The Alpha’s Contract

There was that rare spike in her thoughts. Almost a dark side that was trapped by who she had become over the years. Most people would find it unsettling, but it turned me on. It was enticing and I wanted to bring it to the surface

There's a brisk knock on the door that’s accompanied with Raven’s scent. Stopping our conversation, and from Neah's thoughts, I could tell she was grateful for the break.

“Come in.” I call to my sister

“Hey,” Her eyes move between me and Neah, trying to read the situation. “Can I take Neah shopping?”

“Shopping?

“There's a couple of us going into the city. I thought maybe Neah would like to join us. Or am I interrupting something serious again?” “It's up to Neah.” I look at my mate, still listening to her thoughts.

She shakes her head. “I’m not....I’m not ready for that.” her eyes flicker to me,. “It might not be safe."

“Nothing can go wrong. It’s neutral territory. No one is allowed to fight there. And I will be there.” Raven pleads. “We will keep you safe.” “Who is we?" I ask curiously

“Me, Klaus...” She names a couple of others

“Klaus is going?” Shopping was definitely not his thing.

“He wants to pick up some more books. You know what he’s like. he won't have them delivered in case someone has creased the pages.” She mocks, “And I assumed you would prefer us to have a chaperone.”

“So you roped him in?

"Yep!"

I turn to Neah. “She isn't wrong. The city is neutral. I trust Klaus.”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“What about Trey?” She whispers.

‘I'm assuming the city is somewhere he wouldn't go.” I fix my eyes on Raven. "If there’s a problem....” “We will get her out of there.”

Moving to Neah, I pull her around to face me properly, "Raven has been to the city at least once a week since she was a kid. She knows it better than anyone. f you don’t want to go, then that is also fine.”

“You don't....you don’t want me to go.” She keeps her eyes low. “I can feel it.”

“I would prefer you to be somewhere that I can easily reach you at any point of the day. But that is not going to help you get over your fears. I trust my sister, I trust Klaus, they are not going to put you in danger. And if anyone tries anything, they would be fucking stupid.”

“All the Wolves know who my brother is.” Raven adds. “Salem made sure of that.”

She claimed she didn't blame me for Salem rejecting her, but certain phrases had me thinking differently. Choosing not to respond to her comment, I keep my attention on my mate. “It’s your choice Neah.”

“What if I....” “We will have to trust that you won't. I could feel Raven’s eyes burning into the back of my head. I still hadn’t told her that Neah was a Lycan.

“I’m sorry, what??” Raven's eyes immediately go to Neah when I break the news. “Are you seriously telling me that she looks like that thing you killed?”

“Yes.”

“So she isn't a Wolf?” Raven is glaring at me as she demands answers. “Technically, from my understanding. they are part Wolf.

“Technically?” She splutters

“Yes.”

‘Well this is going well.’ Aero groans

“Okay, so the guy in the dungeon, claiming to be her brother. He is one too?” Raven asks “Yes.”

“And you are letting him live?”

“For now. Are you challenging my decision?” It was a rhetorical question. A warning to drop the attitude.

She turns to Neah, quickly softening her tone: and dropping her attitude: Most likely realising that what she is asking, would apply to Neah. ‘Are you rokay?” ite)

Neah shakes her head.

“Then you definitely need to come into the city. Get away from this crap for a few hours. Clear your head and spend a shit load of my brother's money.”

Neah’s blue eyes flash to me.

“It's your choice.”

Reluctantly, she agrees to go, though she spends the next hour checking that I was okay with her decision She asks me a final time before getting in the car with the others.

“Just try to enjoy yourself.” I tell her

Raven pulls her into the car. "I will keep an eye on her. If it's too much, we will come back.”

“You don’t normally like the clingy ones.” Eric mutters as we watch the car drive away.

“This is different.”

“Because she is your mate and you marked her?” He cocks an eyebrow at me

“She's clingy based on fear, not because she wants me all to herself. She just needs time.”

“How did Raven take the news?”

"She mosthyfocussed on the news I was letting Devon live. Took her a momentto realise that if she wanted Devon-dead for what he is, she would be a hypocrite for notuvanting Neah dead.” -

‘Raven dogsn't usually make new ~~ friends so easily. She must like. Neah. Especially to invite her ¢ shopping. She's never done that with any of the others.” to -

I nod my head in agreement. My sister had never been the greatest at social engagements, it's why she preferred the hospital “There's something I need you to do for me.” I mutter as the car rounds the bend and it quickly leaves my sight. “You want me to keep an eye on her?”

“Just as a precaution.”