Contractually Yours Alpha (Riley)

Chapter Two Hundred and Forty Two

I always knew Bailey wasn't a good person; from the very first time I saw her, something about her was off-putting, but this was beyond evil.

She was not only going to torture Thane but torture me too. He would hate me; even in my death, he would never discover the truth that she had been the one compelling me, and yet... it would be worth it if he stays alive in the end. Yes, he wouldn't have his wolf, but he would still have his life.

"And how do I know you won't stab me in the back after I am done with what you've asked?" I questioned. I couldn't trust Bailey; I knew that.

"You don't really have a choice here, do you?"

That was equally correct; I didn't exactly have a choice.

"Take me to him."

"Give him a day; he is too weak to react now."

A day.

That's what Bailey asked for, but I would have preferred if I walked right into that space and said it all to him at that moment; at least it would be over, but now I sat here, alone, thinking about what I was about to do; I didn't know if I could do it. I didn't know if I could look him in the eyes and lie to him. I didn't think I could go through with the act.

Just as Bailey promised, the next day she arrived,

"Eat," she commanded, placing the plate of food before me.

"No."

"Darling, it wasn't poisoned; that would be too easy a death, so eat up; he has to believe you weren't forced into saying those words and better wipe those tears because they aren't helping. "She stared at my face, as if accessing me. "I'll be back with clean clothes and some make-up," she said before leaving.

I wolfed down the food because I needed my strength for what I was about to do.

Bailey returned with a short dress and also a pair of booths to match.

"You will make him believe that you were in on this, and that wouldn't work if you appeared in those

rags... you need a wash too, no offense but you stink. So many things to do. Come, come, we don't have a lot of time."

I took a cold bath in a tiny bathroom that had blood all over its walls. I walked out only to

Chapter Two Hundred and Forty Two

notice Nick seated on a wooden stool. My first instinct was to cover my nakedness, but I wouldn't give him that satisfaction.

"She is some pretty thing," he said, and I had to hold back my anger. This was what losing felt

like.

"Don't be a jerk; give us some privacy."

Nick raised his hands in surrender before walking to the door. He paused. "You really want to kill her?" he questioned.

"She has to die; I am afraid."

"What a waste. Perhaps you could reward my services with some time alone with her before you kill her." Nick requested, and my eyes met Bailey, a silent plea in them.

"Of course." She said to Nick, the smile widening on her lips.

I had been dolled up, a pretty prisoner; no one would think I was a prisoner though and that was the point of the whole 'dress up'. Bailey led me out of the room and down to where Thane had been kept.

"Are you ready?" she questioned.

I stared at him; he was awake, his eyes dark, but there was not even a single flicker of fear in those amber eyes. I was going to break him, and knew that, yet I had no other option. I only hope he learns to forgive me for what I was about to do. "Yes," I said to Bailey. "I am ready."

With that, I wiped the single tear from my eyes and put on a facade, one he wouldn't doubt.

"You can go through, Riley," she says, that sick smile still on her face, and I walked past the division this time; finally Thane could see me. I took a second to stare at him, knowing this might be the last time I ever get to do so.