Contractually Yours Alpha (Riley)

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty Six

We were both in tears, but there was something about the way he looked-so

couldn't bear to watch; I looked away.noveldrama

Vulnerable, so helpless, so pained. I

"I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I'm so fucking sorry told her-I told her that no matter what, I would never hurt you, even if it meant choosing between my sister and you.

My sister could be dead for all I knew. But every time I felt like I had already done too much wrong, I told myself- what was one more bad deed to add to the cart? Your father had been like a father to me-that's how he so easily picked up on the fact that something was wrong. He tried to talk to me about it, and I felt so guilty. But you have to understand-one way or another, Cynthia would have killed him. She was never going to let him live."

"That doesn't make you any less of a murderer. That doesn't make you any less of a criminal.

You know, I had thought of all the things I could do to you all the ways I could kill you slowly and painfully. But now that I'm here, I can't bring myself to do it. I can't look at you and hurt you, because despite everything..." I closed my eyes, remembering the man who had been by my side all my life. Then, I pulled out my gun and pointed it at his head.

There was no fear in his eyes, only pain and sorrow.

"It would be so easy to pull the trigger, to end your life right here. And that would be merciful-too easy a death."

"And I would deserve it," he whispered. "Kill me, Kaida. I deserve this for what I've done to you."

"You deserve so much worse." And then I shot.

The only sign of pain from him was a shaky exhale, like he was trying to suppress

a scream. At the last moment, I had shifted my aim and shot him in the thigh. I hit the right spot-no major artery or bone was damaged. He would suffer intense blood loss, but if he managed to remove the silver bullet, he would heal.

I walked out of his cell.

"Please forgive me, Kaida."

"You will die, Aric."

With that, I left him behind, but his pleas followed me until his voice finally faded into the distance.

Austin and Phil were both seated in my office, clearly waiting for me.

There was a shitload of paperwork waiting for me. This was the part I knew I'd hate the most, and a small part of me wondered if my father had been right to deny me the Alpha title. Ruling wasn't just about charging into battle or settling disputes-it required handling finances, careful strategic planning, and the kind of patience I didn't have. Fortunately, I had Phil. He was good at this, and I figured I had a thing or two to learn from him.

"Alpha, there's something we need to discuss," Austin announced.

"I know... I'm behind on the paperwork."

"No. Well, yes, that too. But that's not why we're here." He hesitated before continuing. “We've received reports -some of the members who opposed your leadership have started forming small rebellions.'

I ran a hand through my hair-something Alexander always did when he was stressed.

"We think it's best you assign guards to accompany you at all times," Phil said, his voice calm, but the gravity of

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty

the situation was clear in his eyes. "This place... I fear it's become too dangerous."

"That would only make me look like a coward. They already believe a woman isn't strong enough-assigning guards would only prove them right," I argued.

"Maybe it'll bruise your pride," Phil said, his voice unusually sharp. "But that's a small price to pay for keeping your head on your shoulders."

"Alexander became an Alpha when he was just a child. Many were against him, yet he didn't hide behind guards. Keith was right-respect and loyalty are earned, and I have to earn mine."

"You are not Alexander," Phil countered. "I believe in your strength, but even he didn't have as many enemies. He may have been young, but he was still the Alpha's only son-everyone knew he would be the next Alpha. His place as Alpha was never questioned. Yours... is different."

I knew he was right.

"I can protect myself, I don't need guards," I said, finality in my tone.

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