C8 Chapter 8

Lily Walters arrived at the three-story mansion at three in the afternoon, she gawked at the grandiose state of Rhye Gosling. She was led into the impressive modern-style living room. Then, she saw a spiral staircase against the wood-paneled wall. She was ushered by a middle-aged couple, Mr. and Mrs. Evans, a butler and the chef.

"Fancy a tea and a biscuit, Miss Walter?" The silver-haired Mr. Evans asked as Mrs. Evan murmured something about their boss, who was waiting for her in his private office.

Lily shook her head.

"Follow me, Miss Walters. You will have your tea in the Alph- I-I mean, in the boss's office." The smiling woman added and motioned for her to follow while the man went in the opposite direction.

As they approached the stairs, Lily was surrounded by four columns, leading to the most elegant doors she had ever seen. They were made of mahogany and have a stained glass window in the center. The handles and the frame were made of brass and silver. As they continue around the steps, they come across three windows overlooking the entrance to the house. Stepping slowly and surveying the grand and impressive decoration of the place, she thought the man had a taste for antique and modern furniture at the same time, and after many turns, Mrs. Evans halted and knocked on the door. "Come in," a familiar voice said, breaking Lily's reverie.

The kind woman led her as she opened the door.

"Sir, Miss Walters is-"

"Leave us, Elsa, close the door and tell Edmond the tea can wait." Rhye Gosling announced with a stern voice. Elsa nodded her head as she led Lily to her seat in front of the massive table where Rhye Gosling had been seated. "Stop scaring the poor woman, sir. I can see her knees trembling." Elsa smiled and walked away, then closed the door behind her.

"So, welcome to my humble home. Miss Lily Walters." Rhye Gosling spoke as he stuck his nose in the air.

Odd. She thought, does she smell?

"I've come here to—"

Rhye halted her as he raised his left hand and stood, went to the glass window, and opened it. The late afternoon sunlight graced the windowpane that reflected on her eyes as he watched her intently.

"I know why you're here, and I want to let you know that my beta, I mean my friend Leon Anderson, was not pleased with what happened. You ruined his life."

"Mr. Gosling, you have to know that I- I... Well, I thought... I know it's my fault and I-"

"Stop right there." He stopped her again as she stared at him, her brows furrowed. She tried her best not to talk back.

"Miss Walter, to make this short, I want you to sign these papers," He went to his table and gave a five-page long list of technicalities, obviously from his attorney.

"What is this?"

"That is a sample contract for you to read."

"Contract for what?"

"To be my wife, of course! I will-"

"What?" Did she hear him right? "Are you out of your mind?"

"No! But first, I paid one million pounds to Sgt. Anderson to compensate for the damage you did to his excellent name, and second, he lost his previous job."

"But-"

"I am not done yet, Miss Walters, and second, obviously you can't pay such a large amount, and third, you hacked government offices, your ex-boyfriend's office, and my twin brother's laptop, so-"

"Wait," she glared. "Joseph Gosling is-"

His mouth twitched, "Yes, he is my twin, and yes, I know what you did back there. You hacked Gabriel's CCTVs, his computer, and Joseph's laptop... So do you think this marriage proposal is way too hard for you?"

"But ... why me?"

He lifted his eyebrows.

"I-" a muscle in her jaw twitched as she stared at him, unable to continue.

"Well, of course, you can choose a long-term service in jail or the easiest way,... just stay married to me for a couple of years… then you'll be free to go."

A minute passed before she spoke up again, "Wait... This is too quick, and besides, why? I mean, why me? Surely you have dozens of women-"

"Why not you? I'm killing two birds with one stone here. Besides, Sgt. Anderson is furious that I have to send him to Russia to forget what happened, and I have given him one million to spend and forget the mess you created, and frankly, I need a wife to show my shareholders that I'm a family man. It's a win-win situation, don't worry... I am not going to force you into my bed unless you-"

"Stop! Mr. Gosling, let's be serious here,"

"Oh, Lily, I've never been serious in my life."

She sighed and massaged her temples,... "but this is so fast, I need to think it over."

"Good, I'll give you an hour, have your tea, and I want your answer after that. By the way, we will go to my grandparents' after your tea. I need their approval. We will travel together."

"Wait!" Lily stood quickly, too furious to even pause, "What the hell are you doing? You didn't even let me finish my words. You didn't even ask me if I wanted this, or if I'll sign your stupid contract and-"

"Stop! You don't have a choice. I'm making it easy for you. Now! Think and I'll be back after an hour." Rhye went to the door in a fast stride and closed it, leaving her shocked and dumbfounded.

Unbelievable! The nerve of a man! "Arrrgg!" What the hell was going on? "Fucksake! This is happening too fast!" Frustrated, she ended up calling Cassy and told her everything, and obviously, her friend had been screaming the whole time and warned her that, rather than sulking, she must be drinking in celebration. Cassie thought she hit the jackpot.

Jackpot? It was the other way around. She felt like she had been tricked into this mess.

*****

Three hours later, they were now in the silver SUV, Rhye Gosling was driving the luxurious car, and Lily was shocked by the unexpected events that unfolded in three hours. And yes, she ended up signing the paper, they went to her small flat, took two days' worth of clothing for their trip to his grandparents, and yes, she was now in the car sulking her heart out and had been ignoring the man. How dare he? He planned all these things in one swift gesture of his hands, like a bloody president. Now she had signed the agreement and do whatever the fucking man wanted.

Unbelievable!

Yet she couldn't get herself to feel excited about the trip. Earlier, Rhye had given her thirty minutes to pack her luggage for the two-day holiday; sure, it was not a tropical beach or island, but the change of scenery would do her good, and she was looking forward to escaping her obligations for two whole days. Besides, she was fired from her job. No morning calls, online meetings, or scheduling of her boss's too-busy life. For forty-eight stress-free hours, without anyone or anything getting in the way.

When she was in college, she drove a beat-up old Toyota that she fixed up herself. Hell, she rebuilt the entire engine on that old thing—twice. Nowadays, she was not driving anymore; the subway, cabs, and buses were way, way better. Her amateur salary wasn’t even that much compared to what other blue-collar females were raking in, and yet it was still more money than most people make in a year.

But Rhye's silver, expensive SUV lacks the charm of her old Toyota. The engine barely makes a sound, and when they're off the highway and driving on an uneven, unpaved road, the suspension proves just as efficient. The SUV barely moves as it coasts over various potholes. It was boring.

"You know, I can almost read the frustration in your mind," Rhye mumbled and grinned.

She ignored him.

Two hours later, they were finally in the countryside. Up ahead, the road gets narrower and windier, summoning a worried frown Lily asked. "Where is this place? Are we going the right way?"

"Shortcut..."

"A shortcut?"

"Oh, come on, Lily, I know the way, we will be there an hour earlier. Don't give me that look."

And yes, after being stuck in the ten inches of snow, their car was useless.

"Let's walk."

"Whatever!"

"Are you not complaining?"

"Why should I? It won't do me any good anyway. So lead the way into our demise and let us freeze to death."

He smirked.

Lily was sure it was beautiful out there, but she had never been strolling around in the...snowy um-jungle, especially with a winter storm coming in, and she didn't intend to start now. But does she have a choice? Of course, she does not have a choice!

"Don't worry, once we enter the next mount, it won't be snowing anymore," Rhye said firmly. "Maybe a little rain."

"How sure are you?"

"I just know, Miss Walter."

The image of being stranded on this cold, freaking mountain, frozen and drenched, and carried off by ants the size of her head burst into her mind as she shivered. The air was uncomfortably thin and cold. Luckily, she managed to bring an extra thick winter jacket, mittens, and winter boots. She closed her eyes, rubbed them, and fought against the panic attack threatening to strangle her. Don’t go if you can’t handle it. She thought to herself.

But she was never a quitter.

"That mountain," he pointed out, to their left, "is perfectly harmless with the proper equipment and guide."

"Why are we here exactly?"

"To meet my elders."

"Jesus, why do I feel like I'm about to be murdered by some wild wolves here?"

"Don't worry, they are harmless!"

"Harmless? What are you? A fucking Lion?" How could he be so confident about this trip? There must have been a reason for them to be on this god-forsaken mountain. He was a billionaire, right? Why not arrange a fucking helicopter?

Rhye mumbled, "Where is the fun in that?"

"Did you just read my mind?"

"Your face says it all, Lily. I can read you even in the dark, spidery, snake-covered mountain."

Eww.

Yes, she squirmed. "Are you trying to scare me off?"

"Is it working, Miss Walter?"

"No!"

"Good."

She forced a laugh. "Either way, I don’t think we'll reach there alive."

"Here’s a thought: Trust me. I know the path in the back of my mind."

"Why the shortcut thought?"

"The highway had a bridge, and it was down from an avalanche. We can't pass through."

"And how did you know this, Mr. Gosling?"

"Oh, right, what was I thinking? Of course, from the news." He replied and rolled his eyes.

Lily just sighed again as they started to walk and Rhye carried her luggage. At least he was a gentleman.

Reading her thoughts, Alpha Rhye smiled.

Trusting him should be a breeze, right? He would not murder her here, and feed her corpse to the fucking ants? Well, especially since he had proven himself to be so stupidly annoying... or maybe she wanted to be buried in the snow, and perhaps five thousand years from now, some scientists will unearth her amazing preserved body and viola! She would be a fucking celebrity, covered in a yellow winter jacket that made her look so fat.

Alpha Rhye almost couldn't help but chuckle after prying into Lily's mind. He had never been curious and amused before, but she was unbelievably out of this world. Her thoughts were funny, innocent, and outrageous at the same time. His own amusement was carried half a mile behind them to the five guardians. Five massive wolves howled as if they were too stunned to know that the mind link of their Alpha had been emitting lights of positivity, enjoyment, contentment, and curiosity. They even looked at each other and their wolf howled again, knowing that maybe it was not too late for their Alpha to be happy like them. Maybe this human was the Alpha's lifemate.

At their mind link, the Alpha Rhye's voice boomed, "You five, stop howling... my human is scared."

"Copy Alpha."