Bound by the Alpha's Contract

Chapter 1

Freya’s Pov

I'm pregnant.

Three months before my marriage is set to end.

The thought barely settled before the test slipped from my shaking fingers, hitting the floor with a soft sound that felt louder than it should have.

This was always a marriage with an expiration date. On our wedding night, my mate placed a contract before me.

“You were never meant to be my Luna. But you are my mate. Will you accept a three-year marriage?”

Alpha Leo stood before me and said those words. I still remember his deep blue eyes quietly watching me.

“You are free to turn down this marriage.”

But I couldn’t. He was my mate and I had fallen for him hopelessly the moment I first saw him.

“I can make him love me.” I thought as I signed my name.

For three years, I tried everything. I cooked his favorite meals. I took care of the house. There were always fresh flowers in the living room, the ones he liked best. I hoped he would notice the little things and see how much I was giving, but he didn't.

Leo only came to me when he needed release, and even then, there was always a space between us that I could never cross. Still… I had spent three years convincing myself that one day, something would change.

Back then, I believed three years would be enough for him to love me, but I was wrong.

Now, the years are almost up and he has never once mentioned extending the contract. He treats me like one of his subordinates. Restrained and distant.

I touched my belly. A life was growing inside me. I could almost feel its heartbeat. But I had broken the one rule of our marriage contract.

“The female party shall not become pregnant during the term of the marriage. Any violation of this clause shall constitute a breach of the agreement and shall be subject to liability.”

The thought of having to terminate this pregnancy shattered me. Would he accept this child? Or would this be the reason he finally let me go?

I must be the most useless mother in the world if I let them harm my child and I won’t.

We met three years ago at the coming of age ball. Everyone knew my pack was weak, so they avoided me but only Leo walked up to me.

I had only three months left—and somehow, I found myself wondering if this child would change anything between us.

The memory faded as I stood outside the pack house, the test hidden tightly in my sleeve. By the time I stepped inside, my thoughts were a tangled mess, and I still didn’t know how to tell him.

He wasn't in his office. I stopped the nearest servants, my voice quieter than I intended.

“Where is the Alpha?”

The younger one froze instantly, her eyes flickering between me and the floor, uncertainty written all over her face.

“My Luna… I…”

She hesitated, glancing at the older servant beside her as if asking permission.

My patience snapped.

“I asked you a question.”

A few others slowed nearby, pretending not to listen.

“The Alpha gave orders,” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “When Miss Caroline is around… no one is allowed to disturb him.” My grip tightened around the test.

“With Caroline?” I repeated, slower this time.

“Yes, my Luna. He should be at her villa.”

For a moment, I said nothing.

Then quietly, “Send someone to inform him. I need to speak with him.”

Panic flashed across her face. “I can’t, Luna. The Alpha was very clear. He doesn’t want interruptions.”

Of course.

If he could dismiss me this easily now… what would happen when he found out I was pregnant?

The thought lingered painfully in my chest as I turned away and began walking.

Caroline had only recently arrived—Leo’s childhood friend. She just had a messy divorce with her abusive and narcissistic husband and was in need of protection. That was what everyone said.

So I told myself I was only going to her chambers because this was urgent.

By the time I reached her villa, my steps had slowed and my resolve was thinning already.

The door wasn’t fully closed. From inside, I heard her trembling voice.

“I didn’t know where else to go… Thank you for letting me stay. Permanently.”

‘Permanently?’ I whispered and stepped closer with unease, until the half-open door revealed what I wasn’t prepared to see.

Leo was on the bed, and Caroline was in his arms.

Her body leaned into his chest as she spoke.

“I hate him… I’m glad I didn’t have pups with him.” Her fingers clutched his shirt.

Leo didn’t move away.

Instead, his hand lifted slowly, brushing her hair back with a gentleness I had never felt from him. His fingers lingered at her cheek, wiping away her tears like that was the most natural thing in the world.

“Shh,” he said quietly with soft sleepy eyes. “You’re safe here, okay.”

Something inside me twisted. He had never looked or spoken to me like that.

Caroline’s eyes flickered toward me for the briefest second, then she leaned closer into his chest whimpering and my heart broke at the sight.

I told myself she was a victim. That she needed comfort. That I had no right to feel this way.

But none of that stopped the quiet ache spreading through my body.

“Leo?” I called quieter than I expected. He glanced at me, briefly.

Then his attention returned to her.

“What is it?” He asked, his tone already colder.

“Why are you here Freya?”

The difference was immediate.

I swallowed. “I… need to talk to you. It’s urgent.”

For a moment, he paused.

Just long enough for my hope to rise—

“If it’s urgent, say it.”

And just like that, it died again.

I hesitated, the words caught in my throat. This wasn’t how I imagined breaking the news to him, and not in front of her.

Caroline shifted slightly, as though she had just noticed me.

“Oh… I’m sorry, Luna,” she said, stepping back from the bed. “Am I interrupting something? I can leave.”

But her fingers remained curled around his sleeve. Before I could respond, Leo answered.

“No, you’re not, stay.”

Silence followed. I swallowed and opened my mouth to speak when Caroline stood up suddenly.

“Oh… I almost forgot,” she said, offering a small, apologetic smile.

The words rose to my lips but never came out, covered by the same familiar helplessness that had followed me for three years.

“I got you something, as a thank you.”

She picked up a box from the bed and opened it, revealing a neatly folded grey tie.

“It’s nothing expensive,” she added quickly, almost shy. “I just thought…”

“You didn’t have to,” Leo interrupted with a huge smile, forgetting I was standing there.

“I wanted to.” She smiled and then stepped closer to him.

“Let me…” Her fingers trembled slightly as she lifted the tie.

“I’m still a bit nervous. It helps to… focus on something simple.”

I lowered my gaze as she stepped closer to him, adjusting his collar with careful fingers.

That space…his space…had never belonged to me. This marriage has always been a contract. But then, it still felt like something was being taken from me.

Leo carefully turned to me.

“Freya, excuse us. I will come to your chambers later." He gave no room for argument. I nodded.

“It’s fine,” I said quietly. “It can wait.”

I turned and left and just like that, the moment slipped away again.

Some hours later, I found him alone in the garden.

“Leo.” He turned slightly.

“What is it?” I hesitated for a while, then spoke.

"Don't you think what you're doing with Caroline is inappropriate?"

“She’s been through a lot, Freya.”

His gaze hardened slightly. “Your priorities are disappointing.”

I had never seen that look on his face before. It was genuine disgust and it made my heart clench. But I had to speak. There was a fire burning inside me, urging me to defend my rights as his wife.

"I am your Luna. You let a strange woman cry on your shoulder."

"So what?"

"It's inappropriate."

I tried not to let my voice crack. Tried not to let the tears fall.

"I don't think I owe you an explanation. My friend needed help. And you're here, making trouble over nothing. I'm tired."

Leo walked away coldly, without so much as a glance in my direction. My heart plummeted into ice. It was as if I was seeing my place clearly for the first time. A contract marriage. A wife who was not respected.

And yet…My fingers tightened slightly at my side.

I still hadn’t told him. I nodded, forcing my voice to steady despite the weight in my chest.

“Leo, I—”

“Leo!” Caroline’s voice cut cleanly through mine.

He didn’t hesitate. He turned and headed straight for the pack house.

And just like that, the opportunity was gone again.

I followed him and on getting to the kitchen, it was a mess.

Something had burned and Caroline looked flustered, clearly embarrassed.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to ruin dinner.”

“It’s fine,” Leo said, already stepping in. “I’ll handle it.”

I swallowed. He spoke with that same patience and tone I always wanted from him.

“You shouldn’t have to…” Caroline was saying when he suddenly turned to me again.

"Freya, go home. I will join you in your chambers tonight.” I quietly looked away and left without another word.

That night, he didn’t come back to the room. I laid awake waiting for him, the pregnancy test was already on the table beside me.

~~~

Sometime past midnight, he was yet to come, so I went downstairs for water, when I heard whispering from the floors.

I tiptoed towards the balcony and looked down, it was Leo and Caroline.

“I didn’t plan on coming back like this…” There was a brief pause and then she said.

“You know I got divorced… because of you.” My fingers gripped the railing and my breath faltered as the weight of her words settled in.

“I know you still love me.” My heart broke at her words and I didn't dare to make a sound.

The thought that Leo had loved this woman once and still made me serve her, hit me worse.

He didn't give her a response and she stepped closer, pulling him into a hug.

“I couldn’t let you go,” she whispered. “And I won’t… not this time.”

“You promised me if I came back… things would be different.” She said and began crying.

My breath stalled in my chest. He promised her?

Her statement didn’t feel real…and yet, standing there in the dark, listening to her sob against him, I couldn’t deny it.

I waited for him to say something or deny it, but he simply stood there and let her hold him,and somehow, his silence hurt far more than anything she had said.