Contractually Yours, Alpha by Giftemmy

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty Eight

I was in the meeting room with Aric, going over the plan we had been working on, when I sensed her presence.

Empress Cynthia appeared out of thin air. I hadn't expected her to answer my call, and I certainly hadn't planned for her to be in the same room as Aric. But she was here now, and that was beyond my control.

"You couldn't arrive at the pack like a normal person, could you, Cynthia?"

"Now where is the fun in that?" she answered.

From the corner of my eye, I watched Aric, half-expecting him to lunge at her.

I couldn't believe what my life had become-I was working with the man who betrayed me and the woman who killed my parents. Though, with Cynthia, it was different. We both knew we weren't friends or allies. The moment I got the chance, I would kill her. And I would relish it.

“I almost can't believe my eyes," Cynthia said, her gaze drifting past me to Aric. "He's still alive-I could have sworn he'd be long dead by now. Maybe you finally realized you've always felt more for him than you were willing to admit."

I didn't give her words a second thought-she was only trying to bait me, and I wasn't about to fall for it. Still, I kept my eyes on Aric, expecting him to strike. I knew he hated her; I could see it in the way his body tensed. But he never moved. He just stood there, silent.

"I hadn't anticipated your arrival so soon."

had some really good news for me. I got curious

I need

she considered my request for help as 'good news,' and from the slight frown tugging at her lips, I was certain she was already

threat. We have far more enemies than allies. A war is coming, and I need all the

get."

deluded you into thinking I would ever

need my help in fighting the

doing, Kaida? Our agreement was that you would play your part

the reason

never get such help

>>

think would happen? That I'd fly my soldiers over here on a goddamn plane to fight by your side? Some of them have never even been on a plane their entire lives. And we need our soldiers-we have our own

wasn't thinking about planes at all. I just assumed you had

help you, Alpha," she said, her

be able to keep to my

One Hundred