Contractually Yours, Alpha by Giftemmy

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty Seven

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty Seven

I recounted everything Alpha Derek had told me to Austin and Phil.

"From one perspective, he's right," Phil said. "Marrying an Alpha-especially one as powerful as Derek-would be the best option. But," he added, thankfully before I could unleash my fury on him for even suggesting it, "you were right to reject the proposal. He has no right to force a marriage on you. He threatened you, giving you a choice... which sounds much like a form of surrender."

"Yes. Surrender. That's what his proposal was. And if there's one thing the Nightshade Pack is known for, it's that we don't surrender. That won't change now."

"What do we do?" Austin asked me.

we have alliances with; maybe I could convince some to help, and in return I could reward them, but there was, of course, some truth in what Alpha Derek had said: if I did ask

of pride. I was well aware that not many are as 'honorable' as Derek; if they believed we were defenseless, they would attack without any

but we can't tell when. It could be two days

it will be soon." Phil said. "He knows the more he tarries, the more the chances that others might try their

Phil was right.,

crossed my mind. I knew someone who was an expert in battle strategy-someone wasting away in the dungeons. "Send a letter to the Empress Cynthia; inform her that I

had no ties to the people of Aureonna City.

I headed to the dungeons where Arid had been kept. He looked worse each time I came. His beard had grown wild and unkempt, his hair just as disheveled. His eyes were dull, his lips cracked and drier than a desert, and the

he called, his voice rough, as if speaking was a struggle. I tossed him a bottle of water, and he grabbed it with shaky hands. Fumbling with the cap, he drank like it was the water of life, some of it spilling over his face. and dripping down his jaw. But he didn't stop

but I swear, if you