Chapter 1

ADRIANA CROSS

“Do you, Adriana Cross, take Dimitri Valequez as your husband?”

The question hung up in the air as the marriage officer asked.

I held my breath. “Yes,” The words flowed out almost inaudibly when the real answer should be, no. I didn't want this marriage, but I had no choice. This was the only option I had left to raise the huge sum for my dear sister, Zoey's heart surgery.

I had no choice.

I inhaled deeply before the marriage officer shifted his gaze over to my soon-to-be husband, whom I'd only met just last night during one of my shifts at the hotel bar where I worked.

I didn't know him; I'd never met the man in my entire life until last night when he'd approached me with an irresistible offer, a contract marriage, lasting only for six months, in exchange for saving my sister's life.

At first, I didn't want to accept it, I had thought he was one of them who had been after me my entire life. I'd thought after many years of hiding, ensuring I didn't do anything to draw their attention, ensuring I forgot that cruel day, and the nightmares that plagued me at every awakening moment, I'd thought they'd finally found me.

But that wasn't the case, I'd confirmed it myself. He wasn't one of them. He was the almighty Dimitri Velaquez, CEO of the Velaquez empire and the most eligible bachelor in New York. It didn't make sense why he would want a contract wife when he could have any woman he wanted. It didn't make sense why he would want me.

But none of that mattered, I'd willingly sell my soul to the devil to ensure Zoey lived. She was all I had left of that beautiful family that showed me kindness. And I owed them that much.

My hand fell on the special ruby beads around my wrists, constantly reminding me of who I was and who I should never be.

“Do you, Dimitri Valequez, take Adriana Cross as your wife?”

A dead silence flooded the large wedding court and it felt like there weren't more than a hundred guests watching this sham marriage.

Dimitri remained quiet, and I didn't glance his way. I hadn't since I walked down the aisle and stood next to him, but his lingering silence forced my eyes to him and I regretted it instantly.

He had that same look in his eyes from last night when he'd approached me with the marriage offer and contract papers to sign. A look that made me feel he hated all of this. He hated the idea of marrying me. Like if he had his way, he'd prefer any other woman standing right next to him, but me. Strangely, the thought alone sent a churn in my stomach, and I hated the look on his face and his obvious hesitation.

He was the one who approached me with the contract and not the other way around so I shouldn't care if he'd wished a different woman was standing next to him, but the strange and weird fact was, I did. I felt the strange need for him to accept me as his bride.

Dimitri's emotionless eyes were dark, and penetrating as he turned his eyes to meet mine. “Yes, I do,” The words finally left his lips, with a hint of rage, and panic in his voice.

*****

DIMITRI VALEQUEZ

Anxiety was not a usual emotion for me, at least not in the last fourteen years. After the death of my parents and almost every member of my pack fourteen years ago I'd grown cold and emotionless.

It was what I had to be to survive all these years without letting the drive for revenge consume me entirely.

There was a lot at stake, including the lives of every member of my new pack now, and every supernatural that had survived the attack by that monster, Nikola Vladimir.

And with the blood moon almost upon us, the entire werewolf kind was in danger. I could already see the fear in the eyes of my people, the blood moon was the last chance we had to save ourselves. To break the curse that that witch, Asula had placed on my grandfather, the Alpha King, and the entire werewolf kind.

And up until yesterday, I could see the hope slowly leaving my people because we hadn't yet found the two last people necessary for the ritual to break the curse of my kind. My mate and the last living Halo witch from the powerful BlackRose bloodline.

I should be happy because after last night there was a fighting chance to break the curse and save my people. And the hope came in the form of Adriana Cross, my mate.

I'd never wanted a mate because claiming her would only be binding her to our fate and death if the curse wasn't broken, but at this point, I was left with no choice.

I still remember the first time I had laid my eyes on her in one of the hotel bars I owned in the city. She was like a breath of fresh air, and suddenly, my heart, which hadn't moved in years, was alive again.

For some reason, Adriana Cross could make all the walls I had built around myself feel like absolutely nothing.

She had found her way into my mind and I couldn't get her out.

I heard the words of the marriage officer, and for the first time, I felt her gaze on me. I turned to meet her pretty blue eyes which seemed to have a lasting effect on my body.

“I do,” I said, reminding myself that she may be my mate, but this was a contract marriage for six months until we broke the curse, and I'd set her free. She didn't belong in my world and she didn't deserve to be marked in the middle of the storm headed our way.

*****