Sinful Contract with Alpha Callisto

Sweat and blood dripped down Cassandra's chin as she fought the fifth and last Gama she-wolf of the ring.  Her win was inevitable; everyone could see it.  She had worked hard for it, earning the title and respect of the nation's strongest Gamma she-wolf. The determination in her eyes was unyielding.  "I accept defeat." Michelle, from the Divine Bloodlust pack, knelt before Cassandra, and the girl who had raised her spear to strike again paused. For a moment, she was in shock. She looked around, her heart drumming hard against her chest.  The area around them was silent for a second before everyone applauded.  Cassandra swept her gaze with a grateful smile, trying to locate her husband and see if he had seen her award-winning victory, but the man was nowhere to be found.  The light in her eyes died a little before she masked it quickly to focus on the event.  It was the day of the Strongest Warrior ceremony.  The event was among the most prestigious in the werewolf community and was guided and governed by the council. Alphas and Lunas from various packs, along with their betas and Gammas, fought in their respective rank categories as dictated by the laws to earn a medal for their pack. While it was just a way for everyone to advance through the ranks, it was much more critical for Cassandra Eleanor.  For her, this was a promise she made to her father: to take over the Aberdeen Pack once the time came. "You did well," Cassandra helped Michelle, and the latter smiled at her. Michelle breathed heavily, barely standing on her toes as she looked at Cassandra. "You stand true to your name. I wouldn't have even imagined the fighting techniques you applied in this match. Have you considered fighting against the beta she-wolves? This is your opportunity to shine brighter," Michelle suggested. Cassandra smiled and helped Michelle out of the ring.  "You should consider my opinion," Michelle said as the females from her pack arrived to support her. "It's an honor, but I know my limits. While it's good to be wishful, I don't want to push myself too much," Cassandra replied humbly.  Cassandra excused herself to find her husband.  "Miss Cassandra," Betty rushed to her, and the girl sighed. "Betty, how often do I have to remind you it's Mrs. Cassandra. It's been two years since I got married. At least take my proper name outside of the pack," Cassandra scolded Betty, who pouted.  The frown of helplessness was evident on her face. "Have you seen Caleb anywhere? He was there when the matches were about to begin, but then I lost sight of him," She said.  "Well, Mr. Caleb has been watching over other matches on the field. Helping Harmony with her duel so she could at least rank up from being the lowest omega," Betty said with a sour face. Cassandra's smile faltered a bit.  It was a big day for her, for them. Her winning this match was supposed to decide whether they would rank up and get the position of the Alpha and Luna, but rather than staying with her, he went to help another she-wolf.  Cassandra shook her head. She was probably thinking too much about it. As the future alpha, it was good that he cared about his pack members.  "He knows his wife will win the tournament either way," Cassandra said to ease Betty. "Where are you going, Miss Cassandra?" Betty asked.  Cassandra looked at Betty helplessly when she called her Miss again, but didn't comment. "To wash up. Where can I find a bathroom, Betty? One that is not shared with others?" She asked.  Betty pointed to the building where all the attending Alphas and Luna rooms were.  Cassandra walked inside the building, furrowing her brows when her senses dimmed.  The place was overflowing with energy and pheromones, making it hard for her wolf to differentiate.  To make matters worse, these people didn't bother to put a name on the door to mention which room belonged to the alpha.  Cassandra went to the fourth floor, thinking the alphas must've taken all the rooms on the lower floors.  After cleaning herself, she looked at the significant mark on her back that she didn't want anyone to see before wrapping a towel around herself.  She was happy. The fact that she would become the Luna of her pack soon, because she won the tournament, made her feel like she was on cloud nine. She could imagine Caleb hugging and kissing her before everyone announced their title.  They had been holding back on engaging in any intimacy before this, and today, she would finally allow him to complete the mating ceremony and impregnate her.  Cassandra suddenly remembered she forgot to tell Betty to bring some clothes for her.  As she was about to turn the knob of the door, she heard footsteps approaching. Judging from the energy that her wolf was feeling, she knew the man outside was no normal man. "Alpha, did anyone catch your attention in the field?"  An alpha? Cassandra stepped further from the door, hoping they wouldn't smell her.  "What does the council head think?" The alpha's voice was cold and deep, unlike anything she had ever heard. It reeked of dominance and authority. A shiver ran down her spine.  "I heard the female Gamma competition was quite tough?" The alpha asked.  It was obvious the alpha would feel that, since it was the only competition among females, his pack lost.  The council head nodded as he looked at the bathroom door suspiciously.  Why did he feel like he smelled a female wolf? "Are you listening?" The alpha's words snapped at him. "Cassandra Eleanor. The Gamma warrior of the Aberdeen pack, I have heard she never lost a match before," he said.  The alpha raised his brows.  "I saw her on the field earlier when I entered. The man beside her... He was..." The alpha had intended to see her match but missed it due to an urgent call.  "Her husband," The council head said.  "Her husband?" A knowing smirk appeared on the Alpha's face. "Can we --" The alpha started but stopped when he suddenly smelled it.  His pupils dilated at the scent of lavender and wet soil mixed with a hint of rain and mist. Someone had freshly showered here.  He raised his hand to the council head, his eyes narrowed as he looked at the bathroom door.  Someone was here. He could feel it. The alpha walked towards the bathroom cautiously.  "Sir, should I check --" The council head offered, but the alpha's glare stopped him. He was about to pull the door open to see who it was when the door opened from inside.  Cassandra looked at the alpha, frozen.  She was hoping to use the excuse that she didn't know whose room it was, but she felt stuck in the moment when her gaze met with dark hazel eyes.  A shudder ran down her spine as her wolf fought back the dominating aura. This... Wasn't this the rumoured Joaquin Callisto? The named monster of the werewolf world, that even the council feared?  "Miss Cassandra, what are you doing here?" The council head asked hurriedly, snapping Cassandra's attention, hoping to save her. "I was looking for a bathroom. I didn't know it was an alpha's room," Cassandra said, not daring to look into the alpha's eyes again.  Alpha Joaquin observed the girl for a few seconds before he pulled out his business card.  "I heard about your skills. Would you like to accept the offer to train our female warriors?" the alpha said, surprising the council head and Cassandra.  "No," She said curtly. "No?" The alpha asked.  "Since I won, I am supposed to take over the pack as the Luna. I would be busy," Cassandra explained.  The alpha nodded in understanding. He had heard of such arrangements.  "Keep the card, just in case. I am sure you will need it." The alpha's words confused Cassandra, as if he knew something she didn't know, but she said nothing and took the card before leaving.  As soon as she left, Alpha Joaquin's expression darkened.  "Investigate her," he said to his beta, who entered when Cassandra left. ~~~ Her husband, Caleb, was nowhere to be found. Cassandra rushed when she discovered the former alpha of the pack, Thomas Maybach, was already announcing the next alpha of the Aberdeen pack before all the alphas.  She reached the area just in time to see the man standing with the trophy she had earned in the tournament. All her worries disappeared as she saw her father's dream come true.  "Cassandra, you are back just in time," Thomas coughed. His body was weak, and years of sickness were catching up to him.  Thomas looked at everyone and ushered Caleb to come over.  "As promised, I, Alpha of the Aberdeen pack, announce Caleb Benett as the Alpha of the pack," Thomas sliced his hand and placed his blood in the heirloom of the Aberdeen pack.  Cassandra's eyes brimmed with tears as she looked at her husband, who sliced his hand and completed the ritual, not looking at her for some reason.  "Now it's your turn," Thomas said, walking to her and caressing her hair like a father.  Cassandra looked at her husband, waiting for him to announce Luna's position since it was the alpha's duty.  Caleb smiled at everyone, holding the heirloom cane.  "I, the new Alpha of the Aberdeen pack, am ready to announce to everyone my mate, the Luna of the pack," Caleb said.  Cassandra smiled and stepped ahead.  She was ready to climb the little stage in the field. She saw Caleb turning towards his left, where a girl was already standing by his side, which she had failed to notice earlier.  "What's going on? Why is she there?" Cassandra asked no one in particular. However, nothing could've prepared her for what happened next.  "Harmony Asher, my mate and the new Luna of the pack," Caleb announced before taking Harmony's hand and kissing it before everyone.  Cassandra's pupils dilated, and she looked at her husband in shock.  What did he say? Mate?