_A New Contract_

Alpha Kael's footsteps echoed through the silent halls as he retreated to his home office, the weight of his grandmother's words settling upon him like a shroud. He sank into the leather chair, his gaze drifting downward as his mind grappled with the impossible choice before him. Valtira, his childhood companion, his betrothed, the love of his life - how could he possibly forsake her? Their union was meant to be a beacon of hope for his pack, a symbol of strength and unity. Yet, he had given his word to his grandmother, a promise that bound him to marry Aurora, a woman he barely knew and didn't love. The thought of spending a lifetime with a stranger, without the warmth of Valtira's smile and the comfort of her embrace, was a bleak and suffocating prospect. The chair creaked softly as he rocked back and forth, his eyes closed in a futile attempt to shut out the turmoil that ravaged his soul.

Kael summoned his bodyguard and instructed him to prepare the car immediately. As he departed, his family exchanged curious glances, wondering about their Alpha's sudden departure. Kael was escorted to Alpha Ryker's mansion, where he was received with the respect due to an Alpha of his stature. Alpha Ryker welcomed him with a nod, and then summoned Aurora to the living room, leaving the two alone. "To what do I owe this unexpected visit, Alpha?" Aurora asked, her voice laced with humility, her eyes cast downward like a demure maiden. "Aurora", Alpha kael paused for a while, taking a deep breath before speaking again. I've come to offer my sincerest apologies and make amends for all you had to go through," Kael continued, his tone laced with remorse. "I'm deeply sorry for entangling you in this mess and for the harm it has caused." As he spoke, tears began to well up in Aurora's eyes, but Kael continued, his words tinged with regret. "I've come to propose a revision to our contract, a small adjustment to rectify this situation."

Alpha kael after a little pause then continued, "Believe me Aurora, if there was some other way I'd gladly go for it but I gave my word as Alpha and my word is my honor. For the sake of peace and to remove our names from the mud, I'd like you to marry me in front of my family and in front of the world as part of our contract because I have to honor my promise. I promised my grandmother I'd make you my Luna to save you and the pup from all the troubles. We would be the perfect couple to the world, but you and I know it's just an arrangement."

"What?" Aurora said with tears in her eyes as she stood to her feet.

Alpha kael then continued, "I know that I dragged us into this mess, but I love someone else, and I know you do too. We both understand that we are not compatible. Two years contract marriage should be enough time for the scandal to die down, and then we can both go separate ways and take turns in caring for the children, so they get to have a life with both parents."

Aurora's eyes widened in shock, her tears falling like diamonds. "You want me to marry you, in front of your family and the world, as a mere arrangement?" She took a step back, her voice trembling. "You're asking me to pretend to be your Luna, your partner, for two years, knowing that we mean nothing to each other?"

With all due respect, Alpha, Aurora said with a voice filled with emotions. "Have you not caused enough damage in my life? Why are you bent on destroying me? What am I, some puppet you can toil with whenever you wish? Don't I at least get a say in any of this? You draw up contracts when you like and call the shots whenever you please. Does my opinion not matter at all? It's all about you, you, you, and your family. In all of this decisions, not once did you stop to think about me for a splitting second. How i would feel or what the effects and consequences of all of these would have on me. All you think about is how to keep your honor and dignity as Alpha, how to please your family, how to get the pups under your wings. And what am I left with Alpha? Have you thought about that? Did you for once stop to think that as much as your honor and pride mean so much to you, it also does to me? I've lost everyone and everything I hold so dearly, but it's all still about you."

"Aurora please listen to me Alpha kael said in calm tone". No Alpha kael, I've listened enough but not anymore, now it's time you at leat hear me out, I deserve that much at least. I won't let you use me and my children to wipe out your scandal. And as for this", She reached out to the contract papers and tore it into two halfs." I do not agree to these contract or to your selfish demands" her voice filled with courage as she wiped her tears.

Alpha Kael's expression turned solemn, his eyes filled with a mix of guilt and understanding. He took a step forward, his voice softening. "Aurora, I...I understand. I have been selfish, thinking only of my family's reputation and my own honor. forgetting that you have feelings and rights too. I may have forgotten that you're not just a pawn in our contract, but a person with your own autonomy. I'm sorry i thought i was doing what was best for you."

But I hope you can understand me, Aurora, I didn't just make a promise, I swore an oath on my grandmother, that I would do everything she asked of me, and all it takes to make things right and make this work. It was not and is not my intention to hurt you at all but to make things right for you, me, and our families Aurora. Think about our unborn pup, your family's reputation and your reputation. Do you want our children to be deemed illegitimate, stripped of their rights, and welcomed into this mess? Is that really what you want, Aurora?

After speaking, he then removed another contract from his suit jacket and dropped it on the table. "Whenever you're ready Aurora, but please think about it carefully. I'll wait for your response on the eve of the full moon were it all began". He said as he walked himself out, leaving Aurora alone with the contract and her thoughts.

A few minutes after Alpha Kael had left, Annie walked in and, seeing Aurora's distress, knew something was amiss. They exchanged pleasantries before Aurora filled Annie in on her conversation with Alpha Kael, handing her the new contract to read for herself. Annie's eyes widened as she scanned the pages, her expression turning from concern to shock. She couldn't believe what she was reading - Alpha Kael's request was outrageous, but he had a point. This Union could indeed be the answer to this scandal.

Annie's eyes sparkled with excitement as she gazed at the contract, her voice trembling with joy. "Aurora, this is it! This could be the solution we've been searching for!"

Aurora's skepticism was visible, her words laced with disbelief. "Are you quite serious, Annie? Have you forgotten that Alpha Kael is betrothed to Luna Valtira? That he cares nothing for me, only for his family's reputation and his own selfish desires?"

Annie's expression remained optimistic, her voice unwavering. "Who cares about Luna Valtira?,I know his intentions, but try to look on the bright side. Aurora, this could be fate's way of intervening and giving you a chance to be happy. A chance for you to break free from this toxic cycle and find true happiness."

"You know I don't believe in all of that right? Aurora's laughter was bitter, her eyes flashing with disdain. "Happiness? You really think Alpha Kael is capable of providing that? He's using me, Annie, a mere pawn in his game of power and prestige. Once he's achieved his goals, I'll be discarded like yesterday's trash. After two years, it's all over, like it never happened. His reputation is fixed, he goes back to his lover, takes care of the pup, his family is happy, but what about me Annie, what about me?" She said in a faint tone.

Annie's words were soft, her tone gentle. "Perhaps, Aurora, you may be judging him to quickly and looking at this all wrong. Maybe, just maybe, he's not as terrible as you think. Plus he is not made of stone, who knows, he might just you know.... Annie said with a smile"

Aurora snapped, "Snap out of it, Annie. There is no happily ever after in any of this. Aurora's response was swift, her voice devoid of emotion. I know him, I know his kind. He's a master manipulator, using everyone and everything to his advantage. I'll not be fooled."

"It seems like you already have it figured out. So, dear friend, what have you decided?Annie asked with curiosity written all over her.

With a heavy sigh, Aurora's resolve seemed to harden, her eyes gleaming with determination. "I've made my decision, Annie. I'll take my chances elsewhere, far from the reach of Alpha Kael and his toxic legacy. I'll forge a new path, one where I'm free to live my life on my own terms, without the suffocating weight of his family's expectations and his contracts."

To hell with the Alpha and his honor, to hell with his family name, to hell with his reputation, to hell with all of this.