Kiara sat on the ground, staring at the contract that had been laying at her feet for quite some time. The numerous repercussions of signing or not signing it absolutely shook her down to her very being. Xavier had carefully detailed every one of his terms and conditions in the contract, as well as the main regulations she would be held to. He'd already left the room half an hour earlier, giving her until the next morning to come to her decision. She would receive a copy of the contract if she signed it.
Kiara struggled with her choice to have sex with a stranger whom she had only met two days previously. Complicated with that was the fact that she would have to give birth and then abandon her child. At the same time, she couldn't deny that Xavier had not broken his commitment. He had stated in the contract that Kiara would be released from the pack three months after giving birth to their offspring. As a result, the opportunity for deceit was minimal. Xavier had not abused, assaulted, or coerced her once over these two days. He hadn't even insulted her because of Lewis' crimes. Kiara wasn't sure if she was witnessing Xavier's true character or an act that would be revealed after she had signed the contract. She had been offered two possibilities, but could she really make a choice?
It was soon midday, but Kiara had locked herself in the room. The contract's terms and conditions lingered in her memory. Jennifer had served lunch in her room before being sent away by Kiara. She needed some time alone to think, now it was late evening.
"Kiara," Lena knocked on the door.
"Yes, give me a second," Kiara answered, leaving the contract on the side of the table but turning it upside down so no one could accidentally read it. Lena stood in front of the door with a large package when the door opened.
"What exactly is this?" Kiara inquired, inviting Lena inside her room.
"This package is for you. The Alpha told me to bring it to you," Lena explained as best she could, having no additional information. She had only seen Xavier pay the delivery man. Jennifer had left the pack for another job, so Lena was asked to play delivery girl.
"This is for me?" Kiara took a seat on the sofa, watching the large box with interest.
"Yes, why don't you have a look at it? I'm intrigued about what Alpha has gotten for our Luna," Lena grinned, confident in her prediction. A present from the Alpha, who had just dumped an unusual surrogacy contract on her? Kiara just rolled her eyes and began unwrapping the packaging with the inquisitive woman. She didn't have any expectations, but then...
"Wow," Lena's eyes gleamed. She had a smile on her lips as she dragged her gaze away from the box, to an astonished Kiara, who seemed to have lost her voice. The box had yet to be opened, but once the packaging had been removed, it was obvious what was inside. Lena assisted Kiara and eventually handed her a brand-new laptop.
"The Alpha has excellent taste. I recall you saying you liked white. Kiara, do you like your laptop?" Lena inquired, curiously. Kiara raised her befuddled gaze to her Gamma. Her laptop? Lena had guessed from the size and weight that it was a laptop, but she had kept it a secret so as not to spoil her Alpha's present to the Luna. Even though there was no card and he had not personally given it to her, it was a present in her eyes.
"Is this really for me?" Kiara asked in disbelief. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Perhaps he had brought it for himself, and Lena had misinterpreted the situation since she knew that she had been preparing to purchase a smartphone for her courses.
"Yes, it's yours," Lena giggled, motioning for Kiara to open it, but she remained shocked. She had never had anything new in her life. Martha had often argued with Sawyer about providing their second daughter with nice things like their other children, but in the end, Kiara would only get secondhand items. Whenever Lewis or Noah became bored with their possessions, they would hand them over to Kiara. It might be a ripped jacket, a blanket, or a used bicycle. She hadn't even used Lewis' bike since the handle had been broken. Her dream of riding it had been shattered. As a result, she had never been able to learn how to ride it. It was difficult for someone who normally only received used scuffed items to realize that this new laptop was for her. "It’s not just a laptop, I have another delivery for you," Lena said, handing her a small bag she had been carrying beside the laptop box.
"What's this?" Kiara placed the laptop on the table and opened the package to see that it was a new phone.
"Is this also mine?" Kiara's mouth and eyes were gaping wide. She had intended to go out today to buy an inexpensive smartphone that was within her budget so that she could study online, but instead she received not just an expensive phone, but also a laptop! How? Was it by the Moon Goddess's grace or due to something else? But the Moon Goddess had never smiled down on her before. Would it be a major humiliation if she accepted these gifts and then they took them back? Lena had said that Xavier had ordered her to bring them to her room. He hadn't known she needed them, so why had he bought them?
"Yes, everything is yours, my dear Luna. If the Alpha doesn't surprise you with gifts, then who will?" Lena chuckled as she gently tugged Kiara's lovely cheeks. Even though both females were among the ranked members of the pack and Kiara outranked Lena, the fact remained that Lena was at least four years older than Kiara and had begun to think of her like a younger sister. "You should no longer use the old one. I see you charging that thing all the time, but it only gives you a headache," Lena pointed to Kiara's keypad phone, which was lying next to her.
"No, I can't throw it away right now," Kiara immediately picked up the phone and hugged it tightly.
"Why?" Lena was intrigued by her possessiveness towards her old phone.
"Ohh, do you have photos of your family on that phone?" Lena took the chance and sat down near Kiara to have a look.
"Oh my goddess, your sister is equally beautiful as you!" The Gamma female couldn't determine which was more beautiful, the younger or elder sister. Kiara laughed when she saw Lena's surprised expression. The redhead she-wolf had been quick to discover that her phone was filled with pictures of her mother and older sister. Only the three of them appeared in each photograph. "But why are there only the three of you in each picture? Where have your father and brothers gone?" Looking at Kiara's changing countenance, Leena inquired as she broke into a little smile.
"They never wanted to share anything with me, even a family picture," Kiara admitted, returning her gaze to the phone in Lena's hand. The Gamma female remained silent, realizing that there was something else going on that she was unaware of, that Kiara was hesitant to reveal.
"Oh my god!!? Who is this little one? She is so cute!" Lena's eyes softened as she hopped on her seat two or three times while she gazed at Kiara's white kitty. She had far too many photographs of her cat.
"She was my cat,"
Lena became aware of the profound melancholy in Luna's voice. She had obviously had to leave her pet behind before joining the Sirius Bright Pack.
"It hurts, right?" Lena inquired, her hand resting on Kiara's shoulder. Sadly, Kiara only nodded.
"Unfortunately, the Sirius Bright Pack doesn't allow pets."
"Really" Kiara's eyes snapped at Lena.
"Yes, this rule has been in place for many years but no one has modified it, and Alpha Xavier dislikes cats." Lena stood up from her seat, mimicking one of the things that Xavier detested. Kiara was taken aback by this information. He didn't like cats? He had noted her fondness for cats in the Ardara Moon Pack, but she had no idea he disliked them. "Okay, now I'll leave you to enjoy your new possessions. Today I have various responsibilities to attend to," Lena claimed as she walked away. Kiara paused a while before picking up her phone and laptop, her gaze fixed on the door that Xavier could walk through at any time. It didn't appear to be a hoax, as Lewis had done to her. He had blamed her for stealing his sparkle pen after handing it to her. Yes, they were children at the time, but the recollection of their father's venomous glares still lingered in her mind. Kiara began to examine the phone and laptop when Xavier had not returned to claim them. They were truly hers, she had a warm smile.
When her phone rang at her side, she quickly put it back on the table. She pressed her fingers to her chest. It wasn't Xavier, it was simply a phone call. Kiara's eyes twinkled as she realized it was a phone call from her sister.
“Adira! What have you been up to? Why were you ignoring my calls?" Kiara asked in a panicked single breath.
"Breathe, girl! breathe! I didn't ignore you," Adira laughed.
“Tell me!” Kiara demanded a reply. She had been really concerned about her sister after their previous phone call, but her sister had completely disregarded her.
"I'd left the pack with Dad to do some work, but I'd left my phone in my room. I swear I fell asleep after that and forgot to check my phone," Adira claimed, but Kiara found it suspicious.
“Where did he take you?"
"It was simply a friendly pack celebration," Adira swiftly dismissed her query.
"But…"
"Kiara, why are you asking so many questions today? Let's talk about something else, shall we?" With a weary and deep sigh, the elder sister interrupted her inquisitive thoughts.
"Okay, let's talk about something else," Kiara said, admitting defeat and conceding to herself that she had been overthinking.
"What are you doing right now?" Adira changed the subject to something more relaxed.
"I received a new laptop and a smartphone today."
"What? Who bought it for you? Alpha Xavier?
"Yes," Adhira couldn't believe what she was hearing. But she was also relieved that he was taking good care of her sister.
"Then let's have a video call right now. I'm sure you want to see Mom, " Adira proposed with zeal.
"Oh my gosh, yeah, I want to see my Mom!!" Kiara couldn't contain her joy as she leaped off the sofa. She had completely forgotten that if she had a smartphone, she could video call and see her family.
"All right, I'll call Mom!" Adira hung up the phone and promptly set out on her mission to inform her mother of the wonderful news. Kiara, on the other hand, rapidly disassembled her old phone and placed her sim card into the new one. She had a huge smile on her face as she tried to turn on the phone, but it hadn't worked.
"What happened to it? Why isn't it working?" She had at least 10 minutes to get it to turn on, but nothing worked, so she opted to use her laptop for the video chat. Fortunately, the new laptop did not cause her any problems and turned on quickly, but Kiara soon realized that she had no idea how to video call using a laptop. She required assistance.
She quickly exited her room and then began looking for Lena, but as she had stated earlier she had been busy with her duties and was not at the pack house. Then she went looking for Tyler, only to discover that he had left the pack house with Xavier. Kiara scratched her head as she sat in the living room. Why wasn't anyone around when she needed them?
Kiara looked around at the other pack members who were smiling and respectfully bowing to her as they passed by the living room. The full moon and the marking ceremony had kept everyone in the Sirius Bright Pack busy. Kiara's heart skipped a beat when she saw their ecstatic expressions. They had already accepted her as their Luna, but Kiara had yet to make a decision. She was depressed. But, once again, she was trying to come up with a solution as to what person could help her.
That's when she had an idea, remembering that someone had told her that he was always free.
Kiara peered into a beautiful large room a few minutes later. Her gaze darted around the room, eventually settling on the Alpha, who was diligently working on his laptop while conversing with someone. Zander's gaze was fixed on his laptop screen, but he was also talking to one of his clients, who appeared to be in a serious situation. Kiara had also noted that he was surrounded by at least six empty cups of coffee, which indicated that he had been working his ass off! Hadn't he remarked that he constantly imposed his work on his brother, so that he was a free bird?
Kiara mentally slapped herself for trusting his claims. He was the Alpha of the pack, so how could he have run away from his responsibility and business? She decided to leave discreetly.
"Stop right there little one!" Kiara froze as she heard a heavy tone, as the Alpha's piercing emerald eyes had already landed on the young she-wolf who had been peering into his room. When she turned around, she saw that the Alpha was standing behind her, his hands crossed over his chest. "So what do you want?" He lifted his brows, knowing that she hadn’t come seeking him in vain.
"The Wi-Fi password," Kiara gave a tentative smile. Yes, he wasn't Xavier, but his face was identical to his. She had required some time to adjust to the new tone and attitude.
"XZLINCOLN," the Alpha replied. "That is the Wi-Fi password," he clarified, looking at her confused face.
"Thanks," before she turned to go, the Alpha received a beautiful smile. Kiara walked slowly, regretting not enlisting Zander's assistance. There was a risk that he'd become irritated, but she really needed to video chat her mother, so she came to a halt and planned to enter his room. But when she came to a halt she discovered that he was still standing in the same spot! Why hadn't he gone back to his room? Had he known she'd come to stop and ask for assistance?
"What do you want from me?" He asked, giving off his almighty aura.
"Help."
"With what?"
"I'd like to video call my sister using my new laptop, but I'm not sure how," Kiara stated.
****
Zander sat on the Kiara sofa in the room, looking through the new laptop. He'd already connected it to their Wi-Fi. Kiara had taken a seat on the other sofa on his left side, but she could watch everything he did.
"Are you familiar with Skype?" He inquired without directly looking at her.
"No," she answered but received no reaction from the Alpha, who appeared to be expecting that response from her but still inquired.
"What about Facebook Messenger?" He threw another question at her.
"I don't have Facebook, but my sister does," she explained. Zander's hand came to a halt on the keyboard as he gazed at the woman who knew nothing. He moved his gaze away from her before she felt uneasy.
"You may use Messenger to make a video call to your sister. I will return in a short while," Zander got up from the sofa and grabbed Kiara's new phone, which she couldn't turn on. Kiara watched as he left the room. He had signed into his Facebook account giving her access to it. She instantly video-called her sister since she remembered how to use it, thanks to Adira.
"Kiara, my baby," Martha had already taken a seat in front of Adira's phone in order to see her beloved daughter. Her eyes had welled up with tears.
"Mom," Kiara smiled broadly since she had decided not to cry in front of her mother. She felt as if she had not seen her for years.
"How are things going for you?" Her mother inquired, inspecting her face for any bruises that had been given to her by Xavier. Fortunately, Kiara looked good.
"I am completely fine Mom. I am missing you all though," Kiara shifted her gaze between her Mother and sister. Adira had been the backbone of her Mother since Kiara had left the pack.
"I think about you every second. I regret I let you leave. Kiara, tell me the truth. Is Xavier abusing you?" Martha inquired, concerned for her daughter. She knew she couldn't do anything if her daughter said yes, but her motherly love and uncertainty ate at her every second as she let her go with their adversary.
"Mom, he's a good person. He has never abused me. He bought me a new phone and laptop today. I was able to video call you because of him," Kiara showed Martha the new phone box as Zander had departed with her phone.
“Really? Are you telling me the truth?" Martha questioned, her gaze drawn to her daughter's neck.
"Yes, I am telling you the truth," Kiara assured.
"How come your neck is unmarked? Didn't he say he'd picked you to be his mate? So, why?" Martha wondered. Kiara trembled a little as she put her hand over her neck. She'd completely forgotten about that. Adira gestured for Kiara to act normally, but it was too late. Martha had fallen into tears once more. “Did he lie to us? Did he force you sexually and…”
"No, Mom. He didn't do anything wrong. My marking ceremony is tomorrow. I am going to be his Luna. I swear I'm not lying," Kiara said in a single breath.
"Is your marking ceremony tomorrow?" Adira and Martha were both taken by surprise. She'd overheard Xavier and Kiara's bargain, and there had been no mention of marking. How had things come to that? Kiara quickly bit her lower lip. She dug her own grave. She should not have told her, but she couldn't witness her Mother's tears. Kiara nodded to her Mother and turned to face Adira, who had always been able to easily read her expressions. She hadn't made a decision yet, but she had no choice except to lie to her Mother.
"That's fantastic news! My daughter is becoming a Luna. Kiara. I want you to never take your father's word for it when he said that you're unlucky. You are my brave daughter. Keep your head high since you saved your family and pack. Your father and brother, who have always disregarded you, owe you an apology. Everyone is indebted to you, Kiara," Martha affirmed while smiling at her daughter, who had a tear in her eyes. Adira embraced her Mother from behind. She had never seen her weep before. Adira was startled as Sawyer's voice resonated through the pack house. She had covertly video-called her sister in her room.
“Don't worry, you two talk. Your Dad will not come up here if I leave,” Martha quickly left the room.
“Please take care of Mom,” Kiara asked her sister.
“Don't worry. Well, I have something for you,” Adira said, disappearing from the video chat for a couple of seconds. Kiara waited for her reappearance impatiently.
“Happy birthday!!!” Adira jumped in front of the camera with Kiara’s little white cat in her hands.
“Oh my god!” Kiara kept her hand over her mouth as she gazed at her adorable kitty wearing a birthday hat. Adira had a cupcake in front of her phone. Zander, who was close to Kiara's room, heard an unknown female voice that was incredibly sweet. He slowed his speed as he tried to hear her better. Who was she? Her sister?
“Did you remember my birthday?” Kiara asked. She had only a few hours left until she turned eighteen.
"Of course! Today's special guest is our cat. Happy birthday, Kiara," Adira remarked, making the white kitty wave. Kiara and Adira both giggled while fighting back tears. This was the first time they hadn't celebrated her birthday together. Zander came to a halt at the door after hearing them talk, particularly the other female’s voice, which seemed like a melody to him. It was filled with buried anguish, yet she continued to laugh. He did not come in. Instead, his gaze was drawn to his brother, who was already peering through the window at Kiara's smiling yet sad face. The two brothers spotted one other but continued to stare into the room. Their hands were shoved into their pants pockets as the women's voices echoed through the room.
***
It was late at night, Kiara had been staring at the clock. In one minute, it would be midnight. She was turning eighteen. She'd had the contract in her hands for several hours. She needed to make a decision about whether to leave or stay. Her mother's words reverberated in her head. She thought that the pack was safe, but not until she signed those papers. Everything was still in jeopardy. Kiara had chosen to sign when it was past twelve o'clock. She was now able to sign legal paperwork. Her hand trembled slightly. She was well aware that she was being crazy. She would be giving herself to a man who constantly gave her a cold expressionless stare. She had no idea what his true intentions were, but she needed that smile back on her Mom's face. She wanted her family safe and happy. She also remembered that Xavier had promised not to hurt her. Kiara noticed his signature on the documents and signed them as well.
She had accepted everything, their first night would be later tonight after the marking ceremony!