10

Sage’s POV

The library was less intimidating than the dining room-which wasn’t saying much, considering it was still the size of my entire apartment. Floor- to-ceiling bookshelves lined three walls, filled with leather-bound volumes that looked older than me.

A fireplace crackled softly in the corner, and two oversized leather chairs faced each other near the windows.

Kael guided me to one of the chairs and took the other. For a moment, we just sat there in silence.

“So,” I said finally. “Your grandmother wants us to fake-mate for the baby’s protection.”

“She’s not wrong about the risks.”

“But she’s asking us to lie. To everyone.”

“It wouldn’t be a complete lie.” Kael leaned forward, elbows on his knees.

“We would be legally bound. Living together. Raising a child together. The only thing we’d be faking is the emotional component.”

“The love part.”

“Yes.”

I pulled my legs up under me, suddenly exhausted.

“This is insane.”

“Welcome to werewolf politics.” His lips quirked slightly. “For what it’s worth, I hate this as much as you do.”

“Really? Because you seem pretty comfortable with the idea of a business arrangement instead of an actual relationship.”

“I am comfortable with business arrangements. I understand them. I know the rules.” He ran a hand through his hair-that gesture I was starting to recognize as frustration.

“Relationships, on the other hand, are unpredictable. Messy. Prone to failure.”

“Wow. That’s incredibly romantic.”

“I told you I’m not romantic.” But something in his voice softened.

“Look, I’m not saying I want a fake relationship. I’m saying I want you safe. And if a contract accomplishes that, then I’m willing to consider it.”

“What would this contract even look like?”

“Legally binding agreement. You’d take the Thorne name, have full access to family resources, pack protection. In exchange, you’d live with me, attend pack functions, present as my mate publicly.”

“For how long?”

“Until the baby turns eighteen. Or until we mutually agree to end it.” He paused.

“There would be provisions for privacy. Separate bedrooms if you want. No physical intimacy required unless we both consent.”

“So we’d be roommates. Raising a kid together. While pretending to be mates.”

“Essentially.”

I stared at the fire, watching the flames dance.

“And what happens if one of us actually finds our true mate? During those eighteen years?”

His jaw tightened. “The contract would include a clause. If either party finds their true mate, we dissolve the agreement amicably.”

“You’ve thought about this a lot.”

“I’ve been thinking about it since the moment you told me you were pregnant.” He stood, moving to the window. “I know this isn’t ideal. I know you probably imagined something different for yourself. True love, chosen mate, all of that.”

“I thought I had that with Nash.”

“Nash’s an idiot.”

Despite everything, I smiled. “You don’t even know him.”

“I know he called you Rice. That’s enough.”

Kael turned to face me. “For the record? You’re not bland. You’re not forgettable. And you’re sure as hell not nobody’s first choice.”

My throat tightened. “You have to say that. I’m carrying your baby.”

“I don’t have to say anything. I choose to say it because it’s true.” He moved closer, crouching down so we were eye level.

“That night at the bar? I wasn’t looking for anyone. I was there to close a deal, have one drink, and go home.

Then you walked in looking like someone had shattered your world, and I couldn’t look away.”

“Kael-”

“You made me laugh. You called me a potential serial killer. You challenged every single thing I said.”

His eyes-gray now, no gold-held mine.

“And when I woke up the next day and you were just…., I felt like I’d found something important. Something I didn’t even know I was looking for.”

I couldn’t breathe. “You left me a note. And coffee!

“I had an emergency meeting. I thought I’d be back in an hour.” He shook his head. “By the time! got back, you were gone. No number, no way to contact you. Just a memory of the best night I’d had in years.”

“You looked for me.”

“For weeks. Marcus thought I was losing my mind.” He stood, putting distance between us again. “Then you walked into that interview, and I thought maybe fate was giving me a second chance.”

“So you hired me.”

“So I hired you. And proceeded to be completely professional because I didn’t want to pressure you. Didn’t want you to feel like you owed me anything.” He laughed, but there was no humor in it.

“Turns out you were hiding something much bigger than attraction.”

“I’m sorry. For not telling you sooner.”

“I understand why you didn’t. I’m not exactly approachable.” He returned to his chair, suddenly looking tired. “But we’re here now. And we need to make decisions.”

“The contract,” I said slowly. “If I agree to it, what happens next?”

“My lawyer draws up the paperwork. We review it together, make any changes you want. Then we sign it, announce our mating to the pack, and move forward.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that.” He met my eyes. “I know it’s not romantic. I know it’s not what you wanted. But it would keep you safe. Keep our baby safe. And honestly? That’s all that matters to me right now.”

I thought about my studio apartment with the bathroom in the hallway.

About being fired from the diner, rejected by my pack, dismissed by people like Jade and Vanessa. About being alone and pregnant and terrified.

Then I thought about Kael’s penthouse. Security. Resources. Protection.

A chance to give my baby everything I never had.

“I have conditions,” I said.

His eyebrows rose. “I’m listening.”

“First: separate bedrooms. I need my own space.”

“Agreed.”

“Second: I keep working. I’m not going to sit around your penthouse doing nothing.”

“Agreed. Though you’ll transition to lighter duties as the pregnancy progresses.”

“Third: if either of us finds our true mate, we end this. No drama, no fighting, just a clean break.”

“Agreed.”

“Fourth: we’re honest with each other. About everything. No more secrets.”

He hesitated. “That one’s harder. My business involves confidential information-”

“I don’t mean business secrets. I mean personal ones. If something affects us, our living situation, the baby-we talk about it. Immediately.”

“Alright. Agreed.”

“And fifth-“I took a breath. “This contract doesn’t give you control over me. I’m not your property. I’m your partner in this. Equal decision-making about the baby, about our living situation, all of it.”

He studied me for a long moment. “You drive a hard bargain, Miss Draven.”

“I learned from the best.”

“Alright.” He stood, extending his hand.

“Partners. Equal decision-making. Separate bedrooms. Honesty. And freedom to find our true mates if they exist.”

I stood and shook his hand. His grip was warm, firm. “Partners.”

“I’ll have the contract drawn up this week. We’ll review it together before you sign anything.” He didn’t let go of my hand immediately.

“For what it’s worth? I think this could work.”

“Which part? The fake mating or the co-parenting?

“Both.” His thumb brushed across my knuckles- that same gesture from earlier. “We’re both practical people. We can make this work.”

“What if we can’t?”

“Then we’ll figure something else out.” He finally released my hand. “But I have a feeling you’re more stubborn than you give yourself credit for.”

“Stubbornness runs in my family. Or so I’m told.”

“Good. You’ll need it, dealing with my grandmother

As if summoned, there was a knock on the library door.

Eleanor entered without waiting for permission, carrying a folder.

“I thought you might need this,” she said, handing it to Kael. “Standard mating contract.

My lawyer drew it up years ago, hoping you’d eventually use it. Kael opened the folder, scanning the contents.

“This is comprehensive.”

“It’s thorough,” Eleanor corrected. She turned to me

“Everything you need is in there. Financial provisions, legal protections, pack status. Read it carefully. Have your own lawyer review it if you’d like.”

“I don’t have a lawyer.”

“Then I’ll provide one. Someone independent, so you know you’re being treated fairly.” She smiled.

“Despite what you might think, dear, I’m not trying to trap you. I’m trying to protect you.”

“Why?” I asked bluntly. “You don’t even know me.”

“Because you’re carrying my great-grandchild. That makes you family. And I protect my family.”

She moved toward the door. “Now, it’s getting late. Kael should drive you home. We can discuss details later this week.”

“Grandmother,” Kael said. “Sage’s moving into the penthouse. Tomorrow.”

Eleanor’s smile widened. “Excellent. I’ll have the guest room prepared properly. Unless-” She looked between us. “-you’re planning to share?”

“Separate bedrooms,” I said quickly.

“For now,” Eleanor said mysteriously.

“Goodnight, dears. Drive safely.”

She left, and I sagged against the chair. “Is she always like that?”

“Always.” Kael closed the folder. “Come on. I’ll take you home. You look exhausted.”

The drive back to my apartment was quiet. I stared out the window, watching the city lights blur past, trying to process everything that had happened.

A few hours ago, I was just Kael’s assistant.

Now I was the mother of his child, his future fake- mate, and apparently part of a powerful werewolf family.

“You’re thinking too loud,” Kael said.

“Sorry. I’m just… processing.”

“Take your time. This is a lot.”

“That’s an understatement.” I glanced at him.

“Can ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“Why did you really hire me? Was it just because of our night together? Or was there something else?”

He was quiet for a long moment. “Both. You were qualified-better than the other candidates.

But yes, I also wanted a chance to know you better. To figure out why I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

“And now? Now that you know I’m pregnant?”

“Now?” He pulled up to my building. “Now I’m even more invested in knowing you. Because you’re not just the woman from the bar anymore. You’re the mother of my child. My future partner. And someone I’m going to be spending a lot of time with.”

“That’s very practical.”

“I told you, I’m a practical person.” He turned off the engine. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t care,Sage. I do. More than I probably should, given the circumstances.”

My heart did that complicated thing again.

“Kael-”

“Let me walk you up. Make sure you get inside safely.”

“It’s a studio apartment. What could happen?”

“Humor me.”

We walked up the three flights of stairs-the elevator was broken again-to my door. I unlocked it, very aware of how tiny and shabby everything looked through his eyes.

“This is it,” I said awkwardly. “Home sweet home.”

He looked around, taking in the Murphy bed, the mini-fridge, the single window. His jaw tightened.

“You’re not staying here another night.”

“Kael-”

“I’m not trying to control you. But look at this place, Sage. Look at it.” He moved to the window, checking the lock.

“This lock is broken. Anyone could get in. And these stairs? They’re a fire hazard. If something happened-”

“Nothing’s going to happen-”

“You don’t know that.” He turned to face me.

“Pack your essentials tonight. I’ll send movers for the rest tomorrow. But you’re not sleeping here again.”

“I haven’t agreed to move in yet-”

“You will. Because you’re practical too. And you know this place isn’t safe.” He moved closer.

“Please, Sage. Let me do this one thing. Let me keep you safe.”

I wanted to argue. To insist I was fine on my own.

But I wasn’t fine. I was three months pregnant, living in a fire trap with a broken lock, and completely out of my depth.

“Okay,” I said quietly. “I’ll pack tonight.”

Relief flooded his features. “Thank you.”

“But I’m doing this for the baby. Not because you told me to.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” He pulled out his phone. “I’m texting you the gate code for the building, the elevator key code, and the penthouse door code. Memorize them.”

My phone buzzed with three separate messages.

“The guest bedroom is the second door on the right from the main living area,” he continued. “It has its own bathroom-with a less ridiculous chandelier.”

Despite everything, I smiled. “You remembered.”

“I remember everything you say.” He moved toward the door. “Get some rest. Tomorrow’s going to be busy.”