Contractually Yours Alpha (Riley)

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty Nine

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty Nine

I'd seen Aric fight before, seen him furious and full of rage, but I had never seen him completely lose himself. He moved with astonishing speed, lunging at her and landing a brutal punch to her face, the sickening crack of her nose breaking echoing through the room.

"You told me she was alive!"

"You fucking sicko!" Punch.

"You used me!" Punch.

Tears streamed down Aric's face, his pain sharp and consuming. Despite everything, I understood-losing a loved one was a pain that never truly faded. Everything he had done, every choice he made, was for his sister, driven by the desperate hope of saving her. It was what any big brother would have done he had fought for her, believing he could bring her back home.

Aric had stopped punching her; now he stared at his trembling hands, as if struggling to believe what he had just done. I stepped to his side, ready. Cynthia wasn't the type to take a beating without striking back-I stood ready, expecting her to unleash whatever 'magic' she had on him. I wouldn't let her hurt him.

To my surprise, she did nothing. Shock flickered across her face, but then, just like that, she was gone-vanishing into thin air.

"I'm sorry." Aric said to me, "I shouldn't have attacked her I just-it was all for nothing. She told me Rose was still alive. She deceived me, but I feel like the bigger fool; I should have known, but of course, I believed the words of a murderer. I guess this serves me right; I deserve it-"

"No, you don't. You did what you had to do to save your sister, and I forgive you for that. Everyone deserves a second chance, Aric."

He opened his mouth to say something, but that's when we heard the alarm system go off.

They're here.

Derek had warned me, and we all knew he was coming. Phil was certain the Onyx Alpha wouldn't delay, and he was right. Still, a part of me had hoped for more time. I knew what was coming-I understood the cost of war. Even in victory, not everyone would make it. I would have to face the fallen, pack soldiers who had fought and died. There was another option-one I had refused to consider. If I married Alpha Derek, no one would have to die. I wouldn't have to carry the guilt of knowing I could have saved them but chose not to.

A new plan was beginning to take shape in my mind, something completely different from what Aric and I had spent days preparing.

Austin and Phil were by my side almost instantly. "The soldiers have taken position and are ready to attack," Phil said.

"Tell them to hold back."

"What?" This time, it was Austin who spoke. My advisors rarely questioned me, but in moments like this, I couldn't blame them.noveldrama

I repeated myself, my voice steady. "Tell them to hold back

"The Onyx Pack soldiers are here for blood, Alpha. We can't just stand down and let them slaughter our people."

"No, we can't. And that's why I need to talk to Alpha Derek There's a way to avoid bloodshed."

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty Nine

The three men exchanged uncertain glances, confusion clear on their faces. "You can't agree to Derek's marriage proposal... You said it yourself-that's surrender." Phil says.

"Yes, I did. But sometimes, leading means making difficult choices." I met their eyes, unwavering. "Send word to Derek. I want to have a little chat with him."

Austin looked like he wanted to say more, but in the end, he only nodded. Maybe he trusted that I knew what I was doing-maybe he thought I was wise enough to make the right choice. But he was wrong. I had no idea what the hell I was doing. Today's Bonus Offer