The Alpha's Contract Luna (Alexia)

~Alexia-

"Here is the list of the guests who will attend the wedding. Be familiar with the names. I have included some of their profile. While Kieran has been forced into this marriage, he does not want to be humiliated. So, it is his instruction that you will have a decent ceremony," Rae described. Alexia nodded as she settled the list on her bedside table. She returned her attention to Rae and questioned, "So, what are we going to do today?"

"Let's start by giving you a tour of the packhouse. We'll look for your wedding gown in the afternoon and decide on the arrangements. Of course, I'll take you around town as well - get to know some of the pack members," Rae revealed.

Their first itinerary was the Stone family living area. It was located on the same floor as her room. In it were portraits of the previous Stone family that led the pack.

"This is Kevin Stone, Kieran's father. He was the longest Alpha who ruled our pack," Rae described. She smiled, saying, "He saved my family, you know. He brought us from the neighboring pack who had been suffering from poverty."

"That's nice," Alexia remarked. "He must be a kind alpha. Did the apple fall far from the tree?"

Realizing her words, Alexia pursed her lips. She said, "I'm sorry. I don't mean by it."

Rae chuckled. She answered, "I can't blame him. Alpha Kieran has been through a lot."

"His parents died when he was just ten years old. His uncle temporarily took over the pack until he was ready to rule. Only to find out that his uncle was the same person who orchestrated the death of the former alpha and luna, and he never meant to hand over his rule to Kieran. His uncle died in his own hands," Rae revealed. "The amount of betrayal he had experienced turned his heart into stone, literally."

"But remember what I said last night?" Rae asked.

Alexia nodded and replied, "Yes, that he isn't what it seems to be? So he isn't a stone after all? Doesn't look that way to me."

Rae sighed before putting up a smile. She replied, "He doesn't easily trust anyone with his true self. Again, be patient. You are new, someone who has become a wildcard to his plans. Try your best not to defy him, and you will have a harmonious life here." With a frown, Rae added, "Even as a contract wife."

For the rest of the day, Rae took Alexia around town. Alexia met many of the pack's people and was surprised by how welcoming they were. Each time she was introduced, Alexia greeted respectfully and put on her best smile.

"Is this our future, Luna? The King chose well. She is as beautiful as a flower!"

"It's nice to meet you, our future Luna."

"She is a daughter of an Alpha, right? No wonder she is so well-mannered."

When children approached her, she offered her embrace. It made Alexia recall Dean and Melissa's younger siblings that she felt helplessly emotional upon encountering the young pups.

"Hi, I am Cindy. You are so beautiful!" A young girl said. "I want to be as beautiful as you!"

The words of the pup made Alexia smile. She kneeled to the little one and said, "You are equally beautiful. I love your braids."

"Thanks! My mother made this!" The girl said, pointing to her mother.

Cindy's mother happened to be the town's well-known midwife. Her name was Mara. Bowing her head to greet the future Luna, Mara suggested, "When you are pregnant with the Alpha's child, I will personally take care of you."

It made Alexia blush. Next to her, Rae could not help but chuckle. However, she knew that would never happen. She was just a contract wife, and Kieran will never take her to bed. Moreover, she wanted it that way. Alexia hoped to still give herself only to her true mate.

Faking a smile, she replied, "That would be nice, Mara. It was lovely meeting you. You all made me feel at home today. Better than home."

After a long day of going around town, Alexia only wished to retire early for that night. When Rae excused herself to proceed to Kieran's office, Alexia rushed to her room.

Just as she was up the stairs, she could hear a man's speedy steps behind her. She did not have to turn around to identify who it was.

The air around her felt heavy, and it was as if the man's powerful aura engulfed her, and she was confident it could only be Alpha Kieran. Alexia's heart raced. She ordered herself, 'Faster, Alexia! Faster!'

When she arrived at her room, she quickly held the doorknob, ready to hide. However, she heard Kieran speak, "Stop! Acknowledge your Alpha!"

Alexia sucked in a breath and turned to Kieran, saying, "Alpha Kieran. My apologies. I have yet to be familiar with your scent. I did not realize it was you." Bowing her head, she added, "Good evening." "What's good about the evening?" In his usually icy tone, Kieran asked.

Alexia's eyes wandered from left to right, trying to find the right words. Eventually, she answered, "I've had the most wonderful day meeting your people, Alpha. Your pack is full of kind members. It is truly an honor to be here." "Is that why you forced yourself into this marriage?" He asked firmly.

"I promise you, Alpha. This was not my request. All I wanted was to turn twenty-one and be with my mate one day," she revealed.

Alexia did not know why, but it seemed as though the air turned glacial, and the negative energy seemed to have come from the alpha. He purred, and Alexia could feel his eyes burning through her frame.

"Just because I moved you to the

room next to me, you are one step closer to gaining my affection." He reminded as he stepped closer. "Don't think for a moment that you are truly welcome here in this pack, formy people did not know how you were named as my Luna

Alexia wound up retreating her steps to the confines of her room as Kieran continued to talk, his feet also taking him inside.

"Remember our agreement. You are

only a contract wife. That's all you

will ever be." Kieran huffed and resumed Tonight, I don't want to hear you

screaming in the middle of the night. Sleep on the bed, and don't dare sleep on the floor. Don't

make me come to you and tie you to

the bed."

"Remember, you are to keep your distance from me and avoid the same air that I breathe!" He added.

Alexia felt chills down her spine, following his reminder. She ended up holding her breath, following through with his latest command. "Leave!" He ordered.

Bemused, Alexia asked, "To where? Should I return to the previous room?"

Kieran frowned. And just like that, he left her in her new room. He walked back to the hallways and down the stairs.

Alexia was utterly bewildered. She wondered, 'Did he come up just to tell me that?'

Alexia settled the comforter down on the floor. It had been two hours since she had tried to put herself to sleep, but it was of no use. She figured she should try to sleep on the floor again. Before doing so, she locked her door, including the adjoining door between her and Alpha Kieran. She told herself, "There is no way he would find out I slept on the floor. Besides, what is it to him?" She looked out the window, and after confirming that it would not be a rainy night, she settled in and closed her eyes to sleep.

That night, she dreamed of Kieran

again, his affectionate caresses, and

she swore the surrounding air

smelled woodsy with a hint of spice.

After dreaming of Kieran, she

dreamt of a winter-grey wolf, its coat gleaming against the moonlight.

The glistening wolf said, "I'm coming for you. I'm coming for you."

Alexia woke up, feeling goosebumps all over her body. The words of the wintery-grey wolf kept echoing in her head, 'I'm coming for you.'

"What did that mean?" She asked herself, but before she could dwell on her dream, her eyes widened, realizing that she was sleeping in the bed and not on the floor!

She gasped, and her eyes landed on the adjoining door between her and Alpha Kieran. "No, it can't be."