the horrible death of my parents. I did not even understand why they were doing such gatherings.

How could they breathe through this kind of delusion that all packs could form a union? That was nothing more than a mere obsession.

Despite this, I had no choice but to show up at the event. It was crucial because if I didn’t do it, I would be putting my pack in danger. I could only pray that nothing terrible would occur while we were going through this pointless event; that Aliyah and our baby would be safe, or else I would end up losing my mind and forgetting all of the f*****g treaties that were signed.

The other Alphas were walking proudly to the red tent. Some even tried to greet me, but I only wore my dark smile, concealing the anger rushing through my veins. As an Alpha, I needed to show them that I was tough, unbreakable, and had firm hands, or else they would mock me and my pack if they saw a tiny weakness in me.

“Which pack are you leading?” A man asked behind me.

I turned to him and noticed his barbaric physique that screamed power and wrath.

“Jewel Pack. How about you?” I asked, but I wasn’t interested at all.

“Night Walker. I was glad to find out that the most forbidding Alpha had finally come to the annual assembly.” He smirked darkly as we walked. “Your presence might surprise the others.”

“And I’m a little surprised that I earn such a title.”

He tapped my shoulder and grinned. “That’s the result of your unfriendliness.”

After that, he let out a hearty laugh and then walked right by me. My jaw clenched tight as I drew in a long breath. I paid no attention to what he had to say and went ahead and entered the red tent. When I arrived, there were already more than ten men seated at the long rectangular table, and the others, including myself, had just settled in on the seat that was vacant.

As soon as I was seated, my eyes glanced over at the brutish man who was comfortably sitting across from me. His eyes looked very familiar, and I didn’t have to guess why… because they were completely the same as Aliyah’s.

I could feel my rage getting worse inside of me as I looked at him—the man who beat up Aliyah and threatened to kill her; the man who made her life a living hell. He noticed me glaring at him, and he grinned like a loon.

I wanted to attack him so badly, and tear his flesh apart until he became breathless. I wanted him to feel my wrath, but now wasn’t the right time.

The meeting started, and just as the Night Walker Alpha had mentioned, my presence astonished most of the men sitting with me… that included the Alpha of the Crimson Shadows, whose father was the one who harmed and killed my parents.

“What happened that you suddenly changed your mind, Alpha Reid?” he asked.

I could not help but wince as I caught the sarcasm in his tone. His face was cruel, and remorseless, which made my palm twitch.

Another f*****g bastard…

“The invitation letter made me enthralled, so I decided to give this assembly a try for once in my life,” I answered.

Every one of them laughed, including Aliyah’s brother, to whom I offered a deadly glare. The discussion proceeded with the treaties that needed renewing and forming allies to strengthen the power of each alpha.

“How about you, Alpha Reid? Who would you pick as your pack ally?” Another Alpha asked.

“Night Walker.”

“It will be an honor!” The Night Walker’s Alpha laughed out loud.

“What a pity,” Aliyah’s brother remarked, and I turned to him. “I want to form an alliance with the Jewel Pack. Perhaps you could reconsider since the Night Walker Pack is such a weakling.”

I couldn’t help but smirk. “That’s fine. My pack is powerful, anyway.”

Laughter filled the tent, and I was satisfied in seeing the irritation in Aliyah’s brother. When the meeting was finally over, all of us went ahead and exited the red tent. I walked as fast as I could as I wanted to get to our tent and check on Aliyah when I felt a heavy hand on my shoulder.

“Hey!”

That voice wasn’t difficult to recognize. I spun around to face Shawn Harper, who was grinning from ear to ear.

“I didn’t like the way you stared at me earlier, Alpha Reid.”

My eyes narrowed. “Do you have problems with how I stared at you, Alpha Shawn?”

I clicked my tongue as I tilted my head to the side. He glared at me. His jaw clenched along with his gritted teeth. I could smell the sudden frustration in his stinging scent, and it made me want to tease this f*****g bastard more.

“I certainly do.” He smirked firmly. “Do you think you have the right to insult me in front of the other Alphas?”

“I didn’t insult you. I only shared my opinion.”

“Opinion?” He laughed sarcastically. “Who are you fooling? You just downplayed me in front of everyone.”

I was about to say something; however, loud screams filled the area when two Alphas started to brawl on the ground. It caused a commotion in an instance. Their warriors tried to set them apart, but ended up fighting against each other too. The two packs became chaotic and attracted everyone’s attention.

I took a deep breath and was about to turn my back on Aliyah’s brother when he mentioned a name that was familiar to me.

“Aliyah,” he said.

When I turned to face him, I observed that his eyes were fixed on something off in the distance. When I followed his gaze, I saw Aliyah being dragged by an old man against her will.

“Aliyah!” I let out a terrified scream and dashed over to them right away.

F**k! They saw her!