Chapter 2: The Alpha's Breeder

Grace's POV

“Don't twist my words, Grace. Nobody is taking your child away.”

“Then why does the contract say Daniel's family gets custody if our marriage ends?”

“It's a standard succession clause,” Dad replied impatiently. “Stop looking for reasons to ruin this opportunity.”

“I'm not signing away my future child's rights.”

“Then explain to those people at Rosewood why they're homeless.” He ended the call before I could answer.

Sarah reached across the kitchen table and took my hand. “Please tell me you're not agreeing to this.”

“I'll meet him, Sarah. That's all I'm promising.”

“And if he refuses to change the contract?”

I looked at the relocation figures between us. Mrs. Walker needed medical care, and the children had nowhere else to go. “Then I'll have to find another way.”

The following morning, Dad arrived in a black car and frowned at my navy dress.

“Couldn't you find something more flattering?”

“Good morning to you too.”

“Grace, Daniel Carter is an important man. You could at least try to look presentable.”

I looked down at the dress Mum had helped me choose before she died. “There's nothing wrong with my dress.”

“There's nothing wrong with the dress,” he muttered. “It's how you look in it.”

I turned toward the car before he could see my eyes fill. I'd chosen the dress because Mum always said the colour suited me. Now I wished I'd worn something else.

The Carter estate stood behind enormous gates, with armed guards stationed at the entrance. Dad reminded me to behave as we approached the house.

Inside, a housekeeper led us into a drawing room where an elegant woman sat beside the fireplace.

“William!” She greeted Dad warmly before examining me. “So this is your daughter.”

“Grace Bennett,” I introduced myself.

“Margaret Carter.” Her eyes settled on my waist. “William assured us you were healthy. Have you undergone fertility testing recently?”

“We haven't even exchanged greetings properly,” I replied, struggling to remain polite.

“Daniel needs an heir, dear. I hope your weight won't complicate matters.”

My cheeks burned. I'd barely entered her home, and she was already discussing my body.

“I understand your family offered my father seven hundred thousand dollars,” I replied. “Surely that bought him enough courtesy to introduce us properly.”

“Grace!” Dad snapped, glaring at me.

Margaret's smile disappeared. “What an unpleasant attitude. Daniel deserves a wife who understands her place.”

“And I deserve to be treated like a person.”

Dad seized my elbow. “Apologize immediately.”

“Let go of me.” I tried to pull away, but his grip only grew firmer.

“Is there a problem here?”

Dad released me immediately. I turned toward the unfamiliar voice and found Alpha Daniel Carter standing in the doorway, wearing a dark shirt with the sleeves rolled up.

He looked at my father before turning toward me, but the moment our eyes met, he stopped.

The scent of cedar and rain reached me, and my wolf surged forward so suddenly that I grabbed the nearest chair.

Mate!

My heart hammered against my ribs as Daniel's eyes flashed gold. His fingers curled against his palms, and I felt his wolf answering mine.

I'd spent years wondering whether my mate would love my body or wish I looked different. Now he stood before me, staring as though my existence had ruined something.

“Daniel?” Margaret asked sharply, looking between us.

“Mother, leave us.” His eyes returned to brown, although I could still feel the bond pulling at me.

“We haven't discussed the arrangements.”

“We will. Later.”

Margaret glanced between us again. She had seen his wolf respond. “William, come with me.”

Dad hesitated until Daniel spoke.

“Grace can speak for herself.”

Once they left, Daniel approached cautiously. “You're Grace Bennett.”

“And you're the Alpha who wants to buy me.”

“That's not how I intended this arrangement,” he replied, his expression hardening.

“Then why is my father receiving seven hundred thousand dollars?”

“The payment was meant to settle his debts and secure the marriage.”

“Your advisers also decided I should lose custody of any child I have.” I handed him the document and watched his expression darken as he read the clause.

“I didn't authorize this provision.”

“But you authorized the marriage.”

“Yes. I reviewed the financial terms. My advisers prepared the remaining conditions.”

“Did you ever think about what those conditions might mean for me?”

“I should have read them,” Daniel admitted, looking up.

His admission hurt more than an excuse would have. My future had been decided by people who hadn't bothered to consider me.

“My father spent years telling me no respectable man would want someone my size,” I said. “Yesterday, he offered me to you like an unwanted possession. I thought meeting you might make things different.”

“Grace, I didn't know you were my mate.”

“But you know now.”

“Yes,” he answered quietly.

My wolf stirred hopefully, waiting for him to come closer. “Then why did you look so unhappy?”

“Because I wasn't expecting this. If I don't satisfy the succession requirements, my cousin Marcus could become regent.”

“So finding me is another problem?”

“No. But it changes what I thought this marriage would be.”

He reached toward me, but I stepped back. “I'm not signing that agreement. I want my own lawyer, and Rosewood's debt must be paid directly to its lender.”

“Agreed.”

“And nobody decides when I become pregnant or takes my child away.”

“I'll reject that custody provision. The council may require an amendment, but I won't ask you to sign it.”

“Why should I trust you?” I asked, searching his face.

“Don't trust promises. Have your lawyer put everything in writing.”

I wanted desperately to believe him, but I couldn't forget the agreement he'd approved without reading.

“Did your father tell you why Rosewood is being foreclosed?” he asked.

“He borrowed against it without my permission. My mother built that home, Daniel. Twenty-three people live there.”

“He described the loan as his company's debt. He never mentioned Rosewood.”

“Of course he didn't,” I replied bitterly.

“I'll have my Beta contact the lender,” Daniel said, his jaw hardening.

Before I could answer, Margaret entered with Dad behind her.

“Well?” she asked, looking directly at me. “Has Grace accepted her responsibilities?”

“Grace will choose her own lawyer,” Daniel replied. “William won't negotiate on her behalf again.”

“She's my daughter!” Dad protested, his face reddening.

“She's an adult,” Daniel answered firmly.

For one foolish moment, hope stirred inside me. Daniel had defended me twice. Perhaps our bond meant something to him after all.

“Daniel, don't give the girl unrealistic expectations,” Margaret said with a cold laugh. “I saw your eyes when you entered. I know what she is to you.”

She turned toward me. “Being his fated mate doesn't automatically make you Luna. The council has standards.”

I looked at Daniel, waiting for him to contradict her, but he remained silent.

“Surely you didn't imagine the council would accept someone like you as Luna?” Margaret added, examining my figure again.

My face burned, but I refused to lower my head. I'd spent years listening to my father tell me I wasn't good enough. I couldn't bear hearing it from my mate's mother while he stood there saying nothing.

“Daniel, your wolf recognized mine. Are you really going to pretend otherwise?” I asked, struggling to keep my voice steady.

“I know you're my mate, Grace,” he replied, meeting my eyes.

“Then why won't you claim me?”

Daniel looked at the contract between us.

“Because I need an heir, Grace. Not a Luna.”