The Alpha's Contract Luna (Alexia)

~Alexia-

Alexia's face was red as a tomato. Her insides were screaming in thrill. She avoided Kieran's gaze by looking out the car's window, hiding every bit of her emotions. They were heading toward the packhouse, where many pack members were waiting for Kieran's return. 'So, he wanted me to kiss him?' She thought in her head. 'Could my marriage work out eventually?'

Out of nowhere, she felt Kieran's gaze on her back. Gradually, she turned his attention to him. Her eyes landed on the corner of his lip, where he had an evident bruise. She said, "Have you had that checked, Kieran?" Kieran was already staring at her. He gave away no emotions as he replied in his deep voice, "Yes, it's better now."

"Did you incur any other injuries?" Alexia asked.

"Yes, my thigh." Kieran caressed the part where he was injured and said, "It's covered with bandages, but nothing that I can't handle. I heal faster since I have an alpha blood."

Yes, Alexia remembers how an alpha blood can expedite healing, aside from having impressive strength. However, if Kieran had his mate, he would heal even faster.

'That's right,' Alexia thought. Kieran was bound to have a mate. It was the same with her. Somewhere out there, she and Kieran had their true mates. 'What if Kieran finds his soulmate?'

Alexia stopped herself from thinking of this. Only a few could find their true mates. Sometimes, Alexia considered how the Moon Goddess did not think things through when it came to the rules of mates.

You could have a true mate continents away, and you would never know it. She was bound to be doomed if it was the case with her. She would never have enough money to travel around the world to look for her mate.

Then, mates were only found when they could shift. Their inner werewolves would recognize the mate bond, and when two true mates look into each other's eyes, they see their future together. At least, this was what her mother told her when she was young. "What are you thinking?" Kieran asked.

Alexia immediately snapped out of her thoughts and replied, "Oh, I was just... trying to figure out how you can heal faster."

"I heal quickly," Kieran replied. Then, it was as if he had read her mind. He added, "I don't need someone licking my wounds to do that."

Alexia forced a smile. Still, she could not help but wish that she was the one to make his wounds heal faster.

After half an hour on the road, their vehicle stopped. They finally arrived at the red-brick mansion.

Immediately, Kieran was welcomed by the pack members, giving him gifts and words of praise.

"Thank Goddess for your safe return, Alpha!"

"We heard you fought with the warriors. Thank you for aiding our men in the fight!"

"Welcome back, Alpha Kieran!"

"Alpha! Alpha Kieran, will the war be over soon? I miss my son?" An older woman whom Alexia recognized in one of her encounters in town. She was Vanessa, the mother of one of Kieran's gammas, Canyon.

"Not yet, Vanessa, but rest assured, I will stop at nothing to deplete our enemy's forces. Now that their General is dead, Eswen is mourning. They will be forced to send out a weaker and inexperienced leader to man their attacks," Kieran conveyed. He turned to the other pack members, paying attention, and added, "Victory is within our grasp."

Applause could be heard from the crowd. While Kieran's people were letting out a sigh of relief, the alpha returned his attention to Vanessa. He said, "And don't worry. I already ordered Canyon to return. Ace will take over the coast in a month," Kieran answered. "Thank the Goddess!" Behind the flock of people, Rae exclaimed.

"Thank the Moon Goddess!" The rest of the crowd echoed the same.

"Let's celebrate Alpha Kieran's return with a feast!" Jaxon announced.

Then, in Alexia's head, she heard Jaxon mindlinked to each pack member. 'To those who cannot join the celebration of Alpha Kieran's return, we will send you food in your posts.'

"You look pretty," Alexia remarked, admiring Rae's floral dress.

"You look amazing," Rae said back, winking at Alexia.

The two had dressed together, wearing new clothes Rae had purchased a few days ago. They had gone to Rae's room to change and were now making their way to the packouse's backyard. Alexia sighed, saying, "Someday, I'll pay you back -"

"Nonsense! I did not pay for your clothes." Rae said back. "All I had to do was say that the dress was for you, and the store owners all charged it to Kieran's account."

Alexia's eyes widened. She gasped, covering her mouth. "You did what?! Oh, my Goddess! You are going to get me in trouble."

"It was the alpha's instruction," Rae revealed. "After you wore that off-shoulder dress during your dinner, Alpha Kieran asked me to shop for your clothes."

"He did?" Alexia asked in shock. "You are lying!"

"Why would I?" Rae answered. "Come on. Let's hurry. I can't wait to see Kieran's reaction when he sees you in this beautiful dress."

Alexia chuckled. She shook her head, whereas Rae let out a sigh.

The two were already on the ground

floor, heading to the back entrance when Alexia saw Rae's mark on the е slope between her neck and shoulder. It wasn't the first time she saw Rae's mark, but after having thought about true mates earlier, she was reminded of its strong bond.

"I like your mark," Alexia commented at the two werewolves hugging each other, imprinted on Rae's skin. Rae's and Jaxon's marks were in color

black. The symbols were different for every true mate. After mates bite each other in the neck's slope and formalize their bond, the same mark would magically transform into their Goddess-designated symbol.

"Thank you," Rae said with a proud smile, her fingers touching her mark.

There was silence as Alexia followed behind Rae. Then, out of nowhere, she uttered, "I guess I won't be having my mark."

Rae turned to Alexia. At first, sadness reflected in her eyes, but soon, Rae suggested, "What if Alpha Kieran is your true mate, Alexia? Do you doubt the fate that brought you here?"

Alexia gulped. She had not thought about that. 'Kieran as my true mate?'

Alexia secretly hoped, but what if it was not the case? And she did not save herself for her true mate? How she wished she was already twenty-one. Then she would know if Kieran was her soulmate.

"Listen to me, Alexia. I know it's hard, but please also consider the possibility that Alpha Kieran might be the one for you. Don't you feel it? That strange potent attraction?" Rae asked while putting both her hands on Alexia's arms.

Was Alexia ready to admit she was attracted to Kieran? No. This man, at first, disliked her arrival after all. She said back, "I would not call it potent."

Her face reddened as she expressed her denial.

Rae laughed, then revealed, "Before coming of age, I have always been attracted to Jaxon, and it was the same for him. We could not, for the love of the Goddess, explain how we felt about each other. Deep inside, I felt he was the one for me. Then, when I turned twenty-one, shifted and confirmed that Jaxon was my true mate."

"Trust your feelings," Rae added. "Trust your heart."

"My feelings? What about Kieran's feelings?" Alexia softly pointed out. "How do I even know he likes me? Do you forget how I am only a contract wife?"

"When the war ends, will he not ask for a divorce?" Alexia sought.

Alexia studied Rae's face. She parted her lips, ready to answer, "Alexia -"