Contractually Yours, Alpha by Giftemmy

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

t00 good to be true. He had toldthat he never made any deals in which he had nothing to gain, but | 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. | 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 toldjust that, and that was the one thing | believed. After the little conversation, he had lefthere all alone, to

think about his proposal. No, he didn’t bother escortingback to the ball where he had taken me; he was lettingknow, even from the little gestures,

what kind of a man he was.

When he meant he wantedas 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 | thought about it, | knew they were all lies. | was lying to myself, and | saw the look in his eyes.

“You will beg to stay when the tis up,” he had said, “I am not a gentleman” he had also said and there was

something about those words.

What difference was | from a whore? What difference would it make if | stayed here? Ryker wanted the same

thing too. But he didn’t deserve it; he had putthrough too much pain. | 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 | had left, the music had stopped, also the dance.

Everyone hung there looking tense; shad left the hall. | didn’t think | was that important to the pack, but

again, everyone wanted to know what truly was going on between | 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 heldclose.

“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 announceto the crowd when he knew | wasn’t his mate—that was

what they thought, but they were all wrong. | couldn't tell my mother the truth; | couldn't tell anyone the truth,

and a part ofknew that telling anyone would not only putin danger but would endanger them too, there

was a reason he wanted this to be kept a secret.

“Let's go home, mama,” | said, holding her by the arms and leading her out. | 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.

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

ever.

“I thought that things couldn’t get worse. | always knew Alpha Ryker was not a good man; | know how he treats

the lower-class wolves, and | 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. | can’t watch that happen, please,” she begged.

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

“No, daughter, listen to me. | 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; | am his mate.” | lied because | knew she was telling the truth, but this was the last thing |

needed to hear. If only she knew the truth—that this had been an offer and he was going to givefar more

than | 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 toif | did not go with him.”

“Then... then we can create a plan. | would help you escape, and | do not mind if | have to give my life, but you

can’t be with him.”

“Mama, | won't let you give your life for me; I want to see you free, and if | 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 | love you, my child.”

“I know you love me, but please, | want you to trustin this. | want you to givethis one chance to make my own decision. | had already given a

lot... to Ryker and to this pack. | 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; | am a slave here; no amount of pain he makessuffer would be too much to bear, and if I die, | would do so knowing that you are out of

danger, Riley.”

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

“I've made up my mind. | would go to him; it is not like I can ever escape this, and, you know that, he would findif I run, and | would suffer more. If |

am willing, he promises to give you freedom, a new job, and to keep you protected. I'm so sorry, mama, but | 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.”