Contractually Yours Alpha (Riley)

Chapter Two Hundred and Twenty Two

PRESENT.

1 pulled my wings back, making them vanish as I stepped out of the circle.

"Hello, Brother," I said to the Alpha King, my half-brother

He saw me as a threat, of course, and he was right to. My gaze shifted to the second figure in the room-Jade.

"An old bat who just refuses to die. You're tough, I'll give you that.”

Jade's eyes shot daggers at him. "I haven't forgotten you stole from me."

"It was never yours to keep." I responded.

Many years ago, I had taken the amulet from her possession, cementing my place as the Demon Overlord.noveldrama

"This is not over," she said, pointing a crooked hand at me before turning to Ethan-or as he preferred to be called, Alexander.

"I've done as you asked. Just so you know, I might not be available if you reach out again," she added, then turned and walked toward the balcony. She pushed open the windows and leaped down.

The werewolf queen gasped, walking to the railing to look below, and a bird flew up, its eyes the same color as Jade's. It was no surprise the sorceresses had learned a few new tricks.

"Farewell, Jade," I whispered, and the bird glared at me with piercing eyes before soaring into the sky.

"Wow," Kaida said before stepping back to stand by Alexander's side.

"You know, I get what you see in her. She's hot." I said to Alexander, smirking. I could tell he was doing his best to stay calm and controlled. "I'm even more surprised you recognized me; maybe it has something to do with the brotherly bond we share."

"No. When I met with Riley, she showed me a bit of her past, and that's when I saw you."

I paused. "Riley?" I asked, my heart-if I even had one-stilled.

"Yes. Your mother. My mother."

"She came to you? How?"

"Not exactly her, but her ghost-I think."

A small flicker of jealousy stirred within me, a sharp anger that she had visited him and not me. All those years, I had been consumed by rage over her death, but of course, she'd visit her son, not the bastard who had become obsessed with his own mother.

"I guess I'm here because you want something. But don't think for a second I'll hand out favors just because we're partially related."

"I know that, Daemon. That's why we'll make a deal. I have plenty to offer, but I only need one thing in excha

"This is getting interesting," I said, a plan already beginning to form in my mind. Alexander hesitated; of course he knew that a demon wasn't one to trust. The fact that he was taking his chances meant he was truly in need, and I planned to use that against him.

"I think I've heard a few rumors about demons being able to control another's mind."

Chapter Two Hundred and Twerky Two

"The minds of humans, I can prod. But creatures higher than them... they're difficult to control, and I'm better than most demons."

Not just difficult, but nearly impossible. The last time I had tried, my victim had lost some of his memories. The mind was complicated, and only a few had truly mastered the art.

"What are you doing?" Kaida asked Alexander, clearly unaware of his plans

"If there was a way to lock her out of your head, I'll take it,

"I'm guessing you're referring to Cynthia."

Two pairs of eyes landed on me. Before they could ask how I knew, I spoke. "I don't know what your personal differences with the Empress are but I figured you were the mysterious person who shot her on the day of the Great Encounter. Of course, she would come after you. She's also one of the few I know who has mastered the art of mind control. What I don't understand is why you need me when you have the Alpha King here."

"I don't control minds." Alexander says.

"You didn't learn how to, probably because Thane didn't have the time to teach you, but he possessed the skill. I don't doubt you have that ability in you somewhere-you just need to learn how to use it."

"And I guess you'll be the one teaching me how to use this ability'?" Alexander asked.

"Yes, but my services aren't free. I need your help just as much as you need mine."

"What do I have to do?"

"The Empresses have someone I want. They've spelled the castle so I can't get in, but you can."