Chapter 14
AWEEK EARLIER…
“Hey,” Alpha Perez said as soon as Serena finished dressing. She was startled and looked at him, puzzled as to why he was. waiting for her outside the bathroom, “Before you go home, I wanted to make an offer so, how about discussing it over breakfast?”
“Uhm. Offer about what?” she asked, closing the door behind her before walking past him to fix her hair in front of the mirror. Her heart was still beating faster from being startled but he tried to calm down and remained composed
“You mentioned leaving your pack and getting a divorce.. Have you thought about what you’ll do next, like where you’ll live or stay? If you haven’t made any plans yet, would you consider joining my pack and becoming my mate?” Serena’s steps faltered as those words escaped his lips. She spun to face him, eyes widening as she found herself nearly pressed against his well–defined chest.
For a brief moment, her mind went blank, and she couldn’t think of anything to say. Her gaze remained fixed on his chest, as if she wanted to reach out and touch it. But she quickly shook herself out of her daze and spoke up.
“Wait, Alpha… What on earth did I just hear? And could you possibly put some clothes on? P–please?” She looked away, feeling flustered as he stood there in only his pants. Even though they had been intimate yesterday, it still made her self- conscious, especially now that she was fully sober.
The memories of their steamy encounter flooded back, causing her checks to flush with embarrassment.
“You’re getting shy now?” Alpha Perez chuckled before pulling a new shirt from his bag and started putting it on. Once finished, he sat down on the sofa across from Serena, who was already seated there. Her face was a mixture of confusion and curiosity, with countless questions racing through her mind. “You want to talk here? How about breakfast?”
“I’m sorry, I know it may sound cold–hearted, but I can’t risk being seen with you this early. Besides, I can’t stay here for too long so, please just explain to me what it is you want from me.” Serena responded, trying her best not to come across as rude. She was ashamed acting like this now and felt like she was indeed trying to eat and run, as the Alpha Perez had worded it earlier.
After she had savored the taste of him, she was just going to leave as if nothing had happened between them. And as much as she wanted to share breakfast with him, it wouldn’t really be a good idea. She was still within their territory, where some may recognize her.
Being seen with a man, especially the Alpha, could lead to rumors about their relationship which she wanted to avoid at all costs. With so much already on her plate, adding more gossip was the last thing she needed.
“All right, I understand so you don’t have to look guilty,” Alpha Perez smiled before his whole aura shifted into something more serious, causing Serena to feel a lump form in her throat, fearing that she might have offended him. “I won’t sugarcoat it As I mentioned before, if you choose to leave your pack and husband, come join mine instead and become my wife.”
His words were direct and unmistakable, leaving no room for Serena to misunderstand or take them as a joke. She felt both shocked and overwhelmed, struggling to process everything he was saying. And it was obvious that she seemed lost, making Alpha Perez wonder if he was being rash. But he knew this may be his only chance to make her an offer, so he pushed ahead with determination and intent to sway her decision.
“I’m proposing a contract marriage. You see, the Alpha King kept sending unmated women to my pack in hoped of finding me a mate. However, I don’t trust the king and his intentions. He claimed it’s for my happiness and future, but I know there was another reason behind his actions.” Alpha Perez started to explain, hoping to convince Serena to see things from his perspective.
The words he spoke were nothing but the truth, but the ulterior motive behind his offer was to claim Serena as his own. From a young age, he had always resented the idea that the moon goddess held the power to choose his destined nate. to him, it seemed unjust for individuals to have no say in such a crucial aspect of their life. So, he never truly believed in the concept of a destined mate
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11:23 Thu, Nov 28
Chapter 11
He was determined to not let anyone, not even the moon goddess, dictate his fate and choose his mate. He would be the one to make that decision and mark the one he wanted to hear his offspring.
“I’m sure you’ve already heard some rumors about me being a threat to the Alpha King. I was convinced that he was attempting to infiltrate my pack by sending me a mate as a cover” he added, his eyes not leaving Serena’s
“As of now, the Alpha King may be subtly pressuring me to get married, but I fear that one day he may use his power to force me into an unwanted marriage. Before that happens, I need to find a suitable woman I can marry.” Alpha Perez observed Serena’s expression carefully. She seemed like an open book at the moment, revealing her surprise and hesitation without any effort.
“I know this offer sounds strange, and you might assume I’m using you after letting you use me to get revenge on your husband. But that’s not the case; I simply thought our circumstances were aligned for this type of arrangement,” he continued, attempting to keep his tone calm and collected.
After all, he didn’t want to pressure her or come off as desperate because he was afraid of losing the chance to be with her. At the same time, he didn’t want to risk scaring her away or adding more stress to her already burdened mind.
“B–but why me? Surely, there were more suitable candidates out there. Not only was I about to become a divorcee, but I also couldn’t shift like other she–wolves could,” Serena finally spoke after she wrapped her head around everything. His situation does make sense, and she could understand why he would go to such extreme lengths to avoid unwanted marriage and potential danger, but there was still uncertainty on her part.
“Selecting me for a contract marriage could potentially harm your image, you know?” Serena added, unsure whether or not it was a wise idea considering he wasn’t an ordinary Alpha. He was someone who even the King was wary of and considered
war hero.
If he were to marry a divorced woman, it would surely raise questions about his judgment in choosing a mate and luna for his powerful pack
“That won’t be an issue. My image and reputation weren’t exactly pristine to begin with, so you don’t need to worry about that.” Alpha Perez’s words washed over her in a wave of sincerity, but they only served to increase her confusion. Her mind raced with questions as she tried to decipher his intentions.
Why was he so determined to involve her?
“If you’re wondering why I chose you, my answer is simple. I believe you are the perfect fit for this role. And let’s be honest, need me as much as I need you.” he stated as he leaned against the backrest and folded his arms over his chest, “Don’t you want to get revenge on those who wronged you? I can help you with that.”
you
As soon as Serena heard those words, her finger twitched with temptation. She couldn’t deny that the proposal was tempting: it could be a win–win situation if she ignored the potential rumors that would arise from their marriage. Besides, she didn’t have much in her when she left the pack, so being offered to join another pack was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up, despite the uncertainty that came with it
It was a chance for a fresh start, a new family and life…
When Alpha Perez noticed Serena’s growing interest in his proposition, he confidently stood up and sat on the wooden center table directly in front of her, causing her to look up at him with surprise. Then, he took her hand and kissed the back of it while locking eyes with her, it was as if he was trying to read her very soul that made her shiver.
“Be my Luna, and I promise you that you get whatever you want, whenever you desire–be it your ex–husband and sister’s head or your pack’s downfall.”
