He wants her: contract with Alpha Miller

hair, which cascaded elegantly down my back. My striking blue eyes were fixed intently on Ryder's mo

ea. Unlike her son, Ryder, who reveled in the luxurious aspects of life, Maria was down-to-earth, finding joy in the simple pleasures that accompanied her. She owned two residences: a grand mansion with all the lavish trappings, and this charming cottage where she had made her home alone since her husband's passing. Here, it was just the two of them-Maria and her affectionate cat-with no staff or maids attending to her whims.Ryder, her extroverted son, owned a popular bar within the Pack. He was forever seeking adventure, and as the second son, he felt less burdened by family expectations, primarily because his older brother had chosen to shoulder the majority of responsibilities. Though he was generally kind and affectionate, there were moments when he could be quite exasperating."We could prepare either some bread with jam and eggs, or just toast," Maria said, her laughter resonating through the small kitchen as she searched through her cupboards only to realize that they were nearly depleted after our recent snacking spree."Oh no, it seems we forgot to restock the pantry!" I gasped, a tinge of guilt settling in."Don't fret; we can take care of that after breakfast," she assured me."Sounds like a plan," I agreed, appreciating her optimistic outlook.After we managed to prepare some toast for our meal, we shared delightful conversation over breakfast. An hour later, we ventured out together to shop for groceries. Once we returned home, I decided to take a refreshing shower and organize my things in preparation for my journey back."Alright, Maria, I'm heading out now," I declared, embracing her warmly before planting a quick kiss on her cheek."Take care, dear," she said, her voice a soothing melody that lingered in the air."Absolutely, I promise to call you once I'm back!" I assured her, watching as she waved goodbye.I gathered my belongings and loaded them into my car before starting the engine, with the sprawling journey back home stretching close to two hours due to the distance separating us."Phew, that was quite a bit stressful," I murmured to myself, finally pulling into the driveway of the mansion where we lived.Life in the Essie mansion was often a whirlwind, especially due to Ryder's extravagant lifestyle. We frequently found ourselves in mild chaos, and our interactions sometimes proved challenging; one day he could be cool and withdrawn, and the next, warm and overly affectionate. To an outsider, it appeared as though we were living the perfect married life, yet I understood that perfection was an illusion-a fact I had accepted over time.As I climbed out of my car, dragging my luggage behind me, the maids immediately rushed towards me with welcoming smiles."Good evening, madam! Welcome back!" They bowed respectfully, taking my luggage from my hands."Is Ryder at home?" I inquired, hoping he had returned."No, he left not too long ago," a maid informed