Chapter 2

My stomach twisted into knots. "What?!" The word tore from my throat before I could stop it.

Our home was spacious, comfortable—my adoptive father, a prosperous businessman and Delta of the Redmoon pack, had never wanted for wealth.

"He was arrested," my mother explained, her voice hollow. "A failed investment. The company collapsed. He lost everything. Now, he owes the pack more than we could ever repay. Until the debt is settled, they’ve locked him away."

"They can’t just take him!" I shot to my feet, my pulse roaring in my ears. "No warning? No trial? That’s not justice!"

"The Beta answers to the Lycans. Their word is law." Her fingers trembled around her teacup. "Loan sharks don’t negotiate. They eliminate problems. And right now... your father is their problem."

Before I could argue, my phone buzzed violently in my bag. I fished it out, my stomach plummeting further at the name flashing on the screen.

Donovan.

"I heard about your father." His voice was velvet, smooth and calculated. My traitorous heart stuttered. Even now, after everything, my body still reacted to him—this cursed mate bond refusing to die. Rejection hadn’t severed it. Only his mark on another would.

"I might have a solution," he continued. "But I’d rather discuss it face-to-face. Come outside."

I didn’t hesitate.

Donovan leaned against his sleek black car, arms crossed, the moonlight carving shadows across his sharp jaw. Goddess, I hated how effortlessly beautiful he was.

Two years. Two years I’d loved him—my friend, my confidant, my fated. His rejection had shattered every dream I’d ever dared to have.

I hugged myself tighter, nails digging into my arms.

"Why are you here?" My voice was steadier than I felt.

"To talk."

"About what?"

His lips quirked, that infuriating half-smile that used to make my knees weak. Now, it just made me nauseous. I forced my gaze to the pavement.

"Your father’s debts," he said. "His assets are frozen. His business is ash. But I have the money."

My eyes snapped back to his. "You’d pay his debt?"

"Every cent."

"And what do you want in return?" I already knew I wouldn’t like the answer.

His smirk deepened, sending ice through my veins.

"There’s a condition." He stepped closer, his scent—spice and something darker—wrapping around me. "Once I’m married, I want you to leave school. Become my mistress."

The world tilted. "Excuse me?"

"A penthouse. Clothes. Jewels. Anything you desire." His fingers traced my arm, slow, possessive. "Your father walks free. Your family never struggles again. All you have to do is say yes."

My wolf whimpered inside me, wounded. How could our mate ask this of us?

I wrenched away, my body shaking. "No. Never."

His eyes darkened, the playful glint vanishing. "I’m about to be Alpha, Lillian. This is how the world works. Be smart. Don’t you want your father back?"

"I’ll find another way." The words tasted like steel.

He laughed, cold and sure. "Five million dollars. When you realize no one else will save him, you’ll come crawling back."

The car door slammed. Tires screeched.

I stood there long after his taillights vanished, fists clenched, tears burning behind my eyes.

I’ll figure it out.

Even if it destroyed me.