FIVE: The Mating Contract
1101 Words
Three years ago
VALERIE'S POV
“Luna, rogue attacks plague the territory. There is a food shortage, and pubs are dying. We need an Alpha.” Elder Rowan had said to me one morning.
The pain of losing my first love still haunted me, and for the past two years, I’ve been tied down by duty to this pack.
The only times I could sleep without the thought of Knox haunting me were when I sat in the garden of Nirvana, singing melodies to the birds.
“The elders have decided for you. You have to meet with Theoron Vance, the Alpha of Blackridge Keep. He has shown an interest in you and we need the alliance to strengthen our borders. The elders are giving you one week, or they’ll force you to step down.” Nathan, one of the oldest wolves in the pack, warned.
“I do not want a mate. I believe Knox might be alive.” I ground out, trying to keep my temper in check.
“We’re not asking you to choose him, but you have to meet with Theoron. An alliance with Blackridge would be best since they are our neighbors, and together we could expand our territories. This is what is best for our pack, Your majesty.” Elder Rowan said in a softer tone.
“I’ll go, but this is strictly business.”
As soon as I said that, I turned away and left.
Why couldn’t these people just let me be? All they did was just shroud me with endless Luna responsibilities.
If I didn't agree to the alliance, more pubs would die. The blood of innocent people will be shed and families will be destroyed. I couldn't live with that.
Perhaps the alliance with Blackridge Keep was best to end borderline wars and enhance the pack.
A portrait of Knox and me caught my attention. I went over and removed it from the wall. Knox had been the perfect mate, he protected me and loved me with all his heart.
Now when I looked at the portrait, I felt anger. Anger that he had left me alone in this world, anger that I didn’t stop him from going into battle that day.
Why did you leave me, Knox?
Two weeks later, Alpha Theoron Vance arrived at Moonfang with his warriors.
Blackridge Keep was one of the strongest territories in the north. It had a really large expanse of land and the borders were secure. Its warriors were feared and known for always emerging victorious in wars.
“Alpha Theoron”
I rose from my seat and bowed respectfully.
“Luna Valerie. You look more beautiful in person.”
His voice was calm and he looked at me with admiration in his eyes.
“Thank you. Let the meeting begin, please.”
The advisers took their seats while some maids poured wine into goblets and served fresh cuts of meat.
“The alliance between our packs will be of great benefit.” Matshaba, one of the advisors, began. “We could expand our resources and combine forces which would make one big united kingdom.”
Theoron growled.
“Every wolf in the Blackridge Keep bled just so Blackridge will be on top. Every warrior standing behind played a part in building what we have today. Only a blood oath or marriage would be strong enough to seal such an alliance.”
The room froze and my face hardened.
“I will do it for the pack.”
A few advisors immediately sighed in relief.
“ But before that, I want to know you.”
A few months had passed and Theoron returned often for business meetings.
He came as a diplomat, not a savior. Blackridge Keep had suffered similar fractures. He had rebuilt through patience, through logistics, through the quiet work of showing up when no one expected him to.
He did not try to romance me. He simply helped.
One afternoon, I found him alone in one of the castle chambers holding a silver locket against his chest.
“Do you miss her?” I ask
“You've been standing there?”
“She died five years ago from an illness and I miss her every single day.”
He smiled sadly
“My mate also died two years ago. I'm sure you've heard of Alpha Knox Valor.” I try to console him.
“Yeah. You never stop loving them.”
Then, Theoron met my gaze
“If you don't want this… then you don't have to do it.”
“What are you saying?” I was confused
“If you're doing this because you feel obligated, don't. I won't build an alliance on guilt.” he continued quietly.
I knew I would never love him because my heart belonged to another. But he was kind, respectful, and every bit a good man.
I didn't love him but I trusted him and that was enough for now.
PRESENT DAY
I woke up to the sound of my door unlocking. There were heavy footsteps, then the door shut again and the lock was clicked back into place. Theoron was standing at the foot of my bed.
“What are you doing here?”
He takes a long pause before he answers
“Ever since you told me that you could still feel the bond. I knew he might return. I hoped… but I knew.”
The silence stretched between us, not cold, but aching.
I thought of the last two years. The quiet dinners. The way Theron had taught me to laugh again without guilt. The night I'd cried in his arms, six months into our arrangement, and he had simply held me without trying to fix anything.
He loves me, I realized. Truly loves me. Not because I'm easy to love, but because he chose to.
Then I asked the question that terrified me
“Do you still want to marry me?”
He looked into the fire then back at me.
"I want you to choose," he said. "Not duty. Not fear. Not the alliance, not the pack, not what anyone else expects." His voice cracked for the first time. "You, Valerie. I want you to choose. Whether it's me or him or neither, I want you to choose for yourself."
The words landed like stones in still water.
My throat tightened. I had spent five years being chosen for—chosen as Luna, chosen as widow, chosen as political pawn. No one had ever simply asked me what I wanted.
He held my waist and kissed me.
- Writer
