Mated by Contract to the Alpha Chapter 13

Dominic's POV

As I pulled into the private garage beneath Sterling Group, I made a decision. Before publicly stating that Rebecca was my partner, I would thoroughly investigate her.

"Sir," Marcus said, entering my office with a file folder. "This is Elizabeth Collins' recent itinerary that Luna requested."

I sighed, setting down my pen. "My mom had her followed? She's always liked Elizabeth so much."

Marcus gave me a knowing look. "Luna has her ways of obtaining information."

I took the folder, flipping it open to find surveillance photos of Elizabeth entering a luxury hotel with another man—Duke Armstrong, according to the notes. I wasn't surprised. Disappointed, perhaps, but not surprised.

"Thank you, Marcus," I said, closing the folder.

---

"Mother," I called out as I entered the private garden behind the Sterling family estate. "I understand you've been following Elizabeth Collins."

My mother, current Luna of the Silver Moon Pack, looked up from her roses with a perfectly composed expression. Her silver-streaked dark hair was pulled back in an elegant chignon, her posture regal even in gardening attire.

"Dominic," she greeted warmly. "I don't know what you mean."

I held up the file folder. "This. The surveillance photos. Duke Armstrong."

She snipped a rose before answering. "And what did the file contain?"

"You know exactly what it contained," I replied, placing it on the stone bench between us. "Elizabeth has been seeing Duke Armstrong for at least three months."

My mother removed her gardening gloves, her expression serene. "And this bothers you?"

"Not particularly," I admitted. "She can see whoever she wants. It has nothing to do with me."

"Then why waste time with her at all?" My mother's eyes, the same deep blue as mine, fixed on me with familiar intensity. "You've been seen with her at three different social functions this month."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I'm trying to assess her potential as a partner. Now I know she's involved with Duke, which makes things simpler."

My mother studied me for a long moment. "You've never brought a woman home to meet me. Not in all these years."

"Because none of them have been worth bringing home," I replied honestly.

"And when you do find her? The one worth bringing home?"

I met her gaze steadily. "Then you'll be the first to know."

She nodded, apparently satisfied. "Six months, Dominic. In six months, you formally take over as Alpha and CEO. It would be better if you had a stable mate by your side when that happens."

I twisted the obsidian ring on my finger—the symbol of my future responsibility. "I'm aware of the timeline, Mother."

She touched my arm gently. "I only want what's best for you and for the pack."

"I know," I said, softening slightly. "And I appreciate your concern. But my personal life is my own business. Please stop investigating women I've barely spoken to."

"Very well," she conceded. "But don't wait too long. The right mate strengthens an Alpha, gives him balance."

I nodded and turned to leave, but my thoughts weren't on Elizabeth Collins or my mother's meddling. They were fixed on a stubborn human with chestnut curls and defiant green eyes who had told the future Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack to go fuck himself.

Despite everything, I couldn't help the slight smile that tugged at my lips as I walked back to my car.

--- 

Rebecca's POV

Sofia's apartment felt safe as we settled on her couch with cups of hot tea. Her living room was a reflection of her personality—vibrant throw pillows, framed fashion prints, and small potted succulents on every surface.

"I can't believe you slept with Dominic Sterling," Sofia said for what felt like the hundredth time. "And then told him to go fuck himself. Are you trying to get killed?"

I groaned, covering my face with a cushion. "It was a moment of anger. He accused me of using him to climb some nonexistent social ladder."

Sofia's expression turned serious. "You need to understand something about werewolf society, Becca. The Alpha's word is law. In Silver Moon territory, disrespecting a member of the Alpha family can get you exiled... or worse."

I lowered the cushion, frowning. "Worse? What do you mean?"

"In extreme cases, execution," Sofia said quietly. "It's rare nowadays, but it still happens. Especially for humans who know too much about werewolf society."

"That's murder," I whispered, horrified.

"In human law, yes. In werewolf law, it's a justified execution." Sofia leaned forward. "That's why I want you to be careful. Sterling may be attracted to you, but he's also bound by pack laws and traditions older than this country."

I stared into my tea, watching the steam rise in lazy spirals. "As soon as I find a job, I'm leaving this city."

Sofia squeezed my hand. "I think that's smart. At least until things cool down with William. And... whatever this is with Sterling."

"There's nothing with Sterling," I insisted. "One night of alcohol-fueled mistakes doesn't constitute a relationship."

Sofia gave me a skeptical look. "If you say so. But the way he looked at you in that clinic... that wasn't nothing."

I changed the subject, unwilling to examine the flutter in my stomach at her words. "Tell me more about this Alpha tradition you mentioned. About finding mates."

Sofia settled back, tucking her feet under her. "An Alpha must mate with their true mate—their fated pair—if they find them. It's considered sacred. But if they reach thirty without finding their true mate, they can choose a suitable partner instead."

"And Sterling? He's what, late twenties?"

"Twenty-nine," Sofia confirmed. "Almost thirty. And still unattached, which has every eligible female wolf in the territory throwing themselves at him. His mother—the current Luna—has been parading potential mates in front of him for years."

I thought about his cold accusation in the hotel room, his assumption that I wanted something from him. It made more sense now, considering what Sofia was telling me.

"That explains his reaction when we first met," I mused. "But it doesn't excuse his behavior today."

Sofia shrugged. "Alphas aren't used to being challenged, especially by humans. You probably shocked him."

"Good," I said firmly. "He deserved it."

Just then, my phone buzzed with an email notification. I fished it out of my pocket, and nearly dropped my phone when I saw the sender and subject line.

"Oh my God!" I gasped, scanning the email frantically.

"What? What is it?" Sofia leaned over, trying to see my screen.

"It's Horizon Media Group from Portland! They want to interview me tomorrow!" I could barely contain my excitement as I continued reading. "They say since I'm out of state, they're happy to conduct the interview over video call!"

Without warning, I jumped up from the couch, nearly spilling my tea in the process. I pulled Sofia up and hugged her tight, practically bouncing with excitement.

"I have an online interview tomorrow!" I squealed. "Sofia, this is it—my first step to getting out of here!"

She hugged me back, laughing at my enthusiasm. "That's amazing, Becca!"

I released her, my mind already racing with preparations. "If I get this job, I'm done with all of this—the werewolves, William, Sterling, all of it. I can start fresh where nobody knows me and where there are no supernatural politics to navigate."

"Let's prepare you for that interview then," Sofia said with a determined smile. "Operation Escape From Werewolf Drama begins now."