Contractually Yours Alpha (Riley) novel Chapter 599

Chapter Two Hundred and Ten 

Chapter Two Hundred and Ten 

Phil and I joined the pack patrollers. 

“We’ve got it covered here.” Phil assured them, and they spread out, giving us some privacy. 

“You’re very observant,” he says, and I assumed he was referring to my carlier suspicion. 

“It’s actually written all over your face. You look stressed.” 

“Well, you’re the only one who noticed.” 

“Maybe I do have a knack for picking up on things.” 

I knew he wasn’t the type to share his personal problems, so I couldn’t push him; he’d talk when he felt ready. At least he had admitted to my suspicion that something was indeed wrong. 

“It all started back at the mate ball. Right after the ‘big announcement.‘ 

I had gone to grab some champagne when I caught the scent. That’s when I finally understood what everyone had been going on about. The scent was heavenly. She must have arrived late, I’m sure I would’ve noticed if she’d been at the ball earlier.” 

I didn’t bother admitting that all this time, I had assumed he was mated. I realized I knew so little about those close to me. I had always seen Phil as my advisor, never thinking to ask about his personal life because he clearly wasn’t one to share. I couldn’t imagine what it must have felt like to be mate–less all these years. Some were okay with not having mates; in fact, I once thought I didn’t care about having one myself. 

“Wow! Congratulations. I’m so happy for you.” I said truthfully, even if my response had come a bit late. 

“That’s the problem. I can’t… I can’t claim her.” 

“What do you mean you can’t claim her?” I asked, but he didn’t seem ready to answer that. So, I tried again. “Does she know you’re her mate?” 

“She does, but I kind of… walked away.‘ 

I stared at him, at a loss for words. I wasn’t great with these kinds of conversations, but I had to try. 

“Was it her… looks?” 

“No. She’s… very, very beautiful.” He said, seeming lost in thought, as if picturing her, before he shrugged. “But I can’t.” 

“You seem physically attracted to this girl. That’s a start,” I pointed out. 

“It’s not that simple. She’s… young.” 

“That’s hardly a problem- 

“Kaida. She cannot be more than eighteen, and I’m forty.” 

Oh. 

Oh. 

I was definitely not prepared for this at all. I took a moment to think of what to say next. 

“Still, I think you should talk to her about it.” 

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Chapter Two Hundred and Ten 

Phil shook his head. “She had been trying to reach out to me, but… I can’t be her mate.” 

“The moon goddess paired you both for a reason.” 

“You realize that if I had a daughter, she would be around her age.” 

“But she’s not your daughter. She’s your mate.” 

“The moon goddess could sometimes make mistakes.” 

“Then tell me when you think about her, does it feel wrong?” I asked. 

“No. It doesn’t. But that doesn’t make it right.”