Contractually Yours Alpha (Riley)

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty Six

I led him into the second section of the meeting room, leaving my advisors, his beta, and gamma behind.

"The room is soundproof." I informed him.

A tense silence stretched between us, as if he were choosing his words carefully before finally speaking.

"I hear rumors," he began. "Rumors of a female Alpha."

"They aren't rumors. I am the Alpha-for now."

I waited for him to ask if that meant Alexander was coming back, but he didn't.

"I do not underestimate your strength, Alpha Kaida." I could tell he had just added the title to attempt a respectful conversation, not because he regarded me as an Alpha. "But women have many responsibilities. You cannot deny that they were born weaker; there are few exemptions, but what happens when you get pregnant-because you will need an heir? People will always look down on you, simply because you are a woman." He said it, and he was right.

"Tell me, Alpha Derek, why are you really here?" I asked, sensing there was more to his visit-more to why he wanted to speak with me privately.

He paused again, a flicker of respect in his eyes.

"I came with an offer for you." He said, once again, his eyes assessed me. "Out there, many packs would be ready to wage war against this one if they learn that the feared Alexander isn't coming back. I'd advise you to form new alliances, but I doubt many would be interested. In fact, that would mean admitting you feel threatened.

But I have a proposal for you. A simple way to end all this marriage."

I nearly choke on my own saliva. "What?"

"I know this isn't what you expected, but it's a wise decision. And fortunately, you have an eligible bachelor."noveldrama

"You? You want me to marry you?"

"Alpha Kaida. I think you are a very brave, strong, and independent woman, and you may actually make a suitable Alpha one day. But the werewolves need an Alpha King."

"I don't even like you-no offense."

"None taken. But this is bigger than you and me combined. This is about the hundreds of people who will lose their lives if a war breaks out. Marriage doesn't always have to be about love, but I promise to treat you well. I may never love you, and you may never develop any feelings for me, but I will do what's necessary to ensure we coexist peacefully. I won't force you into anything you don't want, and you will rule alongside me," he said.

I didn't need to think twice about his offer. He was a good-looking man-one I could almost picture as the Alpha King. And yet... I thought of Alexander. After all my talk about moving on, I realized I didn't want to. I was hurt by his words, by how cruel he had been. I was furious that he cast me aside after all the time I spent searching for him. But despite it all, I couldn't let another man take his place, even if I was very mad at him.

"And if I refused?"

Alpha Derek looked slightly disappointed. "The others are wary of attacking, in fear that this is some kind of test Alexander was making up to know who truly was trustworthy enough. But I know the truth; I know he is gone, and I am not going to hang around. I do wish it doesn't come to this, but this is a game of power-you either step on others, or they step on you. I'm sure you know that the Nightshade Pack trampled many to reach this level.

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty Six

"I am an honorable man, so I won't ambush you. I'll tell you to your face- prepare yourself. If you refuse my offer, my soldiers and I will attack this pack and seize control by force. But I must warn you, by then, I won't be reasonable. I will see it through, and in the end, this pack will be mine."

"Do you really believe you can actually face the Nightshade pack in a battle? We have the numbers, our soldiers are skilled, you can't win this war," I said to him.

"I don't doubt the Nightshade Pack's strength. But while your pack has been open about its progress, the Onyx Pack has remained private with ours. We have trained soldiers. We have the numbers. And until now, you weren't aware that we've been raiding small villages. Our forces have grown significantly over the past few years.

I believe we stand a chance."