THE CONTRACTED MATE

Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8.

A FORMIDABLE OPPONENT.

Kali’s POV.

Ryder and I sat in our room, our minds racing with strategy. We knew that Atlas was a formidable opponent, but we were determined to outsmart him.

"We need to be careful," Ryder said, his eyes narrowed. "Atlas is desperate, and desperate wolves are dangerous. He rejected you; I know that. So for him to come back asking for your hand... he must be up to something.”

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. "I know. But we can't let him win. We have to protect the pack."

Ryder's lip curled up into a small smile. "We will. Together."

I felt a ticklish feeling in my tummy. We would get through this together.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Ryder's eyes darted to the window. "Who is it?" he growled.

"It's me, Aurora," a soft voice replied. "I need to speak with you both."

Ryder's eyes narrowed, but he nodded. "Enter."

Aurora walked into the room, her eyes darting between us. "I have information," she said, her voice low. "About Atlas."

My mind began to race. "What is it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Aurora hesitated, her eyes on Ryder. "He's planning something," she said. "Something big."

Ryder's eyes blazed with anger. "What do you mean?"

Aurora gulped hard. "I don't know, exactly. But I overheard him talking to some of the other wolves. They're planning a coup. I would have interrupted and gotten them arrested, but I had my reasons for keeping quiet.”

My heart stopped. A coup? Against Ryder?

Aurora's eyes were still on Ryder's, her gaze softer, and I could have sworn I saw something in her eyes. "They're planning to overthrow you, Ryder. They think you're weak and that you're not fit to lead the pack. They think Atlas should rule since he is your stepbrother and of royal blood.”

Ryder's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched. "Who's behind this?" he growled.

Aurora hesitated, her eyes darting to me before returning to Ryder. "I can't reveal my sources," she said, "but I can tell you that it's a group of wolves who are loyal to Atlas. They're angry about the way you've been leading the pack, and they think Atlas would be a better leader. But for now... the majority of his supporters are omegas and breeders.”

My palms instantly became sweaty. I knew that a coup would be a dangerous and potentially deadly situation.

"Aurora, why are you telling me this?" Ryder asked, his voice low yet seductive.

"Because I believe in you, Ryder," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I believe you're the right leader for this pack, and I don't want to see you hurt."

Ryder's eyes met on hers, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. I felt a pang of jealousy, but I pushed it aside. This wasn't about me; it was about the pack.

"Thank you, Aurora," Ryder said finally, his voice low. "I appreciate your loyalty."

Aurora nodded, her eyes never leaving Ryder's face. "I'll do whatever it takes to help you, Ryder. Whatever it takes."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I watched them, their eyes as if they were communicating silently. It was clear that Aurora had feelings for Ryder, and it was also clear that Ryder felt something for her too, but he was unaware of it. But what did that mean for me? For our contract?

Ryder stood up. "I have to go," he said, his voice low. "I have a meeting to attend to."

Aurora nodded, her eyes never leaving his face. "I'll walk you out," she said, her voice sweet.

As they walked out of the room, I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.

I pushed the thoughts aside and stood up, my heart pounding in my chest. I had to get out of there; I had to get some fresh air.

But as soon as I stepped out of the room, I felt a hand on my arm. I turned around, my eyes locking on Aurora's. But the sweet, lovely, meek, and gentle Aurora was gone. In her place was a cold, hard woman.

"You stay away from him, Kali," she spat, her voice filled with hate. "An omega like you doesn't deserve a man like Ryder. He's too good for you, too strong. You'll only hold him back."

I felt my anger simmer just above the surface, but I kept my cool. "I don't know what you're talking about," I lied, my tone flat.

Aurora's eyes narrowed, her grip on my arm tightening. "Don't play dumb, Kali. I know all about your plan. And I know that you're just using him for your own gain."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized the truth. Aurora wasn't just a council leader’s daughter; she was a rival. And she would stop at nothing to get what she wanted.

"I'm not using him," I protested. "I'm just trying to help him; he is my mate after all.”

Aurora laughed, her eyes shining with malice. "You're not fooling anyone, Kali. Least of all me. I know that you're just a pawn in Ryder's game. And I'm not going to let you get in my way."

Aurora's eyes seemed to gaze deep into my soul. "Tell me, Kali," she said, her voice low and menacing. "Do you know why Ryder chose you?"

I swallowed hard, my heart racing. "Chose me for what?" I asked, trying to play dumb.

Aurora's smile was cold. "Don't play games with me, Kali. You know exactly what I'm talking about. Why did Ryder choose you as his mate?"

I hesitated, not sure of what to say. And at that moment of hesitation, Aurora's lip curled up into a sneer.

"Ah, I see," she said, her voice dripping with mockery. "You don't know, do you?"

And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving me with a sense of panic and a question that echoed in my mind: why had Ryder really chosen me as his mate?

What did he see in me that I have never seen for myself?