Contractually Yours Alpha (Riley)

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty Seven

"Is there anything else I should be aware of?" I questioned my advisors. Once again, they seemed to be holding something back-1 could tell.

"We worry about what will happen when the news reaches the other packs," Austin says, giving me a look that suggests I read between the lines and figure out what he isn't saying. When he realizes I'm not catching on, he speaks up. "There has never been a female Alpha before. There will be a lot of opinions- especially with you being the... Alpha Queen. The others might not accept this change,"

"We should be ready for anything. The other packs might see this change as a sign of weakness and think it's the best time to attack. The Nightshade pack might have been enjoying peace for years, but it would be foolish to think that that would continue."

"When they attack, we will be ready, we will go to war and I will take the front lines and prove to them how wrong they are."

Phil nodded, and with that, I dismissed them.

As I stepped out of the meeting room, I noticed something hadn't paid enough attention to before the looks the pack members gave me. These weren't the curious glances I had grown used to, but looks filled with hate and disgust; some even stared at me with clear disappointment in their eyes. I hadn't anticipated this, but I had to face

1. it.

I couldn't show any sign of weakness, even if my heart still ached for Alexander. I wanted to find him-to leave the pack and track him down, no matter how long it took. But that would mean leaving them exposed, without a leader. I couldn't do that, not in such critical times. I had to be there for them, even if most of them seemed to hate me now.

The soldiers bowed as I walked past them; they were loyal because they had sworn their loyalty to the pack, not necessarily because they loved me or saw me as a true leader.noveldrama

The farther I went, the louder the murmurs grew, until a female voice rose above the rest-Sarah's.

"She always wanted to be Alpha. She hated her own father when she found out he wouldn't let her take his position after his death-"

"We watched her mourn her father; it was clear she loved him." Another woman cut in, and Sarah didn't seem to like that; the irritation was clear on her face, and

once again I felt like a fool for not seeing through her facade.

"Or maybe it was an act; maybe it was all a part of her big master plan-"

"One would think you'd have run for your dear life.”

This time, I was the one to cut her off. They were so engrossed in their conversation that they hadn't noticed my approach. For a brief moment, fear flickered across Sarah's face, but she quickly hid it.

"Why run? I know you will find me, one way or the other."

“You're right about that; I would have found you. I hear you've been busy.” I said to her,

"They were curious, and you have to admit, they had the right to know the truth."

"I wonder if you also mentioned that you're a traitor-the same one who aided in the death of your own Alpha, my father?" I asked, my voice laced with anger I no longer bothered to hide. She fell silent. "I guess you left that part out of your little rumour."

"You can't deny this all turned out to be a win for you; I might not have gotten what I wanted but look at you. The

Chapter One Hundred and fitty

first female Alpha, the Queen. This must really be a dream come true. I guess my effort did pay off."

"You didn't do this for me-you did it for yourself. But since your all-so-awesome plan failed, you had to make one last desperate move by spreading rumors," I said, stepping closer to her.

"You won't kill me-not in front of all these people." She said, and I was aware of the people watching, Since it was late, there was no child present.

"That's where you're wrong, little traitor."

I grabbed her by the hair before she could react and slammed her face into the wall-hard. Bone crunched on impact, but I didn't stop. Again and again, I drove her into it. By the time I let go, her nose was broken and swollen, blood poured from her split lips, and a few teeth lay scattered on the ground. One of her eyes was already swelling shut.

"You will die an ugly bitch." I let the words sink in, watching as the last bit of defiance drained from her face. Finally, the fear she had been trying to hide shone through her eyes.

She muttered something-broken, incoherent. It didn't matter.

My hands wrapped around her throat. Her eyes widened as realization set in. She shook her head furiously, panic twisting her bloody features, but all I could think about was my father-how he had suffered through his sickness. A powerful man, reduced to weakness. Withered. Dying before my eyes and I couldn't do a thing about it.

My hands tightened around her throat, blocking her passage of air. She fought desperately, her claws digging into me, but I could barely register the pain.

Traitors.

Her struggles grew frantic. She clawed at my hands, kicking, twisting-desperate. But I was stronger. She couldn't win.

I wanted it to last longer. I wanted to drag it out until she begged for death, then leave her there to rot. But this would have to do.

I could save all of that for the Empress-the true mastermind. If she thought I would follow her plan, fight alongside her people, then she was the fool.

Sarah's face darkened to a deep purple. Her movements turned sluggish, weaker........ until finally, she went limp.

I held on for a whole minute-just to be sure. Then, I let her body drop to the ground.

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