Chapter 2
My heart fell into my stomach. “What?!” I gasped.
We lived in a decent-sized house; my adoptive father, a successful businessman and Delta of the Redmoon pack, had considerable wealth.
“He was arrested,” she explained. “He made a bad investment for the company, lost everything, and went bankrupt. Now, he owes the pack a fortune. Until he repays it, they’ve put him in jail.”
“They can’t just take him away like this,” I said, standing up, barely containing my emotions. “Without any warning? That’s not fair!”
“They can do whatever they want. The Beta operates under the Lycans’ jurisdiction, and this was his decision. Loan sharks are ruthless, and no one wants to deal with them. It’s easier to eliminate the problem, and right now… your father is the problem.”
Before I could respond, my phone rang. I reached into my bag and pulled it out, frowning at the name flashing on the screen.
“I heard about your father,” Ethan’s voice was soft, and my traitorous heart skipped a beat. I hated how my body still reacted to him. The mate bond was cruel. Even though he rejected me and I accepted it, the connection wouldn’t break until he marked someone else. “I might have a suggestion. But I’d rather tell you in person. Come outside.”
I quickly left the kitchen and stepped out of the house. Ethan leaned against his car, arms folded across his chest.
Goddess, I hated how good he looked.
I had loved him for longer than two years. He had been my friend, my confidant, my fated mate. When he rejected me, it shattered everything I had dreamed of.
I crossed my arms, trying to hold myself together. “Why are you here?” I asked.
“I wanted to talk to you,” he replied.
“Why?”
The corner of his lips tipped upward as he studied me, and I had to look away to avoid melting under his gaze.
“Because I can help you,” he said. “Your father’s funding chain collapsed, and he now owes a massive debt. I know he doesn’t have that kind of money. But I do.”
I lifted my gaze to meet his. He was serious.
“Are you saying you’d pay my father’s debt?” I asked.
He nodded. “Yes.”
“And what would we have to do in return?” I asked, dreading the answer.
He smirked, making my stomach churn.
“There is a condition,” he admitted. I waited in silence, eyes locked on his. “After I get married, I want you to drop out of school and become my mistress.”
I stared at him, utterly stunned.
“Excuse me?” I managed to sputter. “You want me to what??”
“Drop out of school and become my mistress. I already have a luxurious home ready for you. You’d never want for anything. I’ll pay off your father’s debt and give you more money than you could dream of.”
“How… how could you ask me to do such a thing?” I whispered, my voice breaking. I fought back tears, refusing to let him see me crumble.
He stepped closer, and I felt rooted in place. My wolf whimpered, gutted by our mate’s betrayal.
“Because we’ve always been good together, Judy,” he said, touching my arm gently. “We will always have this connection, even if I mark someone else. You and your family would be set for life… all you have to do is say yes.”
His fingers trailed along my arm, making my stomach churn. I finally found the strength to step back, my body trembling.
“No,” I said firmly, meeting his eyes. “I will never be your mistress.”
His expression darkened.
“I’m about to become Alpha, Judy. You should accept reality. This arrangement benefits you. And don’t you want your father out of jail?”
“I’ll find another way,” I gritted out. “If that’s all you had to say, then we’re done. Leave.”
He arched a brow, watching me as if expecting me to change my mind.
“You’ll come around,” he said, stepping toward his car. “And when you do, I’ll be here. Until then, your father stays in prison.”
“I’ll figure it out,” I shot back. “We don’t need you, Ethan!”
He chuckled, opening his car door. “You need five million dollars, Judy. When you realize there’s no other option, you’ll come to your senses.”
Without another word, he got in and drove off, disappearing into the night.
Only after he was gone did I collapse to the ground, tears streaming down my face.
Five million dollars.
How was I supposed to come up with that kind of money?
That morning, I had two classes: warrior training and shifting, both of which I excelled at. I was studying for Gamma training, aiming to prove myself and join the Gamma force. If I succeeded, I could earn enough to pay off my father’s debt.
“You look like hell,” my best friend, Nan, observed as I sat beside her under our usual oak tree.
“It was a rough night,” I admitted, pulling out my textbook.
“Where did you go last night? When I got back, you were gone. Did you leave early because of the engagement party?”
I bit my lip, debating what to say. If I lied, Nan would see right through me. She knew me too well.
“I ripped my shirt, and someone took me to their room to change,” I confessed, feeling my cheeks heat at the memory.
Nan raised a brow. “You went to someone’s room? Whose?”
I hesitated, and she grabbed my arm. “Judy, who did you leave with?” Her voice was filled with alarm.
I knew there was no getting out of it. I bit my lip and peeked up at her through my lashes.
“Gavin Landry,” I squeaked.
