A Broken Contract (Alpha's Secret Regret)

Sara POV

Avery Hawke didn't give me a chance to refuse or come up with an excuse. He quickly opened the door and sat inside his patrol car to wait for me. When I hesitated, he arched his brow and motioned with his chin for me to get in.

'This isn't a date. We're just getting dessert together,' I told myself. There was no cause for alarm and there's nothing wrong with it if it's an actual date.

After saying goodbye to my dad, I joined him in the car and we headed straight to the town's famous dessert place - Cake and Cream factory.

We ride was silent. It was like he feared that talking would spook me. My mind remained in flight or fight mode for long moments after we got on the road.

Before Nick, I went out on dates with human boys and werewolves who were omegas like me. These were nothing serious and always ended after the second dates. Basically, it often ended when they wanted to take things further. Except for the one before Nick, which made it to the fourth date and first base.

Nick was always the problem. The reason I always held myself back from other guys. As much as I was in love with him then, I didn't dare hope that he would look at me someday. Yet giving myself to another was so hard to do. However, he did look at me. Right after my nineteenth birthday, on a full moon.

** Flashback: **

I was a college freshman. Like other werewolves, I had just returned home for a short break, though not because of the season. Most werewolves prefer to be surrounded by our kind when the moon is at its peak. I wasn't one of those. My genes were too weak to worry about losing control. But Nick was the type that had to in the woods or at least, near the pack at times like that. He happened to be home from school too.

The feast in the Reign's mansion was in full swing. Knowing that he was home, too, I was more than happy to assist my father with work that night. I hoped to catch sight of him before the night was over.

After feeding the dogs and geese, I took out some trash. I also had some leftovers and had just dropped them off for the stray dogs outside. As I was turning around to head back inside, Nick stood a few feet away by the almond tree, watching me.

At first, my heart nearly leapt out of my throat. The full moon pierced through the leaves and branches, bathing him with its light. His eyes had taken on that supernatural shade of glittering amber.

A tingle ran through me as my wolf gave a soft whimper of joy. The word "Mate" rang in my consciousness, making me gasp in delight and fear.

Nick kept his eyes on me like a predator. I caught sight of his fangs as his lips curved into a half smile.

'Mate,' he mindlinked me. It was a soft whisper. His voice in my mind for the first time felt like he'd just brushed his lips on mine.

'Mate,' I whispered back.

Despite the fact that he just acknowledged the bond, my heart still hammered in my chest. I was filled with fear that he would reject me the same moment we found out we were bonded. This was what any other werewolf of such higher status would've done. We were under the full moon, and he could've gotten it over with immediately.

Instead, he'd simply put his finger across his lips and whispered, "Shhh..." I knew the gesture meant - Do not tell anyone! I didn't think twice about it. It didn't matter that he would reject me eventually.

My father interrupted us by screaming for me. I rushed back inside as he disappeared. I didn't see him again for another three days, but I always felt his eyes on me. I waited for what he meant to do with anticipation and anxiety.

I waited, holding on to the fact that he didn't reject me. That could only mean he wanted me, too. On the third day, he sent a car to bring me to a private restaurant far from the park.

I was elated to see him again, yet anxious as hell. As we sat across from each other in the empty, fancy restaurant, he placed a written document before me. Without mincing words, he told me what he wanted from me.

"You don't feel shit for that pathetic

human boy. The fact that you let him kiss you don't mean you wanna keep him around. You've done the smart thing by avoiding him in the last few days. Now for his sake, it's time you break it off! Make it clear to him that you're breaking it off and can never see or let him touch you again," he said. "For his sake!"

I was stunned that he knew about Connor, my then human boyfriend. I'd planned to break up with him as soon as I got the courage.

"Sign here so that you and I can do what bonded werewolves do, Sara James. You want it as much as I do," his voice dropped as he pointed at where I needed to sign.

*** Flashback Ends ***

I didn't even take a proper look at the contract to know what it says. I didn't even have the decency to hesitate. He already had me at "so we can do what bonded werewolves do." I was burning for him and the fire inside me did all my thinking.

Once I signed, he had them bring me

food, and he watched me eat. Twenty minutes later, I was naked and under him in the soft sheets of the bed at our secret apartment. Here I was today, unable to properly receive a man's advances. Because of hoping for someone I could never really have. Even though the Goddess meant him for me, he could never be mine.

"We're here," Avery announced, bringing back to the present moment.

Connor was the only one I ever considered a boyfriend in the past, and that relationship was never consummated. I feel so inexperienced around this police officer that I feared to ruin what he feels for me.

Besides Alex, that was the reason

I've always found an excuse to decline his request. But the more I look at him now, the more I consider giving it a try. Maybe eating that sandwich in front of him was the ice-breaker that I needed. There's certainly no harm in getting

ice-cream together.

We've gotten out of the car and were heading into the cafe together as he shared a joke about the place. But the laughter died on my lips when I walked through the door.

Luna Reign and the gamma female that threw me out of the cottage approached from the counter. As she came close and caught sight of me, her face twisted in a shock. Behind me, Avery's gasp sounded like it was from a distance. "You," he breathed.

The Luna was no longer looking at me. Her eyes had moved to Avery, and she looked like she was staring at a ghost.