Contractually Yours Alpha (Riley)

Chapter One Hundred and Seventy Two

Chapter One Hundred and Seventy Two

I took a quick shower, though every step sent pain shooting through me. Cynthia said it would pass—I couldn't see that happening anytime soon. But then again, I shouldn't rely on her words.

I stared at the mirror. New bruises covered my body, some deep enough to leave permanent scars-like the ones on my arm and lower stomach, where I'd been shot. I had no idea how Cynthia managed to get the bullet out, but the bruise wasn't fading anytime soon.

All those responsible for what happened to me were now locked in the dungeons. Phil had advised me to delay the trials until I was stronger-it was wise counsel. I couldn't afford to appear weak before them.

I wasn't sure why I was here, standing in front of Aric's cell

I unlocked the door and stepped inside. He was pale-no doubt from blood loss- but his injuries had healed. Somehow, he had managed to remove the bullet. The moment our eyes met, his gaze darkened. Even in his weakened state, I could feel his anger.

"Who did this to you?" he asked, as if forgetting he wasn't in the best position himself.

"Rebels,” I answered. “I imagine seeing me like this satisfies you?"

"I will kill them."

I studied him. The anger in his eyes wasn't directed at me.

"There's little you can do from here," I reminded him. Only then did he seem to grasp where he was—and how empty his threat truly was.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there. I'm so sorry-"

"Stop." My voice cut through his words. "I don't need your apologies. I don't want to hear them."

I hated the look of sympathy in his eyes; it almost made me believe that despite everything, he still cared for me. I didn't want to believe that.

"I had always wanted this, I dreamt of it more times than I could count. To rule. To become an Alpha. It was everything I had ever worked for. But only now do I realize I wanted the wrong thing. My own people turned against me. I could have died. And I keep wondering... what am I doing wrong? What am I missing? I don't know what else to do. And now, I feel like a failure."

"You aren't a failure."

I shot him a glare. "Of course, you'd say what you think I want to hear." I pushed to my feet. "I shouldn't have come here."

"You could have died, but you didn't. And I know about Alexander-I only know that because the guards here gossip more than bored housewives. But even with your mate gone, you're not wasting away in grief. You took the reins. That's whatnoveldrama

makes a true leader. Your father saw it too. If he hadn't been trying to keep you safe, he would have passed the title to you."

ㄓ

"How do you know that?"

"Because he told me. He knew this was your destiny, and I knew that too."

I saw the sincerity in his eyes, but I looked away, reminding myself how easily he had fooled me before. But then I thought about his sister; he had betrayed me for a reason. It wasn't because of his ambition or greed but because

Chapter One Hundred and Seventy Two

he wanted his sister set free.

"What is her name?"

"Who are we talking about?"

"Your sister?"

He stared at me, as if trying to read me. I gave nothing away, and soon, he gave up.

"Rose. Her name is Rose."

"I will find her." I said, and it was a promise; before he could speak, I was out of his cell.

The longer I stayed there, the more I remembered the friend Aric had once been- if there had ever been any truth to it. I didn't want to trust him again. He had lost that the moment he chose betrayal.

Everyone I cared about always ended up leaving me-maybe that was my curse.

"Prepare the traitors. They will be tried tonight," I said to Austin, who stared at me in surprise.

"But Alpha, you need to rest and recover..."

"I've done enough resting; the trial will be held tonight."