MY CONTRACT WITH THE SUPREME ALPHA

Chapter 09

That night, I couldn't sleep. I rolled over in bed several times, but the conversation with Arvel wouldn't leave me alone. There was so much I didn't know. Arvel wanted to kiss me, not just f**k me. He had a real interest in me, and he didn't hate me; in fact, he specifically hated two people from the Avilla family. Of course, it was tense being my father and brother, but we were a big family. But above all, Arvel had found another woman, the other part of the contract resolution.

My cell phone vibrated with a message. I was afraid it might be from Arvel, but my heart was racing, and I couldn't wait for the message. I wanted it to be him; I didn't know why, but I wanted it to be him. It wasn't. My assistant was reminding me about an important meeting we were going to have in the morning about new partners. His message said I wouldn't like it very much. I didn't go into details.

The drive to work was long. So many regrets. My cell phone was now ringing. “How are you today?” Edmon asked. I said I was tired and that I'd had a bad night's sleep, which was no lie. “This meeting today, I need you to conduct it for me,” he asked. Although I would be taking part in the meeting, I wouldn't be such a significant figure.

“You know I've stopped this part of the company, Edmon,” I said. There was no way I was going to do his job. “Why are you absent?” I asked.

“I won't be absent from the meeting; I just won't be able to stay until the end. You know how partners and investors are, Anna. They need to look good,” he said. Edmon dealt with those kinds of people a lot more than I did. If anyone was prepared to deal with bigger issues, it was him.

I sighed, still wanting to deny it. “Okay, Edmon, I'll do it. I just hope you don't blame me if things don't go according to plan,” I said. And so I had one more thing to accumulate space in my head. In a way, it would be good, because it would allow me more time to focus on things that weren't Arvel and his need to end my life in non-literal ways.

I arrived at work and messed up my desk. If I was supposed to focus on Edmon's work, then so be it. I glanced at my cell phone, but there was nothing from Arvel. I didn't know whether to be happy or sad.

When the meeting started, there were more people than expected. I soon realized that it wasn't as simple as it seemed. Across the room, I spotted Edmon, who looked as lost as I did. “What's with all the people?” I asked him. “You said it was a normal meeting.”

“It was supposed to be,” he said, as he looked around the room, noticing the number of people. “There are more families here,” he said. I hadn't noticed until he spoke, and there really were more families, not just investors. “I think someone is about to make some kind of announcement and has taken advantage of the situation,” he said. Then, suddenly, someone bumped into Edmon.

“Ah, an Avilla,” the girl said with some disdain. “I don't think we've met; I'm Celeste,” she said, smiling. So that was Arvel's sister. “Edmon and Anna, I presume,” she said, greeting us. There was a certain falseness in that greeting.

Edmon stepped back but ended up holding out his hand to her, and I did the same. “What are you doing here?” I asked, curious. A Kain on Avilla Land couldn't be for nothing. Was it something to do with all the families getting together?

“Haven't you heard?” she asked, undoing our handshake. “It all happened very quickly, so I don't think they know yet, but we have an important announcement to make,” she said happily. Celeste didn't give me any confidence. I think I shared the same feeling as Arvel: anger at Mate's brother. I didn't like her at all, but at least she had good taste in hair products. In appearance, she looked a lot like him—very pretty, slender, and tall.

Then, while we were still greeting everyone, I saw Arvel. The meeting started as normal, sorting out business. Perhaps the meeting was traditional after all. Edmon was talking to some investors on the other side of the room, and I was in charge of another group.

“The spreadsheets are in line with the current semester,” I said. “We've had a 40% increase in customer satisfaction, as you can see,” I said, showing the figures. The company was doing very well indeed.

“And do customers rate the service with stars or give it a score from 0 to 10?” I heard a voice ask. It was Celeste. I didn't like her.

“Well, I…” I started to say. The truth was that I didn't know the answer; it wasn't from my department, and I rarely had access to it. Fortunately, to my surprise, I was interrupted.

“Celeste, that's none of your business,” Arvel said, laughing. ‘Go and talk to the members of our department,’ he said. She smiled and left towards the group that was with my brother. We were left alone.

“I didn't need your help,” I said, staring at him. “I could have sorted all this out myself. Are you stalking me?” I asked, expecting him to deny it.

“I wish I was,” he said, laughing. Then he motioned for me to follow him into an empty room while the others chatted. “I was going to text you after yesterday,” he said as if he owed me some satisfaction.

“Don't bother, Arvel. I've highlighted everything you need to know, so unless you require me, you don't have to text me,” I said, already wanting to leave the room.

“Anna,” he held my hand. “Would it be so bad to announce that we're Mate? Would announcing that you're my Luna be so disastrous?” he asked. Arvel, when he wasn't in front of cameras or other families, knew how to be convincing. I almost felt sorry.

“Do I need to answer that?” I asked, letting go of his hand. “We're enemies, Arvel. After my sister, I won't give my family another disappointment. Don't worry about me; I don't mind being given a second chance,” I said. It was true; if it was the goddess's wish, I would accept any other Mate if it wasn't with another Kain.

“It kills me to know I'd be with someone else. You're mine, Anna,” he said, moving closer. “And I don't want to have to do what I came here to do,” he said. That got to me.

“And what did you come here for, anyway?” he asked me. Then we heard several agitated voices. We opened the door, and more members of the Kain family appeared. There was one girl in particular that I didn't recognize. Perhaps she was another of Arvel's sisters.

Then I looked at him, who was also staring at her. He sighed deeply. “I'm sorry, Anna. For now, I have to do this,” he said, leaving the room and heading towards the woman. Everyone was watching her as if they knew exactly what was going to happen.

The Kain family asked for everyone's attention, and we all moved closer to hear what would be said. “We've been waiting for an opportunity like this to announce some huge news,” Arvel said. “I, the current Supreme Alpha of the Kain family, officially have my Luna. I was awarded a Mate a few days ago,” he said in the announcement. My heart raced, fearing that everything would be discovered and that I would be forced to do everything I didn't want to do and couldn't do. “So, now I announce to you, Maya, my Luna,” he said, showing her off.

Applause broke out. I applauded, but I didn't want to. Arvel was going through with the contract. Many people approached him and celebrated his gift. I couldn't; I just wanted to cry.