Chapter 3
Ronan’s conditions do not surprise me. To families with ranked bloodlines, an Omega is never worthy of trust.
Even though the Moon Goddess chose Grant as my fated mate, the Holloways always believed I wanted him for his title and wealth. The day I became Luna, they made me sign an agreement much like this one.
When Grant later rejected and expelled me for a Gamma she-wolf, I left with nothing. His mother even removed the ring that represented my position as Luna with her own hands.
If the Holloways were that cautious, I can hardly blame the Lycan King for protecting his family.
“All I really need is a job and somewhere to live.” I look down at the Mating Decree. “We could sign an employment contract without registering a relationship.”
“No.” Ronan’s refusal is immediate.
“An ordinary caregiver can resign at any time. Once the Mating Decree is registered, your relationship with Noah will be more secure.” His tone remains calm, but it leaves no room for negotiation. “I will not bring someone into his life who can disappear whenever she chooses.”
After a moment, I nod. “I understand. We’ll do it your way.”
Ronan slides the second agreement toward me. “Blackthorne will deposit twenty thousand dollars into your account every month as a personal allowance for the duration of the contract.”
The Holloways taught me not to sign anything too quickly. “If the contract ends one day, will the money already paid into my account remain mine?”
“Of course.” Ronan glances at me. “It is compensation for your work.”
“All right.”
“There will be no mark or mate bond between us,” he continues, leaning back in his chair. “I have no need for physical intimacy. You will remain on the second floor.”
“Perfect. I don’t need it either.”
Only after every condition is settled do I sign my name. Less than two days after Grant rejects me, I become the Lycan King’s contract mate.
That afternoon, representatives from the High Council come to the estate and register our Mating Decree. There is no ceremony and no celebration, though Gideon has the attendants add several dishes to dinner.
Ronan also gives me a ring engraved with the Blackthorne royal crest.
“I don’t need this.” I instinctively push it back.
“It is for Noah,” Ronan says. “The wolves on royal territory need to know you have the authority to care for him.”
I accept the ring and slide it onto my finger. “All right. Thank you.”
That night, I have barely lain down when my bedroom door opens a crack. Noah stands outside, holding Storm and a storybook.
“What is it?”
He hesitates before raising the book. “Storm wants to hear this one.”
“Only Storm?”
Noah presses his lips together. “I can stay and keep him company.” When I do not answer immediately, he adds, “I’ll make Dad pay you more.”
Hiding a smile, I lift the blanket. “Come here.”
Noah climbs in at once with Storm in his arms. He falls asleep against my side before I finish the story.
When Ronan hears about it the next morning, he raises my monthly allowance by another ten thousand dollars.
“That’s too much.”
“He hasn’t slept peacefully through the night in a very long time,” Ronan says. “You’ve earned it.”
It still feels like too much. At Holloway Pack, no one ever believed anything I did deserved compensation.
After I became Luna, they forced me to leave Pack School. During the day, I watched Grant’s sister’s pups and handled disputes among the pack’s she-wolves; at night, I met Grant’s demands and cleaned up the endless tasks his mother left for me.
They insisted that allowing an Omega to live in the Alpha House was reward enough.
“I’m not spending time with Noah for more money,” I say quietly. “I simply like him.”
A warm little hand suddenly closes around my fingers. I look down to find Noah beside me, his small face stern even though he refuses to let go.
Ronan watches us for a moment. “The other women only used Noah as a way to approach me. None of them truly cared about him.”
He gives me no further chance to refuse. “The increase stands.”
From then on, Noah follows me almost everywhere. When I go into the garden, he trails after me with Storm; when I sit in the living room, he quietly settles somewhere within my sight.
A few days later, the healer I contacted finally confirms an appointment. I reached out to him the day Holloway Pack expelled me, asking for help waking Skye.
He needs to examine the connection between us before deciding how to treat her. Since he lives beyond Blackthorne territory, I have to go in person.
Before leaving, I take Noah to the playroom. “I’ll be back before noon.”
He says nothing and clutches my sleeve.
“Storm can stay and wait with you.” I hold out the stuffed wolf, but Noah does not take him.
Gideon speaks softly beside us. “Prince Noah believes that if you leave the estate, you won’t come back.”
I crouch until I am level with Noah. “I’m not leaving you. As soon as the healer finishes examining me, I’ll come straight back.”
Noah studies me for a long time before finally releasing my sleeve. Thinking he has agreed to stay, I turn and walk toward the car.
The moment the door opens, Noah darts past me with Storm and climbs inside. He buckles his seat belt without a second of hesitation.
Gideon freezes outside the car. “Prince Noah, do you intend to leave the estate?”
Noah nods.
Gideon’s eyes slowly redden. “Oh, Moon Goddess. This is the first time Prince Noah has willingly crossed the Blackthorne gates!”