The Alpha’s Contract Wife

Chapter 3

Arias POV

The window was open.

On the third floor.

I didn’t scream, I ran to it and slammed it shut, then locked it. My hands were shaking so bad I could barely do it.

Someone had been here.

Or they could still be here.

I checked the closet, Under the bed. Bathroom. Nothing.

But the silk dress on the bed had moved. I knew it had been folded.

My phone was on the floor where I threw it,

Another text.

_You checked the window. Good girl. See you downstairs._

_- L_

Lucas was in the house.

I grabbed the dress and threw it on,Red silk. It clung to everything.

Heels, Diamond necklace that wasn’t mine. Damien’s staff must have left it.

A knock.

"Miss Collins? The car is ready."

I opened the door, Two guards.

"Where’s Mr. Blackthorne?" I asked.

"He’s waiting in the ballroom, ma’am."

Of course he was.

The estate was lit up like daylight, Hundreds of people. Dresses, Suits, Cameras.

This wasn’t a party. It was a show of power.

And Damien was in the center of it,

Black tux. No tie. Glass of whiskey in his hand.

He looked up the second I stepped onto the stairs.

The whole room went quiet.

He crossed to me in three strides.

"You look like trouble," he said quietly.

"You left the window open," I shot back.

His eyes narrowed. "What?"

"Someone was in my room," I said. "Lucas texted me. He’s here."

Damien’s hand went to my waist, Possessive. Burning.

"Then we’ll deal with him." He leaned down. His mouth was near my ear. "Smile. You’re my wife. Act like it."

"I don’t know how to act like that."

"Like you want me," he said. "Like you’re mine."

He pulled me into the crowd,

People stared. Whispered.

"Mrs. Blackthorne," someone said. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," I said. My voice sounded fake even to me.

"Don’t look at them," Damien murmured. "Look at me."

I did, His eyes were gold again. Dark, Intense.

"Who shot at us last night?" I asked.

"I don’t know yet," he said. "But I will."

A man stepped in front of us, Tall. Blond. Smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

Lucas.

"Well, well," he said. "Aria. You clean up nice."

"Lucas," I said. My throat went dry.

Damien’s arm tightened around me. "You’re not supposed to be here, Moore."

"I was invited," Lucas said. He looked at me. "By the host. You remember me, right Aria? I’m the one who held you when you cried."

"Don’t," I whispered.

Damien stepped forward, He was a full head taller than Lucas.

"She’s not yours anymore," Damien said. His voice was calm. Too calm. "She’s mine. Say her name again and I’ll break your jaw."

Lucas laughed, “Possessive already? The contract must be good."

"Careful," Damien said.

"Or what?" Lucas looked at me. "You think he loves you? He’s using you. Same as I did."

I slapped him,

The sound cracked across the ballroom.

Everyone stared.

Lucas touched his cheek, Then he smiled. "Still got fire. I missed that."

"Get out," Damien said.

"Make me," Lucas said.

Two of Damien’s guards moved in,

Lucas held up his hands. "Fine. I’m leaving. But Aria, you should know. The Council knows about you now, They’re coming. And Damien can’t protect you from them."

He walked away.

My legs felt weak.

"Are you okay?" Damien asked. His thumb brushed my cheek.

"No," I said honestly. "I’m not."

"Then let’s go home."

We didn’t make it to the car.

Three men in black suits blocked the driveway,

Council.

The one in front held up a badge.

"Mr. Blackthorne. We need to speak with the girl."

"She’s with me," Damien said.

"Not anymore," the man said. "By order of the Council, Aria Collins is to come with us. For testing."

"No," I said.

Damien put himself between me and them.

"You don’t have jurisdiction here," he said. "This is private property."

"We have a warrant," the man said. He pulled out paper. "For suspected silver blood carrier."

How did they know?

Damien looked at me. Then at the guards.

"Get her in the car," he told them. "Now."

They grabbed my arms.

"Damien!" I yelled.

He looked at me over his shoulder, His expression was furious.

"I’ll find you," he said. "I swear to god, I’ll find you."

The Council men shoved me into a black van, No windows.

The doors slammed.

Dark.

Cold.

And then the van started moving.

My phone buzzed one last time before they took it.

_I told you I’d see you soon._

_- L_

The van turned. Fast.

I heard tires screech.

A voice on the radio. "We’ve got movement. Blackthorne’s men are following."

Then gunfire.

The van swerved.

Something hit the side. Hard.

The lights went out.

And everything went black.