Hope is a young wolf abandoned by her mother at the age of 5. To survive, she works two jobs to pay her rent and bills, struggling to maintain balance in her life. Until one evening, she meets Ryker, a powerful Alpha. He offers her a pact: she must marry him for a year and a half to help him consolidate his role as leader with his pack and his elders, in order to prove that he is ready to assume his inheritance and receive his father's blessing to permanently lead the pack. In exchange, at the end of the contract, she will receive a considerable sum as compensation. Will Hope be able to accept this bold proposal, knowing that she will have to live alongside an Alpha with imposing charisma, but whose intentions remain ambiguous?
Chapter 1 Chapitre 1
Hope closed the door of the small cafe where she made a weary gesture, letting out a tired sigh. The day had been endless, with its share of demanding customers and never-ending accumulated orders. She felt the throbbing pain in her feet from hours spent on her feet, and her back hurt like hell. Like every evening, only one thought inhabited her: going home, collapsing on her bed and letting herself slip into a restful sleep, far from her worries, her bills and her monotonous daily life.
The streets were almost deserted, the street lamps dimly lit the sidewalk. Hope pulled her coat tighter around her, the cold night wind seeping into her clothes. She walks quickly, eager to find the warmth of her small apartment, but suddenly, a strange sensation makes her slow down. She felt like she was being recorded, like someone was following her. She stopped, glancing furtively behind her. The shadow of a man loomed a few meters away, and his heart raced for a moment.
He was tall, with an imposing appearance and hard features that the dim lights of the street lamps only accentuated. He wore a dark coat, which blended in perfectly with the darkness. She had never seen him, yet there was something familiar about his presence. And just as she decided to continue walking, he took a determined step forward in her direction. Hope felt adrenaline rush through her, mixed with an inexplicable curiosity. This stranger did not seem to have bad intentions, but an indecipherable aura emanated from him.
"Excuse me," he said in a deep voice that echoed in the cold air. "Are you okay Hope? »
She took a step back, her wary gaze catching that of the man. How would he know his name? She had never seen him, or at least that's what she thought.
"Yes... It's me," she whispered, unable to look away from him.
He tilts his head slightly, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, although there is nothing warm about the smile. "My name is Ryker ," he continues calmly. "I'm sorry if I scared you, but I've wanted to talk to you for a while. »
Hope frowned, even more confused. " I don't understand. Why would someone like you want to... talk to me? » she asked, surprised to hear his voice so trembling.
Ryker looked at her, silent for a moment, as if he were weighing each word he was about to say. His piercing gaze seemed to probe every corner of her being, making her nervous under this weight.
"Because I have a proposition for you, Hope," he finally said, his voice softening slightly. "A proposal that could change your life. »
A proposal. Just that word made Hope laugh inside. She had nothing left to offer anyone, struggling every day to make ends meet, working two jobs to keep a roof over her head. She observes this man, handsome, elegant, who exuded a quiet strength and an intimidating confidence. Everything in her attitude made her stay on her guard.
"And what kind of proposal? » she demanded cautiously, a glint of challenge in her eyes.
He didn't blink, his gaze intently fixed on her, as if he sensed her doubts, her fears, all the emotions she was trying to hide. "A wedding," he replied simply.
Hope blinked, searching for a hint of joke in his dark eyes. A wedding? She must have misunderstood, it was absurd. It certainly wasn't a sincere marriage proposal. She let out an incredulous laugh, raising her eyebrows. "I don't know who you are or what you want, but I think you have the wrong person. »
"No, I'm not wrong," he replied calmly, a mysterious smile spreading across his face. "I know exactly who you are, Hope. And I know your circumstances... your work here, your little apartment, your difficulties..."
She stiffens, her fingers tighten on the strap of her bag. "What do you mean? » she whispered, her voice choked with growing anxiety.
"I know you fight every day to survive," he continued, his tone impassive. "And I can give you a number. A marriage contract, over a defined period. In exchange for this marriage, you will receive financial compensation which could... considerably alleviate your worries. »
The words seemed unreal, floating in the air, but Hope felt her heart speed up. Why would a man like him propose a marriage contract to a stranger? Nothing about this situation made sense. She took a step back, trying to understand what he hoped to achieve by making this proposition.
"I don't even know you," she finally replied, distrust seeping into her voice. "Why would I marry you? »
Ryker watched him carefully, and for a second she thought she saw something deeper in his eyes, a hidden vulnerability. But it was so brief that she couldn't tell if she had really seen it. "Because we both have reasons for wanting this marriage," he said, in a tone that brooked no argument. "You, to get you out of your current situation. Me, for... personal reasons, which you will understand when the time comes. »
Hope remained silent, forced to decipher this enigmatic man who spoke with accumulated coldness, as if he had already planned everything. She looked for answers in his eyes, but they were opaque, airtight.
"Would you offer me...financial compensation? » she whispered, hesitant.
" Yes. A significant amount, enough for you to get your life back on track, without worry. This marriage would last a year and a half. Then you will be free to go, without strings attached. »
Breathing short, Hope felt her reason wavering. She had never imagined finding herself faced with such an offer, and even less so from a stranger. Yet part of her clung to this crazy idea like a lifeline. After all, his current life offered him no respite, and this marriage, as strange as it seemed, seemed to be the promise of an escape.
"And what do you expect from me in return? » she asked, her voice tense.
"Simply for being my wife, in the eyes of the world and my pack," he replied, his gaze softening slightly. "There will be no personal obligations. Everything will remain purely... professional. »
Hope looked away, her thoughts swirling in her head. She would have to live with him, play the role of a devoted wife, without experiencing the feelings that such a commitment implied. But she would finally have the security she never had, and perhaps the chance to rebuild something new.
After a moment of silence, she regained courage and looked up at him. "Okay... If I accept, what guarantee will you keep your word? »
He holds out a hand to her, his eyes fixed on her intently. "You have my word, Hope. It may not be much to you, but in my world, it's worth more than a contract. »
She hesitated, her fingers brushing his outstretched hand. His instincts screamed at him to flee, but another voice, weaker but insistent, whispered to him to take this risk. This decision could turn his life upside down, one way or another.
She finally squeezed his hand, the contact of his skin warmly warmed his last reluctance. A strange feeling of security invaded him, as if, despite the apparent coldness of this man, he represented a stability that had always eluded him.
"Okay," she said finally, her voice shaky but resolute. "I accept your proposal. »
Ryker nodded, a flash of satisfaction crossing his eyes. "Very well, Hope. Welcome to my world. »
They remained silent for a moment, their hands still linked, each aware that this simple handshake had just sealed an agreement that would change their lives forever.
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