Alpha Kael's Contract

“Where the hell is she?” I hear Beta Mason shout. I already knew he was talking about me, the only servant in the house. I groan, get to my feet, and grab the cleaning basket. The moment Beta Mason sees me, he storms forward and slaps my cheek. I don’t make a sound. Years of practice had taught me to stay quiet and only speak when spoken to, even when it hurt. “Alpha Ronan and I are expecting company, and you still haven’t cleaned the office!” Beta Mason spits at me. I nod, gripping the basket tighter. If only I had the courage to swing it at his head, it would make my day. But he’s stronger than me, and I don’t want to end up locked away again with no food. My stomach already aches. “We need to make a good impression on Alpha Kael. Don’t you understand how important it is for us to join his pack?!” I don’t answer. I know it’s a trap. He just wants me to say something wrong so he can punish me. I keep my eyes down, avoiding his face. Alpha Kael. I’d only heard rumors. Other pack members whispered about him when I was nearby. From what I gathered, he was ruthless—a Wolf feared by everyone, with the biggest pack around. “He is the Alpha of Black Shadow, the biggest pack in the world. We need him!” Beta Mason continues. I don’t understand why. Our pack hasn’t been attacked, and we haven’t attacked anyone. Why do we need another pack? He puts his hands on my shoulders, digging his nails into my thin skin, and shoves me toward the office. “Useless Wolf,” he mutters as he walks away. I quietly close the door behind me and lean back. The office is already clean. Everything is in its place, perfect for a meeting with this so-called powerful Alpha. I slide down to the floor, closing my eyes. I hate this house. I thought I would escape when I turned eighteen, but four years later, I’m still a slave serving my brother, Alpha Ronan, and the pack. Meanwhile, Beta Mason struts around, reminding me of how worthless I am. My throat clears, and I freeze. I thought I was alone. Leaning forward, I see a man sitting in a chair around the corner. A foot propped on his knee, nursing a glass of alcohol. His short dark hair and deep crimson eyes make him look…wrong, almost otherworldly. Suddenly, he shifts his gaze to me, and I throw myself back against the door, heart pounding. “Is this how you greet all Alphas?” His deep voice rumbles, edged with amusement. “I…I’m sorry,” I whisper, standing up. “I thought I was alone.” I have no idea who he is, but I can feel his power radiating off him—even without my Wolf. He doesn’t introduce himself, and why would he? “Come forward,” he orders. My throat tightens. Alpha Ronan will kill me if I mess up. I step around the corner, doing as told, closing my eyes and bracing for the worst. “You smell…strange. Yet you’re a Wolf, correct?” I nod. Most people laugh when they find out about me. “I would prefer if you spoke to me,” he growls. “I’m not in the mood for games.” “Yes,” I whisper, thinking of all the punishments I might face. A whipping? Starvation? “Why do you smell odd? And why didn’t you notice I was here? You should have scented me.” I hate the question. “I…” I start, but he cuts me off. “Spit it out. I don’t have all day!” He takes a sip from his glass. I know why I couldn’t sense him. But telling anyone has never gone well. They laugh. They mock. “You should look at people when you talk. Rude not to. Has your Alpha not taught you anything?” His voice sends a shiver through me. Slowly, I open my eyes and lower them, avoiding his gaze. “My Wolf abilities were bound,” I mutter. Twice. But he probably doesn’t care about that. He leans forward, placing his glass on the table. I feel his stare. “Why would someone do that?” If this is the Alpha my brother wants to impress, I can ruin everything by saying too much. “It was a punishment,” I whisper. Simple and mostly true. A twitch in his cheek. Is he angry or just amused? I can’t tell. The door swings open, and Alpha Ronan yells, “Aria, what the hell are you doing in my office?” He turns to the crimson-eyed man. “I’m sorry my sister is bothering you, Alpha Kael.” Crap. It’s him. Alpha Ronan stretches out his hand to hit me, and I close my eyes, bracing for pain. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Alpha Kael’s deep voice rumbles. Peeking through my lashes, I see Kael holding my brother’s wrist. He’s taller, more muscular, and exudes authority. “Aria,” Kael says softly. “I was shown to your office because Alpha Ronan failed to meet me at the front of the house as requested. I was lucky someone was here who understands the importance of this deal.” What? I had no idea what he meant and had no reason to lie to me. My brother glares at me, jaw tight. I’ll pay for this later. I hurry to fetch Beta Mason. “Go get Beta Mason,” Alpha Ronan seethes. I nodded and hurried from the room, wanting to stay out of their fight. I find Beta Mason in the dining hall. “Alpha Ronan is in the office with Alpha Kael. I was sent to inform you.” He slams his newspaper down and glares at me. “You’re lucky the Alpha sent you, or you’d be locked away for days.” He yanks my hair, leaning close. I don’t move. Just another reminder of his power over me. I try to stay busy, keeping away from the office. But soon, Alpha Ronan calls, “Aria, go get the champagne and glasses. We’re celebrating.” I hurried to the drinks cabinet, heart racing. As I re-enter the office, I feel Kael’s eyes on me. He watches every move, like he can see through me. I start filling the glasses, and he takes the bottle from me, saying he can handle it himself. My cheeks burn not from embarrassment, but because I know I’ll be punished for moving too slowly. “Aria is your sister, correct?” Alpha Kael asks my brother. “She is,” Alpha Ronan mutters, disgust clear on his face. He avoids Kael’s gaze. “Why do you treat her like that?” Kael asks bluntly. No one ever speaks to my brother about his treatment of me. I froze, unsure what to do. “Aria was responsible for our parents’ death,” Alpha Ronan spits. I close my eyes, holding back tears. “Responsible how?” Kael’s voice rumbles through me. “She served them Wolfsbane.” Aria, don’t make a sound. Kael studies me. No one can believe a child could do such a thing. I hang my head, wishing the ground would swallow me. He steps closer, tilting my face up. His hand rests lightly on my throat, not squeezing. “You poisoned your parents?” “I was six,” I stammer. “I just made them lemonade.” My voice squeaks as I try to defend myself. Memories are hazy, but the guilt has been drilled into me since that day. Kael’s crimson eyes flash to my brother. “ Hardly fair to punish a six-year-old.” “A six-year-old should know better,” Alpha Ronan snaps.