Chapter 7: Sealing the Devil's Contract

Elise's POV

"Let me get this straight. You want me to become your Luna? Your contract mate?" I stared at Dominic Blackwood, convinced I'd misheard him.

He merely raised one perfect eyebrow, his face a mask of indifference as he waited for my response.

My mind raced wildly. Was this some kind of sick joke? After everything I'd been through with Noah—my supposed fated mate, the man who promised me forever only to throw me away when Vivian returned—how could I possibly consider another relationship? Even a fake one?

The painful throb in my chest reminded me of the gaping wound Noah had left. Not just emotionally, but spiritually. The bond I thought we shared had been one-sided all along. Ten years of my life. Ten years of raising Lily together. All destroyed because his true mate had finally decided to grace him with her presence.

"Are you fucking serious?" I finally managed.

Dominic's lips twitched. "For a woman, you curse like a sailor."

The condescension in his tone made my blood boil. I leaned forward, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

"If my language offends your delicate sensibilities, then what the hell am I doing here? If you're wasting my time, you can take your ridiculous proposal and shove it up your arrogant ass, you pompous prick."

His eyes darkened as he steepled his fingers. "Retract your claws, kitten."

The Alpha command in his voice made the hairs on my neck stand up, but I refused to be cowed. I'd had enough of men telling me what to do.

"I am not your goddamn kitten," I hissed. "And don't tell me what to do."

To my fury, his mouth quirked into a smug smile, as if he found me amusing rather than intimidating. If only he knew how dangerous I was right now.

I took a deep breath, reining in my temper. "Let's get back to business. Why me? What's in it for you?"

His blue-gray eyes studied me for a moment. "Simple. You're freshly heartbroken, so there's no risk of you falling in love with me. Which suits me perfectly, because for this to work, emotions can't be involved. I want revenge, and I suspect you do too." He leaned forward slightly. "I'm offering you a chance to regain your dignity and get payback. Plus, I need a mother figure for Oliver—someone who isn't a bitch or a whore—and he likes you, which is rare."

His answer was smooth, but something felt... incomplete. I stared deep into his eyes, searching for the truth he wasn't telling me. But his expression remained impassive, giving away nothing.

Should I agree to this deal without knowing all the facts? It was risky. Yet what Dominic offered was exactly what I'd come back for—revenge against Noah and Vivian. With the backing of the most powerful Alpha in the region, I could accomplish it effortlessly, and no one would suspect my involvement in their downfall.

"How will this arrangement prevent me from going feral?" I asked, my voice softer now. The last thing I wanted was to lose control. Despite my pain over Lily, I understood she was just a child. I still hoped to repair our relationship.

"Going feral happens when your mind or soul fractures—becomes unbalanced or split," Dominic explained, his tone clinical. "To address this, I'll mark you. It will anchor your soul to mine, keeping you connected to yourself and your wolf."

That made sense. When you bond with someone and they hurt you, the heartbreak and pain can be too intense, causing your mind to split. Since person and wolf are one, this separation drives you insane. Heartbreak isn't the only cause of going feral, but in my case, I'd bonded with Noah in every way, even if he hadn't done the same.

I wanted to ask how Dominic knew these facts, but his expression made it clear the topic was closed for discussion.

"So if I agree, what are the terms of our arrangement?" I asked, treating this like the business transaction it was. Clear terms, legal contract.

"You'll tell no one, so you'll sign an NDA," he said. "No falling in love. We'll only play the loving couple in public, around my son, and your daughter. We'll share a room because everything must look credible, especially to Oliver, but that's it. No intimacy, no sex, no kissing except occasional cheek kisses for appearances."

He continued, "You don't interfere with my business, I don't interfere with yours. No involvement with other men during the contract period. You'll also become Luna of my pack." His eyes hardened. "In return, I'll give you my name, full support, and protection. We'll be mates in every way except intimacy, and again, absolutely no fucking falling in love."

I rolled my eyes at the last part. As if that could happen.

I noticed he hadn't mentioned his own fidelity.

"Loyalty," I said. "I expect the same from you." If I was doing this deal, I expected him to be faithful to me too. I wouldn't be made a fool by another man.

Dominic's jaw tightened before he reluctantly agreed. "Fine. Anything else?" He looked angry, as if he couldn't believe I would demand he not cheat.

"What's our love story? What do we tell everyone? Especially the media?" We couldn't suddenly announce our mating—people would be suspicious, and the media would be relentless.

"We'll tell them we found each other through heartbreak. Stayed in touch after you left. I visited you frequently. Our love blossomed from there."

His face contorted with pure disgust when he said "love," and I had to bite my cheek to keep from laughing. His hatred for the emotion was actually amusing. But his explanation made sense—the media would eat it up.

"So, do we have an agreement?" Dominic asked, his voice cool. "Once you say yes, there's no going back."

His eyes still revealed nothing. I wondered if he even had emotions.

What do you think, Amber? I asked my wolf spirit internally. This affected her too, and I wouldn't decide without her consent.

Amber responded immediately. This is our best chance for survival now.

I straightened my spine and fixed my hair, agreeing to the proposal that might destroy us both, knowing it was the only option Amber and I had.

"Yes," I said, sealing our fate.