The Alpha’s Contract by Taylor West

Chapter 0007

Neah “You know my brother really likes you.” Raven smiles at me as she shoves a crumpet into her mouth

My eyes flash up to hers across the breakfast table. She had been put on babysitting duty while Alpna Dane runs those errands he had mentioned Clearly my comment about being alone had made him reconsider.

He hadn't told me where he was going and I didn't ask. I didn't think it was my place. “You are prettier than the last girl.” Raven mutters, distracting me from my thoughts. “Last girl?” I almost choke on my juice.

“You are his contracted mate, right?”

I nod my head.

“Did you really think you were the first?”

It wasn't something that had crossed my mind. I was more concerned about what Alpha Dane was going to do to me. He hadn't made a move except for halding me against him while we slept. He hadn’t tried sneaking a hand between my thighs. He hadn't insisted I sleep naked, nothing. And that only made it worse. Waiting for the unknown. He didn't seem like a man that would wait.

“Hopefully, you will stick.” She adds, reaching for another crumpet. “I will stick?” I wasn't used to these phrases or the way she spoke to me so casually. Orders and abuse, that was what I was used to.

‘I probably shouldn't be the one telling you this but it’s better for you to be prepared.” She takes a deep breath. "My brother has been looking for his mate for a long time. He's twenty eight. Doesn't have an heir yet. The others, they stay no more than a few weeks, some run. Some are killed.” She tells me with a shrug of her shoulders, like it was normal

“Because they won't give him an heir?

She shakes her head. “Because he loses interest.”

“Why are you telling me?” I whisper. I would prefer not to know if I was going to be killed.

“There's something about you. He looks at you differently. I saw it at the hospital.”

Her words don't exactly make me feel better. Everyone looked at me differently. They always had because of my strange scent. “Your biggest concern will be if he finds his true mate.” She mutters

the middle of the night and

I can tell by the way your

rejected me.” I remember the pain I had felt and not just from the beating. It had felt like my heart was being torn from my chest. And because I had

who my brother is, he wanted nothing to

longer than the others. That because he likes me, he might

had to work and apparently Alpha Dane had told her to not let me out of her sight unless it was to use the bathroom. Maybe he thought

into the hospital. Raven spends most of the time doing inventory. It almost

be here for a while yet. so I brought you some

as I just stare at them. I had no idea who the people were in the photos, nor did I have a

her eyes slowly narrow to slits. “You can't read, can you?” How did she know? I shake my head, feeling my cheeks flame ‘I'm guessing you didn't go to school?” lo.” It was so embarrassing having to admit it. What twenty two year old couldn’t read or write? “Does my brother know? “No." “Well at least now, I have something to do other

hang of it. But she was patient and kept trying. Suddenly, she grabs the pieces of paper and shuffles them all into a pile and shoves it into

brother is back.” “How do you

later and the doors swing open. Alpha Dane moves towards us. He looked angry. His crimson

a word with my mate!” He snaps at Raven. “Sure.” she

her to be out of sight and turns to face me. My eyes drop to the ground

“Huh?”

I need to repeat

open my mouth to tell

no one there, Neah. No one.”

sense. How could there

empty.

went to see my brother?” I whisper, refusing to meet

get some dirt on me?” He was so angry. "What does Trey want?" I close my eyes like I always do.

His hand grabs my chin. “I said you would never have to fear me. But that was when I believed I was helping you. Open your fucking

Raven was wrong,

his face starts to soften. “You don’t know

go of my chin,