Contractually Yours Alpha (Riley)

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty Two

1 had been a fool. They had played me for one.

All those years, I had waited. I had believed them, but they were the true villains, hiding behind a façade of false holiness.'

"When you discovered this, why didn't you try to save me from them? Why didn't you do anything?"

"I did. I sought out a powerful warlock to cast a spell on me I knew the only way I could be with you was to take another form. So, I became a wolf and listened to every single thing you said. You cried a lot, and I blamed myself

even more.

But the warlock had warned me-the longer I stayed in that form, the more likely I'd remain that way. At some point, I lost all my human sense and truly believed I was one of the other wolves.

I came to you as soon as I could, Aliya."

I stared at the man-he could be a complete stranger or someone I had known all my life. Yet, for some reason, I trusted him. I believed him.

"How could you subject yourself to that for all those years just to watch over me?"

I asked, completely awed and surprised that a person could make such a grave sacrifice.

"Because... you are my soulmate."

Instantly my smile disappeared. "What?"

"I'd always known that since you were little..."

"Werewolves have their mates, but that doesn't apply to people like me."

"Mates are different from soulmates." He said.noveldrama

"I... you got it all wrong. I don't feel-well, I don't feel that way about you, and I love someone else."

I had spoken without grasping the weight of my words. I loved Daemon.

The slight look of disappointment crossed over his face. "I know that. I know you came here with the Demon Overlord. But soulmates are different from mates. Mates are two people destined to be life partners, sharing a committed bond. But soulmates are more complex than that. Being your soulmate means I am meant to be there for you; there will always be an urge in me to protect you. I could be anything you need me to be-your partner, your companion, your closest friend- anything."

"I-I don't know what to say.'

"That's understandable. This was a lot to take in, and you need time to process it."

He was right; I needed some time. After a few minutes, I finally spoke. "This all seems unfair to you. Why do you have to spend your life being 'anything' I want you to be?"

"That's how it works. You become my life purpose."

7

"But it's not fair, is there a way to release you from...this?" I asked.

"Soulmates are very rare, and no, there is no way known to man to break the bond. But even if there were, I wouldn't want that. So, Aliyah, what do you want me to be to you?"

I had always felt alone back in the castle; all I wanted was someone to talk to, and yet....

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty Two

"I don't know." I said finally.

"I'll give you time to think about it, and you are safe here. I seems the Demon Overlord has also taken an interest in you."

"Why do you say that?"

"He is killing his own people just to keep you safe. He's also risking his title and respect just to be here. I think he's trustworthy."

"Ash-can I still call you that?"

"Yes." He answered.

"Thank you for everything." I said.

"It's my pleasure, and it's best if the Demon Overlord doesn't know about my visit,” he said, and I nodded in understanding.

I could trust Daemon to protect me, but I didn't think he extended that care to others.

I didn't know exactly how Ash had found me, but I hoped he would visit again.

Chapter One Hundred and Eighty Three