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 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.

am not a gentleman” he had also

deserve it; he had put me through

left the hall. I

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

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

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

.

mates was a very rare thing, but not impossible; it had

room. My mother wouldn’t leave my side, and I did need her more

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.

him

is worse than his father; he is a killer,

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

I doubted it.

to know something more about the Nightshade

to me if I did not go with

I would help you escape, and I do not mind if I have to give