Contracted To The Cold Alpha

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Breathless, Shayne Ward.

As time goes, MItiS

Escape, Aaron Shirk

CHAPTER ONE

#Sit Back

Lucy placed bread and scrambled eggs on the four plates on the table, as Dan kept his Tareyton 100 beside it

"Really Dan? When you're just about to eat?"

Dan rolled his eyes as the faint sound of a dog barking teemed the air. "You can just look away for once woman."

The door burst open with a loud bang, startling everyone in the garden.

There stood Artems, the Alpha.

"There iz going to be an important meeting. 12AM. A collaboration I've been waiting for. And I am going to supervise it. I won't have you riffraffs interfering and ruining thiz for me"

Dan frowned. " Alpha--"

" Ester iz the only one coming. No questions asked. No stupid poke-nosing! Or you'll hate the consequences!" He stuffed his large hands into the pockets of his shorts, disdain and repulsion on his face as he turned and walked away.

The door remained open, displaying his back as he wove his way towards his black Aston, Ramon holding the car door open for him.

"Debbie, go close the door." Dan said softly, concealing the despair in his voice.

Debbie who had been anxiously hiding behind her large purple teddy bear stood and did as ordered before coming back to sit.

There was moody silence, the tense fragrance of lilac hung bitterly in the air, along with the sweet scent of jam Lucy spread over the bread.

Next was the honey, which Lucy poured into the cups with shaky hands

"Mom that's oil!." Ester spoke up, her voice tinged with surprise.

"Oh my." Lucy's eyes widened and she dropped the bottle, on the table making it clatter noisily.

Dan sighed.

"Come sit, Lucy," he said. "I'll do this.

"Let me, dad." Ester and Dan stood at the same time; Ester took the actual honey bottle and began dishing it.

"I'm just... gonna take a quick smoke."

Dan retired to a corner to light his cigarette.

"How long are we going to let this keep happening; Dad? Mom?" Ester unable to bear the silence spoke up.

Surely something could be done? Maybe they could head back to Florida. It was only a matter of time before these people finally decided they didn't deserve to live anymore, and ended their lives. It terrified her.

They'd be extremely poor if they went back yes, but in contrast to dying? Ester's thoughts made her shiver.

Lucy stole a furtive, helpless look at Dan who pretended he hadn't heard; lighting his Tareyton.

Lucy sat and began eating.

"Do we have any choice Ester?" Dan finally said. "I don't get it. What do you feel like you want to do differently? We have no choice but to do what they want us to do. To suck up to their maltreatment. To kneel and kiss their feet. unless you want us to pack our bags and go. If that is what all of you suggest just let me know." He took a smoke.

Debbie pushed her chair back and stood. " I've lost my appetite."

"Debbie, you haven't even eaten anything." Lucy called out.

Dan scoffed as she walked away from the flower house. "Eat up, Ester... you have a meeting to attend to."

After managing to eat two slices, Lucy sadly commented. " I know not having werewolf ears is one of our big disadvantages, but glean as much as you can."

Ester nodded and continued eating.

.......

Ester relaxed into her seat after spotting the head lights of Alpha Artem's Aston as it reared its head into the parking lot, searching for a spot to park.

To think that he had scheduled whatever meeting this was, at 12, and he was arriving 30mins later.

She had been here before, but the identical sleek black cars that lined this place were too many--as of today.

So many imposing vehicles, so many things to prove to her that they had no business being in this place.

But Dan wouldn't agree, a part of her wouldn't too.

They couldn't go broke--because of her woke sense of justice.

Even though they were despised, debased and degraded, every time by the pack they had built into an economic enigma with their company Wolvencore.

When they had parked she stepped out of the car, smoothening her ash-colored velvet suit and locking up.

She walked up to Artems and his crew as they alighted as well.

"Good morning, Alpha Artems." Ester said, awaiting his next command.

Artems gave her a scornful, reproachful look. "Stay far away, as much as possible. I do not want to catch you eavesdropping.. Just sit back, drink some coffee, catch some fun or go to hell, whichever you prefer."

He scoffed and walked away.

His gamma followed, but Ramon the beta's look lingered on her.

This was a man she had longed for, wanted, confessed her feelings to way back in their days in school. But he had humiliated her, embarrassed her, slandered her with smear campaigns for being human. Called her a filthy being and species.

But that was a long long time ago, her heart had since moved on with the pain, the shame.

It still pained just a little, whenever she saw the scorn and disdain on his face for her, for what she was, for the kind of people she represented.

"Good morning to you too, Beta Ramon."

"Humph." He scoffed in irritation and walked away.

" You're welcome." She whispered and followed.

Fresh-brewed coffee and ground beans wafted into Ester's nostrils along with the scent of crunchy cookies and fresh baked muffins as she opened the glass door into the house.

So many---black men? Or rather men in black.

Artems didn't inform her that black was the occasion. She felt like an outsider, it was a normal feeling already.

She sat far back, and quickly made an order.

It arrived soon and she wrapped her hands around the smooth ceramic cup, taking a sip.

She hadn't realized she had been staring hard at the two men talking, because she'd have noticed how hot the coffee was.

But the damage was done, it scalded her. She emptied the contents of her mouth back into the cup; She checked her clothes and looked around in the hopes that no one saw her.

No one did, except him.

Her cheeks flushed.

The man Artems was speaking to.

He was a tall man--the tallest in the room, dressed in thick black sweatshirts and pants with a fucking dope face.

The dopest, she'd seen.

He was frowning, his sky-blue eyes--like hers--were laser beams piercing indeterminately into her soul.

Well there was nothing to see there, except resentment for his kind.

One of the waitresses dropped a cold mug of iced coffee in front of the two men.

"Dhat would be for my frrriend; Ulmea, here" Artems explained, carefully moving the drink to him.

Ulmea didn't reply, simply taking the drink and chugging it down.

"Let me get you your usual Alpha " The young lady asked, redoubling her apron strips.

"No no. I would take this as well." He pointed to what Iced coffee Ulmea was taking.

The waitress nodded, a bit surprised.

"My friend, It's been a while we spoke, but I am glad you saw it fit to accept my proposal."

" I am here for business Artems, not pleasantries or iced coffees." Ulmea dropped the cup. " Are you the owner of this business?"

"Of courrrse," Artems looked shocked. "Who else? You think such levels of success would have been achieved if it weren't my business?..." Artems cleared his throat, realizing he was about to shoot himself in the foot by exposing himself" My pack...is getting richer and better.

I have subordinates of course, that run it in my absence, but it is mine."

" Right. Let's get down to business then."

" How much are you willing to stake?"

Ulmea gave him a mean, cold gaze. "This ain't one of your games Artems. I am investing. "

His phone pinged.

It was a text message from Angel.

"Ulmea, here is the list you requested."

Ulmea opened the file, filtering out Artems babbling.

A woman's picture amongst the others caught his attention.

His feature darkened and he texted. "I do not want Raya in here. That's one of the reasons I am in another man's pack, because I do not want her in the list."

He considered as he sent, if there was a way he could shout over text; oh, capitals, he forgot to use that.

He dropped his phone on the table.

"So, how much do you plan on investing, Alpha Ulmea?" Artems asked as he took another swig of his coffee.

He ignored him, as his gaze followed the silver-ash hue of a woman that passed him by, heading towards the restroom.

She piqued his curiosity and made his wolf Steve dance in circles inside him.

Who was she?

Was she here to get some coffee--like the others--before the day's work?

A jar of beer was refilled just at the middle of the other two men Artems came with.

But Ramon's gaze was far from the jar, and instead on the retreating figure of Ester.

It traveled down, before a belge stole it's way out of his throat and the gamma swatted him. "You see a woman and you can't even comport yourself anymore."

Ramon scoffed. " Oh please. Is she a woman? I don't think these humans should be given the same gender titles like the rest of us."

" So what should they be called?"

His head turned again to an empty restroom corridor where she just entered. " They should be playthings for werewolves.. mostly the Alpha and beta. Whenever we want some fun."

" Hmmm. I don't think you want to go there. .. Their business is enriching the Alpha's pockets; I think it's best we let them be." The gamma poured from the jar into his cup, observing the leafy floral designs.

"Nonsense. I can have her anytime I want and the Alpha wouldn't even spit in my direction. The only reason I haven't considered it is because they are worthless to me. She's always wanted me for the longest time possible but I rejected her. I despise her. Besides, there are already enough females my kind, to fuck. "

The gamma laughed. " Quit dreaming..Ramon. So you think someone you rejected is just going to allow you do whatever? Now, Just like that?

Too much beer and arrogance has gotten into ya head."

Ramon spun to him. " You think that I am joking?"

"Uhh...yes you are, obviously."

" Oh, alright then. Let me show you." Ramon stood.

The gamma's mouth dropped. " Ramon are you mad? What...we are not here for such."

Ramon sneered at him." Relax, you big coward. I'm not going to do anything. I'll Just tell her what I want; you'll see. I'll narrate to you how she quickly bobbed her head in response and opened her legs, desperate for me. I know how badly she wants me to fuck her ..she just has too much pride to say it."

" Oh. If it's consensual then, I guess." The gamma said, having another swig. " Have fun."

Ramon smirked and proceeded away from his beer and gamma.

The silver faucet shaped like goose's neck kept vomiting spasms of water, and Ester made no bid to stop it.

She was thankful she had brought a kerchief, and she used it to wipe herself, cleaning away dirt and stains she couldn't even find.

She stared at her dress over and over in the mirror.

So self-conscious now. Fucking hell.

Those blue eyes---they made her feel like she was--unclean, unjust.

He seemed to have been disappointed in her little skirmish.

Yeah well she couldn't give a damn.

It was these very same people that were the unclean ones.

The unjust ones. The abusive ones.

What was she even doing? Mom had told her to gather information as much as she could, and here she was, fidgeting, her hands shaking.

She took a deep calming breath and stared at her reflection, before putting the tap off.

Coming here had frayed whatever little nerve she had left in her.

"Ester." A voice from behind her startled her.

She turned and saw Ramon, his eyes were near off-focus, he had a fuzzy nervous look about him.

"Beta Ramon, what..what are you doing in the females convenience?" She was surprised to see him here.

" Is this? Oh...I didn't see. I guess fate must have dragged me here." He smiled, or attempted to.

There was a lewd sparkle in his eyes as his gaze roamed up and down her body and he licked his lips.

What felt like worms made of irritation crawled around in her belly. " Okay. Beta. I...i am just going to step aside, and allow you do whatever fate brought you here to do, in the...in the ladies bathroom."

Casting her gaze down, Ester moved past him when he caught her with a hand, stopping her movement.

Her heart leapt in her chest, and began pounding anxiously. "Beta Ramon?"

"Relax. I wanted to talk to you."

She swallowed. " Oh, okay."

Maybe she had miscalculated; she had misread. He just wanted to talk.

" Look, I know I've been a dickhead to you and y'all. Heck to all your people." He moved closer to her and wrapped his arms around her. " But I do like you. And I want to take you here"

Ester's cheeks heated with rage, as she pulled away from his arms "Beta Ramon. Stop this please. It's just the wine talking. You...you are drunk. You have always never liked me, you don't like anything about my existence. You made it clear. " She tried to maintain calm, keeping her gaze on the floor. But she was clearly scared, her heart beating madly in her chest.

Why wouldn't he just keep ignoring her now like the other times? Why was he doing this?

His face squeezed in anger. " Did you just reject me? I told you I like you...are you playing hard to get? You..." He folded his fists, masking his anger. " Hey look, I'm sorry for the way I treated you okay? But I want you. And I want you now. Let's do it here. Before anyone comes"

Oh, so that was what this was all about.

Her eyes flew around calculatedly as she calculated her escape route, her heart messing her chest up.

"I'm sorry, but I am afraid you have got the wrong person." Ester finally voiced when she saw she couldn't get out of this without having to talk her way through.

Not with his bulky body that is.

"I am not that kind of person." She swallowed as her voice shook.

He grabbed her hand, making her jump.

"You know who I am don't you?" He narrowed his eyes."beta of BlueSpark. I can make your life glorious, blissful, enjoyable, you and your family will never have to suffer anymore maltreatment from my people. Anyone who tries to hurt you will have to answer to me. All these privileges and more if you'll stop being stubborn."

" I'm sorry beta Ramon. I cannot do what you want."

Ramon's face dropped. " How dare you!"

#Business Card

He slapped her hard across the face, and another slap sent her colliding head first into the wall.

Something painfully sleek and thick crept down her head, she didn't have time to check it when Ramon slammed his hands around her throat, and shoved her against the wall.

Ester's eyes widened as she struggled for air. "Beta..Ramon."

Ramon gritted his teeth, anger flaring and contorting in the lines of his jaw. "I didn't tell you the second part; if you refuse, I will make your life miserable, you will suffer for the rest of your life. I will personally ruin Dreanco. You seem to forget how much your father had to suffer, the humiliation he passed through, being dragged naked across the street his clothes torn to shreds by wolves, just to build this silly business. I can make all that happen again. You bitch!"

Ester's face was turning crimson as the breath seized completely from her lungs.

She tried to pull his hands away from her neck but she was no match for him.

He laughed and tightened his grip in a death choke. "Yeah you can go ahead and die you haughty piece of shit. Artems won't do shit. Maybe send your family back after your death to avoid having a bad image brought to his pack but that would be all."

She began feeling her body go limp, life leaving her, when the door crashed open and the next instant Ulmea was on Ramon.

He flung him across the corridor which such energy that Ramon flew straight into a mirror adorning the opposite wall, shattering it and crumbling to the floor, the broken pieces decking his body like confetti.

But Ulmea wasn't done.

He leapt and pounced viciously on him.

Loud coughing rang off the walls in the background, as Ulmea bloodied Ramon's face with an endless barrage of punches, his eyes glowing a deep red.

He kept punching him, coating his hand red with Ramon's blood as a loud roar erupted from his throat.

Ester quickly regaining consciousness and realizing he might just kill him, rushed to the spot. "Please! It's okay! You'll kill him." She tried to hold Ulmea's hand and stop him but he flung her away causing her to land butt first on the ground.

Realization dawned on her features , making her eyes widen.

Her mouth dropped. "Oh gods. No. He's actually going to kill him!"

On her feet, she rushed and threw herself on Ramon, shielding him with her body.

She braced her body to receive the impact of his blows, but she never felt anything.

He had stopped?

"What the fuck are you doing?" Came his deep grave, lethal voice.

The anger in it bathed her body, making her shiver.

"Get up." Ulmea spoke, his voice calmer than he had intended.

"No, I won't let you kill him. Kill me too if you have to." Her body was trembling.

" Hummmph. You protect another man who hurt you from the one who is protecting you...what a warped way of reasoning."

Ester didn't say anything for a moment then she slowly stood.

Her suit was drenched in blood.

The three of them were all bloodied.

"Killing him is no way to deescalate this matter." She glared at him, her eyes tearing up. "In case you are not aware it will start a war. Everything will go to hell. i don't even know what to do at this point. I am screwed. I have screwed everyone!"

Her body shook as the weight of what happened began weighing in on her. The tears that brimmed in her eyes began falling down her cheeks.

Her chest ached with sorrow; grief constricted her heart painfully.

She tried cleaning her bloody hands in order to make use of them but the blood smeared all the more.

Ulmea stepped closer and brought out a kerchief; luckily his left hand had less blood on it.

He wiped her tears carefully. "What I'd tear down in this world to take away these tears."

He rubbed her cheeks softly, affectionately.

The words he said were a soft whisper, something the winds were supposed to carry in their currents and store in their never ending memories.

So that whenever he listened to the trees,and they blew the wind past, they'd sing to him.

Remind him of those who needed protecting. He couldn't protect everyone.

Only those who came to him.

Only those, nature brought to him.

"Oh, Alpha Artems is going to kill me." She lamented.

Ulmea frowned." I don't get. You came with him?"

She nodded, sniffing back her tears. "I..I am part of his.. pack...a member. A uhhh...Part of..a.. lower grade wolf."

"Hummmph. Interesting." He grabbed her hand then to her amazement. "Come with me. He needs to get a piece of my mind."

He said when she looked up at him in bewilderment.

" No, no. No."

But he didn't listen as he all but dragged her out of the bathroom, leaving a half dead, bloodied Ramon on the floor.

The shocks of the people in the coffee house, including the servers were one thing, but the shock on Artems face when he saw them terrified Ester the most.

Artems stood from where he was chugging the last of his beer and stormed towards them. "What in the fucking hellll, iz the meaning of this? Where is Ramon?" He looked around in futility.

" Looks like you have a guilty conscience and some explaining to do. Why did you bring her here just to get her humiliated by your Beta?" Ulmea's tone was deadly, vicious.

" Go and check on Ramon this instant." The fear was clear on Artem's face as he barked at his gamma who had his mouth wide open the whole time.

He shut his lips and scrambled up from his sit, descending into the restroom corridor.

"What the fuck happened?" Artems asked. "Ester."

"He wanted to take advantage of her." Ulmea answered for her. " And you don't ask the fucking questions! I do!"

Ester's hands shook in his, and he pressed gently on her, trying to calm her down, to reassure her that he was here now and nothing would happen to her.

When the gamma came back, Artems took one look at him and turned back to Ulmea. "You almost killed my Betaaa."

"Almost...I wanted him dead. "

Artems took a confused breath, scratching his head in frustration" I... You..you... I...I didn't know something was going on..that Ester was being mistreated, I would have handled it. " he stammered, afraid of his plans being ruined because of his stupid beta.