CONTRACT MATE

The fall

I remained indoors until evening.

The plan was simple. Kaida would slip out first, bring the car upfront, and keep it running while I wrapped my neck with a muffler and met her outside.

But in the hallway leading downstairs, I met Father.

He studied me for a long moment before opening the door to his room.

“Get in here.”

He ordered.

I rushed in without hesitation before he noticed my uneasiness. He sat down slowly, his face straight and terrifying as always. But the moment he looked up at me, it softened.

“When will I meet Castro in readiness for tomorrow’s presentation to the council?”

He asked, and my heart skipped.

“Huh?”

I mumbled stupidly at him, which was embarrassing.

“Vel, the pack councils are coming tomorrow to meet your mate. You know they said you must present one…”

I shrugged, and his softened expression hardened again.

“Azila told me Monah found a mate. I dismissed the topic before she made any more statements… so tell me I’ll see Castro later today.”

He said firmly.

“You know our plan. Azila’s offspring will not succeed me. It was a promise I made to your mother on her deathbed.”

He added.

“You’ll see him.”

I assured him and left immediately. I didn’t want to disappoint Father, but I didn’t know what else to do.

I met Kaida, and just as I got into the car, I saw Azila’s car drive in with Castro and Monah sitting in the backseat.

“Don’t go… we need to cover up that bite mark.”

Kaida warned me, already reading my thoughts. But I immediately shrugged her off and stepped out without looking back.

Father was already standing outside, waiting to welcome Monah’s mate. He looked surprised seeing Castro standing beside Monah. I walked up aggressively to Castro and pushed him

“So this is it, huh!..Just like that, if there was a problem why didn't you say something, like we always do!”

I crashed out at Castro, but he didn’t even spare me a glance. Monah smirked and held him closer to herself.

“Father, this is my mate, Castro…”

“Of course I know Castro.”

Father Interrupted and stared at me for an explanation.

I opened my mouth to speak, but Azila brushed past me.

“Bastian, what would the council say if you go ahead and make a female without a mate Alpha? you know how many Alphas that are trying to take your position as lead Alpha from you and…”

“The council will wait until my daughter gets a mate.”

Father uttered and stood up to leave, but Azila’s next statement stopped him.

“So you would let a liar lead the entire Midnight Pack and other packs?”

Father turned and stared at me again.

“What’s the meaning of this, Vel?”

“I have no idea what they’re trying to do, Father, but don’t believe a word they say.”

Before Azila could speak again, Father raised his hand and dismissed everyone.

“I will decide who succeeds me.”

He finalized before suddenly breaking into a cough. I rushed to his side and gently escorted him back to his room.

***

Kaida and I eventually made it to the witch’s house. It stood in the middle of the woods, far from the city. My heart felt heavy as we stepped inside. The witch smiled widely.

“Kaida told me everything, and lucky for you, I have something that can hide the trace and cover up the wound, but—”

“I don’t need ‘but,’ witch. I need a permanent cure.”

I growled at her. Her smile faded immediately.

“Clara. The name’s Clara. And these herbs will only last for a day… I’ll give you a whole bottle just because of Kaida.”

She said and brought out the bottle. I reached out to take it, but she quickly pulled it back.

“Not so fast, Velora Gritts… nothing comes without a price.”

I stared at Kaida, but she threw her face away.

“What’s the price?”, I asked.

Clara smirked and walked closer to me. So close I could hear her breathing.

“Back off.”

I muttered.

She kept her eyes fixed on mine before suddenly pulling a few strands of my hair.

“Oh, thank you, thank you.”

She cackled mischievously and dropped it into an empty bottle.

“Thanks, Clara.”

Kaida smiled, and Clara nodded, her gaze still fixed on me. I sighed, and we headed out.

***

The next morning, the council gathered at our house for the presentation of the mate.

I applied the herbs and dressed up before stepping in to sit beside him.

“So, Velora, where is this man your father wants us to see before tomorrow’s coronation?”

Uncle Valdiz, Father’s older brother, asked. Before I could respond, Father cut in.

“The coronation will be postponed.”

He announced, and murmurs instantly spread across the room.

“Bastian—”

Uncle Valdiz tried to speak but father cut in immediately

“I have made my decision.”

He glared at Uncle Valdiz.

“Bastian, you’re getting weak. Your illness is worsening, the other packs are keenly waiting for your fall—”

“Valdiz! I have made my decision, and you know you.. you cannot be an option.”

Father snapped. His words pierced through Uncle Valdiz as he glared back at him, eyes burning furiously.

Suddenly, Azila entered with Monah and Castro behind her.

“And why won’t it hold, Bastian?”

She asked before continuing without waiting for a response.

“My lords, whatever this is, we all know our Alpha’s health is failing slowly. And this will only expose our weakness to the preying eyes of other Alphas, just like Valdiz said. My daughter…his daughter, Monah…has found a mate. I suggest we do the needful because we are out of time.”

She smiled after finishing her speech.

Uncle Valdiz scoffed at her mentioning his name

“Azila, Monah does not have the training required. Velora has been preparing for this since her first kill.”

He backed me up, but Azila smirked.

“So would you all rather have a sick man and a liar without a mate lead you?...”

“Enough of this, Azila” Father rose, "What’s this about Velora being a liar? What’s going on?”

Father demanded with authority. Azila swallowed uneasily and signaled Castro.

He walked to the middle of the room and stared at the council members. His gaze shifted from Father to Uncle Valdiz, whose piercing stares alone could kill.

“I’m sorry, Alpha Bastian. I… I didn’t want to do this. My parents are sorry too, but Velora pushed me into this…”

“Castro…”

I muttered as I stood up, my eyes already filling with tears with whatever he was about to say. What was he sorry about?

But he ignored me and dropped the final blow.

“My relationship with Velora was a forceful one, bound by a contract she gave me in order to bypass the council.”

The room fell silent.

My entire image was destroyed in seconds. The tears burning in my eyes seemed to retreat straight into my throat and get stuck there.

“Castro…”

I tried again.

“I have always loved Monah.”, He added immediately.

And at that moment, my heart broke completely. I looked around at everyone’s faces. The disappointment in Father’s eyes. The shock stretched across Uncle Valdiz’s face. And the victorious grins on Azila and Monah’s faces. I was done for.