The Alpha's Contracted Bride

Episode 5

Rome Zoe was still eating his breakfast when Westin, his beta and also his personal assistant bursted into the house.

Westin a man with a handsome oval face and wavy short hair marched to the dining room and asked urgently without greeting.

" Is it true you were shot last night Alpha Rome? Is it true you would have died if it wasn't for your wife? "

" Tanya talks too much " Rome mutters softly as he reached out to his glass cup of water which he sip carefully.

When he set down the glass cup he saw Westin staring at him in question, still waiting for a reply.

Rome could see how worried he is, as always.

" You are right. I was shot with a silver bullet. It's harsh "

Westin's face went white in shock. He flopped on the empty chair before Rome and breathe out shakily.

" This is bad Alpha Rome. This is very bad. Do you know who attacks you? How did it happen? Are you still injured? "

His beta bombarded him with questions without giving him time to reply at all.

" Alpha Rome... "

" I'm fine, alright " The cute man finally replied. " Calm down. You worry too much "

" I had to. It must be your brother "

This statement makes Rome look away and then set down his cutlery.

" Nimo won't do that to me. He knows my life is important to all his facades "

" You are right " Westin replies as he thinks hard. He finally asked again. " How did it all happen? I thought you went with your wife to the night party"

" We both did "

" And? "

" And Rosa visited "

" You are kidding " Westin retorted. " How can a w***e visit you in your family home? I thought your mother didn't want to see her with you again. Do not tell me you have fallen in love with Rosa "

Rome look away to grit his teeth and then he retorted.

" Cordelia isn't my mother and Rosa isn't loved by me. I only ... Bought her "

" Bought? "

" Paid her a lot of money to stop seeing other men. It has to be only me "

" Alpha Rome you should stop doing this. I thank moon goddess you have gotten a wife now who will ... "

" I won't be touching anyone else Westin " Time replied, cutting in. " She is nothing to me "

" Oh really? " Westin challenged. " Then why did you pay for her promotions gig? "

" Because she is lacking. It's another way to show her how appreciative I am that she saved me from dying last night "

Westin nodded after some time and sighed.

" So continue "

" Rissa caught Rosa and me mating "

" Oh no " Westin mutters again in disapproval but Rome continues.

" She cried about it which surprised me. I never know she would shed tears. Somehow I felt guilty so I decided to take Rosa home early and return to the party. However, on our way, shots rang out from different angles. It was as though they have been waiting for me. I managed to save Rosa and myself. I lost a lot of blood. Thought I'd die but ironically Larissa saved my life. I feel so indebted to her because of her deeds "

After a longer time, Westin stated.

" Alpha Rome do you think you can put up with Larissa for six months? "

" Yes. She is innocent " He mutters softly. " She didn't even know why she had to sign a contract marriage. She didn't know what she was gonna lose at the end "

" Good. I'm glad she is perfect enough to have earned your heart just overnight " He replied with a grin but Rome only stare back at him expressionlessly.

Westin who has been long accustomed to Rome's silence started again but this time more tightly and angrily.

" Alpha Rome I will make sure those who shot at you are found. You give me the address of the place the incident had took place so I will take care of it "

" Don't bother yourself with minor issues. You still got the company to take care of in my absence "

" That doesn't mean the one who tries to kill you should walk around freely, Alpha Rome "

The man with thick lashes nodded in acceptance. He replied to his beta's request.

" It's only a third block away from Mother's home. Promise me you won't get hurt when investigating "

Westin didn't wish to give false promises but then he knows without it Rome won't give him the go-ahead. He nodded his agreement and said.

" I promise " Westin looks around for some time before adding. " Your wife is nowhere to be found. Is she uh ... Still sleeping? "

" Went out to meet with Gerald Chen "

" You shouldn't have accepted " Westin finds himself raising his voice aloud. " Rald was her ex and it's supposed to be your honeymoon "

" It's a marriage of convenience " He replied instead and then keeps quiet after that. Westin realizes the Alpha has said all he has to, all he wanted to.

" I should take my leave now Alpha Rome. Once I get anything suspicious about the attackers I will inform you immediately "

Westin says his goodbyes and left. The Butler, Patricio walks into the dining room afterward to clear the table.

He is clever enough to mutter in that feminine voice of his.

" Alpha Rome, should I bring another dish? I see you eat quite a lot this morning "

Rome didn't bother to answer. He only stood up from where he sat and return to his room.

Ever since he got the mansion and set it all up, calling it home, no woman has ever stepped foot into it except his female maids.

Larissa Henley was the first woman to do so. She had not only come into his privacy, his home, and his room but also saved him from dying.

This only act makes Rome feel more responsible for her. He knows she is only an innocent lady whose only dream is to have her fans. He had overheard her saying that on a phone call that morning.

Rome goes to sit on his bed for a while. During this time he decided to visit Rosa to check on her health.

Rome didn't dress up too much. He only put on his crew neck sweatshirt and baggy jean trousers that go with his perfect footwear.

He grabbed his car key from the drawer and headed out immediately. At long last he pulled into the large guest house where Rosa has been staying.

Rome Zoe gets it for her. The thing is, they only met only two months ago. He had hired her as his concubine and nothing more.

Whenever he needs to satisfy his lust he approached her. That morning, without informing Rosa that he is on his way, Rome Zoe entered the lobby and soon approach the bedroom door.

This time he didn't give it a knock. He only goes in just as usual but he soon regretted his actions because up on the bed is Rosa naked with another man atop her, riding.

Normally Rome wasn't shocked. He had seen and learned how women aren't trustworthy.

He understands Rosa's job is to entertain men and so on. Without making any scene Rome turn around and headed back to his car.

He could hear Rosa calling unto him but he turn deaf ears completely. He goes to his car and sits back for some seconds before driving back home.

Since it was his honeymoon he had been expected to be at home for a week without working at all.

On his way back home he come across a billboard where the short ads of Larissa Henley were displayed.

That moment the traffic decided to occur so Rome has no choice but to watch his wife for a brief minute.

He only stares at the billboard blankly, gazing at the beautiful sweet smile of the lady. When the cars finally began to move he mutters to himself.

" All women are the same "

He had known the secret relationship between Larissa and Rald. The two had tried however to keep it out of the limelight because of the pop star's fans but as the saying goes, No secret can be hidden for long.

Rome get home and headed into his room immediately for a quick nap. He ignores the greetings from his maids and butler completely.

When he pushed the door open, he had half expected to see Larissa but she is nowhere to be seen.

Unconsciously he glances down at his wristwatch which says it's a minute after twelve.

Larissa had left for three hours now and she was supposed to be back before lunch or dinner.

All of a sudden a knock came to the door. He didn't reply. He only turns to stare at it, trying to perceive the scent of who is behind it.

" Alpha Rome? " The voice of the butler came as he slowly eased the door open.

He met Rome still standing but giving him his attention.

" Alpha Rome your lunch is ready. Though I have prepared for Madam as well she is nowhere to be found as of yet. Probably in the arms of the beautiful pop star, Gerald Chen. Who knows? "

Rome Zoe unconsciously gritted his teeth in an uncomfortable way. The thought of Larissa in the arms of the pop star made him upset.

Out of everything Rome would hate the part where his wife goes on cheating when they are still married. She has to wait till she moved out after six months.

Miraculously his cell phone rang out, breaking into his thoughts and tense atmosphere.

He picked it up and stare at the screen to see Larissa calling. They are not close at all. In fact, he will only be setting eyes on her at a close range that previous day at their wedding.

He answered the call but didn't speak. Instead, he listens.

" Rome? Good afternoon. I thought I'd return home early but my schedule has been changed. I will be meeting up with my manager to discuss more my next week's gig "

He was relieved, somewhat, that she took the time to call and explain. He was glad that she made an impression of him as her husband.

" Okay " He only mutters and disconnected abruptly. Slowly he looks up to the butler and issues a warning.

" Don't speak ill of my wife again. She is the woman of this house. Did you get it? "

At once, Patricio, the butler was filled with anger but he managed to nod and then walk out after a bow.

Rome didn't prepare for bed afterward. He only pulled off his footwear and flopped onto the kingside mattress.

In no time slumber took him away as he is so tired from his activity the previous days.

***

As fate would have it Donya who was expected to make a photoshoot with Rald is not present. Her manager called to apologize to Vance Savannah about her tight schedule and inability to appear.

Vance then stood up from where he sat after hearing the news. He goes at once to meet up with Rald to break the news to him.

Vance Savannah is a tall older man with a straight handsome face and mustache.

He pushed open the door of Rald's suite and burst in. However, he stopped in the doorway because he met Larissa seated on the couch with his signee, Rald.

Larissa just get off the call with Rome as she decided to visit her manager and then return home.

The presence of Larissa and her beautiful long hair caught the attention of Vance and replaced all his intentions with lust.

He soon imagine himself undressing her completely and kissing her so deeply. When he heard about her marriage with Alpha Rome of Zoe's pack, he had been enraged but that didn't stop him from coveting her body, still.

" Yeah? " That was Rald calling unto the attention of his boss.

" You aren't supposed to meet anyone, Gerald Chen. You are supposed to be resting " Vance stated after being pulled back to reality.

" I still got some minutes before the photoshoot. She is just leaving too, got to meet with her manager "

" Oh really? " Vance inquired as he diverted his eyes to Larissa who had seated upright.

Vance knows the young lady respected him so much. Who wouldn't? After all, he is the one that built up the most famous leading pop star, Rald.

" Good afternoon Mr savannah " Larissa greeted politely but Vance shove her words away.

" You can call me Vance. We have known one another for four years now. I saw the promotion for your upcoming gig and I had to confess that you are doing more than perfect "

" You flattered me, Sir "

" Well, not true. Rald I am here to inform you Donya won't be there at the photoshoot. The company had situated this shoot for you and a female. I ... Uh wouldn't panic anymore if this fine lady here decided to give us her precious time. What do you say, Rissa? "

At once the lady shuddered. She never had the grace to be called for photo shooting with a star ever before.

" Sir I ... "

" Don't be too polite Rissa. I mean, your page had grown drastically in just hours. You will do just fine with Rald here. After all, you both had a bond "

Larissa nodded. She is so overwhelmed by the offer. It is a request all female singers will jump at but somehow she felt reluctant.

She understands it's the week of her honeymoon. She isn't supposed to be seen with any man except Rome Zoe for at least a week.

She remembered the previous night at the party. Rome's mother, Cordelia, and uncle Pedro had been nosy about her relationship with Rald.

" Uh ... Sir honestly I would love to do this but ... I think I had to let my husband knows about it. He ... "

Her words were Interrupted by Vance's low grunt of displeasure and Rald's hiss of disapproval.

" It's not as if we are going to have s*x Rissa " Rald said with a frown of jealousy. " It's just a photo shoot to promote a product. It's gonna help your career too. Don't tell me you will be ditching me because of that mute Alpha "

" Rome isn't a mute man. He could speak " Larissa was quick to defend.

" Oh really? Thought he never speaks. I met him once when I goes with Vance here, pleading for his collaboration but he never mutters any syllables "

" Rald ... "

" Forget it Rissa " Rald cut in angrily as he stood up. " Return home to your husband then. I have no time for this " The fact that Rald could turn his back on him makes Larissa so sad. She has loved him and probably still does. She would hate to be on his bad side at all.

For that brief seconds, she began to wonder why she is being protective of Rome Zoe. He had treated her with nothing but glare and harsh words.

Earlier that morning he never even paid attention to her. The same goes a moment ago when she called to inform her she will be returning late.

He had only answered with a syllable and disconnected. Larissa began to wonder who he is to dictate her next schedule. After all, he cheated on their wedding night without any remorse.

" I will do it! " She suddenly declared firmly, stopping Rald abruptly. " I will do the photoshoot with you and to hell with what Rome thinks "

Vance nodded at this and excuse himself to make preparation. As for Rald, he walk back to Larissa but this time not for a hug but a possessive kiss.