Contractually Yours Alpha (Riley)

Chapter Two Hundred and Four Chapter Two Hundred and Four

"No. Don't you dare," I threatened.

"That's not a child, and you know it," the sorceress said to me, her eyes cold.

"It is mine," I growled.

"I think I'm done here. Summon me if she changes her mind; this was my mistake, and I have to fix it." With a nod to Thane, she turned and walked away.

"Riley..."Axel began.

"No." I cut him off, "Don't tell me how this is the better option; I want to keep it and I will." Thane and Axel exchanged glances again, there seemed to be a silent conversation going on between them. "I need to talk to Nick... alone."

"If you do anything to hurt her, I will kill you." Thane promised before leaving; Axel followed

next.

"You didn't tell me," I said to Nick. "You didn't tell me anything about the bloodlust I would have to live with; why?"

"I'm sorry... I just..."

"Say it, Nick, you don't need to lie to me.

He gazed down at me, his eyes filled with guilt. "There are a lot of things you don't know."

He paused again.

"Go on," I prompted.

"There's something about you, something unique and special. I told you the reason I wanted to marry you was because of your title, but that wasn't just it. The moment I saw you... I fell in love with you, Riley, in a way I had never done before. I spent time with your mother, just to hear about you; she told me about The Alpha King and how he hurt you-". I flinched at that, he moved on quickly. "-She told me so many things about you, and I fell more in love with you, but you were never over him, and I knew that. I was ready to make you forget, I was ready to start up a new chapter with you, the marriage was only the beginning, I hoped that perhaps as the years go by, if I treated you right, you would learn to love me in return.

There is more I didn't tell you. Turned ones have a longer life span compared to werewolves, we live for centuries. You were so desperate to obtain power, you didn't wait to think that such things come with disadvantages. I had a plan for the both of us: we would grow more powerful and stronger together. You will always be by my side, forever young."

I couldn't hold back the tears I held in. Each wave of disappointment felt like a weight pressing upon my chest. How had I been so naive after all I've been through?

"So this had all been for some selfish gain? What if I don't want to live forever, Nick? Did you

Chapter Two Hundred and Four

even take a single moment to think about the fact that this was not what I wanted? You made me into this... monster, and it was all because you didn't want to be lonely for the rest of your life?"

"Don't you put the blame on me. I never forced you; you wanted this so bad, and I did you the favor."

I couldn't believe his words.

"You never told me the truth of what I was getting into; you showed me all the good sides, leaving out the bad."

"Is it so bad? You get to live forever; do you know how many want this?"

"I don't care about how many want it; I don't. All I had ever wanted to do was be good enough for Thane. I don't want to live forever and watch every single person I know die. I don't want to have this lust for blood." "This is the sacrifice you have to make to get what you want," he spoke on. Was he even listening to me?

I doubted it.

I stared at the ring on my finger-my engagement ring.

"When I saw you for the very first time, I admired you. Why wouldn't I? Everything about you seemed admirable, from the way you led the pack to how easygoing, kind and accepting you were. I was easily drawn to your people. Though a small pack, there is this unity amongst everyone, and I wanted to be a part of it. I thought that could be my home.

I was wrong.

I never belonged there, and you were never who thought you to be. You are just as selfish as the rest, just as power hungry; you were willing to let me risk my life, just so you could get a partner for life." I pulled the ring off my finger. I can't marry you, Nick; I just can't." I said, passing the ring to him.