The Alpha Human Luna

Chapter 7: the contract contd

Excuse me?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at Janis.

She pressed her lips together, her expression unreadable. “Nothing, my Luna,” she said smoothly, though I could hear the slight bite in her tone.

I exhaled slowly, deciding to pick my battles. “Where can I take my things?”

Janis gave me a look as if I’d just spoken a foreign language. “A Luna never carries her own things,” she said, her gaze flickering briefly to my stomach. “Especially not in your condition.”

Right. The pregnancy. The pretend marriage. The whole werewolf world I’d been thrust into.

I forced a small, knowing smile. “Right. I knew that.”

Janis didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t push further. Instead, she straightened her posture and said, “Hugo will brief you on the upcoming election and your tour dates for it.”

I blinked. "So, Dom is running for, like... werewolf mayor?"

Janis arched a brow, unimpressed. "Lord Alpha is the highest position a werewolf can achieve," she corrected. "It is not something to be taken lightly. And before your meeting, we've prepared you a snack. Iron is crucial for a future heir."

I hesitated. "Oh, I'm not very hungry—"

Janis's sharp gaze cut through me. "How selfish of you to put your needs first instead of the baby."

I swallowed hard, pressing a hand to my stomach. I wasn't even showing yet, but the pressure to act like the perfect Luna—and mother—was already suffocating.

Without another word, Janis turned and led me to the dining room. The long, polished table was set with silverware and a meal that made my stomach flip.

I stared at the plate. Thick, juicy meat, still seeping red into the sauce. My heart sank. I’m a vegetarian. What am I going to do now?

I forced a smile. "Wow, that looks very... bloody. I mean, yum."

Janis gestured to the chair. "Please, sit down and eat."

I hesitated, my mind racing for an excuse. "Actually, I’ve been suffering from morning sickness lately…."

Janis scoffed. "Don't be ungrateful. Do you know how many Lunas would kill to have the Alpha's heir?" She folded her arms, watching me like a hawk.

My stomach twisted. There was no way out of this.

Janis picked up a piece of raw meat with her fingers, holding it dangerously close to my lips. "A true Luna must feed her baby raw meat," she said, her voice laced with condescension.

I recoiled slightly, my stomach churning at the sight of the bloodied flesh. "I think I can decide what I eat," I murmured, trying to keep my voice steady.

Janis didn't listen. She leaned in, determined to shove the meat into my mouth. My breath caught in my throat, panic rising…

"That's enough, Janis."

Dominic’s deep voice cut through the room like a blade. I exhaled sharply as relief flooded me.

He stepped inside, his eyes locked on Janis with a warning glare. "You don’t decide what my Luna eats. She makes her own choices."

Janis immediately lowered her hand, stepping back. "Of course, Alpha," she said smoothly, but I could still hear the irritation in her tone.

Dominic turned to me, his expression unreadable. "Come with me."

Without waiting for my reply, he took my hand and led me out of the dining room.

I barely had time to process what had just happened before I found myself walking down a long hallway, Dominic’s grip firm but not forceful.

The moment we stepped into the grand office building, Dominic turned to me with a serious expression.

“Ella, I need to run up to my office to grab something, and I’ll be right back, okay? Just stay right here,” he said firmly.

I nodded, wrapping my arms around myself as he disappeared into the elevator. The moment the doors closed, I exhaled and turned—

And froze.

Across the lobby, standing near the glass windows, were two people I never wanted to see again.

Mike. And Harper.

My ex-boyfriend and my so-called best friend. The ones who had betrayed me.

They were deep in conversation, completely unaware of my presence.

“I’m so glad we got rid of her, baby,” Harper purred, running a hand down Mike’s arm.

Mike smirked. “Me too. She was just a broke babysitter anyway. No future. No money. Nothing.”

I sucked in a sharp breath, my stomach twisting with a mix of rage and humiliation.

Then the realization hit me like a punch to the gut.

Mike worked for Dominic.

And worse—he knew I was human.

If he saw me now, it wouldn’t take long before he put the pieces together.

Shit.

I needed to get out of sight.

I quickly turned my face away, heart pounding, and placed my hand on the sleek marble counter in front of me.

The receptionist, a young woman with sharp eyes and red lipstick, glanced up from her computer.

“Uh, can I help you?” she asked, raising a brow at my nervous stance.

I swallowed hard, forcing a smile.

“Yeah,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “I, um… I’m waiting for Dominic.”

I needed to stay calm. I needed to act naturally.

I forced a calm breath, gripping the edge of the counter as the receptionist studied me with suspicion.

"I'm Ella," I said evenly.

She arched her brow. "Do you have an appointment?"

Before I could answer, a familiar, infuriating voice cut in.

"Of course, she doesn't have an appointment."

Mike.

I turned, my stomach twisting as he stepped closer, Harper right beside him, clinging to his arm like she was marking her territory.

Harper's lips curled into a fake pout. "It is so desperate of you to come all the way here just to see Mike."

I clenched my jaw. "I'm not here to see Mike."

Harper scoffed, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against his chest. "Oh, really? Then why else would you be here? It’s not like you actually know Dominic Moon."

Mike snorted, crossing his arms. "Yeah, nice try. But I know you, Ella. And let me save you the embarrassment, I'm not taking you back, bitch."

The words hit me like a slap, but I refused to flinch.

Instead, I tilted my chin up, forcing a smirk onto my lips.

"Wow," I mused, tapping a finger against my temple. "I must've forgotten when I asked."

Harper narrowed her eyes, clearly annoyed I wasn’t crumbling like she expected.

Mike, however, just chuckled. "Still got that attitude, huh?" He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Tell me, Ella, how exactly do you know Dominic Moon? Because last I checked, he's way out of your league."

I let the tension hang in the air for a beat before speaking.

"I'm married to him."

Silence.

Harper blinked. Mike's smirk twitched.

Then they both burst out laughing.

"You?" Harper gasped between giggles. "Married to Dominic Moon? Oh my God, this is pathetic!"

Mike shook his head, grinning like he had caught me in a lie. "Come on, Ella. We both know you’re just a broke-ass babysitter. You couldn’t afford to breathe the same air as him, let alone marry him."

I smiled sweetly.

"You're right," I said, watching their smug expressions. "I was just a broke babysitter."

The receptionist glanced between me and her computer screen, her fingers clicking over the keys.

"What was your name again?" she asked, her tone filled with doubt.

"Ella," I replied evenly.

She frowned. "I'm sorry, but we don’t have your name in our system."

I barely had time to process that before Harper let out a sharp laugh.

"See? You don’t belong here," she sneered. "You’re such a joke, Ella. It’s pathetic how desperate you are."

I clenched my fists, my heart hammering in my chest.

"You always were a charity case," Harper continued, stepping closer. "No money, no future. And now you’re faking some relationship with Dominic Moon? You’re delusional."

My breath hitched as she raised her hand. Before I could react, she slapped me hard across the face.

Pain exploded through my cheek, and I tasted blood.

I inhaled sharply, my vision blurring for a split second.

I lifted my hand, ready to slap her back….

But Mike caught my wrist mid-air, his grip tight and unforgiving.

"Stop it, Ella," he said coldly. "I don’t want you anymore. Don't ever show your face here again…."

Before he could finish, he was yanked backward.

Dominic had him by the collar, slamming him against the wall with a force that made the receptionist gasp.

"What the hell do you think you’re doing with my wife?" Dominic growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Mike’s face paled as he struggled against Dominic’s hold.

"Wait…what?" His gaze snapped to me. "She’s your wife?"

Dominic didn’t loosen his grip. In fact, he pressed him harder into the wall.

"Yeah," Dominic said, his tone dripping with warning. "And unless you have a death wish, you better start explaining why you just put your hands on her."

Mike’s eyes darted around frantically. "I-It’s not what you think! Ella’s my ex!"

Dominic’s grip tightened.

"That gives you the right to touch her?" His voice was deadly calm.

Harper took a step back, her confidence cracking.

Mike gasped for air. "We…. we were together for years! And now she’s suddenly married to you?"

Dominic didn’t let go. He just smirked.

"Looks like she traded up."

Mike’s face twisted in rage. "How could she be pregnant then?! That means…." he turned his furious gaze on me, "....you were cheating on me with my boss?!"

I stared at him, the irony of his accusation making my blood boil.

I opened my mouth to reply…

But Dominic got there first.

His grip on Mike’s throat tightened.

"You don’t get to ask questions about my wife," he snarled. "And if I ever see you near her again, I will break you."

Mike let out a choked gasp, his hands clawing at Dominic’s arm.

Harper was frozen in place, her lips parted in shock.

Dominic leaned in, his voice a dark whisper.

"Do you understand me?"

Mike nodded frantically.

Dominic held him there a moment longer before finally releasing him. Mike crumpled to the ground, coughing.

Dominic turned to Harper next.

"You should really learn to keep your hands to yourself," he told her, his tone sharp as a blade.

Harper flinched but didn’t dare speak.

Dominic grabbed my hand, his touch firm but gentle.

"Come on, baby," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Let’s get you out of here."