The Problem

CHAPTER four

Ryan POV

I took her home last night.

Even now, sitting alone in my office, I still could not understand why.

Bringing Scarlett Hayes to my pack had never been part of my plans.

In fact, if anyone had asked me yesterday morning what I would be doing today, this would have been the last answer I would have given.

I had enough problems already.

The hockey season had just ended.

The elders were constantly demanding more of my time.

The pack needed my attention.

The council never stopped sending reports.

And my family had spent the last two years trying to push Ava, the Beta’s daughter, into my life.

Every gathering, every  dinner, every celebration.

Someone always found a way to mention her name and I was tired of it.

Ava was beautiful, intelligent, and respected within the pack.

Everyone thought she would make the perfect Luna.

The only problem was that I had never wanted her and it was not just about Ava.There was someone else in my mind for a long time, even before all of this.Someone from my childhood.The only person I never forgot, I still keep a necklace from that time.

A small reminder of her, I always believed that one day I would find her again and  when I do, I will not hide it anymore, I will tell the pack who I choose.

Now  Scarlett appeared.

A struggling athlete, a  woman I had never met before, a woman who should have meant nothing to me.

Yet my wolf refused to leave her alone.

Mate.

Mate.

Mate.

The word had followed me all night.

Every time I tried to focus on something else, my wolf dragged my thoughts back to her.

It was annoying and frustrating, I leaned back in my chair and rubbed my forehead.

One look, that  was all it had taken. One look at her across the ice and everything had changed.

The worst part was that my wolf was not asking.

It was demanding. As far as my wolf was concerned, Scarlett belonged here, my wolf always want to be around her, pushing me to wherever she’sz 

And if I ignored him, he made sure I suffered for it.

I had barely slept.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her standing in that hall.

Crying.

Terrified.

Completely alone.

The image refused to leave my mind.

A knock sounded on the office door.

Before I could answer, my assistant stepped inside.

He placed several documents on my desk.

I glanced at them briefly.

Council reports, budget reports, pack  reports.

Normally I would have gone through every page immediately.

Today I had no interest in any of them.

My attention was elsewhere. “How is our guest?” I asked.

The question left my mouth before I even realized I was asking it.

My assistant tried very hard not to smile. “She is fine, Alpha.”

I frowned. “Has she caused any problems?”

“No.”

“Has she tried to leave?”

“No.”

“Has she asked for anything?”

“No.”

My assistant hesitated.“She mostly stayed in her room.”

Something about that answer bothered me.

I dismissed my assistant and stood from my chair.

The contract i aalready prepared for her to sign waiting on my desk.

Since my wolf want to be with her so badly, then I would make her my contract mate, If Scarlett was staying here, there would be rules.

Strict rules., no  emotional attachment, no interference in pack affairs, no involvement in political matters, no using my name or position for personal advantage, no public behavior that could damage my reputation Ana most importantly…No falling in love.

The rule was ridiculous.

I knew that.

But seeing it written there somehow made me feel better.

This arrangement needed boundaries.

Without them, everything would become complicated.

I gathered the papers and headed upstairs.

The mansion was quiet.

Most of the staff were already busy with their duties.

As I approached the guest wing, I noticed one of the maids leaving a room.

She bowed respectfully.“The guest is inside, Alpha.”

I nodded. For a moment, I stood outside the door.

Then I knocked. A few seconds later, the door opened.

Scarlett stood there. She looked different from yesterday, the  tears were gone but  fear was still there, this time  it was hidden better.

She seemed surprised to see me.

“Thank you, Rya!

I simply nodded.

There was no reason to make a big deal out of it.

I lifted the documents in my hand.

Her eyes moved to them immediately.“What is that?” she asked carefully.

“Read it,” I said.

She hesitated for a moment, then took the papers from me. The moment her eyes landed on the first page, her expression changed.

Her grip tightened slightly.

“A… contract?Con… you want me to be your contract mate” she read out slowly, like she did not believe it.

Her eyes lifted to mine, shock  was clear in her face.“Yes,” I said calmly.

“If you are staying here, then you can stay only if you are my contract mate .”

She looked back down at the papers.

I continued.

“It’s your choice “

Her fingers moved slowly over the pages as she listened.

She did not respond immediately, her  eyes kept moving across the pages, carefully..

Like she was trying to understand if there was a trick hidden inside.

At one point, she frowned slightly.chat  another, she looked like she wanted to speak but  she stayed quiet.

I watched her the entire time, not  because I was interested but because I needed to be sure she understood.

Finally, she reached the last pager, her fingers stopped moving.

She stared at the signature line, for  a long time, she did not move.

Then she spoke, almost whispering. “So this is it…”

I did not answer.

She swallowed.n“If I sign this… I stay here?”

“Yes,” I said.

“But only under the conditions written.”

Her hands tightened around the paper.

Another long silence followed.

Then she asked quietly.

“And if I don’t?”

“You leave,” I said simply.

That was all, thenshe picked up the pen and  signed her name.

The moment the ink touched the paper, something strange happened.

My wolf became quiet, not completely but quieter than he had been since meeting her as  though he was satisfied, as  though bringing her here had been the correct decision.