Chapter Six: Legally Bonded

ALPHA CUAN

“you seem to have made yourself comfortable in my home Alpha” Alpha Knight sounds reprimanding.

I have left Neerah to pack her things so I want to settle with her father before we leave.

“Just sign the contract. We don't need to be so chatty” I deadpan.

The Alpha seems even more offended. But he seems to have thought it over already and he loves the money above all else now. He wasn't about to waste time calling me out for things he could do without.

“Are you sure you want to marry Neerah? She is only human. And Alpha Beret will happily take her. You don't have to feel like you have to marry her because she is your mate” he enticed.

“I think it will be better if you shut up” Chase cuts in fearlessly. 

“Let him dig his grave, Chase. I'll happily bury him!” I menace, the anger suddenly bursting open inside of me, splattering everywhere so that my nerves hurt from the rush of adrenaline. 

The bastard is hinting at using Neerah again. He would give her up to Alpha Beret just to get back in his good graces. Once the debt is paid, and the Alpha could have Neerah as well without needing to marry her, it would be perfect for Alpha Knight. 

She would have done everything he originally wanted. 

A powerful link with the strong Alpha Beret, as well as paying off his debt. 

The Alpha frowns with dissatisfaction, his fierce eyes finding Chase with ill intention. 

Alpha Knight, despite his bluster, signed the contract. He doesn't look happy at all. And I am sure it is the thought of the wolf cry legend that has put him on his best behavior since I threw him off Neerah the first time I came in. 

“You are dead to Neerah. Be warned” I spat angrily before turning around to walk away from him. Oh…it was hard. But since Neerah will be fine, I feel less provocative towards the sorry excuse of a father.

Chase stayed behind with the Alpha to transfer the funds. So I went back to Neerah. The entire house is luxurious and well kept. Which makes me wonder for the first time what they ever did with the money they borrowed. They didn't need half the extravagance in the pack house. 

I found Neerah dressed up and ready to leave with her one suitcase. The irony. 

She is wearing a button down denim dress shirt that reached her calf. There is a slim belt that cinched her waist in. She looks quite a vision honestly despite how faded it looks.

“Neerah, I want to speak to you about something” I state in a low, definite tone.

She looks alert. It is like she felt like I have changed my mind about taking her or something.

“The werewolf community is very traditional.  We can't just leave without any commitment. You are not just anyone. You are an Alpha's daughter. So why dont we get married legally?” I asked.

She looks to be in shock at first. Then she clears her throat nervously and asks “married? Why?!” She sounds so anxious.

“It will just be a formality. It will only be a legal means to get you out of your father's clutches. I will not inform my pack members about it. It will just be our little secret and you can just live with us as one of us. My pack wouldn't ask questions” I explain gently, hoping she reads the sincerity in my eyes.

“what happens if I want something different? Like a divorce or being official?” She asks tentatively.

“I’ll let you decide that later” I assured her.

“We shouldn't take too long to sign my freedom Alpha Cuan. I want to do it now. I will trust you” she replies with such clarity that I am the one left speechless. Why is she so agreeable? Is it because she has nothing to lose? When she agreed to follow me back to my pack, she sounded so full of hope. But now I am not so sure. 

Did she agree because she knows it wouldn't matter in the long run? Is she planning to end her life again? I am so confused. 

“Or she just wants to hold onto the only escape she could find Cuan” my wolf, Zen spoke to me for the first time since I met Neerah.

He was always a doer. He doesn't talk much. I have learnt to converse with him only once in a while.

And these past few hours, I couldn't feel him as I used to. It felt like he was me in every way and there is no line of distinction. It's so intrinsic that I don't know how to explain it to myself either.

“Zen, she tried to kill herself just a few hours ago. Would she really want to marry anyone?” I argue.

“She doesn't have a choice does she? Maybe she knows that an opportunity like this wouldn't come by again. Maybe she feels the pull of our bond. It isn't that odd’ he returns simply. 

“But she does have a choice. I could take her away regardless of the contract right?”

“That would make things messy. She would know that much” he points out.

Zen’s words put me at ease. 

So, I had to retrieve the contract from Chase and I gave it to her for her signature. 

Neerah quickly put it down without even reading the document.

“You shouldn't sign anything without checking the specifics” I advise, still worried she is being too nonchalant about it all.

She doesn't come off to me as someone careless. It makes me wonder if I am painting her in a light through my heart. 

“welI, am I going to be your slave or something?” She makes it sound teasing and that's even more odd.

“No” I returned with a little frown. 

“There. I am Mrs Cuan now right?” She smiles with a satisfied bent that makes me stare at her for so long just wondering if she was always this carefree. 

Is it an act?

“I'll hold the suitcase” I offer. 

Her eyes widened as if surprised I offered at all. She quickly recovers though. She smiles nervously.

“you don't have to. I am the one who should assist you with stuff” she murmurs almost quietly. But I heard her every word. 

I grabbed the suitcase and realized that my hands brushed hers fleetingly. She acted like there was an electrical leak that seeped into her hands.

It's a little funny too because she scrunched up her face, pouting her lips in a dissatisfied way. But overall, you can just tell she is protesting with herself.

“thanks” she whispered dramatically, leaning towards me a little as if sharing a little secret. 

I don't know if she is acting weird on purpose to make me feel like she was doing okay. But I will never let my guard around her until I am certain she was no longer suicidal. 

I leaned towards her too. Just enough for me to whisper back playfully “welcome” and I walk away to head downstairs.

So weird, but the anger was gone when I interacted with Neerah. I felt it come back when I walked downstairs with her suitcase in hand.

We passed all the mundane faces of her stepmother, her father and her father's beta.

I had to slow down to stand next to her because I could suddenly smell her fear. She must have been hit with her situation again when she saw all their dark and brooding faces.

We entered my car without incident. 

Hopefully, we will be gone forever from the clutches of bullies termed as 'family'.

I'll never let her see them again. Unless that is what she wants of course.