Bound by Contract to the Alpha Chapter 20

Rebecca's POV

I forced a laugh, my voice sounding hollow even to my own ears. "Sterling Group spares no expense, apparently."

The driver approached, offering a respectful nod. "Ms. Brown? I'm Raymond. Mr. Sterling sent me to escort you to the residence."

"Right. Thank you," I replied, suddenly feeling terribly out of place. My heart fluttered nervously in my chest as I looked at the gleaming Bentley, so out of place in Sofia's modest neighborhood.

I hugged Sofia one last time, clinging to her a moment longer than necessary. My fingers trembled slightly against her back. "I'll see you tomorrow. One o'clock."

The Bentley glided through the evening traffic, its engine barely audible. I sat stiffly in the back seat, my shoulders tense, hands folded tightly in my lap. The leather beneath me was butter-soft, the interior immaculate. I felt like an intruder, as if at any moment someone would realize I didn't belong here and throw me out.

Raymond caught my eye in the rearview mirror. "First time in a Bentley, Ms. Brown?"

I nodded, heat rising to my cheeks. "Is it that obvious?"

He chuckled, the sound warm and unexpectedly friendly. "Most people either try too hard to look unimpressed or they bounce on the seats testing the springs. You're just sitting there looking like you might break something expensive."

Despite the knot in my stomach, I managed a small smile. "Well, I probably couldn't afford to replace the ashtray in this car, so that's a legitimate concern."

"No ashtrays," Raymond replied with a grin. "Mr. Sterling doesn't smoke. Says it dulls the senses."

"Oh." I filed that information away, though I wasn't sure why I cared. My fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of my blouse. "Have you worked for Mr. Sterling long?"

Raymond nodded, smoothly changing lanes. "Five years as one of his personal drivers. Though I have other duties in the pack as well."

My stomach tightened at the casual reference to werewolf life. "You're a werewolf too?" The question came out quieter than I intended.

"Delta rank," he confirmed. "We handle security, enforcement, that sort of thing."

I processed this, remembering what Sofia had told me about pack hierarchy. Alpha at the top, then Beta, Delta, and Omega. William had been vying for a Delta position before I'd discovered his betrayal. The memory sent a fresh wave of hurt through me.

"So you're... important," I said awkwardly, picking at a non-existent thread on my jeans.

Raymond laughed again. "Compared to some, yes. Compared to Mr. Sterling? Not even close. He'll be Alpha soon, and he's already the most powerful wolf in the territory after his father."

I glanced out the window, watching as we left the city center behind. The buildings grew more spaced out, more exclusive. "I'm just a human," I said softly, more to myself than to Raymond. My throat tightened. "I don't even rank on your scale."

In the mirror, Raymond's expression grew serious. "Don't sell yourself short, Ms. Brown. Mr. Sterling doesn't surround himself with people who aren't valuable in some way."

I laughed bitterly, blinking back unexpected tears. "I'm not sure 'valuable' is the word I'd use for my position."

"Whatever position you hold, Mr. Sterling selected you personally. That counts for something in our world."

I fell silent, unsure how to respond. My hands clenched and unclenched in my lap. I certainly couldn't explain the true nature of my "position" to this man, werewolf or not.

After a few minutes, I spoke again, my voice small. "I feel ridiculous having you drive me around. I'm nobody important."

Raymond's eyes crinkled with amusement in the mirror. "It's not about who you are, Ms. Brown. It's about who Mr. Sterling is. And Mr. Sterling is a man whose orders we follow without question."

The simple statement sent a chill down my spine, making my skin prickle with goosebumps. It reminded me just what kind of man—what kind of creature—I'd made a deal with. Dominic Sterling commanded this kind of loyalty, this kind of power, as naturally as breathing.

And tonight, I would be sleeping under his roof, bound by a contract that made me essentially his property until he achieved his ambitions.

My stomach twisted into a knot. What had I gotten myself into?

---

The Bentley slowed as we approached an imposing set of wrought iron gates. I leaned forward, taking in the elaborate silver designs of crescent moons and stars worked into the metalwork. A discreet sign in flowing script read "Silver Moon Estates."

Raymond lowered his window as we pulled up to a guardhouse where two broad-shouldered men in dark uniforms stood alert. They approached the car, and I instinctively shrank back against the leather seat, my pulse quickening.

"Evening, Raymond," one of the guards said, leaning down to peer into the car. His eyes, a startling amber color, flickered to me briefly before returning to the driver. "New arrival for Mr. Sterling?"

"This is Ms. Rebecca Brown," Raymond confirmed. "Mr. Sterling is expecting her."

The guard nodded and stepped back, speaking into a radio clipped to his shoulder. The massive gates began to swing inward silently, revealing a winding road lined with ornate streetlamps that cast a soft, golden glow across manicured landscapes.

"Twenty-four-hour security," Raymond explained as we drove through. "All werewolves, all Delta rank or higher."

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. "Is that... normal? For werewolf neighborhoods?"

Raymond shook his head. "This isn't just any werewolf neighborhood. Silver Moon Estates houses the territory's elite—pack leaders, council members, and their families. Security is paramount."

As we drove deeper into the estate, I stared out the windows, my eyes widening. The homes—or rather, mansions—were set far back from the road, visible through gaps in the trees or at the ends of long, private drives. My heart raced as I tried to comprehend the scale of wealth surrounding me.

"How many people live here?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"About fifty families in total," Raymond replied. "Though many own multiple properties elsewhere as well."

We turned onto a side road marked with a simple "S" on a stone pillar. The drive curved through a stretch of dense trees before opening onto a stunning vista—a modern glass and stone structure perched on a gentle rise, overlooking what appeared to be a private lake.

"Is that..." I began, my voice failing me as my jaw went slack.

"The Sterling Manor is further ahead," Raymond said, noting my shock. "This is Mr. Dominic's personal residence. He prefers to maintain some distance from the main family home."

My heart hammered against my ribs as we approached the house. I noticed smaller buildings scattered nearby—a garage large enough for at least six vehicles, what appeared to be a pool house, and a separate villa.

"That's where you'll be staying," he said, pointing to the villia as we circled the driveway. "Mr. Sterling had it prepared specifically."

The car came to a stop, and Raymond quickly exited to open my door. As I stepped out on shaky legs, the cool evening air carried the scent of pine and water from the lake. The main house loomed before us, its many windows glowing with warm light against the gathering dusk.

"This way, Ms. Brown," Raymond said, retrieving my suitcase from the trunk.

As we walked, Raymond spoke in a lower voice. "A word of advice, Ms. Brown. Don't wander beyond the property boundaries alone, especially after dark."

I glanced at him, my stomach dropping. "Why not?"

His expression was grim. "The forests surrounding Silver Moon Estates are pack territory, but they're not always safe. We've had... incidents. A wolf was found dead there."