Chapter 6 The House

• Elijah
• The moment Agnes had walked down the stairs in the ballroom, I had been captivated. It was like she had been made to captivate all my attention. Even now, sitting in my study in her plainclothes, I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her.
• From our very first encounter, my gaze had been drawn to hers. In that room full of women that had put an over-the-top amount of effort into being noticed by me—I was drawn to her, the least conspicuous one.
• Agnes.
• I had quickly realized she wasn’t on the list because if she had been, I would have noticed.
• All I could think about were those steel gray eyes, dark hair, and pouty lips of hers.
• My thoughts flashed back to tonight. I had to admit that an inexplicable pull kept my eyes fixated on her. I’d invited her for that first dance, and dancing with her had been intoxicating.
• It was a feeling I hadn’t felt in a long time, and I’d felt exhilarated and free in that moment with her.
• Until I snapped back to reality, and caution had seeped back in. I was dancing with a woman who had been bold enough to wear my mother’s dress. Someone that bold could only be trouble, and I didn’t want any kind of repeat of my ex-wife and her drama.
• Yet, Agnes and that dress… the way that gown fit Agnes so perfectly, it did bring the garment back to life in the best way. My mother would have loved to see her in it.
• I hadn’t wanted to make a scene over a dress—especially when Thea had chosen her, had wanted her to wear it. So I chose not to dwell on that anymore. For Thea.
• This mate contract was clear about Agnes’s responsibilities, involving myself and Thea—mainly Thea—and in return, I would pay off whatever debts she had and provide a monthly salary.
• “You can think of this as a job,” I told her flatly, “and I’m your employer.”
• Agnes
• Elijah sat tense as he watched me carefully flip through each page of the contract.
• “Why does this contract say that you’re going to train me to be Luna?” I asked hesitantly. “Is this serious? I don’t even have a wolf. I lost it years ago.” My voice cracked.
• Who would ever choose a wolfless woman to be Luna? It was unheard of.
• But Elijah’s expression remained unchanged. “I need you to give Thea the perfect childhood. That means our contract, if all is well, may last until she is an adult. From a long-term perspective, I’ll train you to become Luna, and assess your ability as time goes on. The things you learn you may pass on to her.”
• I frowned, still trying to process it all. “You’re choosing me because Thea likes me? You must be the most indulgent father ever, especially when this is about finding your mate. I almost feel like you’re trying to make up for something you did to her.”
• His face suddenly turned grim, and a heavy silence filled the room.
• I realized I had hit a nerve and pressed further, “What did you do?”
• His response was cold and detached. “Sign the contract and remember your duties. You have two days to officially move in, should you accept.”
• He offered no more answers.
• But I accepted. Because not only did the contract specify that my debts would be paid and I’d receive a wage, but it also meant that I could be close to Thea.
• And if she was my daughter…
• Well, first, I would make sure I wasn’t imagining things. One step at a time before I got attached to a dream that might not come true.
• When I returned to the dorm rooms, I noticed the other girls, as well as their belongings, had already been cleared out. A maid was waiting for me by my room with my things already packed for me.
• “The Alpha wants you back here permanently in two days’ time,” she instructed. I took my luggage and was escorted to a car, where the driver drove me back to my apartment.
• After my whirlwind of the past few days, it was crazy how my apartment still looked the same, when everything else around me had now changed.
• The same peeling linoleum, the same shitty countertops, the same weathered, framed picture of me holding my baby in her swaddle in the hospital bed. I didn’t have much that I cared to keep, but I made sure to pack that first.
• The next day, I tried to gather as much information as I could about Elijah’s divorce. His former Luna had been named Olivia, and their divorce was kept quiet as can be. I combed through the internet, but everything was bare. There wasn’t even any marriage announcement for the pair.
• I called Elise to see what she knew about them. She had texted me a couple of days ago to let me know that she and her mate had made it safely out of town, but I had been so busy with the Mate Trial I had forgotten to reply. I was glad that they were now safe and doing well.
• “Hi, Aggie!” She said cheerfully. “I sent the money to your account yesterday when I heard the news! I meant to send it earlier, but we’ve been in a rush getting unpacked here. I don’t know how you managed to lock down the Alpha in only a few days, but congratulations.”
• “Thank you,” I said, not really wanting to get into it right now. “Hey, I wanted to ask what you knew about Elijah’s divorce. I can’t really find anything online.”
• She paused.
• “He didn’t tell you? You’re marrying the man, and he didn’t tell you that?”
• “No,” I replied simply.
• “Well, there have been a lot of rumors about it. To speak plainly and not sugarcoat it, I know a lot of people think that they are going to get back together because they’re fated mates, and they haven’t rejected each other. But no one really knows,” she said.
• I sighed, thanking her. We chatted for a little while—I gave her that earful I’d been planning on, but really I couldn’t be mad at her—before we hung up.
• As I laid in bed that night, I couldn’t stop thinking about what Elise had said: Olivia and Elijah were fated mates. I knew hope wasn’t entirely lost for me on that front. It was a well-known fact that if an Alpha rejects a mating bond with their fated mate, then the mate that they rejected weakens and dies.
• So that could just mean that he wasn’t trying to kill his ex-wife, not that he was still in love with her.
• Not that I was worried whether he was in love with her for romantic reasons. This was strictly professional—no, strictly about Thea. I needed to stay close to her to find out whether or not she was mine.
• After all, why would I be interested in a man who had potentially stolen my baby?
• But with all of that on my mind, I still found it strange that Elijah had hired a contract mate. Had hired me as his contract mate.
• But I didn’t have time to dwell on it. From here on out, my top priority was Thea.
• Two days later, I arrived at Alpha Elijah’s house again, dragging my suitcase behind me. The place buzzed with activity, and no one noticed my arrival. I wasn’t sure where I should wait—if I should meet Elijah first or find my room.
• I tried to ask a maid where my rooms were: “Excuse m—” But an older maid strode up, shooing the younger maid away. She cast me a disdainful glance.
• “I am Gloria, the head housekeeper. You will be staying in the servants’ quarters,” she said coldly, leading me to a small room. “Remember your place. Luna Olivia will return to Alpha Elijah soon enough. You’re nothing but a glorified babysitter.”
• Just then, a familiar voice called, “Mommy!”
• Thea’s excited cry echoed through the hallway, but before I could respond, Elijah’s voice cut through the tension. “You’re demoting the Alpha’s wife to a mere babysitter?” He appeared out of practically nowhere, looming over the housekeeper.
• Her eyes grew wide. “A-Alpha, I—”
• “Who gave you permission to insult her like that?” he growled.