Contractually Yours Alpha (Riley)

Chapter Seventeen

Isabella seemed taken aback by my refusal, tears welled up in her eyes

in her eyes - albeit they were tears of embarrassment; I could easily tell that she wasn't used to being rejected.

I debated leaving the office, but finally she spoke up.

"You don't love me anymore, Thane."

"I think I've had about enough of this; it's time you leave."

"So you are going to push me away? After everything?"

"Well now you are making me believe you are crazy."

"Don't pretend like you don't know what I speak about. You had the suspicions, but I turned them down. When I told you I forgot my memories, I hadn't been exactly truthful. I don't know what happened these past years, but all I could remember was being with you." "What are you trying to say?"

"I am trying to say I am the very same woman you loved; I am Bella." "Don't you dare..."

She cut me off. "I can prove it to you. We met in the woods. At first, I ran away from you because I knew I was going to die. I didn't want to hurt you, but you were persistent, and I fell for you in the end. I let you into my home, and you abandoned your own pack just to be with me."

"Stop talking," I warned.

"You know I don't lie; you can feel it anytime I am close. That's because I am Bella; I just didn't want to tell you yet; I feared I would come between what you've built with Riley you deserve better, but I can't help myself; you are all I think about, all I dream about, and I don't know how I am still alive, but I am, Thane. I am alive and I feel so lonely, I need you...

In the next moment I had her pinned to the floor. We were so close, I could hear her heart beating fast. When I stared at her, I saw Bella, and as much as I hated to admit it, I believed her, because there was no other explanation for why she looked like a duplicate of my mate.

"I want to get one thing clear, Isabella. My mate died; I had buried her, and I am sure

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Chapter Seventeen

of that. You might have a resemblance to Bella, but you aren't her, and you never would be. I don't care what you know. I love someone else now, and there would never be any room for you anymore, so I'll advise you to get that into your head because the next time you try to kiss me again, I'll rip out your tongue." I said the word slowly to her, and finally I rose to my feet.

"I never stopped loving you, Thane, and I never would."

Just then, Regnux walked in. His eyes darted back and forth between Isabella and me

"I could come back later." he suggested...

"No. She was just about leaving, right?"

Isabella rose to her feet and headed to the door without another word.

That wasn't too hard, was it?

When I returned home, Riley wasn't in the room, but she left a note to inform me that she was at the garden. I turned around, heading for the garden.

I spotted her from a distance; she was in a light blue gown, looking as beautiful as ever. I had decided that she had to know about Isabella. After the confrontation back/ at my office, it was clear that my suspicion was very close to being the truth; keeping that away from Riley would just feel so... wrong.

But for a slight moment, I wish we didn't have to talk about my deceased mate, might have been reborn; I wish I could just join her and stare at those beautiful flowers.

I walked up to her, and she turned to me, a smile on her face.

"I'm sorry I stayed out late."

"No worries, I saw your letter. Riley, I think we should talk."

who

e turned to me,

her eyes filled with concern, and all of a sudden, telling her the -truth didn't feel like a simple task... at all. Today's Bonus Offer