••• Arabella’s POV •••
“Are we really going back straight to the Silentmane Canines Pack now?” I asked Alpha Maximillian as he took my hand and pulled me toward his car, with his Beta ready and waiting for us.
“Luna,” he greeted me politely, which made me feel a little bit awkward since he knew we were only in a contract marriage.
“According to our agreement, you need to return to the Silentmane Canines Pack with me and fulfill your duties as the Luna of the pack,” Alpha Maximillian said nonchalantly.
It was indeed one of the points in the contract.
I needed to showcase my abilities to everyone.
"But does it need to be now?" I asked him.
I had yet to explain to my parents about this marriage.
They should be shocked by the turn of events.
"Do you want to stay back and face that scumbag, his parents, and the guests instead?" he asked.
"Of course not, but I can't just leave my parents to deal with the mess I had left behind," I tried to argue with him.
"It will be best for you not to be there and let your parents handle it," he insisted.
Maybe he was right.
Since Mom and Dad never liked Shawn, they could easily convince everyone that we were not destined mates, even if it was only a lie.
“When I go to your pack, you can't interfere too much in my affairs, and I’m still allowed to continue working and managing my business outside the pack and socializing with my old friends, right?” I asked.
He glanced at me and said, “Maybe you should reread the contract to make sure you know what is acceptable or not.”
I rolled my eyes at him and harrumphed.
“I only ask to make sure, in case you don't remember the points.”
I heard Beta Jaxon chuckle from the front passenger seat, but I didn't ask him why.
Most probably because I was the first who dared to talk like that to the most ruthless Alpha ever.
When we arrived at the Silentmane Canines Pack and looked at the unfamiliar surroundings from inside the car, I suddenly felt as if I had made an impulsive decision.
The pack was large, and I didn't know if I could be a good Luna, even if only for a year.
I looked at Alpha Maximillian, and he seemed to know what I was thinking.
“Are you regretting your choice to get into a contract marriage with me?” he teased.
But before I could reply, he took my hand, pulled me out of the car, and walked toward the pack’s main house, which was huge and beautiful with a modern architectural design.
I saw an elderly woman standing in front of the door, ready to welcome us, and my hand that was holding Alpha Maximillian’s hand subconsciously tightened its hold.
“Arra, let me introduce you to the lady,” he said once we stood before the elderly woman.
“This is a representative of our pack to welcome you, Elder Rosa. She is the wife of one of the elders in our pack.”
“Hello, Elder Rosa,” I greeted her politely.
“Welcome to the Silentmane Canines Pack, Luna Arabella,” Elder Rosa said. “We’ve heard so much about you from Alpha Maximillian. You are even more beautiful than he described.”
I looked at Alpha Maximillian and raised an eyebrow at him, silently asking him what he had told his pack members about me.
He just shrugged slightly, making me think he must have collected my information from the internet and the werewolf community’s social media.
Since I was the Alpha Princess, much information about me was available to the public.
“Thank you for the warm welcome, Elder Rosa,” I smiled at the elderly woman.
“We are all delighted that Alpha Maximillian finally found his mate!” she exclaimed excitedly despite her age. “This means that the Silentmane Canines Pack will soon have an heir.”
Hearing her words, my expression changed as having a child with him was not a part of our agreement.
I looked at Alpha Maximillian in confusion, but he subtly indicated for me not to say anything or act impulsively.
So, I could only offer Elder Rosa a smile.
“Oh, what have I done?” Suddenly, Elder Rosa looked flustered and ushered us in. “I’m so sorry to have kept you at the door, Luna.”
“It’s fine, Elder Rosa,” I told her. “Alpha Maximillian was with me, so I don't mind.”
“You youngsters,” she chuckled. “Always showing off your love, making us Elders jealous.”
I became speechless.
When did I show my love for Alpha Maximillian? I was saying those words to tease him that he was also kept outside the door of his own pack’s main house.
“Alright, Elder Rosa. Don't tease my mate anymore, or she might run away because we spooked her,” Alpha Maximillian said lightly, making Elder Rosa laugh.
“I know, I know,” Elder Rosa said and turned to look at me. “Luna Arabella, please don't hesitate to tell the Omegas if you need anything.”
“I will. Thank you again, Elder Rosa.”
I smiled as I watched her leave. Alpha Maximillian didn't seem as ruthless as his reputation painted him to be.
He was able to make an elderly laugh, and no one seemed to fear him thus far.
“Let me take you to our room,” he said, pulling me along to the third floor, where only one door was available.
He opened the door, and I was delightfully surprised by how beautiful the room was. It wasn't like what I had expected, not unlike the bachelor’s pad I pictured in my mind.
It could be said as… cozy.
“I didn't realize you like this type of decoration and furniture,” I told him.
“I asked my pack members to redecorate it so it wouldn't be too manly,” he said, which surprised me.
“You redecorated this room for me?” I asked in surprise.
“For us,” he said simply.
His words reminded me of the issue of the expected heir of the Silentmane Canines Pack.
“Alpha Maximillian,” I started saying, but he cut me off before I could say the rest of my words.
“Call me Max.”
“Alright, Max.” I didn't think too much of it since there were more important things to discuss. “What’s going on? Why would they expect me to bear you an heir?”
I took out the contract from my bag and reread it, making sure I got all the points right.
“Our agreement will only last for a year. Once we found our destined mates, the agreement would automatically end. And we will never have a child,” I pointed out the points I wanted to confirm.
Moreover, I had many dreams. When our contractual marriage ended, I would become a doctor. I wanted to save people's lives.
“That’s what we agreed upon, right? They are written in the contract,” I said again.
Max was silent before he suddenly asked, “Does the agreement allow us to make love?”
I froze when I heard his question.
Make love?
“What do you mean?” I somehow found my voice and was able to ask him that question.
He looked deep into my eyes and said slowly, “What if I want to make love to you, Arra? Will you agree?”
My eyes widened as I heard his questions and how he addressed me.
He wanted to… make love to me?
I felt my cheeks heat up, and my heart started to beat fast, but I didn't want to appear shy or weak in front of him, as it wouldn't do me any good.
So, I deliberately told him, “I’m okay with it.”
“You don't mind making love to me? Are you sure, Arra?” He raised an eyebrow at me and smirked.
I blushed even more when I saw his sexy smirk.
“Nope, I don't mind,” I said casually despite how shy I was.
And the way he called me ‘Arra’…
He was the first person to call me by that nickname, and it sounded sexy being said in his deep baritone voice.
Remembering what we were discussing about, I quickly added just to ensure him it would be nothing more than sex.
“But I’ll never fall in love with you or have children with you.”
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Author’s Note: I want to clear up the issue of Alek’s bangle, as some of you seem confused by it. Their bangles were not actually ‘mate’ bangles or couple bangles, as Aleks had said. They were just bangles filled with poison to imprison people (or torture people) and were sold on the black market. Aleks customized two of them, one for Lottie and one for him (because he was crazy and wanted Lottie to stay with him).
As he said, it couldn't be removed once put on. So even if they died, the bangles would still be on their wrists for all eternity.
But Lottie’s bangle had no more connection with Aleks since he burnt his off to break the connections and eliminate the poison.
So, it doesn't matter whether Lottie is mated to Hayden or that Aleks had died; the bangle simply couldn't be taken off (but it had lost its use) since it was not a ‘mate’ bangle, it's just the way the bangles are constructed.
I hope this clears up the issue *love*