The Alpha

POV: Vivian

The study was huge, filled with tall bookshelves and dark wood walls. Sitting behind a massive desk at the far end was Alpha Gideon.

He was even bigger than I imagined. Broad shoulders, sharp jaw, and short dark hair. But his eyes were what caught me a cold, piercing hazel that felt like stepping into an ice-cold river. Next to his chair stood an old advisor and Beta Marcus, who shut the door behind me.

Gideon didn't get up. He sat back in his big leather chair, his eyes moving down my simple grey dress, taking in my muddy boots and plain hair. His face didn't show a single emotion.

"Vivian," Gideon said. His voice was low and heavy with natural authority. "Daughter of Beta Marcus from the border pack."

"Yes, Alpha," I said, keeping my voice steady. I didn't bow. I didn't look down at the floor. I might be selling my time, but I am not begging him.

"The healers say your health is great," he said, opening a thin folder on his desk. "Your wolf is stable. But your situation is strange. Your father is a Beta. Why would his daughter volunteer for a job usually taken by desperate, unranked females?"

The old advisor beside him spoke up. "Alpha, we should check if her family is using this to get leverage on our council."

I let out a short, dry breath. Leverage? They had no idea what kind of monster my father was. "My family has no power, Alpha. And my father has no idea why I'm here."

Gideon narrowed his eyes at me.

"Then why are you standing in front of my desk?"

"Money," I said directly. No fake politeness. No sweet talk. "I need the one hundred thousand gold credits."

The advisor frowned, looking shocked. "How rude! You are speaking to the Alpha of Blood River…"

"Let her speak," Gideon cut him off, lifting one hand. His eyes stayed locked on me. "Money for what?"

"My mother is dying of lung failure and needs the capital sanctuary," I said, keeping it simple and factual.

"My brother's school fees are due next week. My father is selling our house to abandon us. I need the money to save them."

Gideon stared at me for a long, quiet moment. The room was completely silent. I wondered if he thought I was lying, or if he just didn't care.

"Do you know what this contract actually means?" Gideon asked, leaning forward with his elbows on the wood. "You will be taken to a small cottage on the edge of my land. You will live there under guard. We will try to have a baby naturally, according to ancient law.

Once you are pregnant, you stay isolated until birth. Then you give the baby to Luna Cynthia, take your money, and leave. You get no rights to the child. You never come near my family again."

"I understand," I said.

"And what about your feelings?" Gideon asked, his voice getting sharper. "Plenty of women claim they can handle leaving, then cause drama later because they got attached to the Alpha."

I looked straight into his cold hazel eyes. He thinks I want his crown? He thinks I want him? He's just a man buying a service, and I'm actually the one selling it.

"You don't have to worry about that, Alpha," I said clearly. "Because I will never fall in love with you. I will take the money, hand over the baby, and leave without any trouble."

The advisor gasped at how blunt I was. Beta Marcus shifted on his feet.

Gideon didn't move. A small muscle twitched in his jaw. For a second, a dark flash lit up his hazel eyes, but it went away just as fast.

"You can go, Vivian," Gideon said coldly, closing the folder. "We'll let you know if you are picked."

I gave a short nod, turned around, and walked right out of the room. My heart was hammering, but my head was clear. I made it plain to him: this is strictly business.