Chapter 4

BRYANT'S POV

I was sitting in my office, going over some paperwork when Anna walked in. I could tell from the look on her face that she had something important to tell me.

“Babe! When did you get here?” I asked as she walked in. I hugged her and kissed her.

Her face looked sour.

"What's going on?" I asked, setting aside the papers.

"I think I have a solution to our problem," Anna said, sitting down across from me.

"What problem?" I asked, feeling confused.

"The problem of you needing to get married," she clarified. "I think I have a solution that will work for everyone.”

I raised an eyebrow, curious about what she had in mind. "The only solution is for you to come and let's get married, Anna. If that’s not the solution you have, I’m not listening to you" I said and went back to staring at my paperwork.

“Just hear me out, first, yeah?” Anna said and I stared at her and sighed.

“What is your solution, Anna?” I asked and she sighed

Anna took a deep breath before speaking. "I think you should marry Kiara."

I was taken aback by her words. "What? Why would I marry Kiara? In the first place, how did you know about her?” I asked.

“Good question. Why didn’t you tell me about her? I had to hear from your Dad that you found your mate today and her name is Kiara Stardust.” She pouted and I sighed.

“Listen, babe. I didn’t want to bother you with unimportant things. Kiara is the least of our problems. We already decided to abandon each other’s mate if we ever found them.” I said and she sighed.

"Think about it," Anna said, leaning forward. "Kiara is your fated mate, and you know that you can't marry me. At least not now. But you need to get married to please your father and to fulfill your responsibilities as the future Alpha, and to get your grandmother's assets. A contract marriage with Kiara would solve both problems."

I shook my head, feeling hesitant about the idea. "I don't know, Anna. A contract marriage seems like a big risk."

Anna sighed, looking frustrated. "Bryant, we've been over this. You can't marry me yet, at least for the next five months. And you can't keep putting it off. A contract marriage with Kiara would not harm us both in any way. No one needs to know about it, and it's only for five months. After that, you can go your separate ways. Except you’re scared that the Mate bond is something that can come between us both."

I could tell that Anna had thought this through and had a solid plan. But the idea of marrying someone who wasn't my true love still didn't sit right with me.

"What about Kiara?" I asked, feeling guilty. "How will this affect her?"

Anna shrugged. "Kiara needs money to take care of her mother, and you can provide that for her. Plus, she's your fated mate. It's not like you're marrying a stranger."

“What do you mean her sick mother, how much do you know?” I asked and she shrugged.

“What I need to know. Go to her and present it to her, I’m sure, she’d take it without thinking twice.” Anna said and I sighed.

I have no idea where Anna is going with this, but maybe it was worth the trial.

Kiara stared at me, with cold eyes.

I should have known that it was going to be impossible to convince her.

“Well what do you say?” I asked, I couldn’t stand the stench in the room. The apartment was too tiny. How could a human live and survive in here?

“Nothing. I have to think about it.” She said,

“There’s nothing to think about. This offer won’t pass tonight. If you say yes, I would have your mother airlifted to the Medical center where she’d have immediate surgery. And you’d live in my house. With  allowances.” I said and she sighed, rubbing her temple tiredly.

“Will you really take care of my mother, immediately, Alpha?” She asked.

I brought out my phone and dialed my secretary’s number. “Prepare a helicopter for me. There's someone that needs to be airlifted to a medical center now.” I said and Kiara stared at me and sighed.

“Fine…" She said and started to walk in.

“First you need to sign this,” I said, holding out an envelope out to her.

“You can’t wear makeup, and you won’t live in the main house. This marriage is just a sham, just because I need to get the board to accept my proposal.” I said and she gave me a look.

“Where do I sign?” She asked, and my heart dropped.

She didn’t even look the least bit sad or embarrassed. Had she gotten over the fact that I chose to be with someone else? Or did she also have someone in mind?

“Here. Can I go pack my few things up, now, Alpha Bryant?” She said and I nodded.

Urgh, how was I going to deal with this thing for five months?

“We have arrived,” I said and she alighted and gasped at the sight of my huge mansion. I chuckled internally.

This was always the reaction I always got whenever someone came to the mansion for the first time.

“It's so huge.” She murmured.

I gave her a cool look, not even bothering to respond. "Let's just get this over with," I said, before turning and walking towards the door, leaving Kiara to follow nervously behind. As we walked through the grand halls of the mansion, I  could hear her sighs and murmurs.

She probably couldn’t help but feel like an outsider in this new world of wealth and luxury.

"Do you always treat people like this?" she asked, hoping to break the icy tension between us. But once again, I ignored her, leading her to a small room in the servants' quarters.

"This is your room," I said matter-of-factly, before turning to leave.

"What about Dinner?" Kiara protested.  I  stared at her and chuckled.

“They would bring it to you. Freshen up. My grandmother and Father are waiting.” I said and walked out of the room.

About 30 minutes later, she walked into the dining room,  dressed in loose pants and a shirt and her hair packed in a messy bun.

“G…Good evening, Ma’am.” She bowed slightly to Grandma.

Grandma looked at her, displeased.

“I  wish the moon goddess had chosen a more suitable person as your mate. A commoner. Disgusting.” Grandmother said and Kiara stared and looked at her coldly.

“I’m not interested in mating with your Grandson. Just let my mother be fine.” She said coldly, and without waiting for anybody to say anything, she sat at the table and started to eat, and all of us at the table went silent.

What a bold young woman she must be, to talk back to Grandma.