Sophia & Liam


    Sophia


    Sophia stumbled, gasping, into the forest. Hot tears of pure rage streamed down her cheeks as she leaned against a tree, pressing her palms so hard against the trunk that the bark bit into her skin.


    Humiliated. That was what she was now.


    She had spent the better part of the evening scouring the de, searching for a stray rogue. When she finally lured the beast back to the festival, she thought everything would go as nned.


    The rogue had E’s scent-Sophia had made sure of that when she had stolen one of E’s gloves from the house and waved it in the rogue’s face. He should have attacked her, only her, and for a moment, it had seemed like it might work.


    But then E had leapt onto the beast like some kind of warrior princess, distracting it until her two knights in shining armor coulde save her.


    And all Sophia had gotten out of it was a burnt dress-from having been knocked too close to the bonfire by the surging crowd.


    In the distance, Sophia could hear the sounds of the party continuing. People cheered, toasted their beautiful, perfect Luna.


    Sophia clenched her jaw so hard she thought her teeth might crack. She yanked that stupid, bloody shawl from around her waist and stomped it into the ground, savoring the sound of it squelching into the mud.


    Stupid. This was all fucking stupid.


    Just then, Sophia’s wolf perked up. A sound came from the nearby forest-twigs snapping underfoot.


    Sophia quickly hid behind a nearby tree, carefully peering around it to see a male form stride past and stop a few feet away. She recognized him immediately. Liam.


    For a moment she just watched him as he paced the small clearing, dragging his hand through his hair over and over again. He was muttering something under his breath, and when he turned, the moonlight casting a pale silver glow upon his face, Sophia could see his mouth twisted into a grimace.


    He was angry.


    Sophia tilted her head, considering him for a moment. She knew Liam and E had some kind of history together; perhaps one even romantic in nature, although it was probably one-sided.


    Regardless of what had happened in the past, though, one thing was clear: Liam was in love with her now.


    Maybe, Sophia thought, if she struck up a bargain, they could work together. Sophia knew that E and Alex’s marriage was a contract. Perhaps, if Sophia revealed this to Liam, he would expose everything to get what he wanted.


    E.


    And Sophia… She wouldn’t have to do much. She could just watch from the sidelines, waiting for the moment that Alex would finallye to her and seekfort.


    Then, they could finally be together.


    Sophia slowly stepped out from behind the tree and cleared her throat. Liam, not expecting her to be there, whirled around. In the dim light, his blue eyes took on the ethereal glow of his wolf pushing just below the surface.


    “You,” he said, taking a step back. “You led that rogue here, didn’t you? Just as you pushed E this morning. Chaos follows you around like the gue.”


    Sophia didn’t confirm nor deny it. She just shrugged and said, “We want the same thing: for those two to break up. Maybe


    we shouldbine our efforts.”


    Liam scoffed. “You want me to do your dirty work? I’m not an attempted murderer like you.”


    “I never tried to kill anyone.”


    “You wouldn’t have minded if you did, though.” Liam turned on his heel. “I’m leaving.”


    Sophia watched Liam begin to stalk away, but she knew she hadn’t sunk her ws in just yet. Her lips curled into a faint


    smile.


    “I know how you can end their marriage. No one needs to get hurt. And we’ll both get what we want-you can have E, and I’ll have Alex.”


    Liam’s footsteps faltered. For a moment, he stood there frozen, his shoulders tense and his hands curling and uncurling at his sides.


    But then, slowly, he turned to look at her.


    Liam


    So their marriage was a contract after all.


    Liam had had his suspicions, but Sophia had confirmed themst night. She told him that E and Alexander had signed a contract just before their wedding, stipting that their marriage would be purely business-no intimacy, no children, no love.


    Just monthly payments to Stormhollow and a promise that E couldn’t be the one to end the rtionship.


    No wonder E was so adamant about staying in that loveless marriage. She couldn’t leave. That brute wouldn’t let her.


    The morning after the festival, Liam went straight to Alexander’s office. His Beta, Gabriel, was standing guard outside the door.


    “Do you have an appointment, Alpha?” Gabriel asked coolly, stepping in the way just as Liam was reaching for the handle.


    “Yes.” Liam lifted his chin. “I spoke to Alpha Alexanderst night. Told him we need to have a discussion. He should be—”


    “Let him in, Gabriel,” Alexander’s muffled voice came from within the office. The Beta nodded curtly and opened the door, and Liam stepped inside.


    Alexander was standing near the window, poring over a ledger in his hands, when Liam entered. He snapped the book shut and smiled charmingly, gesturing to the chair opposite his desk.


    “Alpha Liam. Please take a seat. What did you want to discuss?”


    Liam resisted the urge to show his wolf’s fangs. He’d already had his suspicions that this bastard was abusing E. Now, to find out that he was forcing her to live here under duress… Liam wouldn’t stand for it. But he wouldn’t show his hand just


    yet.


    He took a seat and carefully crossed his legs, one ankle over the other knee.


    “I keep hearing these rumors,” Liam said airily, as if it were just gossip, “that your marriage with Luna E is a contract.”


    Alexander’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh?”


    Liam nodded. “Apparently some people are even of the belief that you’re sending Stormhollow monthly payments. And something about E not being allowed to leave of her own ord?” He shook his head and smiled. “Nonsense, I’m sure. No Alpha worth his salt would force a woman to live like that. Especially not one who intends to run for Alpha King… And you


    and E do seem to be in love.”


    At first, Alexander’s face betrayed nothing. Liam watched him carefully, waiting.


    Finally, Alexander sighed. “Did E tell you this?”


    “Yes,” Liam lied immediately. “She told me you’re keeping her here against her will. I’m worried about her, you know. And I worry about the future Alpha King having such low morals. If she were forced to sign such a contract, or if the contract was forged…”


    Alexander nodded. To Liam’s surprise, he reached into his desk and pulled out a small folder, which he handed to Liam.


    “Everything is in order, I assure you,” Alexander said calmly. “E isn’t being held against her will; in fact, she just signed another legal contract stating that she’ll remain my wife for the next nine months. After that, she’s free. She made her decision, and willingly. Twice.”


    So there were two contracts?


    Liam couldn’t believe that Alexander had just… handed him the contract like that. Indeed, upon flipping through it, it was a genuine copy. Complete with two signatures; one from the first contract, dated five years ago, and the other signed just two days ago.


    E had certainly signed both of these contracts-that much was clear.


    But Liam didn’t know if she had been forced or coerced. Either way, he needed to act quickly. E might have been Alexander’s prisoner both physically and emotionally, but now Liam held all the cards.


    “Thank you for being so honest,” Liam said, standing and tucking the folder under his arm. “I’m sure the press will enjoy hearing about this.”


    Before Alexander could react, Liam turned and stormed out, contracts in hand.