He wants her: contract with Alpha Miller

Betrayal / Hurt. As I found myself standing outside, I felt the gentle breeze tousling my long blonde hair, which cascaded elegantly down my back. My striking blue eyes were fixed intently on Ryder's mother, a woman of high esteem within the Red Moon pack located in the beautiful expanse of Australia.

I watched her diligently caring for her plants, and a smile slowly spread across my face, captivated by the tenderness and attention she devoted to each fragile bloom she nurtured."Oh, Malian," she exclaimed joyfully, her eyes finally landing on me and acknowledging my presence with a curious smile. "How long have you been standing there, watching me?"I let out a light laugh, feeling a glow of warmth from the intimate moment. "I'm not entirely sure, to be honest. The flowers look absolutely beautiful today," I admitted as I moved a little closer, crouching down to get a better view of the vibrant blossoms she was watering so carefully."Of course I take care of them; they don't have any other option," she responded with a hearty chuckle, her voice brimming with the kind of warmth that felt comforting.Even though she was the mother of my mate, Ryder, there was a surprisingly profound connection I felt towards her, as though she were my own mother. Growing up as an orphan left a void in my heart-one that I had come to know all too well. I had missed out on the comforting embrace of parental love and care. Yet, from the moment I became a part of Ryder's life, both he and his mother transformed that painful reality into something beautiful. Despite belonging to the Essie family, the fifth wealthiest in the country, they never let my troubled background define my worth."What's with the grin?" she asked, studying my face with a mixture of curiosity and amusement."Oh, it's nothing significant. I was just lost in thought," I replied casually, brushing away her concern with a wave of my hand."Oh really? And what was occupying your mind? I do hope you're not overanalyzing things," she remarked, raising an eyebrow, as if she were trying to read the thoughts written on my face. "Me? Overthink? Whatever could I possibly be overthinking?" I teased, knowing full well how my mind can sometimes spiral into needless worry."I'm not entirely sure, but you looked a bit puzzled," she said, a tone of gentle concern hanging in her voice."Oh, is that how it seems? Well, I assure you, I wasn't overthinking; I was merely considering some things, but nothing negative," I reassured her, returning her gaze with an innocent smile."Hm." She pressed her lips together in a thoughtful manner. "We should prepare breakfast soon, and then you should be on your way. I imagine Ryder must be missing you.""Oh come on, Mom, it's only been a couple of days since I was away," I chuckled, dismissing her suggestion."He called you six times yesterday," she replied with a knowing smile.A slight blush crept to my cheeks at the realization of that fact. "Well, um-never mind that, let's focus on breakfast," I said, diverting the conversation as I turned to head back inside the house.Maria lived in a quaint little cottage nestled close to the enchanting woods-a rarity amidst the encroaching developments of the area. Unlike her son, Ryder, who reveled in the luxurious aspects of life, Maria was down-to-earth, finding joy in the simple pleasures that accompanied her. She owned two residences: a grand mansion with all the lavish trappings, and this charming cottage where she had made her home alone since her husband's passing. Here, it was just the two of them-Maria and her affectionate cat-with no staff or maids attending to her whims.Ryder, her extroverted son, owned a popular bar within the Pack. He was forever seeking adventure, and as the second son, he felt less burdened by family expectations, primarily because his older brother had chosen to shoulder the majority of responsibilities. Though he was generally kind and affectionate, there were moments when he could be quite exasperating."We could prepare either some bread with jam and eggs, or just toast," Maria said, her laughter resonating through the small kitchen as she searched through her cupboards only to realize that they were nearly depleted after our recent snacking spree."Oh no, it seems we forgot to restock the pantry!" I gasped, a tinge of guilt settling in."Don't fret; we can take care of that after breakfast," she assured me."Sounds like a plan," I agreed, appreciating her optimistic outlook.After we managed to prepare some toast for our meal, we shared delightful conversation over breakfast. An hour later, we ventured out together to shop for groceries. Once we returned home, I decided to take a refreshing shower and organize my things in preparation for my journey back."Alright, Maria, I'm heading out now," I declared, embracing her warmly before planting a quick kiss on her cheek."Take care, dear," she said, her voice a soothing melody that lingered in the air."Absolutely, I promise to call you once I'm back!" I assured her, watching as she waved goodbye.I gathered my belongings and loaded them into my car before starting the engine, with the sprawling journey back home stretching close to two hours due to the distance separating us."Phew, that was quite a bit stressful," I murmured to myself, finally pulling into the driveway of the mansion where we lived.Life in the Essie mansion was often a whirlwind, especially due to Ryder's extravagant lifestyle. We frequently found ourselves in mild chaos, and our interactions sometimes proved challenging; one day he could be cool and withdrawn, and the next, warm and overly affectionate. To an outsider, it appeared as though we were living the perfect married life, yet I understood that perfection was an illusion-a fact I had accepted over time.As I climbed out of my car, dragging my luggage behind me, the maids immediately rushed towards me with welcoming smiles."Good evening, madam! Welcome back!" They bowed respectfully, taking my luggage from my hands."Is Ryder at home?" I inquired, hoping he had returned."No, he left not too long ago," a maid informed me with an apologetic expression.He must have just stepped out, I reasoned with myself. Pulling out my phone, I attempted to call Ryder, only for it to go directly to voicemail. Hmm, maybe he's preoccupied?"Alright then, please have my belongings set up in my room," I instructed, moving past them as we entered the mansion.I made my way to my study, settling into the plush chair with a deep sigh, feeling the comforting familiarity of the room around me. I dialed Maria's number, and she answered immediately."Hey there, are you back home?" she asked, her voice friendly and familiar."Yes, I am finally back," I replied, a sense of relief washing over me."Is Ryder with you?" she inquired with genuine concern."Sadly, no. The maids informed me he left not long ago," I explained, feeling a faint twinge of disappointment."Oh, okay. Well, take care of yourself," she advised warmly."You too, Maria," I concluded the call before dialing Emily's number, my best friend since childhood.With Ryder not being around, spending some time with a girlfriend sounded appealing. However, after several rings, I was met with only silence, prompting a frustrated groan as I tossed my phone onto the desk. The hours ticked by, and before I realized it, the clock neared midnight. I stumbled out of my chair, a wave of dizziness engulfing me. I glanced around, belatedly realizing that I had inadvertently dozed off in my study-how embarrassing.After stretching out my limbs, I headed to my bedroom. I took a long, refreshing shower, only to discover, when I checked my phone for the time, that Ryder had called me back while I napped. How strange; he still wasn't home.Curiosity and uneasiness began to churn within me. Feeling restless, I descended back down the stairs into the dimly lit hallway. The serene silence surrounded me, but an irresistible urge for fresh air pulled me toward the back door that overlooked the inviting pool. I made myself a cup of coffee, stepping outside to enjoy the soothing ambiance while savoring my drink.Suddenly, a noise pricked my ears and made me turn my head curiously. I noticed, with trepidation, that the store room lights were still illuminating the night-something was definitely off. Cautiously, I crept closer to investigate the commotion, and what I overheard made my heart race. Ryder's voice, mixed with what sounded like whispers and moans, sent shockwaves of disbelief rippling through me.No, this can't be happening.I tiptoed closer, desperate for a better look, and when I opened the door to the storeroom, the shock of what I saw nearly knocked the breath from my lungs. There, to my utter disbelief, was Ryder on top of my best friend, Emily. A gasp escaped my lips, shattering the moment of quiet tension and drawing all eyes to me. "What on earth is going on here?!?!" I exclaimed, my voice trembling with a whirlwind of emotions ranging from confusion to heartbreak.