~THALIA~

He turned to face me. The scrutinizing and playful look in his eyes made me feel more embarrassed, but I still didn't let go of his clothes. I was praying in my mind that he would change his mind and agree.

Then he chuckled softly. "Of course, I can give you the money."

I looked into his eyes in surprise. "Really?"

"However, I have a condition!"

"Oh, that's not a problem. I will agree to any conditions. As long as you lend me, I am even willing to serve you like a slave."

"Are you sure you can do what I want to ask you to do?" His somewhat hoarse voice rang in my ear.

Because of the way the two of us were standing very close, his breath was all over my body, making my skin turn red from the heat. I instantly shrank back slightly, my expression somewhat blank.

"For the next three years, you are mine." He proclaimed and walked closer to me.

When I heard those words, my heartbeat and breath stopped for a moment.

I looked up in disbelief at his impeccable handsomeness, and I was in awe. Because of the scheme that I was focused on, I hadn't realized how breathtaking he was until that moment.

But my admiration for him immediately stiffened into unease.

Seeing my expression, his lips curved into an even wider smile.

"You don't want to? I won't force you." He turned his back to leave.

"No, I'm willing!" I yelled.

"Are you sure?"

His inquiry was calm. The type of calmness that caused my heart to constrict.

"Absolutely, I am certain," I answered loudly as if increasing my volume could silence the faint voice in my mind urging me to flee.

For a short while, he merely observed me. His stare was deliberate and evaluative, as if he were unraveling me piece by piece, measuring my desperation alongside his intrigue.

Without saying anything, he reached into the inner pocket of his suit and took out a shiny black card that gleamed beneath the hospital lights. It was sleek, understated, and luxurious in appearance, just like him.

He extended it toward me.

My breath stalled as I stared at the card.For a heartbeat, the world narrowed to it, as though accepting it would tilt my life permanently off its axis. This wasn't just a card-it was a doorway. And once I stepped through, there might be no turning back.

What if he later demands more than I can give?

I stretched my hands to accept it, my fingers grazing him for an instant. An odd shiver coursed through me upon the touch.

I checked his name on the card and I was absolutely right about him. He was indeed an Alpha.

Alpha Cassian Frostclaw.

He was the sole heir of Alpha Darius Frostclaw, the ruling Alpha of the Frostclaw Pack. Their lineage was known for having only one son per generation, and they were always born as an Alpha.

His pack ranked as the most powerful among the seven largest packs in the area. They were affluent beyond belief, dreaded for their power, and honored for their authority.

He was known to be damn ruthless.

I wondered why he put up with my nonsense.

My stomach turned when I understood I had surely upset someone as powerful and unforgiving as him. At this time, I was unwilling to accept his offer, yet I couldn't stand the thought of losing Aunty Jasmine. I had to push the fear aside.

"You can think about it," he replied calmly. "If you still wish to proceed, contact me on Monday morning. I will inform you about where and how to find me."

"Alpha, I've mentioned that I'm ready. Just send the money, and we'll proceed."

"No," he said with a stern voice. "That's not the way this works. Think carefully. The instant you enter, there's no going back until the time is reached. I don't break deals."

His gaze fixed on me, intense and unwavering.

"That's why I'm giving you today and tomorrow," he continued. "To decide whether you truly want this. or whether desperation is speaking for you."

I gulped nervously, gripping the card more firmly. My heart raced, yet I wouldn't allow him to notice my anxiety.

"Okay," I replied after a pause.

"What's your name ?"

"Thalia.Thalia Emerson."

He didn't say another word after my response.

Silently, he pivoted and headed for the door. Every step he took was deliberate, assured like someone who already possessed what he desired.

The door snapped closed behind him.

I breathed out unsteadily, looking at the card in my grasp, my heart racing.

Three years.

I wasn't sure if I had discovered my salvation. or if I was committing myself to a cage.

Soon, a nurse came. She flipped through the file at the foot of my bed. She asked a few routine questions.

How dizzy I felt, whether the pain had reduced, if I remembered the accident clearly. I answered most of them automatically, my attention drifting in and out as exhaustion.

She checked the bandage on my head, adjusted the drip, and scribbled something down before offering a professional smile. "You're lucky," she said. "No internal bleeding. Just take your medications exactly as prescribed and avoid stress."

Stress. I almost laughed.

After another hour of instructions, signatures, and pills I barely registered, I was finally discharged.

~THALIA~

The moment I stepped out of the ward, the ache in my leg made itself known again. I hissed softly, gripping the wall for support before straightening. I couldn't afford to look weak, not now.

Since my aunty was admitted to the same hospital, I forced myself to walk across to the other wing. The hallway felt longer than it should have been, every step sending a dull throb up my head.

By the time I reached her ward, my palms were damp with sweat.

She saw me immediately.

Her face drained of color as she pushed herself up against her pillows. "Thalia!" she gasped, her voice sharp with panic. "What happened to your head?"

Before I could answer, her eyes dropped to my leg. She froze. "Why are you limping?" Her voice cracked halfway through the sentence.

I tried to smile, but it felt stiff on my lips. "I had an accident with my bike while working this afternoon," I said lightly, as though it were nothing. "I've been admitted here since noon."

Her expression shattered.

Tears welled in her eyes instantly, spilling over before she could stop them. She reached for me, her hands trembling. "I'm sorry," she whispered brokenly. "This is my fault. It's because of my illness that you're doing such dangerous work."

"No." I shook my head quickly and stepped closer, ignoring the pain as I took her hands in mine. They felt thinner than I remembered. So fragile. "Please don't say that," I said firmly.

"You've done more than enough for me. You raised me when you didn't have to. You fed me, clothed me, and protected me. This is nothing compared to that."

She searched my face, her tear-filled eyes studying me like she was afraid I would disappear if she blinked.

"You're going to get better," I added softly, squeezing her hands. "I've found a way to get the money for your treatment."

Her brows furrowed. "What do you mean by that?"

I inhaled slowly. "I'm going to sign an agreement with Alpha Cassian. Three years. In exchange for the money."

Her hands stiffened in mine.

"Alpha Cassian Frostclaw?" she breathed, shaking her head weakly. "No, Thalia. Please don't do that because of me. I don't want to be the reason you suffer. You know how cruel an Alpha can be."

I crouched slightly beside her bed so we were eye level. "Don't worry, Aunty," I said gently. "He won't hurt me."

She let out a small, humorless laugh through her tears. "How can you be so sure? How did you even meet him?"

"He was the one who hit me today," I admitted. I tried to swindle him for compensation at first, but he didn't fall for it.So. I begged."

Her eyes widened. "Thalia-"

"I've made up my mind," I cut in softly but firmly. "Even if he does hurt me, it's only for three years. Three years is nothing compared to losing you."

Silence stretched between us.

She stared at me for a long moment, then slowly looked away, her grip loosening.

I knew that look. She understood.

And she knew there was nothing she could say to stop me.

And neither of us uttered another word.

•×•×•×•×•×•×•

Monday came swiftly and I called Alpha Cassian.

He picked up instantly as if he had been expecting my call. He asked me to send my location so he could send a driver to pick me up.

Shortly after, the stylish black car pulled up, and I hopped in. The journey was calm, the engine's hum nearly serene, and I held my hands closely in my lap, attempting to compose my mind.

Upon reaching the destination, I was left speechless. The mansion in front of me was gigantic, featuring lofty ceilings, gleaming marble, and gardens so carefully arranged that they appeared otherworldly.

I had never envisioned entering a place like this, even briefly, as a guest or a maid. Its sheer elegance made my heart race even faster. The interior boasted a spacious and open sitting area, adorned with an elegance that was magnificent and subtle.

An array of drinks was presented to me, but I courteously declined, retrieving my own bottle of water from my bag. I'm not the type that easily eats or drinks anything outside.

Then Alpha Cassian walked in, his effortless presence dominating the space, imbuing the room with a tranquil authority. His Beta trailed behind, holding a document which he handed to me.

My fingers shook a bit as I grasped the folder and unfolded it.

It was a contract marriage agreement.

I didn't bother to read through it. I could withstand anything for three years.

I signed my full legal name with a steady hand and I observed as he signed too.

The agreement was completed.

He told me to move into the beautiful mansion and I asked for permission to bring my Aunty which he accepted.

Then, the money was instantly deposited into my account shortly after, validating that what I had both dreaded and wished for had become true.

I felt relief and anxiety clashing within me.

~THALIA~

What I didn't expect was that Alpha Cassian would not be residing in the mansion with me.

When I discovered that, a wave of relief surged through me so abruptly it nearly made me feel lightheaded.

I didn't need to confront him daily. I didn't have to rise each morning beneath the same roof as a man whose mere presence would unsettle me.

Alpha Cassian uttered it quietly, as though it were a trivial matter.

He wasn't currently based in our city. In fact, he wasn't even anywhere in the country. He was overseas, overseeing the expansion of the Frostclaw family business after they had franchised it abroad.

He didn't mention when he would come back.

But he mentioned something that gave me another sense of partial relief.

'If he didn't return before the three years were over, I'd be free to leave.'

At first, I lived in constant fear, afraid that he might come back at any moment.

However, time moved fast and two years and seven months had passed, yet I never heard from him. The last time I saw him was in a magazine I saw with my coursemate when I was in year one at the University.

I was currently in year three. I paid for an apartment near the campus in year two so I would be able to work and save in order to pay Alpha Cassian. I only went to the mansion once or twice a month.

But it was fucking difficult to save 500,000 dollars. I only managed to save 100,000 dollars for more than two years that I had been working.

It was finally the long holiday before we moved to the second semester of year three and there were also only three months left for my contract with Alpha Cassian to end.

It was the weekend and I booked an Uber to take me home.

When I got home, my Aunty was already waiting for me at the gate. I had only called her to let her know I was on my way home, I never expected her to be waiting for me outside.

The instant I alighted from the car, she rushed to me and gave me a tight hug.

"My pretty Thalia, I miss you," she squealed

This time, I would be spending a whole two months with her at home. I guessed that was why she was so excited and waited outside.

"Aunty, you look beautiful today," I teased.

She held my hands as we walked inside.

Thank Goddess she was perfectly healed and could be her cheerful self again.

When I got to my room, I didn't bother to offload my clothes from the box since I had some in the wardrobe. I always got new allowance, clothes, groceries and other things in the house every month.

Just as I changed into comfortable pajamas, my phone started ringing. I panicked at first as I thought it was Alpha Cassian but when I finally picked my phone and checked, it was my high school mate, Julian.

Then I picked the call.

"Hi Thally, how are you doing?" he said, beaming.

"I'm good and you? It has been a long time," I replied.

"Yeah.it has."

"So.why do you call?"

"Thally, I called because you absolutely have to come to the class reunion tonight. I asked around and you haven't been in touch with anyone since graduation."

"No, I won't be able to come. I don't really have time." I said firmly.

"But the Universities are currently on holiday."

"Yeah. But that doesn't mean I have time to come."

"Thally, please, save my face. Today is also my birthday and I made a promise that I would make sure our goddess attends."

The word goddess made me giggle.

Why was I being called a goddess ?

That was because I was not only beautiful, but also the top student in my grade, always ranking first in exams.

"Alright." I sighed. "I will drop whatever I want to do today and come because it's your birthday and you've put me in a tight spot."

I gritted my teeth.

"Anyways,send the address."

"I will send it right now."

•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•

By evening around 7:30pm, I dressed in my short-sleeved wine-colored gown and slipped into my silver platforms. I liked wearing platforms often because they made me walk with confidence.

"Aunty, I need to attend my school reunion. It's impromptu."

"Alright. I trust you'll take care of yourself."

I waved her off as I walked out to wait for the Uber I booked.

A few minutes later, the Uber arrived and I hopped in.

At exactly thirty minutes, we finally arrived at the address. When I walked in, I didn't expect all my classmates to be present. If I hadn't gone, I would have been the only one who did not attend.

The reunion was so fun coupling with Julian, the class governor's birthday.

I didn't want to drink even though my alcohol tolerance was higher than most wolves my age, but Julian kept sliding glass after glass into my hand.

When I finally glanced at the wall clock, it was past 11pm. I knew I had to leave. I grabbed my bag and walked outside.

"Hey Thalia! Why are you leaving?"