Mated by Contract to the Alpha Chapter 8

Rebecca's POV

As we walked toward Golden Sands Bay and the upscale seafront restaurant that sat at its edge, passersby began to notice me in my wedding dress. People pulled out phones to take pictures, whispering to each other. Good. The more witnesses, the better.

"Table for two, please," Sofia told the hostess at the restaurant. "My friend is getting married at Golden Sands this afternoon, but she's still got an empty stomach. We'd like to enjoy a late brunch."

The hostess beamed at me. "Congratulations! Let me get you a table with a view. It's a beautiful day for a beach wedding."

"Thank you," I managed a weak smile.

Sofia discreetly slipped the hostess something—money or instructions, I wasn't sure—and we were seated at a prime table on the terrace overlooking the beach where, in three hours, I was supposed to become William's wife.

"Would the bride like a celebratory drink?" our server asked cheerfully. "Our Sea Goddess cocktail is perfect for beach weddings."

"That sounds lovely," I said, forcing brightness into my voice.

When the server left, I leaned toward Sofia. "Ironic name, considering I'm about to have a 'mishap' by the sea."

Sofia squeezed my hand. "Are you ready? Remember, you need to make it natural but dramatic enough for people to remember."

I nodded, taking a deep breath. The blue cocktail arrived, garnished with an orchid and a delicate sugar rim. Sofia casually dropped something into it when the server turned away, then nodded at me.

I took a long sip, tasting nothing unusual beneath the coconut and blue curaçao flavors. Whatever Sofia had added was tasteless.

We maintained light conversation for about ten minutes, long enough for the substance to take effect. I began to feel lightheaded, but in a controlled way—just as Sofia had described.

It was time.

I stood gracefully, letting the glass slip from my fingers. It shattered on the terrace floor, drawing the attention of nearby diners.

"I feel... not right... something's wrong," I said, my voice loud enough to be heard at adjacent tables but not so loud as to seem performative.

I swayed on my feet, making my way toward the railing as if seeking fresh air. My face had gone pale naturally—a side effect of whatever Sofia had given me—and cold sweat beaded on my forehead.

"Rebecca! Are you okay?" Sofia called out, her voice pitching higher with convincing alarm.

I turned to look at her, allowing my eyes to unfocus, then rolled them back dramatically. My body pitched backward, a genuine cry of fear escaping my lips as I fell. The white wedding dress billowed around me like sea foam in the sunlight.

I hit the ground hard—harder than I'd intended—and my body began to convulse unnaturally. Foam appeared at the corners of my mouth, another effect of Sofia's concoction, and the restaurant erupted in screams and chaos.

"Someone help!" Sofia shrieked. "Please call an ambulance!"

Through slitted eyes, I could see dozens of phones recording the scene. A few people who identified themselves as medical professionals rushed forward to help, and I surrendered to the drug's effects, letting myself fall unconscious.

The last thing I heard was Sofia's panicked voice: "She's supposed to be getting married today! Oh God, please help her!"

Then darkness took me, and I slipped away from William Moretti's grasp—at least for now.

The time I woke, voices pulled me from the depths of drug-induced sleep. I kept my eyes closed, instinctively sensing I should listen before announcing my consciousness.

"Is there any news about the incident?" William's voice, tight with anger. "Who poisoned her food? Have they found anything?"

"The hotel manager checked the surveillance footage and all ingredients," Sofia replied, her tone cautious. "Everything seemed normal. They think someone might have been jealous of Rebecca and wanted to poison her."

There was a pause, and I could almost feel William's tension from across the room.

"Fuck," he finally said, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "This is just fucking perfect timing. Let the hotel know they don't need to investigate further. It was probably just an accident."

The awkward shift in his tone made me curious enough to peek through barely-opened eyelids. William's face had gone strangely tense, as though he'd just realized something uncomfortable.

"An accident?" Sofia's voice rose slightly. "She could have died, William!"

"Lower your voice," William snapped. "You're being dramatic. She'll be fine."

His indifference to my poisoning ignited a spark of anger in my chest. My eyes opened fully, and I shifted slightly on the bed.

William's head whipped around at the sound. "Rebecca?" His face transformed instantly, concern replacing irritation. "You're awake."

I nodded weakly, taking in the hospital room. William rushed to my bedside, taking my hand in his. I forced myself not to pull away. Not yet.

"How are you feeling, babe?" he asked, his thumb stroking the back of my hand. The gesture that once brought comfort now made my skin crawl.

"It's terrible," I managed, my voice still raspy. "Water?"

Sofia quickly poured a cup from a plastic pitcher and handed it to me. I sipped slowly, using the moment to gather my thoughts, to prepare for what I needed to do.

"William," I said after a moment, setting the cup aside. "Hold me...please."

Surprise flickered across his face before it softened into what I now recognized as practiced affection. "Of course, babe."

He sat on the edge of the bed and carefully gathered me into his arms, mindful of the IV in my arm. I rested my head against his chest, feeling his heartbeat—strong, steady, oblivious to what was coming.

"It's okay," he murmured against my hair. "You're safe now."

I took a deep breath and said the words I'd been rehearsing in my mind since I'd learned the truth.

"I, Rebecca Brown, reject you, William Moretti, future Delta of the Silver Moon, as my mate."

---

His body went rigid against mine. For a moment, the only sound in the room was the steady beep of the heart monitor, now accelerating with my own nervousness.

"What did you just say?" His voice had dropped to a dangerous whisper.

"You heard me," I replied, trying to pull back from his embrace. "I reject you as my mate."

A tremor ran through William's body, followed by a pained groan that seemed to come from deep within his chest. His fingers dug into my arms, holding me in place as his body shook.

When he looked down at me, his eyes had changed—amber irises now ringed with a wild, animal light. His face contorted in a grimace of pain and fury.

"You bitch," he snarled, fingers tightening painfully around my arms. "You will not escape me that easily."

Fear shot through me as I struggled against his grip. "Let go of me, William."

"You think you can just reject me? After everything I've done for you?" His voice was a guttural growl now, barely human. "This is just the beginning. You will regret this."

"You're hurting me," I gasped, staring into his eyes—eyes that now looked more wolf than human.

"Good," he spat. "Maybe pain will remind you of your place."

"My place?" Anger overrode fear, giving my voice strength. "My place was never to be your puppet. I know about Olivia. I know about your son."

That hit its mark. William's grip loosened momentarily, surprise flickering across his features before rage twisted them once more.

"Sofia!" I called out, taking advantage of his momentary shock. "Get the nurse!"

Sofia, who had been frozen in horrified silence, lunged for the call button, pressing it repeatedly.

William released me with a shove that sent pain shooting through my tender abdomen. He stood, his body visibly trembling, fists clenched at his sides.

"This isn't over," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "There will be consequences."