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

Kyle had been my true mate and he had rejected me the second I turned eighteen. Barging into the basement in the middle of the night and screaming his rejection at me. He had beaten

I can tell

whisper. “He 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 felt the bond, my

and who my brother is, he wanted

a little while longer than the others. That because he likes me,

had told her to not let me out of her sight unless it was to use the bathroom. Maybe he thought I was going to be like some of his other brides and run. As if

most of the time doing inventory. It almost

comes towards me. "I’m going to be here for a while yet. so

had no idea who the people were in the photos, nor

want to admit the truth. She stares at me from the other side of the counter, 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

I still wasn’t getting the hang of it. But she was patient and kept trying. Suddenly, she grabs the pieces of paper and shuffles them all into a pile

is back.” “How do you know?” “A pack

towards us. He looked angry. His crimson eyes were darker than

word with my mate!” He snaps at Raven. “Sure.” she mutters and quickly escapes, leaving me alone with

My eyes drop

“Huh?”

need to

to tell him

was no one there, Neah. No one.” I feel his glare on

didn’t make any sense. How

packhouse, empty. Where have they gone.

my head, confused. “You... you went to see

me?” He was so angry. "What does Trey want?" I close my eyes like I always do. It was easier if I didn't see the beating

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

wrong, this was going to be

Slowly his face starts to soften. “You don’t know what I’m talking about, do you?” jo.”

lets go of my