contract marriage
1170 Words
Alpha Adam's POV
I had heard everything. But when I saw Elara walk toward the room where Jacob was being held, something inside me had made me follow.
I stayed outside the door, far enough away that neither of them could see me.
At first, I couldn't hear much.
Then Elara's voice reached me.
“I'll be back.”
I frowned.
Those words stayed in my mind long after she walked away from Jacob.I didn't understand what was going on inside her head.One moment, she had looked terrified when Jacob entered the wedding hall.Next, she had chosen me in front of everyone.
Then she went to see him privately and told him she would come back.
It didn't make sense. But strangely, I wasn't worried. I hadn't married Elara because I was in love with her. I wasn't even interested in women.Our marriage was an agreement between two Alphas. My pack needed Alpha Gregory's support, and this marriage would strengthen the relationship between our packs.
That was all. When Elara finally returned, I said nothing.
She looked at me briefly before lowering her gaze.
“Let's go home.”
I nodded.
The journey was quiet. Neither of us spoke much.
When we arrived at my pack house, the servants welcomed us.
Elara smiled politely before turning toward me.
“Adam.”
I looked at her.
“Yes?”
“I need your help.”
Her voice was serious. I dismissed the servants with a gesture.
“Come with me.”
We entered my study. I closed the door behind us.
“What happened?”
She stood near the desk, twisting her fingers nervously.
“I need to tell you something.”
“I'm listening.”
She took a deep breath, “I want to punish Jacob.”
My eyebrows lifted “Why?”
“Because I know what he's really after.” She looked directly into my eyes. “My wealth.”
I remained silent.
“He doesn't love me,” she continued. “He only pretended to because he wants what belongs to my family.”
“And you're certain?” I leaned against the desk.
“Yes.”Her voice was filled with conviction. “He wants revenge against my family too.”
I studied her carefully.
There was something different about her.When we had first met, she had seemed uncertain about everything.Now there was determination in her eyes.
“What did he do?” I asked.
“He has been manipulating me.” She swallowed.
“He wants access to my father's wealth and property.”
I frowned, “That is serious but not unusual.”
“It is more serious than you think.”
She stepped closer.
“Jacob believes that marrying me will give him access to everything my father owns.”
“And now that you've married me?” I asked, confused at the point she was driving at.
“He'll be furious and would want to get back at me.” She answered, intelligently.
I understood immediately.
She nodded.
“And when someone like Jacob loses something he wants, he doesn't simply walk away.”
I folded my arms.
“What do you want me to do?”
“Help me.”
“Help you punish him?”
“Yes.”
I stared at her.
“And how exactly do you plan to do that?”
A faint smile appeared on her face.
“Let him think I'm still vulnerable.”
I didn't like the sound of that.
“That's dangerous.”
“I know.” she answered with a grin.
“Then why would you want to do it?” I asked, she was already stressing me.
“Because I want him to expose himself.” Her eyes hardened. “If he believes I still have feelings for him, he'll eventually reveal what he's really after.”
I stared at her.
“You're willing to use yourself as bait?”
“Yes.”
“That could get you killed.”
She looked away, “He already tried.”
I froze, “What?”
She quickly shook her head.
“Nothing.”
I studied her face.
There was fear hidden beneath her confidence.Something had happened between her and Jacob that she wasn't telling me. But I didn't push.
“What do you want from me?”
“I want you to help me make him believe our marriage is real.”
I almost laughed.
“Our marriage isn't real?”
She gave me a look.
“You know what I mean.”
I smiled faintly.
“Do I?”
She sighed, “I need him to become jealous. I need him to believe that marrying you has taken away the life he wanted.”
“And what happens after that?”
“We make him desperate enough to reveal his plans.”
I thought about it.
It was risky.
But if Jacob really was after her family's wealth, allowing him to expose himself might be the safest way to stop him.
“I'll help you.”
Her eyes widened.
“You will?”
“Yes.”
Relief crossed her face.
“Thank you.”
“But I want something.”
Her smile disappeared.
“What?”
I pushed myself away from the desk.
“If I'm going to risk my position and my pack for this, I need to know what I'm getting in return.”
She looked confused.
“My father is already supporting your pack.”
“I know.”
“He agreed to help your people.”
“He did.”
“Then what else do you want?” she asked.
I stepped closer.
“We're married now.”
She stared at me.
“I want something from this marriage too.”
Her cheeks reddened slightly.
“What?”
I smiled.
“Don't worry. I'm not asking you to fall in love with me.”
She looked relieved.
“I want a stronger alliance.”
“You already have that.”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“I want you to stand beside me publicly.”
She frowned, “What do you mean?”
“I want everyone to believe we are completely united.” I paused. “If anyone challenges my authority, you stand with me. If anyone threatens your family, I stand with you.”
Her expression softened.
“That's all?”
“For now.”
She nodded.
“Then you have my word.”
I extended my hand.
She looked at it for a moment before taking it.Her hand was cold. I tightened my grip.
“Then we have a deal but something else.” I said.
She looked at me, “What is it?”
“I don't want you close to Jacob, anything you want to do. You must inform me first.”
She smiled before responding, “Yes, sure. We are a team now .”
I grabbed her wrist, “To prove your trust. I need a kiss from you.”
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