Chapter 2

(Sienna’s POV)

Arthur’s eyes narrow as he studies me for a moment. Slowly, he nods, running his thumb and index finger down the stubble on his cheek to his chin.

I suppress my eyes from rolling as it takes several heartbeats for him to bother with answering me.

“It’s negotiable,” he murmurs with a smirk that makes me want to slap his face.

“Negotiable?” I ask.

“Well, Sienna, it doesn’t surprise me that you’ve changed your mind," he says as his grin spreads into a fake smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yes, Sienna, I’ll marry you.”

“How noble and kind of you,” I reply with a fake smile of my own.

He hands me a business card then stands to leave. “I’ll have my Beta, Simon, meet with you to review and sign our contract.” He dips his head as if tipping an invisible hat. “Pleasure doing business with you, Miss Hale.” Then, just like that, he’s gone.

His utter lack of surprise at my change of heart irritates me to my core. Trapped…shinier cage, different Alpha…same situation, I muse.

I can’t believe I agreed to Arthur’s proposal. It’s crazy, but what other choice do I have? I need his help to protect Owen. I can’t leave him with Landon and Brianna. They've abused him… all this time. And... my wolf is withering away.

I have no choice but to see this through. I shove my disdain down my throat like an oversized pill and prepare myself to move forward.

Glancing at the business card, I nod to myself, then text Simon to arrange our meeting.

I arranged to meet with Simon the evening after my discharge from the hospital. As soon as I leave, I go get my hair and cosmetics done, then stop briefly at home to dress.

I want to appear professional while highlighting my own designs at the same time. The best way to market to women is to showcase polished looks when out and about, I muse, which is why I always carry cards to share whenever the opportunity arises.

I choose a layered look: a charcoal-gray knit sweater dress paired with a tailored black blazer that features silver military-style buttons. I grab my oversized black leather satchel to complete the outfit and give myself a final check in the full-length mirror.

I lock eyes with my reflection, searching my amber-colored orbs for any sign of my wolf dwelling behind them. She’s there, barely. Cracks spread across my heart as I realize she’s dying.

“Hold on,” I tell her. “Hold on just a little longer, please. We’ll fix this.”

Then I head out the door to Arthur’s company to sign our marriage contract.

I no sooner get there and find my way into the office lobby, when I find yet another she-wolf altercation. What am I, some sort of magnet for this drama?

The receptionist gets up from behind her computer. Her eyes scan my body from my shoes to the top of my head. Her glasses sit low on her nose, so her beady green eyes look over them judgmentally.

“Hello,” I say.

Before I can get out another word, she cuts me off, “The King is not here, nor will he be available for you to accidentally bump into him.” Finishing with air quotes really drives her accusation home.

My eyes widen as my head pulsates. Rising anger bubbles in my chest. I struggle to keep it under control. All the while, my wolf feels weaker with every passing second.

“Excuse me,” I say holding up an index finger. “I have an appointment with Beta Simon.”

“A likely story,” she spits out at me with outright disdain. “Women like you are a dime a dozen. You clearly think you can meet Alpha King Arthur, charm him, and then use him to climb the social ladder! Well…not on my watch…tramp.”

Just then, Beta Simon rushes toward us from the main entrance. He pushes between the receptionist’s desk and me, not sparing her a glance. “Sienna! Thank you for taking the time to meet with me to go over all the details for the ceremony.” He glances briefly at the receptionist then refocuses on me. “As our future Luna, Alpha Arthur wants to ensure that every detail is perfect.”

I offer a smile, glancing toward the now stunned to silence receptionist. “Thank you, Beta Simon,” I say before following his gesture toward Arthur’s office.

Once inside, he offers me a cup of tea, which I happily accept, hoping it will calm my nerves. I appreciate the warm, delicate cup, giving my hands something to do while he lays out the contract for me to read.

He unbuttons his blazer as he sits behind Arthur’s desk. I can’t help but notice how approachable he seems. It’s a very different vibe from his boss.

He has an almost boyish look to him with spiky dirty blonde hair and bright blue eyes,

He’s just a few inches shorter than Arthur. His form is clearly muscular underneath the tailored black suit, although his shoulders aren’t as broad and his biceps aren’t near as snug against the blazer as Arthur.

Why am I even thinking about that arrogant Alpha and his gorgeous, marble-sculpted body...

Simon clears his throat, bringing my focus back from my thoughts to the matter at hand. He points to the highlights and places for me to initial and then sign.

I pick up the document to read it carefully, praying to the Moon Goddess that he can’t see my nerves.

For the most part, it all seems sensible and straightforward.

The contract says we must behave like a loving couple in public and in front of Arthur’s family. Hmm, they must be the driving force behind Arthur’s urgency to get married, I think to myself.

We must share the same room but avoid any sexual relationship. Well, this will be awkward, but at least he’s not trying to keep me as a mistress or prostitute.

I can’t hide my grimace as my eyes scan the “no pregnancy clause.”

A flashback of Landon and Owen floods my mind. I push it away mentally and resist the urge to dwell on past memories.

Then I see the section that states the “falling in love” stipulation.

Contracted relationship shall remain professional at all times. Falling in love is expressly forbidden and grounds for immediate termination of the contract. Additionally, this document and all information herein shall remain confidential. Any breach will carry serious consequences.

I barely manage to hide my eye roll at Arthur’s arrogance. He thinks he’s irresistible, I suppose…like I’m just going to melt in love with him. I guarantee that is not something this control freak of a leader needs to worry about.

I nod my head as I read that the contract must remain confidential and that any breach would have serious consequences.

Finally, my eyes find the last line.

On the wedding day in question, Alpha King Arthur agrees to mark Sienna Hale according to the Mated Werewolf custom to suppress her wolf’s symptoms, aiming to slow the deterioration that leads to the inevitable death of her wolf psyche and her impending descent into madness in human form.

Seeing it in black and white cuts deep into my chest… reading my wolf’s likely future grips me with an unexplainable ache, but then when I see that Arthur will mark me, my heart races so violently I can feel it in my throat and hear it pounding like a drum in my ears.

Suddenly, my legs feel weak and shudder. I cross them at the ankle trying to still them.

My wolf’s mind seems to awaken just slightly. I feel her stir, and my thoughts begin to race. Heat rushes to my cheeks. I will these sensations to pass by gripping the seam of my skirt and slowly pinching my thigh.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Count, I tell myself.

One. Pinch. Two. Pinch. Three. Pinch.

Finally steady, I nod one last time.

Looking up to make eye contact with Beta Simon, I tell him, “I’ll agree to these, but before I sign, there is something that must be added.”

An easy smile plays on his lips. “I’ll see what I can do. What is it?” he asks.

“I need to speak to Arthur first,” I say.