Contract marriage

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Damien leaned back in his seat, one leg crossed over the other, before he dropped the bombshell. “I want a wife,” he said simply.

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Lyra blinked repeatedly. “Excuse me?” She'd come here for a job, not for some sort of clown show.

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His lips curved faintly, though there was no humor in his eyes. “That is the nature of the job. I don't want a lover or someone to warm my bed; all I need is a wife."

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Her throat went dry, and she forced herself to sit up. “So you want me to… what? Be your—”

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“Wife,” he repeated, cutting her off. “But before you misunderstand, this isn’t some fairytale proposal. It’s a contract marriage with clear terms, so don't think I've fallen in love with you overnight."

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Well, that was a relief. After what she'd been through, marriage was the last thing she wanted.

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Lyra’s heart slammed against her ribs. A contract marriage? She’d only just met him and he'd taken her virginity too. The smart thing to do was laugh in his face and walk out, but Killian’s mocking voice echoed in her head: No one will ever want you.

The moon goddess was giving her a chance now to show Killian that she had gotten a better man. But at what cost? She'd have to become his wife.

She straightened, meeting Damien’s eyes. “Why me?” she wanted to know. "Aside from the fact that we had sex, you only know my name."

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“That,” Damien said smoothly, “isn’t something you need to worry about. Let’s just say my reasons are my own.”

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Her suspicion flared, but she knew pushing him further was of no use. “So I’m just supposed to sign myself away to a stranger I met at a club?”

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“You’re not signing yourself away,” Damien replied. "You'll have freedom; you'll be comfortable." That was obvious; she was in a mansion.

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"You will be protected, and in return, you'll get more money than you can ever imagine and the fame too." Comfort. Protection. In return, you’ll stand by my side. Appearances matter in my world.”

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And love?” she asked, almost bitterly.

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His gaze hardened. “Love is irrelevant because I don’t believe in it, which is why this is only a contract marriage.”

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Something inside her twisted at those words. But then she thought of Killian, of Matilda’s smirk, of the laughter in her face. She thought of how they said she was cursed, unwanted, and undesired.

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Her jaw tightened. I’ll show them. And thank heavens that in all ramifications of life, Damien was farther off than Killian, which would only make the revenge sweeter.

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“I’ll do it,” she uttered. "As long as I don't have to warm your bed at night, I'll do it."

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Damien’s eyes narrowed, studying her with surprise.“Just like that?”

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“Just like that,” she said firmly. “You said you don’t care about love. Neither do I at this point, so maybe we’re a perfect match.”

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For the first time, something flickered across his face like amusement, maybe even admiration. But it was gone before she could place it.

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“Good,” he said. “Then you’ll move in tonight.”

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Her head snapped up. “Tonight?”

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“Now,” he corrected. He pressed a button on the desk, and seconds later, a tall, broad man entered the office, followed by another with sharp eyes and a driver’s uniform.

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“Marcus, Ewan,” Damien said, “take her to her apartment. Pack her things and bring them here.”

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Lyra’s mouth opened, ready to reject his offer. “I can pack my own—”

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“I don’t like delays,” Damien interrupted smoothly. “You’re my wife now, remember? That means my people handle what needs to be done.”

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She bit her tongue, refusing to argue. Moments later, a well-dressed woman came in with a file in her hands. Damien signed and gave it to Lyra, who wasted no time in putting down her signature.

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She was officially Lyra Damien B.

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‎---

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Later, Damien stood alone in his study, his eyes darkening as his wolf stirred within him.

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You really think she’s the one? His wolf asked, his voice low and restless. "I've lost count of how many women you've married."

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Damien’s jaw flexed as he stared down at the city below. "We’ve thought that before; you can never tell."

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And been wrong before, the wolf growled. But this one… there’s something different about her, and I'm sure you felt it too.

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Damien exhaled slowly, staring out at the city lights. "We’ll just have to wait and see if she’s truly the one."

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If not… He let the thought trail off, the weight of the curse pressing down like chains. He'd have to let her go like the others.

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