All Chapters of THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

HERAI lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to will away the heaviness that seemed to press down on me since the coronation. I had avoided everyone today, especially him. Atticus had been relentless these past few days, constantly showing up and trying to win me over with apologies, soft words, and a gaze so intense it made my chest ache.He was always there, trying—too much, too often.It was infuriating.A knock at the door pulled me out of my thoughts, soft but insistent. I didn’t need to ask who it was. I already knew. My wolf stirred and my eyes glowed.I shook my head to clear the haze. Not today again!“Go away, Atticus.”The door opened anyway, and he stepped in. His expression was soft, concerned, as if I was some fragile thing he needed to protect. It only made me angrier.“What part of ‘go away’ did you not understand?” I snapped, sitting up and crossing my arms. He ignored my tone, closing the door behind him and stepping closer. “Are you alright? You’ve been

HERAThe corridors were quieter than usual, the faint hum of distant conversations and the shuffle of maids barely audible as I made my way through the palace, uncertainty gnawing at my insides. It had been days—weeks, even—since I’d last seen Ben. I didn’t realise just how much his absence bothered me till now because I was mostly by myself. He was usually always by my side. Since the coronation and the declaration that Atticus and I were fated mates, everything between us had shifted. He has always been a constant in my life: my friend, my confidant, my tether when things felt like they were spinning out of control.But now? Now, it felt like he was slipping away.I bit my bottom lip as I turned another corner, my heart heavy with a mix of guilt and worry. Things have been strained between us ever since the truth about Atticus and me had come to light.Of course, I couldn’t blame him. I wasn’t blind. I’d seen the way he looked at me, even if he’d never said the words aloud. I mea

ATTICUSI stormed after Hera, the heavy wooden doors of the receiving room slamming shut behind me. My mind was reeling, and my chest tightened as I followed after her retreating form. Her pace was brisk, like she didn’t want me to meet up with her, but I wasn’t about to let this go.“You’re not seriously considering what they asked,” I said, my voice tinged with disbelief. It wasn’t a question—it was a statement, one I was hoping she’d deny.She slowed down and turned to me, raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. Then she shrugged. “I told them I’d think about it.” She simply said, but that wasn’t good enough. “Think about it?” I asked incredulously, running a hand through my hair and exhaling sharply. “Hera, they left you to die in the woods. They didn’t care about you then, and they only care about you now because they need something. You’re not seriously thinking about going back there, are you?” I asked her. “I haven’t made a decision yet, Atticus.” Her eyes narrowed,

ATTICUSI paced the length of my study, my thoughts restless. Five days. Five agonizing days since Hera had gone to Shadow Claw, and the only word I’d received from her was a short message letting me know she’d arrived safely. And then, nothing. The silence was eating me alive. My mind was swirling through endless scenarios, each one worse than the last. Was she safe? Was the plague worse than she’d expected? Were the Elders even treating her with the respect she deserved? My wolf growled low, restless, mirroring the storm raging inside me. I haven’t been able to focus on anything. Meetings had become background noise, papers sat unsigned on my desk, and every knock at the door made my heart leap. The only reason I hadn’t stormed into Shadow Claw myself with every guard at my disposal was because of her. Respect her wishes. I reminded myself over and over, gripping the edge of my desk. She didn’t want me interfering, and I couldn’t risk pushing her further away. But fu

HERASoon, the healer was back and she had news. Atticus and I were on the bed, cuddled up as she stepped closer, setting the books on the small table beside the bed. “I’ve spent hours researching mirror curses, trying to find anything that might help your condition, Luna,” she said, addressing me. “And there is one potential cure.” She announced. My heart skipped in anticipation and hope.“What is it?” I asked, my voice strained. The healer hesitated, as though carefully choosing her words. “The mate bond.”Atticus and I exchanged confused glances. “The mate bond?” he echoed, his brow furrowing. “What does that mean? How does it help?”She opened one of the books, flipping to a page filled with intricate diagrams and symbols“Mirror curses are powerful because they latch onto the very essence of a person—draining them slowly and irreversibly unless countered by an equally powerful force,” she explained. “The mate bond has such force, a gift from the Moon Goddess herself,” Okay…