Chapter 4

Bella's POV

As I stared at him and the file in my hands, my heart shattered into a million pieces. This man just dropped a bombshell on me. A marriage contract? How could this be happening?

He didn't spare me a glance, "What does it look like? As you can see, it's a marriage contract."

More tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision as I struggled to comprehend his words."B-but why?” I asked, my voice hoarse from crying.

He didn't even bother to look at me as he replied, his words cutting through me like a knife. "You asked if I had a lover earlier right? Here's your answer. Yes, I do. Although she's indisposed at the moment. 

My mind raced, desperately trying to grasp the meaning behind his words. "What do you mean by she's indisposed at the moment?” I croaked.

"She's in a coma." He answered leaning back and closing his eyes. 

Confusion and anger swirled within me as I mustered the courage to confront him. "Then why are you taking me? Why won't you let me go?"

But he remained silent, his expression hardened and persistent. It was then that I realized the painful truth. I was nothing more than a pawn in his game, a mere substitute for the woman he truly loved.

"You want me to take her place, don't you?" I asked, staring at him unbelievably.

"Yes, I do. At my age, I do not have an heir nor a Luna to rule with me, and that is where you, my dear mate, come in."

"I'm not interested!” I stated immediately, staring out the window. 

"You don't have a choice, Bella,” he replied nonchalantly, giving me goosebumps.

"What do you mean I don't have a choice?" I asked, scared of his words.

He leaned in closer, his breath hot against my neck, intensifying my discomfort. A sinister smile played on his lips as he reveled in his power over me. The realization that I was completely at his mercy sent a chill down my spine.

"You have twelve hours, Bella," he continued, his tone chillingly calm. "You must return the money I gave your stepfamily and find a replacement. If you can fulfill those conditions, I'll consider letting you go."

"What?" I yelled. How could I possibly gather such a large sum of money in such a short amount of time? And finding a replacement? Seeing my reaction, he smiled confidently knowing I couldn't possibly meet up with his demands.

"Or you can sign the contract and live a happy life as my Luna with a few conditions."

I tried to think of a way to break free from his grasp, to escape this twisted arrangement but it seems he held all the cards, leaving me with no viable options.

Desperation fueled my next question, as I wiped away my tears, "If I sign the contract," I began, my voice shaking, "what's in it for me?"

His smile widened, and his eyes gleamed with pure satisfaction. "Ah, an excellent question, Bella," he replied, turning to face me fully. "If you sign the contract and agree to my terms and conditions, you will be recognized as my Luna, as Alpha Max's mate. Everyone in my pack will respect you and treat you accordingly."

His words were tempting, but his conditions were undoubtedly laced with his selfish agenda.

"But what about your lover, Jessica?" I asked, heartbroken. "What about her? What will you do when she wakes up?"

He narrowed his eyes as annoyance flashed across his features, but he composed himself immediately. "When Jessica wakes up," he began, "I'll arrange a way for you to leave. You will be provided with enough financial support to start afresh, away from your current situation and, most importantly, away from your abusive stepfamily."

His words struck a chord within me. The promise of escape from the torment of my current life made me happy. But, I couldn't help but question his words. How could I trust him? 

Sensing my discomfort, he pointed at the document. "Everything is stated there, read and sign when you're done!” he said coldly.

I flipped the pages of the document, reading every statement and clause, desperately searching for a loophole, but there was nothing. I read him the rules of living as his Luna, and they seemed workable but as I read the last one saying, "This contract will be terminated immediately upon pregnancy and no money will be paid to her on this condition," I scoffed.

"I won't let you touch me! That way, I can't get pregnant and I can leave this cursed life and start afresh!” I muttered to myself.

Realizing that his rules weren't that hard to follow and that signing the contract would provide temporary shelter, an opportunity to heal, grow, and find stability, I made my decision and decided to sign it.

Taking a deep breath, I turned to him, "Fine! I will sign your contract and agree to your terms, but know this, Alpha Max. If you don't fulfill your side of the agreement, you'll regret taking me in."

His smirk widened, feeling satisfied with my answer. "Feisty," he teased and continued, "Very well, Bella," he replied, producing a pen from his pocket. "Let's get this over with."

Reluctantly, I took the pen from his outstretched hand, my fingers trembling, and with a deep breath, I brought the pen to the dotted line and signed my name, sealing my fate as Alpha Max's temporary Luna.

As I handed the contract back to him, a shiver ran down my spine as I knew there was no turning back. I was committed to this arrangement, whether I liked it or not.

Alpha Max kept the contract, then smiled at me while stretching his hands for a handshake. "Welcome to the pack, Luna Bella."

My heart dropped down by a thousand feet at the sound of my new title, Luna Bella. It felt like a prison sentence rather than an honorary title. But I have made my choice, and now I have to face the consequences.

Less than an hour later, we arrived at the packhouse and instead of going through the grand entrance, he took me through the back. Part of the contract states to never question him, so I sat there silently and waited for his orders. Time went by fast and before I knew it, I was standing by Alpha Max's side, being announced as the Luna on the first night, and a month later, I was performing my two duties as Luna- smile and nod.

In the one month I spent here, my life has been monotonous and lonely. Every day, I stayed in the room and avoided conversations by all means while my so-called mate spent his time in a room that I was forbidden to enter. Not like I cared about it but something told me Jessica was there.

Today, precisely one month after I arrived, I decided to go to the table to eat breakfast for a change. Ever since I arrived, I never lacked food. I was well fed with different dishes from all over the world and my favorite was the cranberry pie.

As I arrived at the dining, the servants nodded and served the numerous dishes on the table. As I laid my eyes on my favorite pie, I took a bite of it immediately but it tasted weird like the chef didn't prepare it properly.

I pushed it away and grabbed a deer leg, but as I brought it close to me, my stomach churned with a sudden wave of nausea. 

The room started to spin, and I knew I had to act fast if I didn't want to embarrass myself. With a hand over my mouth, I excused myself from the table, barely making it out of the room before the contents of my stomach threatened to spill out.

I stumbled down the hallway, desperately searching for the nearest restroom. Fear gripped me as I realized I was unfamiliar with the layout of the pack house. Every turn seemed to lead to a dead end, and I regretted eating at the table.

Finally, on my way to my room, I spotted a door slightly ajar and rushed towards it. I emptied the contents of my stomach into the bowl, clutching my stomach with each retch.

I felt lightheaded so I clung to the sink for support, feeling weak and drained.

Just as I was about to turn around and leave, I saw the chef standing beside me, looking worried. 

"Are you okay ma'am? You ran out in such a hurry. Did I do something wrong with the food?" She asked, pale. 

I shook my head and she helped me to my room. 

"Luna, if you don't mind, can I see your palm?" She asked and I stretched my other hand to her while I took a glass of water with the other. 

A smile bloomed across her face and she knelt in front of me. "Congratulations Luna. You're pregnant!”

I choked, spitting out the water I was drinking, and withdrew my hands. "I am what?”