My Contractual Mate's Secrets | Read Free Preview
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Chapter 1 — Werewolf Matchmaking
Vera's POV
“Vera, you disgusting liar!” His voice dripped with venom. “I found out everything. You've sunk so low, selling yourself for money, and to a human no less. And he's a hideous old geezer, sixty years old! Guess what, my ex-girlfriend is part of the Starfield Pack. She told me everything! You're gross! There's no way I'll be your partner!”
His angry tirade cut through me like a knife. Once again, I was being rejected. I didn't even get a chance to say half a sentence before he condemned me completely.
The earlier phone call had been loud enough that I could feel everyone's eyes on me. Their stares were filled with contempt and disgust, like tiny needles piercing my heart.
A wave of anguish washed over me, making it hard to breathe, and my body trembled uncontrollably.
Yes, I wasn't a virgin. My desire to find a partner wasn't driven by love or the guidance of the Moon Goddess. My intentions weren't pure, but...
All I wanted was to save my mother.
Two years ago, I was raped by a weak human on a night that still haunts me. He shattered my world. And not just mine—the two people I loved most were taken from me as well.
One was the man I loved, my first love, who suddenly disappeared without a trace.
The other was my mother, the only family I had left, who fell gravely ill and slipped into a coma.
I was abandoned, rejected by my father, scorned by my friends, and my reputation was ruined within the entire Starfield Pack. For reasons I still don't understand, almost everyone knew what happened overnight. They decided I wasn't worthy of being a werewolf. I became the disgrace of the pack. The Alpha, whom I once revered, flogged me thirty times and banished me from the pack.
I wandered from place to place with my unconscious mother, searching for medical help, until we ended up in the Moonlight Pack. The Moonlight Pack, led by the Alpha King, was more inclusive than the other packs. Here, I managed to hide my past and survive by doing odd jobs, but it was merely for survival.
The medical benefits in the Moonlight Pack required a local ID card. I needed to obtain local residency status within the Moonlight Pack as soon as possible. Only then could I apply for local health insurance to cover my mother's enormous treatment costs.
So, I decided to go on a blind date.
Werewolves also needed to find their match. Normally, we were guided by the Moon Goddess to find our mates. But some, for various reasons, rejected their mates, angering the Moon Goddess and receiving punishment. They had no idea when another partner would come, so they took matters into their own hands, seeking someone to share their life with.
But, the bigger reason was that the Alpha King believed those with loving families were more deserving of significant responsibilities. As a result, the resources within the Moonlight Pack were mostly allocated to married wolves, rather than single ones.
I thought it was unfair, but I couldn't change the rules, so I had no choice but to accept them.
Regrettably, I had messed up another blind date.
Standing disheartened by the roadside, I had no idea what to do next. Time was running out, not just for me but for my mother too!
Just then, an unfamiliar voice spoke out.
“Miss, may I have the honor of asking you to marry me?”
The voice, crisp and clear like a spring breeze, pulled me back from the brink of despair.
In my confusion, I looked up to find a man in a wheelchair who had approached me without my noticing.
His face was so perfect it could take one's breath away. His eyebrows were sharp like swords, and his eyes sparkled like stars. Every feature on his face seemed meticulously sculpted, like a work of art, flawless.
He was dressed simply in a white shirt, but it was evident that it was well-tailored, accentuating his tall and slender physique.
Even seated in a wheelchair, he exuded a dignified, aloof aura, like a flower on a high cliff, intimidating and discouraging people from approaching.
For a moment, I was completely bewildered. “What did you say?” I asked.
“I overheard your phone call. You must be eager to get married, right? Coincidentally, I'm in the same situation.”
He sat there, smiling slightly, but my heart began to race uncontrollably.
Chapter 2 — We Got Married
Vera's POV
He... actually wants to marry me? Unbelievable!
I wanted to agree immediately, but then I saw his wheelchair and hesitated. He's disabled! His body had already been damaged. What if he learned about my terrible past and got hurt emotionally in the future? Would he be able to handle such a blow?
I was not a good person, but I did not want to harm someone who was already suffering. Thus, I decided to turn him down. “Forget it. You don't know what I've been—”
“I don't need to know,” he cut me off. “Let me be clear, our marriage will be just a matter of convenience. Right now, I need a wife, and you need a husband. Beyond that, nothing else matters.”
His voice was calm, as if he wasn't discussing life but negotiating a business deal.
I instantly understood—this man wasn't as fragile as I had imagined. In fact, he was incredibly strong. There was something wonderfully indescribable about him.
I hesitated before asking, “Are you from the Moonlight Pack?”
The corner of his lips tilted slightly. “Yes.”
“All right. If you ever find your mate in the future, I won't hold you back. I'll grant you a divorce.” I clenched my fists and nodded. I had no reason to refuse.
“Let's go.”
An hour later, as I stepped out of the Moonlight Pack's Partner Administration Bureau, I was still in a daze. Everything felt like a dream. I was suddenly married, and to a man I had practically picked up on the side of the road.
Since our marriage was one of convenience, there were no formalities between us. We simply registered. It wasn't until then that I learned his name was Alex Sloan—a simple yet elegant name that matched perfectly with his demeanor.
“Vera Page?” he asked, slowly uttering my name. His deep, husky voice brushed over my heart like a feather, tickling it gently.
It sounds so wonderful, I thought to myself.
Then, he handed me a card.
“Ms. Vera, I understand that girls look forward to a wedding ceremony, a ring, and all that, but I'm sorry, I just don't have the time for those things. If you like rings, feel free to choose one for yourself.”
His eyes were as deep as sapphires, and I couldn't read his emotions.
“No need.” I hastily waved my hand. “I don't care about those things.”
I had long since passed the age of chasing romance. More importantly, I didn't want to feel like I owed him anything.
“The ring is still necessary,” Alex said nonchalantly. He reached out, grasped my wrist, and placed the card in my hand.
The moment our skin touched, his slightly higher body temperature seeped through, making me momentarily lose focus.
Ever since the incident two years ago, I had despised the touch of a man—it made me sick. But just now, I wondered why it didn't evoke that same feeling.
“All right then,” I said, not wanting to offend him over such a trifle, and reluctantly accepted the card.
“I have a meeting this afternoon, so I won't be able to see you off,” Alex said, his tone as indifferent as ever.
“Okay.” I never expected him to cherish me as a wife, so there was no sense of loss in my heart.
“Oh, about my address.” Alex remembered suddenly. “I'll send it to you later. You can move in whenever it's convenient for you.”
When we got registered, we swapped phone numbers.
“There's no rush.” I quickly dismissed the idea. Although it was expected that I would live with him after marriage, I wasn't truly ready yet. The thought of sharing a roof with a man I barely knew was still daunting.
Perhaps my rejection was too obvious. Alex glanced at me, making me somewhat uncomfortable. Fortunately, he didn't say much else. He simply pressed a button on his wheelchair, changing direction. “If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way.”
“All right.”
I watched him get into a black sedan, then I immediately called the hospital. I informed them that I would soon acquire the Moonlight Pack ID card.
Once I confirmed that my family could also enjoy healthcare benefits after I obtained the ID card, I breathed a deep sigh of relief.
Although my decision to marry was impulsive, it at least resolved the biggest issue that had been plaguing me—finally, there was a solution for my mother's medical bills.
Chapter 3 — The Interview
Vera's POV
In the twenty-first century, werewolves evolved with the times, no longer confined to living in remote forests. Under the leadership of the Alpha King, the Moonlight Pack embraced the idea of hiding in plain sight. They convinced the entire pack to step out and blend into human society, cohabiting with the residents of Sparaville.
The girl you might chat up on the street could very well be a werewolf, but they generally don't harm humans. The Moonlight Pack has its own strict rules, prioritizing the protection and concealment of the pack. Some werewolves have even climbed the ranks to hold senior executive positions through hard work, which has greatly helped the pack's integration into society.
But do not be mistaken—if one provoked a werewolf, one could face terrifying consequences. There were always some people who go missing in the city. I had been unfortunate enough to witness a werewolf's revenge on humans, and it was horrifying.
And here I was, a pitiful soul who hadn't yet awakened my wolf, cast out by the Starfield Pack. During those difficult days, I was powerless. I even considered joining the werewolf underground world to make money through illegal fighting. But I was too weak, not even qualifying to step into the ring.
I was already twenty, and I couldn't understand why my wolf hadn't awakened yet. Could it be because of what happened two years ago? The incident where my mate rejected me? Had the Moon Goddess herself turned her back on me?
I couldn't figure it out, but I didn't have the luxury of time to dwell on it. I had to work. I had to earn money. Only then could my mom and I continue to survive.
After arriving in Sparaville, I found a job as an editor at a magazine company called Glamour Magazine.
Before heading to work, I used the bank card Alex had given me to buy a pair of wedding rings from the nearby mall. Since I wasn't familiar with Alex's financial situation, I chose the most affordable, basic design, which cost just over a thousand.
Once at the office, Jennifer, a charming coworker, approached me.
“Vera, look at me; don't I look beautiful today?” she asked.
Upon hearing her words, I noticed she was wearing a pinkish-white skirt suit, and her hair had been meticulously styled.
“You look beautiful.” I complimented her generously.
Jennifer's spirits lifted immediately, her eyes sparkling. “What do you think, Vera? Do you reckon the CEO of Morgan Group, that highly eligible bachelor, would be interested in me?”
“Huh?” It finally clicked why Jennifer was so dressed up—it was because we were scheduled to interview the CEO of Morgan Group in the afternoon.
Morgan Group was something of a legend in Sparaville.
Three years ago, Morgan Group suddenly emerged and quickly established itself as a powerhouse in the city's financial sector. In just three years, this company, which seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, grew into one of the largest financial conglomerates in Sparaville, rivaling the city's three prestigious families.
The CEO of Morgan Group was even more intriguing than the company itself.
For three years, no one knew anything about this CEO—not even his name or appearance. Yet, this mystery only fueled everyone's fascination with him.
For instance, upon learning that she was going to interview the CEO of Morgan Group, Jennifer made a special effort to dress up.
I found it amusing, so I teased her. “Jennifer, is that really how you want to impress the CEO? Aren't you worried he might be a balding old man?”
“I don't believe that for a second!” Jennifer stomped her foot in frustration. “Everyone says the CEO of Morgan Group is incredibly young and absolutely gorgeous!”
In contrast to Jennifer's excitement, our colleague, Bella, with a more serious demeanor, said, “This interview is a rare opportunity. We must be well-prepared. You should know, this is the first time Morgan Group's CEO has agreed to a media interview. If we can get his photograph, our magazine sales will skyrocket.”
I nodded in agreement.
The CEO of Morgan Group never accepted interviews. Initially, our magazine's invitation was rejected, but for some unknown reason, we received an unexpected call yesterday saying he would do the interview.
This unexpected good news left our managing editor utterly astonished, as though it were an unexpected windfall.
After quickly reviewing our interview notes, Jennifer, Bella, our photographer, and I headed to the Morgan Group's headquarters.
The headquarters was located in the financial district, the central business district of Sparaville. After exchanging greetings with the receptionist on the first floor, we took the elevator straight to the top floor.
“Are you from Glamour Magazine?” The CEO's executive secretary approached us. “Mr. Sloan is already inside waiting for you.”
She then led us into the CEO's office.
Sloan?
I was stunned. I never imagined that the mysterious CEO of Morgan Group would share the same surname as my newlywed husband.
As Jennifer walked through the door, she was extremely nervous, clinging to me and anxiously whispering to ask if her hair was out of place.
Humans were like that, overly concerned with appearances. I smiled to reassure her. “No, no, you look beautiful...”
As I spoke, my curious gaze wandered around the office. When I saw the figure by the floor-to-ceiling window, I froze completely.
Jennifer's whisper in my ear made my heart race even faster. “Oh my God, Morgan Group's CEO... is wheelchair-bound?”
The wheelchair by the window slowly turned around, and Jennifer gasped in surprise.
“Wow. He is ridiculously handsome! He's even more attractive than a movie star!”
Jennifer seemed to have completely forgotten that he was in a wheelchair and was lost in her excitement.
But I didn't register a single word she said. It felt like my mind had just been struck by lightning!
The sunlight streaming through the window illuminated the man's sharp features as he sat in his wheelchair, highlighting his flawless face. His dark eyes sparkled with an icy brilliance.
It was Alex.
The CEO of Morgan Group was none other than the werewolf husband I had just married this morning!
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