Chapter Six

(Riley's POV)  

It didn't make sense.  

That Alpha Thain of the Nightshade pack had chosen me; I had so much to gain—my mother's freedom, 'my freedom', and wealth—lots of it. It felt almost too good to be true. He had told me that he never made any deals in which he had nothing to gain, but I can't imagine what he had to gain from being mated to me.  

Yet, his promises had been mouth-watering, every single word, and I knew he was right. I knew I would agree to his terms, whatever they might be, as long as my mother was free.  

He was not a gentleman; he had told me just that, and that was the one thing I believed. After the little conversation, he had left me here all alone, to think about his proposal. No, he didn't bother escorting me back to the ball where he had taken me; he was letting me know, even from the little gestures, what kind of a man he was.  

When he meant he wanted me as a mate for a period of time, did that involve intimacy? Maybe it didn't; maybe I just had to play the perfect actress, and that was it.  

Even as I thought about it, I knew they were all lies. I was lying to myself, and I saw the look in his eyes.  

"You will beg to stay when the time is up," he had said, "I am not a gentleman" he had also said and there was something about those words.  

What difference was I from a whore? What difference would it make if I stayed here? Ryker wanted the same thing too. But he didn't deserve it; he had put me through too much pain. I had lost everything, and it was all because of him, but the question was, did Alpha Thain deserve it?  

I walked back to the mating ball, and to my surprise, after I had left, the music had stopped, also the dance. Everyone hung there looking tense; some had left the hall. I didn't think I was that important to the pack, but again, everyone wanted to know what truly was going on between I and Alpha Thane, not that they really cared for me.  

My mother had been the first to get to me; tears streamed down her eyes as she held me close.  

"It can't be... it can't be," she kept whispering, but just like the others, she did believe this was real; it didn't make sense for Thane to lie; he couldn't announce me to the crowd when he knew I wasn't his mate—that was what they thought, but they were all wrong. I couldn't tell my mother the truth; I couldn't tell anyone the truth, and a part of me knew that telling anyone would not only put me in danger but would endanger them too, there was a reason he wanted this to be kept a secret.  

"Let's go home, mama," I said, holding her by the arms and leading her out. I felt the gazes of my fellow pack members piercing into me, one that seemed to stand out more. Ryker.  

.  

Having second chance mates was a very rare thing, but not impossible; it had happened in the past and could now.  

I was back in the pack house and in my room. My mother wouldn't leave my side, and I did need her more than ever.  

"I thought that things couldn't get worse. I always knew Alpha Ryker was not a good man; I know how he treats the lower-class wolves, and I couldn't believe the moon goddess could pair you up with such a man as a mate. He had caused you so much pain, but he... he is nothing compared to the demon in human skin, Alpha Thane. He would be your downfall, Riley; you can't let him have you. I can't watch that happen, please," she begged.  

"Mother, maybe we've judged him wrong all these years."  

"No, daughter, listen to me. I know his father, but Thane, he is worse than his father; he is a killer, and I... don't know what he would do to you, my baby."  

"He won't do a thing; I am his mate." I lied because I knew she was telling the truth, but this was the last thing I needed to hear. If only she knew the truth—that this had been an offer and he was going to give me far more than I had ever hoped for—I wondered if she would change her mind about things if she knew.  

I doubted it.  

My mother seemed to know something more about the Nightshade Pack—something she wasn't telling me, and it killed me.  

"Mama, you know what he would do to me if I did not go with him."  

"Then... then we can create a plan. I would help you escape, and I do not mind if I have to give my life, but you can't be with him."  

"Mama, I won't let you give your life for me; I want to see you free, and if I agree to this, he will set you free, mama."  

"You do not understand; I do not want anything from him, not freedom, not money, nothing; he would harm you more than you think, and I say this because I love you, my child."  

"I know you love me, but please, I want you to trust me in this. I want you to give me this one chance to make my own decision. I had already given a lot... to Ryker and to this pack. I want to leave here."  

"You would be better off here than you would be with him."  

"Is that what you think, mama? Do you know what Ryker wants to do with you?"  

"I do not care; I am a slave here; no amount of pain he makes me suffer would be too much to bear, and if I die, I would do so knowing that you are out of danger, Riley."  

I hated the fact that I had to hurt her one more time.  

"I've made up my mind. I would go to him; it is not like I can ever escape this, and, you know that, he would find me if I run, and I would suffer more. If I am willing, he promises to give you freedom, a new job, and to keep you protected. I'm so sorry, mama, but I have to make this decision."  

"Then I cannot go with you; I prefer a life of bondage here to a life of freedom with the Alpha of Nightshade pack."