Contractually Yours, Alpha

After being betrayed and threatened by her own mate, whom she had believed truly loved her, Riley is ready to leave the pack and start over, but her ex-mate wouldn't let her go just yet. In her desperate attempt to escape him, she is forced to sign a deal with the very dangerous but equally alluring Alpha Thane.

.

The deal was simple.

Riley only had to act as the Alpha's mate for six months, and then she was free to leave with a fortune as her pay to start a new life.

Alpha Thane didn't do relationships; he made that very clear to her, but he wanted her in other ways, and he was going to have her.

~

"How do I know that you won't hurt me? How do I know that I would be safe with you?" I asked, lowering my eyes. His intense gaze was on me, and he looked every bit a predator.

"You are not. I am not a very gentle man, Riley, and you should know that about me. I would protect you from every other person but myself."

"You would hurt me?" I asked

His hands trailed down my cheeks. "Yes"

.

Could Riley be signing a deal with the Devil himself?

Chapter One

Prologue

(Riley's POV)

I woke up to a sharp pain in my abdomen.

I knew what was happening; Ryker was doing it again. He was cheating on me with another woman.

I rolled off the bed, my hands circling around my stomach. The wave of pain passed through me again, and I screamed out, my hands remaining on my stomach as if to shield my unborn child.

I groaned, crawling for the door.

"Help!" I screamed, but my voice came out hoarse. The pain came again, worse than ever before, and I cried out. "Please... please stop Ryker; you are hurting me," I begged, even if I knew he wasn't here or listening.

A strange kind of fear filled me, one I always felt before things went completely wrong, and I was afraid it would now. My child was only one month old, and he 'knew' I was pregnant for him.

I crawled for the door, my breaths coming out in pants, my whole body drenched in sweat. The pain wouldn't stop; it only got worse, and I couldn't go any further. In here, no one heard my cries and pleas; even if they did, no one came for my aid.

The tears streamed down my eyes, and then I felt the wetness between my legs.

No, no, no... please, no...

My shaky hands found their way to my middle, and I felt the wetness against my finger. Lifting it to my eyes, it was...

Blood.

I panicked.

My silent sobs turned into loud cries.

"Somebody help me; I am losing my baby!" I screamed out, but again, no one came for my aid; my vision blurred, and then the darkness took over. There was only one thought on my mind as I fell deeper into the darkness.

I hate you, Ryker.

____

CHAPTER ONE

(Riley's POV)

I had always thought I was smart. But Alpha Ryker made me look every bit of a fool, over and over again.

I was a low-ranked female in the pack; It was due to the fact that my mother was the pack's slave, even lower than an omega.

Alpha Ryker had been my biggest crush for years, and of course I never thought I would have him as a mate. Imagine my joy when I turned eighteen, and just like every girl, I attended the mating ball, but unlike every girl of my class, I was mated to the Alpha. The same man I had been crushing on ever since I was a little girl. I had dreams, and I started to believe dreams did come true. How wrong I was to think that!

Alpha Ryker had told me to keep it a secret, and it was understandable. He shouldn't be mated to a girl like me, it only spoke of weakness; I was just your average girl, with blonde hair and blue eyes. My mother had been sold to this pack as a slave, but she worked alongside the omegas.

It made sense for Ryker to keep this as a secret for the time being; as long as he loved me, I was just ready to do anything.

The things we do for love.

He never loved me, and I discovered that too late.

I let him take my virginity; after all, I had kept it just for him, and too soon I was pregnant. I had thought of the perfect family we would both have, but all that ended when he introduced the new girl Zara to the pack as his mate.

I remembered the smile on my face, standing before all the pack members, only to see the girl by his side, claiming my position.

He gave an explanation, he gave excuses, and foolish me. I let him play me yet again for the second time; he told me he needed time, and soon I would be announced his mate to the whole pack, but everything ended when he cheated on me with her for the first time. It should have ended a long time ago, but I had been desperate for love and desperate for Ryker.

As werewolves, when one partner cheats, the other is left in pain during the whole process.

Ryker knew the pain it caused me when he cheated, and still he did it. He had done it again and again, and this last time, he claimed my child. The one good thing I had was the only thing I held onto.

.

I woke up disoriented, and then the memories flooded in—the pain I had felt—so intense, unlike anything I had ever felt before, and then the blood. I felt the wetness against my cheeks; I hadn't realized I was crying yet again.

There was blood on my clothes—a lot of blood. I didn't know how long I stayed here on the floor—maybe a little over a day, but he never came back, and I wasn't sure I wanted him too.

I walked into the bathroom to wash up; the pain hadn't faded, and there was a slight throb between my legs, but that was nothing compared to the loss I was feeling deep within. I had already grown a bond with my child, even if it was only a month old.

.

Alpha Ryker walked into the room three hours later. He had spent the whole day with the new girl, whom he had introduced to the whole pack as his mate.

He walked right past me, almost like I was invisible.

"Ryker," I called out, feeling all my pain quickly turning into anger. "Ryker, where were you a night ago?"

"That is none of your business, pup."

My breath came out faster.

"You went to her, didn't you? You slept with her, knowing what it does to me."

"The whole pack sees her as my mate; it is necessary."

"I was in so much pain, and you were the cause. I lost my child because of you. Ryker, how could you do this to me? I am your true mate. How could you betray me?"

"Oh, please shut up," he says, "It is not my fault your weak system couldn't hold him in, so don't you dare blame me for the loss of your child."

My child. Not 'our' child.

And that's all I could take. I had moved fast-- faster than I ever thought possible, and I slapped him as hard as I could, satisfied at the redness of his skin where I had hit him.

He let out a silent sneer, inhaling audibly, and when he looked up and at me, I didn't see Ryker; I saw a beast, the true man behind the fake mask.

"You seem to have forgotten who you are and where you belong. I would give you a little reminder.".

Ryker had never hit me before, so this had been another shock. He hadn't slapped me; no, he had punched me, right to the face, and I lost my balance, falling to the floor.

He walked towards me. "You bitch!"

I felt his legs to my side and then my stomach. The beating that followed was merciless. I begged him to stop, but Ryker only sneered. “You seem to have forgotten your place. You’re nothing but a weak, pathetic pup.”

When he finally stopped, he gave me a chilling smile. "I could never make you my Luna, you weakling. But Zara is my mate and would always be; she would be my Luna.

So I, Alpha Ryker Zeke of the Windborne Pack, reject you, Riley Kaidon, as my fated mate and Luna. "

The truth was that I had believed in him; I had believed that one day he would make me his Luna.

Chapter Two

Growing up, there are so many stories I hear about rejections, the pain that comes with it, and then the sense of loss, like something was missing. I knew what was coming, and I was prepared, even as I said the words.

"I, Riley Kaidon, accept your rejection," I respond, and that gave him a pause. Of course, he doesn't expect me to accept his rejection so easily; every female is dying to be the Alpha's mate, and I had been one of them till I discovered that he wasn't as charming as my thoughts had painted him to be.

I felt the pain, just as I had anticipated. It's a different kind of pain, one that is deep within, but what I do not feel is the loss.

How could you lose what you never had?

It was over. All my dreams of finding a mate had all come to nothing. I was given the monster as a mate, and he had used me, taken from me, only to dump me like trash. I couldn't stay in this pack any longer; I had to leave.

"Banish me from this pack; I no longer see the use of remaining."

"Oh no, Riley. I want you here, by my side."

"Zara had taken up that duty."

"I want you to be something quite different."

“I won’t be your toy anymore,” I spat. There really was no boundaries to his cruelty.

"Others would be proud to even have such a position, but you ungrateful girl."

"I would leave this pack, whether you want it or not, with due respect, of course, Alpha," I sneered out.

The pain in my chest had built up to the point where I felt completely numb.

"Leave? That's not going to be a very nice thing to do, seeing as your mother cannot go with you," he says, and everything seems to slow down.

How could I have forgotten?

My mother had been nothing but a slave, treated as dirt. Ryker is the only reason she was not in other 'worst' places; how could I have forgotten that so easily?

My heart pounded now, fast. How didn't I think of my mother and what Ryker could do to her, especially when I was gone?

"Leave my mother out of this."

“No, Riley,” he said smugly. “Stay, and she’ll remain in her current position. Leave, and I’ll make her life a living hell.”

I wiped off the tears. This had been one of the reasons I had hung on to Ryker, too slow to let him go. I knew if I was mated to him, then my mother would be free. This was what she had wanted for the most part of her life, what she had dreamt of.

"I'll stay, but I refused to be used by you, Ryker."

"We would see about that, and it's no longer Ryker to you; we are no longer mates, remember? It's Alpha now, and I really hope you don't slip on that again." He says, but the smirk on his face tells me his hoping her I slip, just so he could punish me.

I wouldn't let him see me weak; I would hold in my tears, till when I was alone, crying in front of him would only show him how much he hurt me, it would only show him that he won and I... lost; That would be boosting his already extremely large ego. I wiped away my tears; that would be the last time I would ever cry before him.

"Good," he muttered. "Now I need you to come to the intramating ball celebration with me," he says.

"You are to attend the upcoming ball with your luna, Zara; what do you need me there for?"

"You will be there. I want you to watch as I announce to the whole crowd that she is my mate.

I want you to watch me kiss and touch her just as I did you, but she... she would be the Luna. I want you to watch as she takes your place.

At least I told you early enough to prepare. When the day comes don't you dare be late. Also, I would send your mother in to help you pick something presentable for the occasion. I am sure you have something other than rags in there somewhere" he said before walking away, right through the door he came through, back to Zara, his mate.

The mate ball was in two weeks, I didn't need to pick out a dress yet, but I did need my mother by my side right now.

He hadn't cared about the fact that I just lost a baby and needed medication; he didn't care one bit. If I wasn't wrong, I believed he loved hurting me; he was a sick, twisted person who attained satisfaction in hurting others.

A few minutes later, my mother walked in, and I ran into her arms, letting myself become a child again. I cried in her arms.

"The baby's gone. He cheated on me, and now the baby is gone."

"Shhh, you would be alright," she said, holding me in her arms. "You are the strongest shewolf I know, and I am not telling you this simply because you are my daughter, but because it is true."

"I do not feel very strong, mama."

"Your tears don't make you weak, nor do the mistakes," she said, holding me. Just as she had always done, every single time I had gone to her, broken and in pain, she was always there to comfort me. She thought I was the strongest she wolf, but she was wrong; she was. Even through all she had gone through, she still stood strong, and I made another promise to myself that I would free her. I didn't care how long it took me to achieve that.

"I know the Alpha rejected you," she said.

"How did you know?"

"A mother can tell," she says, "but he was never the best for you; he would only hurt you more and more; you deserve better."

"I don't think I can ever trust anyone again... I just can't be betrayed once more; I don't think I can take it."

"You deserve love; you deserve better than this kind of life, and I wish I could give you that... and that's why I won't blame you if you leave this pack. I want you to know that whatever happens, I would always love you and never blame yourself for anything that goes wrong. I am strong enough to take what comes my way, but I want you happy. You are young and beautiful with a clean heart. You deserve a life, and you should have it."

"No, mama, I would never leave you here with him. Never; we are together in this and will always be. I would stay," I promised.

.

The mating ball ceremony occurs every last day of the month; it was every girl's dream and mostly where mates are paired, but that had been the beginning of my own nightmare.

If Ryker wanted me at the ball, then I would be at the ball, but he got one thing wrong: I didn't care who he ended up with; nothing he did could make me jealous; he was no longer mine, and I was glad he wasn't.

Chapter Three

The Mating Ball.

(Riley's POV)

Ryker sat with his mate, and I was to sit besides him, close enough to hear him whisper the same words he had told me to her, close enough to see him kiss her, close enough to hear her soft moans as his hands disappeared beneath her dress, but that wasn't the worst part of this all; the worst part was having to see my mother, refilling his cup like the servant he wanted everyone to know she was.

All I felt was anger, burning fury.

I turned away from them, focusing on keeping my breath steady.

"You work slugglishly, old woman," Ryker said to my mother, she had pretended not to hear that as she refilled his glass for what seemed as the hundredth time.

My mother glanced at me, her eyes a warning, begging me to stay still and not do anything crazy, and it took everything in me to seat still.

"You forgot to refill mine," Zara said to my mother, and of course, my mother did refill hers, muttering a silent appology which wasn't even due. Zara held the glass in her slender hand and then her eyes turned to me, a small smirk playing on her lips and I watched as she let it go—purposely, the content spilled down my mother's plain blue dress.

"Ooops," Zara says. A hand on her mouth, I had watched her, it was no mistake.

"You did that on purpose." I sneered at her. Zara had an innocent look on her face, which was of course false.

"Sorry, who are you?" she asked, an eyebrow inclined.

I am the Alpha's true mate. I wanted to say it but held that to myself.

"Riley. This is your Luna, and don't you ever speak to her that way?" Ryker warned.

I rose to my feet in an attempt to help my mother clean up the broken pieces of glass. I noticed the few eyes on us already.

"Sit, Riley," the Alpha ordered. Every nerve in me wanted to disrespect his order, and I was prepared to, but then my mother gave me another glance, pleading with me to listen to him, pleading with me not to get in trouble, and I hated it. I hated the fact that she thought this was okay. Slowly, I took my seat; my eyes blurred, but I never let the tears out. I had promised myself that Alpha Ryker would never see my tears, and I wasn't going to break that promise.

"I am sorry, Luna; I know the glass must have slipped off your hands," my mother apologized, and Zara gave a silent scoff.

I inhaled again, feeling a thick lump in my throat. I wanted to stand up and leave, but I knew Ryker wanted me here, he wanted to torment me some more; he wanted me to watch and listen, and I didn't want to anymore.

I watched as some of the wolves left the ball with their mates; others waited. It was a beautiful experience to watch a werewolf find their mate, and I welcomed that as a distraction. Soon the dance began, and the female wolves paired up for the dance.

"Would you accompany me for this dance, my love?" Ryker asked Zara, and she gave a little giggle.

"Yes, my Alpha," she said, taking his extended hands, and he led her to dance. He paused, turning to me.

"You could mingle now, Riley, but I doubt there would be a partner available for you," he says before walking off.

My mother was gone; she was somewhere in the crowd working with other omegas.

.

I pushed past people, heading for the door, which seemed too far away. I was once again jostled to the side, and I started to believe they did that on purpose.

Abruptly, the dance stopped, even if the music kept playing.

I stood there puzzled, and that's when I noticed the reason.

Two men had just walked in.

There were a lot of people in the ball; people could go in and come without anyone noticing, but there was something about these two, something that made them... different.

It could be their striking beauty, it was unlike anything I had ever seen, or the aura they carried with them—it seemed to settle over them like an extra layer of clothing. Everyone watched, and so did I.

I had seen this man before, not face-to-face but in a picture.

Alpha Thane of the Nightshade Pack.

How couldn't I have noticed that?. Beside him was his Beta Axel

The two men towered over almost every single person here, even Ryker, who had an amazing six feet four, couldn't be compared to them.

Everyone parted like the red sea, staying very far away from them, as they walked forward.

Ryker had abandoned Zara and stood right in their path. I could sense it; their very presence intimidated him and he was right to be intimidated.

"Welcome, Alpha Thane; you didn't inform us that you would be gracing us with your presence." Ryker said, but Thane had walked past him like he was nothing but a shadow, not even giving him the common and expected recognition every Alpha should get.

Alpha Thane walked forward in a straight line to where I stood. I on the other hands was unable to move. Never had I seen a man so alluring, so beautiful, and so enchanting; never had I seen a man that screamed danger and yet drew admiring gazes like a magnet.

I backed away, but he was heading straight to me.

What the hell was he doing?. When he was close enough, his scent was all I could perceive; it was a manly scent, sexual in a way I couldn't even explain. He towered over me.

Finally my brain set into motion and I backed away.

"Mate," he called out, his intense gaze on me.

But that wasn't right; I was no mate of his.

Faster than I would ever thought possible, his hands circled around me, pulling me closer to him, and then his lips met mine.

His lips were beautifully made, every girl's dream, but shocked as I was, I couldn't make a single move, and I didn't kiss back.

He pulled away, only to whisper in my ear.

"Kiss me back, Riley."

Chapter Four

(Riley's POV)

There was a lot running through my mind, but I couldn't stop myself as I let my lips move against his, his hands raked through my hair, and I let him touch me in more intimate ways. His kiss was unlike anything I had ever felt; it was like a breath of fresh air and, at the same time suffocating. I felt everything and nothing; the electricity rolling down my frame had nothing to do with a mate bond; it did have everything to do with the fallen angel standing before me. No, he was no angel, maybe quite the opposite, but he did have the looks of a Greek god.

Finally he pulled away, and I was left panting, wanting more, my lips all swollen. What the hell just happened, and why is Alpha Thane calling me his mate when I was sure I wasn't his? From the look he gave me, he knew that too.

"Pretend," he whispered in my ear, low enough for only me to hear.

Pretend?. He meant I should go along with this. Why would I do that? , why...

My trail of thoughts was cut off.

"She is not your mate." A voice from behind us called out, and Thane turned as if finally noticing the Alpha for the first time. It was Ryker.

"And why would you say that?" Alpha Thane asked with his arms around me, pulling me closer.

Of course Ryker couldn't say it out; he had deceived the whole pack into believing that Zara was his true mate; he couldn't tell them the truth—that I was his mate, and he had done something forbidden, rejecting me in secret.

"She is a low rank here, an Alpha as you can never be mated to a she-wolf like her," Ryker said, looking furious, and I wondered why he was so bothered about this. I didn't know what this was either.

"Why should that bother you?" Thane asked very calmly, even if I felt the exact opposite.

"She wouldn't be good enough; she is nothing."

There was a deep growl from Thane; the sound weakened my knees, and the other wolves bowed their heads in submission. Ryker could never challenge that.

"I apologize, Alpha," Ryker said, but I noticed the vein in his neck popping. He hated the fact that he had to acknowledge the greater presence here.

"I believe the wolf besides you is your mate and Luna, right?" Thane asked, and Ryker only seemed to notice an unhappy-looking Zara by his side.

He inhaled and gave me a single glance. He was contemplating, and then finally he spoke. "Yes, this is my mate and my Luna."

"Then I would warn you: do not ever speak in such a manner to my mate. Else..." Thane left the silent threat, and Ryker gave a nod, giving way.

I had always imagined what it would be like for Ryker to be put in his place; never did I think it would be this interesting to watch. A part of me wanted to give him a small smirk, but I shoved aside the want; I wasn't Thane's mate. Maybe he mixed me up with the wrong person... but then he had told me to pretend and had also called me by my name.

How did he know my name?

I was sure we had never met before; of course, if I had met Alpha Thane of the Nightshade Pack, it wouldn't be an incident easily forgotten; then how did he know my name?

I still felt dizzy from the kiss; from having him so close to me and everything going on was almost too much to take in.

"Come with me, mate," Thane said, holding my hands. I hesitated, and then he turned to me. The look in his eyes told me that disobeying wouldn't be an option, and so I followed him. Every single gaze was on me, but then I saw my mother in the crowd, staring at me. I had always believed that my mother was the strongest person, and she was; she had proved that to me time and again, but there she stood, horror-stuck, watching me walk away with Alpha Thane. She was yet again shoved backwards by the crowd of watchers.

Alpha Thane led me out of the balling hall.

His Beta Axel followed a very good distance behind us.

"Where are you taking me to?" I asked, and the fear I felt made my voice sound so small and unsteady.

"Where we can be alone"

.

All the stories I had heard about the Alpha resurfaced. He was one of the most feared Alphas in the world; his pack had the wealth, the connections, and the numbers. The pack's soldiers and members were well trained, but that wasn't the only reason for their reputation; they were also killers, they lusted after blood. Alpha Thane was less tolerant, and so was his whole pack. I had heard stories of a whole pack being wiped out because of a broken agreement.

No one crossed the Nightshade pack and those who did were used as an example for the rest.

Yet here he was, and he wanted us 'alone'.

My heart raced faster. No one was close by, but even if they were, no one would come to my aid. I was not exactly one of the most loved wolves in my pack, and no one would ever cross Alpha Thane to come to my aid. I was doomed.

"What is wrong?" he asked, as if reading my thoughts.

"What do you want from me?" I asked.

"To talk"

Alpha Thane wanted to have a conversation with me. I found that very hard to believe. I had nothing to do with him; there was nothing to talk about. Maybe I was going to be used to send a message to the pack; maybe this would finally be my end, yet the sick twisted me was grateful that I atleast got to watch Ryker put in his place, even if that was the last thing I witnessed.

"Do you want to kill me, Alpha Thane?" I asked

And he didn't seem surprised by the question, not one bit, and that didn't help my condition.

"No," he says.

"No?" I questioned.

"If I wanted to kill you, I would have done it already, I don't have to bring you here to do just that."

Chapter Five

(Riley's POV)

Everything about Alpha Thane screamed sexuality: the way he walked, his height, his look, his lips- oh, those very beautiful lips, and the way those lips had formed out my name. Never had I thought my name could sound that sexy and enticing... Also the last thing I should be thinking about right now was how sexy he was.

.

He was right though; if he wanted me dead, he wouldn't need to go through all that stress to get it done; he only needed to do it right there in the mating ball. After all, they were known for just that, so it wouldn't exactly be a surprise, and not many would care about the fact that I was killed; my mother would, though.

"Then what do you want?"

"I want you to come with me, as my mate," he answered, as if that were the simplest and most obvious thing.

"What?"

"I guess you heard me clearly, and you need a while to process it."

"No, I do not need a while; I am not your mate; I know that; you know that; and I cannot leave my pack and come with you."

"You didn't seem to like your pack very much."

"That still doesn't mean that I would want to come with you."

"Let me make this clearer. You would only be my mate for a period of time issued by me, and for this time you would be paid handsomely. I would give you whatever you want. All you have to do is agree with my rules, and when this is over, you are free."

"I do not want your money, and I will never trust you."

"You don't want my money?" He asked, looking surprised, "But you seem like you need it."

"Are you calling me poor?" I asked, even if that was exactly what I was: poor and wretched.

"This is an opportunity for you. I know how Ryker treats you..."

"And would you treat me any better?" I asked, and I know he hated the fact that I had cut him off in the middle of a sentence.

"Not exactly, but you get your money at the end of the day; isn't that what matters?"

"No, that's not what matters."

"Then what does?"

"There are so many other things... I can never leave my mother here."

"Then that's fine; she comes with us."

"You don't understand."

"Make me," he says, his intense gaze on me, and I can't hold them. I look away.

"She is a slave here; she had ten years left to serve. If I leave..." I shook my head slowly. "Ryker would make her life a living hell, and I would never allow it," I admitted, feeling stupid for telling him all these things. It was my issue, and he could do nothing about it.

"There. Something to bargain with."

"What?"

"I know must have had dreams of seeing your mother free, and I would do just that."

"You can't; she still has ten years to serve, and nothing can change that, not even you, Alpha Thane."

The smirk never left his lips. "I would buy her off."

"Then what? Would she become 'your' slave?" I asked, the bitterness sipping into my words. I knew I should watch it; I was before Alpha Thane, but I couldn't control myself.

"I didn't anticipate a spitfire, but I can work with that," he says, and I don't want to understand what that meant. Of course, to everyone, they believed I was the humble submissive type, but I always held my little demons inside, and now they wouldn't stay in anymore. "Your mother would be bought by me, but I would free her; she wouldn't be a slave; I would give her a decent job; she would be both protected and respected in my pack."

"And why are you doing all these?"

"I had told you before that I do this because I want you by my side -for a period of time."

"And after that, I and my mother are free?"

"Yes, you can remain in my pack if you wish or leave if you also wish to; whatever the case may be, you would be gone a billionaire. How is that for an offer?"

"It sounds too good to be true; what do you get out of this?"

"Alot. Have it in mind that I do not make deals that are not beneficial to me; I have something to gain from this."

"And what is that?"

"It is none of your business."

"Then how do I trust you?"

"You don't. But I would keep to my words, and I would enjoy every single day with you, but you would love it even more, and in the end, you would be begging on your knees to stay," he promises. He sounded so sure of himself.

"That, Alpha Thane, would be the last thing I would ever do."

"We would, of course, see about that, Riley."

He had called my name. Again, I wanted to question him, I wanted to know how he discovered my name, but then he spoke up.

"Let's just say, I need my father to believe I am mated for the time being," he says with a smirk that told me this was so much more than that, but a question kept ringing over and over again in my mind.

"Why me?. I mean, there are many other she-wolves in this pack; there are even more in your pack and others. Why me?"

"Well, I can't answer; I am yet to figure out why," he answered.

"How long would I be with you?" I asked

"I think that should be discussed when you arrive," he answers, and though I don't agree with that, I don't argue.

"What if I don't agree to the term?" I asked

"You will, but if you don't, I will let you go. But you cannot tell anyone what transpired between us, not even your dear mother or your most trusted friend, understand?"

There was something about his voice—the authority it carried.

"Yes, I understand," I heard myself answer. I had one last question, one I was afraid to even ask. "How do I know that I am safe with you?" I finally let out the question, and he turned to me, watching me. He looked every bit a predator.

"You are not. I am not a very gentle man, Riley, and you should know that about me. I would protect you from every other person but myself."

"You would hurt me?" I asked.

His hands trailed down my cheeks. "Yes"

Chapter Six

(Riley's POV)

It didn't make sense.

That Alpha Thain of the Nightshade pack had chosen me; I had so much to gain—my mother's freedom, 'my freedom', and wealth—lots of it. It felt almost too good to be true. He had told me that he never made any deals in which he had nothing to gain, but I can't imagine what he had to gain from being mated to me.

Yet, his promises had been mouth-watering, every single word, and I knew he was right. I knew I would agree to his terms, whatever they might be, as long as my mother was free.

He was not a gentleman; he had told me just that, and that was the one thing I believed. After the little conversation, he had left me here all alone, to think about his proposal. No, he didn't bother escorting me back to the ball where he had taken me; he was letting me know, even from the little gestures, what kind of a man he was.

When he meant he wanted me as a mate for a period of time, did that involve intimacy? Maybe it didn't; maybe I just had to play the perfect actress, and that was it.

Even as I thought about it, I knew they were all lies. I was lying to myself, and I saw the look in his eyes.

"You will beg to stay when the time is up," he had said, "I am not a gentleman" he had also said and there was something about those words.

What difference was I from a whore? What difference would it make if I stayed here? Ryker wanted the same thing too. But he didn't deserve it; he had put me through too much pain. I had lost everything, and it was all because of him, but the question was, did Alpha Thain deserve it?

I walked back to the mating ball, and to my surprise, after I had left, the music had stopped, also the dance. Everyone hung there looking tense; some had left the hall. I didn't think I was that important to the pack, but again, everyone wanted to know what truly was going on between I and Alpha Thane, not that they really cared for me.

My mother had been the first to get to me; tears streamed down her eyes as she held me close.

"It can't be... it can't be," she kept whispering, but just like the others, she did believe this was real; it didn't make sense for Thane to lie; he couldn't announce me to the crowd when he knew I wasn't his mate—that was what they thought, but they were all wrong. I couldn't tell my mother the truth; I couldn't tell anyone the truth, and a part of me knew that telling anyone would not only put me in danger but would endanger them too, there was a reason he wanted this to be kept a secret.

"Let's go home, mama," I said, holding her by the arms and leading her out. I felt the gazes of my fellow pack members piercing into me, one that seemed to stand out more. Ryker.

.

Having second chance mates was a very rare thing, but not impossible; it had happened in the past and could now.

I was back in the pack house and in my room. My mother wouldn't leave my side, and I did need her more than ever.

"I thought that things couldn't get worse. I always knew Alpha Ryker was not a good man; I know how he treats the lower-class wolves, and I couldn't believe the moon goddess could pair you up with such a man as a mate. He had caused you so much pain, but he... he is nothing compared to the demon in human skin, Alpha Thane. He would be your downfall, Riley; you can't let him have you. I can't watch that happen, please," she begged.

"Mother, maybe we've judged him wrong all these years."

"No, daughter, listen to me. I know his father, but Thane, he is worse than his father; he is a killer, and I... don't know what he would do to you, my baby."

"He won't do a thing; I am his mate." I lied because I knew she was telling the truth, but this was the last thing I needed to hear. If only she knew the truth—that this had been an offer and he was going to give me far more than I had ever hoped for—I wondered if she would change her mind about things if she knew.

I doubted it.

My mother seemed to know something more about the Nightshade Pack—something she wasn't telling me, and it killed me.

"Mama, you know what he would do to me if I did not go with him."

"Then... then we can create a plan. I would help you escape, and I do not mind if I have to give my life, but you can't be with him."

"Mama, I won't let you give your life for me; I want to see you free, and if I agree to this, he will set you free, mama."

"You do not understand; I do not want anything from him, not freedom, not money, nothing; he would harm you more than you think, and I say this because I love you, my child."

"I know you love me, but please, I want you to trust me in this. I want you to give me this one chance to make my own decision. I had already given a lot... to Ryker and to this pack. I want to leave here."

"You would be better off here than you would be with him."

"Is that what you think, mama? Do you know what Ryker wants to do with you?"

"I do not care; I am a slave here; no amount of pain he makes me suffer would be too much to bear, and if I die, I would do so knowing that you are out of danger, Riley."

I hated the fact that I had to hurt her one more time.

"I've made up my mind. I would go to him; it is not like I can ever escape this, and, you know that, he would find me if I run, and I would suffer more. If I am willing, he promises to give you freedom, a new job, and to keep you protected. I'm so sorry, mama, but I have to make this decision."

"Then I cannot go with you; I prefer a life of bondage here to a life of freedom with the Alpha of Nightshade pack."

Chapter Seven

(Riley's POV)

I didn't know what my mother had against Alpha Thane and his father, but she had agreed to come with me after I had persuaded her. I had to tell her what Ryker had wanted me to be—a little pet for him—and that was all she needed to finally change her mind. Though she didn't like this idea and I knew it, we both knew we had no other choices, and I would rather die than leave my mother here.

She helped me pack up. I had only a few things; I picked out only the important things, and a single bag was enough to contain my stuff.

.

Alpha Ryker walked into my room, not bothering to knock.

"You know it is very unappropriate to walk into a lady's room without knocking, right?" I questioned, and my mother gave me a questioning look, but this time I didn't listen.

"Now the true Riley shows herself; I knew you had all that pent-up anger in you for a long time; I actually expected you to slip in the mating ball last night, and I am totally surprised you didn't."

"That's so unfortunate," I cooed, walking past him to pick up a single framed picture of me and my mother, the only one I had. I couldn't imagine; I had almost forgotten it.

"You really think it changes anything? The fact that you are mated to Alpha Thane," he asked and I could sense his anger, but I couldn't bring myself to care.

"It does change everything, Ryker. I am the Luna to an Alpha; I bet you know the consequences if you do try touching me."

"Or do I?" He asked, walking closer. For a moment, I believed he was going to hit me. For a moment, I believed he wouldn't be able to control his anger and would forfeit getting beaten up by my Alpha Thane just to get a mark on me, but his punch never got there; it landed at my side, his fist digging into the wall.

I watched him, a small smile on my lips—the same one I had itched to give him when he watched me walk away with Thane in the ballroom. He was powerless when it came to me; in some way, I was protected just by Alpha Thane's claim on me.

"When you go, know that I will make your mother's life a living hell."

"I am sure you think you could do that," I say. I didn't miss the slight look of surprise in his eyes before he masked it yet again. I pushed past him. "Sometimes I wondered why you care so much; I am no longer your mate; you rejected me; you told me straight to my face that I could never and would never be your mate. What changed? Aren't you interested in Luna Zara anymore?" I wondered aloud.

"You are mine, rejected or not; you were fated to be with me, and I was going to have you... till he took you away from me."

"Is that what you thought? that you were going to have me and Zara?"

"I would have; perks of being the Alpha."

"Well, what a fool you must have been if you think I would let you use me one more time after all the filthy lies you whispered into my ears. I would never let you touch me."

"It must have hurt you when I lied to you, when I had said all those same words to my mate Zara."

"You deserve each other, but do you know what you don't deserve? my tears."

"It must have hurt you when I took your virginity, promising you falsities, and you were the pathetic one to believe me."

It was my mother's turn to speak now. "Hold it there, young boy; you will not speak to my daughter in that manner."

Ryker chuckled. "You are nothing but a slave; shut up, old hag."

"Get out," I said, the furry building up in my room. "Get out of my room, or else I promise you will pay for this."

There was a smirk on his lips, one I would so love to wipe away.

"You might think Alpha Thane would be your little savior, but I promise you, you won't last two weeks with him. You would come back and beg for forgiveness, ready to be whatever I want you to be just to remain in this pack, and do you know what I would do then?" He asked without waiting for an answer, which I wasn't really going to give him, and he continued. "I would let you back in, just for my ego's sake, and if you think the life you are living now is bad, I would make it worse for you and the old hag," he said before walking away from my room.

.

I shouldn't care about Ryker's word, but I did. The fact that he thought I would last two weeks with Thane gave me a shiver. Why would he think that?.

.

Alpha Thane kept to his words, and by sundown he was at the pack house. I knew he had arrived even before I saw him. There was this strange edgeness in every single pack member present.

I was summoned to Ryker's office by an omega; that was the last place I wanted to be, yet I knew Alpha Thane was also present and for some reasons I felt protected.

I shouldn't feel that way.

Deep down I knew I had not made the right decision, but I couldn't see myself remaining in this pack under Ryker, not after everything I had said to him and how badly he wanted to satisfy his stupid ego that had been wounded and bruised.

Still, I found myself walking towards Ryker's office. I gave a silent knock before pulling the door open, and there Alpha Thane stood like he owned the place. His eyes landed on me, and maybe I should have listened to my mother, because now that I could clearly see him, everything about him screamed danger. My mother had been right to be afraid of him.

Chapter Eight

(Riley's POV)

I hadn't realized I stood there, staring at him.

Finally recovering from the momentarily drool, I walked into Ryker's office.

"I believe you are ready and packed, Riley."

"Yes, Alpha," I said, a moment too late.

"Call me Thane," he says, his burning gaze on me, and in that moment, I forgot about Ryker in the office with us. "Just as I had promised you, your mother is free, and she will come with us," he says. My mouth fell open in surprise. That quickly? Ten years of slavery had ended in just minutes.

He was right; there was only a little he could not do, and I couldn't help but wonder what he had done to make Ryker give in.

"I would be waiting in the car; pick up your things and join me; your mother would be transported to my pack tomorrow; and not to worry, she is already a free woman," Thane said, his eyes slipping from mine to Ryker's.

I wasn't the only one affected by Thane's piercing gaze; I noticed how uncomfortable it made Ryker too, and I know he hated it.

"May I leave?" I asked, and Thane gave a nod. I hurried out of the office, and my breathing normalized. There was something about his presence that kept everyone on edge—everyone, including me.

.

I picked up my already packed bag, and my mother had that same sad look in her eyes, reminding me again of how much of a mistake I was making. I gave her a hug, informing her that she was free now. She gave me a comforting smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"I will see you soon, mother," I promised, and she held me tight in an embrace. Finally, it was time to go. I was going to leave this pack, but I didn't think I would miss it. There was nothing to come back here for—no friends, no siblings—and here I was all alone.

I walked out of the pack house; there were two men waiting, both in black suits and shades, they looked just like bodyguards in movies. They took the single bag I held, leading me to a black limousine waiting.

Everything about this felt too intimidating.

The door was pulled open by one of the men, and I slid inside. My heart raced when I noticed who was in there waiting. Thane. I had sat a good distance away from him, but that didn't stop him from watching me like I was some prey about to fall into the trap of a predator, and that was exactly what was happening here. He was the predator.

I tried calming down my nerves; it didn't really work; my heart still pounded against my chest, threatening to escape my ribcage, and I doubt that meant I was 'calming down'.

"Do you have a habit of staring at people like a freak would, or is this meant for only me?" I asked, in an attempt to look less afraid and more settled in. I didn't like how loud my voice was; I almost didn't recognize my own voice.

"It's just you. I like seeing you unsettled, and I seem to scare you a lot."

"You scare everyone, and no, I am not afraid of you."

"Are you sure?" he asked, and I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. "Come closer"

"I am fine here," I managed to say, but I knew he would have none of that. I hadn't known Thane for a long time, but what I knew was that he was used to getting everything to go his way; he always got what he wanted.

"We are mates; we have to act the part," he says, and I inhaled, coming closer. I could perceive his scent, so strong. His hand circled around me, bringing me closer till I was flushed against him.

If I had managed to gather even the tiniest calm, I would have lost it there. This was the reality, and the reality was that he could do whatever he wanted with me.

"I wonder how you would look naked," he muttered to himself, and there was no restraint in his words. I clamsped my palms together, feeling the mosture on them; they shook too, and I couldn't let him notice the effect he had on me, but he already knows. "I love the dress too," he complimented, his eyes on my thigh, and I instantly regretted not wearing something less revealing. His gaze on my thigh heated me up, and I turned red. I swallowed again, looking at everything but him; he got my attention, though when his hands robbed around my thighs, my breath cut off.

"What are you doing, Alpha Thane?"

"What does it look like?" he asks, his hands trailing higher up, lifting my dress as they went on. "Did you really think you would only act, and that's it?"

I did think about that, but I always knew he wanted more than just me acting in public.

His hands went higher; I could feel them against my panties now, and my breath came out faster.

"Thane.... please"

"What?"

"Not here; someone can come in."

"So what? I would fuck you, Riley, anywhere I see fit, and I do not give a damn if the whole pack is watching."

There, that was it—everything I had been warned about. Ryker hadn't been trying to scare me when he said I wouldn't last two weeks in the pack. My mother knew this was bound to happen; that's why she warned me, but I had no options.

Yet his touch...

It was electrifying, calling forth feelings I had buried, and I hated the way my body reacted to his touch. He stroked my panties, and I felt him. Right there, I leaned into the chair. A small moan left my lips. What the hell was going on with me?

Why did his touch feel so sinful and yet still so magical?

Another stroke, and I let out another moan. I could feel my own wetness, and the smirk on his lips told me he could sense it too.

"Beautiful," he muttered, but then he withdrew his hands and slid my gown back down. Just then, a man entered. I recognized him; it was the Beta Axel; he had come to the mating ball with Thane.

"Welcome, Luna," he says, and his stare makes me uncomfortable. I felt like a kitten amongst a pack of wolves.

I said nothing to Beta.

The ride was long, and Thane had remained silent.

"How did you get Alpha Ryker to let my mother go?" I asked the question that had been on my mind.

"Let's say I paid a small fortune for that," he answers.

A small fortune. All for me.

I wondered what he was going to get in return. I reminded myself that I was free to leave if I didn't agree to his terms.

"You talked about... signing some-" I had forgotten the right words he used.

"Contract. Yes, and that's what you would do, but just as I said, if you don't agree to it, then you are free to return back to your pack," he says, and I really want to believe him.

.

The rest of the ride was in silence, and it was one long journey. I might have dozed off at some point, but I didn't trust them enough to fall into deep slumbers. Finally, the car slowed down to a stop in front of a mansion.

The Nightshade Main Pack house.

I had heard about how rich the pack was, but this was totally on another level.

Thane and Axel walked forward, and I hurried after them. I didn't miss the stares; it seemed like the news had reached the pack members and they were all waiting to get a glance at the new mate. Me.

Thane slowed down to take my hands, but of course it was all for show. He led me into the pack, and I did my best not to gasp at every single thing I saw; everything screamed money.

Beta Axel parted ways with us, and it was just me and Thane. I didn't like being alone with him.

"Where are you taking me to?"

"My personal space," he answers shortly.

What Thane calls his personal space was actually a very wide office, suitable for meetings.

"Take a seat," he says—more like ordered, and I obey. I was in his pack now, under his rules, and I would be a fool to cross him. "Do you want anything to drink or eat? It was a long drive after all," he offered, but the last thing I wanted to do was eat anything.

"No, I am okay," I responded. Despite that, he filled out two glasses of wine and placed a glass before me.

"Now down to why we are here," he says, his eyes lingering on my thighs. The memories of what had happened in the car flashed back in my mind, and my cheeks reddened. I could only hope he didn't notice it. Now we were alone, and he was giving me that look again.

He passed me a file.

"Open it," he orders, and that I did. I took out the document, surprise at how formal he was making this. "Now read it out loud".