Contractually Yours Alpha (Riley) novel Chapter 428

Chapter Forty Six 

How had he found me? 

I had never felt so afraid before; if he told the Empress about this… 

I rushed to him, falling on my knees. “Please, she can’t know…” 

“Are you referring to me?” the familiar voice belonging to Julia called from behind him. I rose to my feet quickly.” How did you find this place?” she asked, staring around. 

“I–I…” 

“Don’t lie to me, child.” 

“I found it a few years ago, Empress.” 

Her eyes landed on the wolf. 

“What is this?” she asked. I could see the pure disappointment on her face. 

“Please, he’s my friend…” 

The slap came so fast and hard that, for a moment, everything went black, and my ear rang. When my vision cleared, I realized I was on the floor. 

Ash snarled and lunged at her, knocking her to the ground. Its claws swiped at her face, narrowly missing. 

“Ash, no!” 

Trian walked to the Empress and picked the wolf up like it weighed nothing. Ash immediately went silent. 

The Empress rose to her feet, a cut on her neck–I hadn’t even noticed when that had happened. Trian had stepped in before Ash did any serious harm. He placed the wolf on the ground. 

“Kill it,” she said to Trian. 

“No! Please.” I begged. She held me by the arm, her grip firm and strong; I couldn’t pull free. 

I heard Ash’s loud howl before he abruptly fell silent. Trian caught up with us, blood now stained his black uniform. Ash’s blood. 

“Walk.” The Empress said to me, letting go of my arm. I let my hair fall over my face as I followed her. I knew what was about to happen, and yet all I could think about was that Ash was dead; he was gone, and so was the garden, my little haven. I would never be able to escape this place ever again. 

She stopped before the huge doors that led to her own chambers. She pushed open the door and pulled me into her private space. 

Trian walked in before shutting the door. 

“Where have I failed?” she asked me. 

I fell once again to my knees. “Forgive me, I had made a grave mistake…” 

“A very grave one.” She said as she disappeared into the inner room, she returned with a leather belt. 

“Take off your clothes.” 

“Empress… I beg you; I will make no such mistakes.” 

1/2 

Chapter Forty Six 

+25 BONUS 

“You will be punished for your sins, and you will accept your punishment,” she said, the warning clear in her eyes. No amount of begging will change my fate. I nodded and took off my gown. I was in nothing but my panties, my hair falling over my breasts, the only coverage I had. I peeked to see Trian, who was looking away from my exposed form. 

The belt landed hard against my back, and I held in the cry attempting to escape my lips; she didn’t stop, and I couldn’t hold it in; I cried out. 

“Empress.” Trian called, and she paused to stare at him. “Aliya will need to be present at the meeting tomorrow. It would be inconvenient if she couldn’t sit.” He reminded Her. 

“Of course.” Julia says, “You are right.” She said, tossing the belt away. 

“Rise.” She said to me, “I don’t hate you. This is required of the gods, you have to be corrected for every flaw you make.” she explained, and I nodded, even if what she said made little sense to me. 

She took off her own clothes and led me to the bed. I lay down dutifully; the rough sheets burnt my already sensitive back, and she joined me, spreading my legs.