Her Contract Marriage To The Billionaire Alpha

Mysterious

Alyssa POV

I can't shake the feeling that something is off. It niggles at me, even as I force myself to relax, wringing my hands together and staring absent-mindedly at the clock. If I stay here, I will go insane, I thought, biting down on my lip. I needed a distraction, something to do, while I was on my own. I didn't know where Dahlia or my stepmother were and right now I didn't care. I just wanted to get out and get some fresh air. I needed to breathe. I felt this recklessness come over me as I grabbed my keys and headed outside, straight towards the car that Theodore let me drive. I slid in behind the driver's seat and exhaled slowly, feeling a strange compulsion as I drove towards the park.

I just need some time alone to think. I wish that I could talk to my mother about everything, but she's gone, and my father wouldn't understand all the thoughts I have racing through my head. Part of me is afraid of marrying Theodore, but I don't know why. Sometimes it's because his mood changes so suddenly, that it's like I'm speaking to a stranger and another part of me feels like he might not be the one, even though we've been dating for over a year and have known each other for a long time. I feel like I'm missing something, or I'm going crazy, and then there's that whole scandal with Dahlia. He claims there's nothing between them, but why does Dahlia keep shooting me dirty looks? Sometimes it's almost as though she wishes she was the one marrying Theodore.

The park was empty. I pulled into the desolate parking lot and climbed out, noting that the weather was quite chilly and there was a fierce wind. I should have bundled up, I thought absent-mindedly, and then shook my head, unable to deny the sense of freedom I was feeling, just being outside and away from the house and the constant reminder about the upcoming wedding.

"Should have gone to a bar, Alyssa," I muttered, walking over to the playground and then seating myself on a swing, sitting back and closing my eyes. At least then you could have got drunk."

Still, the gentle swaying of the swing as I rocked back and forth was strangely soothing, as I stared out over the playground. I pictured children playing there, a gentle smile on my lips. I could almost hear the sounds of their shrieks and screams as they played. It was a touching picture. I sighed.

Children. I wanted children, but I wasn't sure if Theodore did. He had never mentioned how he felt either way. I had always wanted to have a family of my own, to become a role model like my mother had been for me before she died. I can still remember the way she held me in my arms, and hearing the sound of her sweet voice as she sang me lullabies. It brought tears to my eyes. Would Theodore make a good father? I bit my lip. Somehow, I suspected that he would be impatient, gruff, and unable to bond with them.

"Anyone can be a father, Alyssa" I whispered to myself, staring dismally at the empty park and feeling lonelier than ever, "but not everyone can be a good one", I finished feeling grim.

I had experience with that. My own father and I didn't have a perfect relationship. We had gotten closer over the years, but the relationship continued to be strained. My mother was the one that held us together and when she was gone, so too was the glue that had kept us stuck together.

"Penny for your thoughts?" the voice came from behind me, startling me out of my thoughts as I almost fell off the swing, my breathing becoming rapid as I fought back the urge to flee.

Why did his voice sound so familiar? It sounded masculine, strong, and raw. I chanced a glance over my shoulder, my eyes widening as I saw him. His dark hair, his eyes like charcoal, his Roman nose, and his chiseled jaw. He was tall, towering over me easily, and broad-shouldered, easily intimidating. I felt my heart skip a beat. Those eyes, they were like the ones from my dreams, and yet... I found myself smiling awkwardly at him, even as I felt tingles running down my spine. I had not expected to see him. The only reason he had received an invitation to our wedding had been because I had insisted on it. Family should always be at each other's wedding, I had told Theodore and I had received nothing but a glower from the man in reply.

"Alyssa", his tone was like silk, "you're even more beautiful than I remember" he complimented me, his eyes sweeping over my body as I stood up in surprise.

I laughed, as the man stepped closer, appraising me. Was it my imagination or had his eyes darkened for a moment in the light? I looked closer, but they appeared normal, and I shrugged it off, deciding it had something to do with the sunlight. I found myself being tightly embraced by the man, the breath knocked out of me.

"Xavier" I whispered, hugging him tight, smelling his cologne, my mouth watering as I swallowed hard "Xavier, what are you doing here?" I asked.

He reluctantly let go of me, stepping back and narrowing his eyes. "I received the invitation" his voice was hypnotic, mesmerizing me. "I believe I have you to thank for it."

I blushed. "I just thought that being family, you and Theodore could maybe, bury the hatchet," I said, my voice almost a squeak.

I didn't understand what had caused these two stepbrothers to fight in the first place and Thedore refused to divulge the reason.

Xavier flattened his lips. He put his hands in his pockets and looked at me steadily. "What are you doing out here in this empty place? Don't you know how dangerous it can be?" he asked harshly.

"It's a park, Xavier," I said, tilting my head as he glowered at me, "and I needed to breathe," I explained. "The preparations for the wedding are a little constricting," I added.

He smirked "So you thought you would come and swing? Alyssa, how old are you?" he teased, causing me to giggle and look at him sheepishly.

"Okay, you got me. I should have gone to a pub or something". I muttered as his gaze sharpened, "but I thought this was the lesser of two evils."

He frowned. "The Alyssa I remember would never have let something so silly as somebody's disapproval stop her from doing something. What has happened to you?" he asked as I hesitated.

I sighed. "I have to watch my weight for the wedding," I explained tiredly, "otherwise I might not fit into my dress," I continued, and he snorted.

"Alyssa, you look as though a good wind is going to knock you over. I happen to know there is a good bar, downstairs, in my hotel where I'm staying. What do you say about having a drink together and catching up? I'm sure that it would be a hell of a lot warmer than it is out here" he added.

I glanced towards my car. Xavier grinned. "We can walk. I'll have the car brought to the hotel," he promised.

I felt unsettled. I bit my lip and looked at him torn. Part of me felt like I was going behind Theodore's back doing this, but another part of me wondered just how often Theodore had kept something secret from me.

What if the press gets wind of this? They'll have a field day, considering they already caught Theodore with Dahlia and made a huge deal out of that.

So? You're not doing anything wrong, and it's not like you're trying to hide what you're doing. Maybe if you are caught, Theodore might pay more attention to you and actually start showing that he cares. Or at the least, he might realize what he has to lose if he continues to act the way he does towards you.

Two wrongs don't make a right.

Neither does being a doormat Alyssa. It's a drink for heaven's sake, not an invitation to bed the man. Although now that you think about it...

I shook my head, refusing to go there. Xavier was sexy and built like a god, but there was no way he would be interested in me. I was his stepbrother's fiancée. He was just being kind, inviting me to drinks. I forced a smile on my face and forced the trepidation I was feeling aside.

"Um, I would like that," I told Xavier shyly, gulping as he reached over and took my hand, "but are you sure it's okay? I mean, what about your girlfriend?" I stammered as he looked at me flabbergasted.

"Girlfriend?" Xavier sounded amused now. "I don't have one. There is this girl I have my eye on though" he said cryptically, as I half listened in disappointment.

"Oh," I said weakly, feeling foolish.

Of course, somebody like Xavier had somebody he was interested in.

Get over it Alyssa, you're marrying Theodore, remember? Why does it hurt so much to think about Xavier with another woman though, and why do I feel so jealous? This isn't like me.

I could feel Xavier's hand on the small of my back, feel the warmth of it through my clothes and struggled to keep my mind clear as he steered me down the busy street.

"I'm so glad I ran into you" he said, fixing his eyes on me. "There was something I wanted to discuss with you before the wedding", he looked grim now.

"Me?" I asked nervously "why me? I thought you would want to talk to Theodore, maybe bury the hatchet..." my voice trailed off at the look on his face.

"Trust me, I have no intentions of doing that and what I'm about to say to you is no doubt about to make you hate me, but I need to get this off my chest and show you something before you find yourself doing something you regret."

I glanced at him in surprise, feeling my hands begin to sweat. His tone was solemn and there was a dark look in his eyes. Had he come specifically looking for me? Somehow, I doubted it was a mere coincidence he found me at the park, but I didn't have time to ask as he directed me into the building and sat me down at a table.

"Wait here, I need to get something from my room" he said.

I watched him disappear, feeling self-conscious, even though the bar was pretty empty. I tapped my fingers on the table and waited, glancing towards the doorway with a sense of dread. If Xavier had come to talk to me this many days before the wedding, I had a sense that it wasn't about anything good. Suddenly I felt as though I couldn't breathe, wishing that I had stayed inside the house today after all. Theodore was going to be pissed when he found out where I had been today.