Chapter 5 The contract

KALI's POV.

I sat across from Ryder, my heart still racing from his earlier revelations. He knew about my curse, and yet, he didn't seem to care. He seemed to be offering me a way out. And his way out was insane, unthinkable yet...intriguing and tempting.

"So, let me get this straight," I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the turmoil of emotions going on inside of me. "You want me to be your...contracted Luna?"

Ryder nodded, his gaze intense. "Yes, Kali. I want you to be my partner, my representative to the council. It's a business proposal, nothing more."

I raised an eyebrow. "Nothing more?"

Ryder's expression didn't change. "Nothing more. I need a Luna to present to the council, and I believe you would be the perfect candidate."

I took a deep breath, trying to process his words. It sounded like a simple business arrangement, but I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it. After all, he was an alpha wolf why would he want a cursed omega like me to be Luna...unless he had something he was hiding?

"Why me?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Ryder's upper lip curled up into a small smirk. "Let's just say it's personal," he said, his voice low and even.

I felt a shiver run down my spine, but I pushed on. "And what exactly would this contract be about ?"

Ryder leaned forward, as he massaged his temples. "You would be my representative, my partner in all matters related to the pack. You would attend council meetings with me, help me make decisions, and...and other duties as required. Just the perfect Luna role...but don't worry you won't have to do all this when we are alone."

I raised an eyebrow, my mind racing with thoughts and millions of questions. "And what do I get out of this?"

Ryder smiled, showing off a set of perfect white teeth. "You would receive a generous stipend, a place in the pack, and...protection from your curse. Also, a chance to know how it feels like to live normal....no yellings or insults."

My heart skipped a beat at the last word. Protection from my curse? How did he know that's what I needed most?

I took a deep breath, trying to consider my options. It was a business proposal, nothing more. But something about Ryder's words, his eyes, made me feel like there was more to it. Like he was hiding something.

But what choice did I have? I was alone, injured, and cursed. If Ryder's proposal could offer me even a way out, I had to take it.

"Okay," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll do it."

Ryder's smile widened. "Excellent," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "I'll have the contract drawn up immediately."

And with that, I became a contracted Luna.

As Ryder stood up to leave, I felt a pang of fear grip me. What had I just agreed to? I thought I had made the right decision, but now my mind was filled with doubts.

"Wait," I called out, my voice shaking slightly. "What exactly does this contract entail? Sorry... I just want to know what I am getting my head into."

Ryder turned back to me, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I told you, Kali. You'll be my representative, my partner in all matters related to the pack."

But that wasn't what I wanted to know. I wanted to know the details, the whole thing. What was I getting myself into?

"And what about my curse?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "How will you protect me from that?"

Ryder's expression turned serious and his jaw tightly clenched. "That's not something I can discuss right now, Kali. But trust me, I will take care of you."

Trust him? How could I trust him when I barely knew him? And what did he mean by "take care of me"? My mind was racing with what was the worst that could happen thoughts, and my heart was pounding in my chest.

As Ryder left the room, I felt a sense of panic overwhelm Mrs. What had I done? I thought I had made a deal with the devil himself.

I tried to stand up, but my legs felt weak like I was swimming in mud. I collapsed back onto the bed, my mind filled with fear and doubts.

What had I gotten myself into?

A few minutes later, an elderly wolf brought the contract to me and immediately I started reading.

"I, Kali, hereby agree to obey and abide by the rules and decisions of the Riverside Pack, including those made by the Alpha, Ryder."

Obey and abide? What did that even mean? I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized the implications. I was giving myself to Ryder, to the pack, without knowing the full extent of their rules and decisions.

And what about my curse? There was no mention of it in the contract and no guarantees of protection or safety.

Nevertheless, I continued reading. My mind became foggy with the legal terminologies and jargon. I felt sleepy, but I knew I had to press on and know more about what I was getting my head into.

After what seemed like an eternity, I reached the last page of the contract, and taking a deep breath, I signed it.

"Thank you, ma'am," the elderly man said and took the signed contract papers from my hand. "And remember, this should not leave the four walls of this room." The man warned before walking away.

"It's a secret."

As I sat there, my mind racing with fears and doubts, a new thought occurred to me. Why did Ryder want me to be his Luna so badly? What was it about me that made me so special?