"What do you mean he was taken away?" I gasped, gripping my mother's shoulders. My voice cracked with panic. "Why would the Gammas arrest Dad?"
Mom's face crumpled. "The business went bankrupt last month. He owes the pack millions, and he couldn't pay."
The room spun around me. "Bankrupt? But how? Everything was fine when I talked to him last week."
"It wasn't." She wiped her tears with shaking hands. "He didn't want to worry you while you were focusing on becoming a Gamma warrior."
My throat tightened. Dad had always protected me, putting my needs first since the day he adopted me. Now he was in jail because of money, and I'd been too wrapped up in my own drama with Julian to notice my family falling apart.
"We need to get him out," I said, already calculating how much cash I had saved. Not much—barely enough for two months' rent.
"Five million dollars," Mom whispered. "That's how much we need."
The number hit me like a physical blow. Five million? My entire body went cold.
"There has to be another way," I insisted. "We can sell the house—"
"It's not enough." She shook her head. "Nothing we have is enough."
I was about to respond when my phone vibrated in my pocket. Julian's name flashed across the screen. My first instinct was to ignore it—I'd had enough pain for one night. But desperation made me answer.
"What do you want?" I asked coldly.
"Meet me outside your house. Now." His voice was commanding, leaving no room for argument.
I wanted to tell him to go to hell, but curiosity and desperation won out. "Fine."
I squeezed Mom's shoulder. "I'll be right back."
The night air was chilly as I stepped onto the porch. Julian's sleek black car was parked at the curb, engine running. I approached cautiously, arms crossed over my chest—Adrian's shirt still hanging loosely on my frame.
Julian stepped out, looking impeccable in his tailored suit. The sight of him sent a jolt through my chest—our mate bond still raw and painful despite his betrayal.
"Nice shirt," he said, his eyes narrowing as he took in the oversized men's button-down. "Expensive fabric."
I ignored his comment. "What do you want, Julian? I'm dealing with a family emergency."
"I know." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Your father's arrest for bankruptcy. Five million dollars in debt to the pack."
My blood ran cold. "How do you know that?"
"I know everything that happens in this pack." He took a step closer. "I also know how to solve your little problem."
Hope and suspicion warred within me. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying I'll pay off your father's entire debt." His eyes gleamed in the moonlight. "All five million dollars."
For a moment, relief flooded through me. Then I caught the predatory look in his eyes.
"What's the catch?" I asked warily.
"Smart girl." He reached out to touch my cheek, but I flinched away. "It's simple. You drop out of college and stop this foolish Gamma warrior training. After my wedding to Camille, you become my mistress."
The words took a moment to register. When they did, bile rose in my throat.
"You want me to be your whore?" I spat.
"I prefer the term 'mistress.'" He shrugged. "You'll have your own apartment, an allowance. And your father will be free."
I stared at him, unable to believe the man I'd once loved could be so cruel. "You rejected me publicly. You're marrying another woman. And now you want me to be your side piece?"
"Don't act so offended." His voice hardened. "We're fated mates, Seraphina. Our bond can't be severed just because I'm marrying for political advantage."
"That's exactly what it means!" I shouted, not caring if the neighbors heard. "You chose power over me. You don't get to have both."
Julian's expression darkened. "I always get what I want."
"Not this time." I turned to leave, but his next words stopped me cold.
"Five million dollars is a lot of money. How else will you get it? Will you sell yourself to random men instead? Is that what you were doing tonight?" He gestured to Adrian's shirt.
I whirled around, anger burning through me. "I'd rather sell myself to a thousand strangers than be owned by you."
"You don't mean that." He stepped closer, his scent—once comforting, now sickening—surrounding me. "Our bond is still there. I can feel your pain, your longing."
"What I feel is disgust," I hissed, though the bond between us made my body react traitorously to his proximity. "Leave me alone."
"Five million dollars," he repeated. "Your father will rot in jail without it. Think about that while you play hard to get."
He turned and walked back to his car, calling over his shoulder: "You'll come to me eventually, Seraphina. Desperation does that to people."
I watched him drive away, my entire body trembling with rage and fear. When he was gone, I collapsed onto the porch steps, tears streaming down my face.
How had my life fallen apart so completely? Two months ago, I had a loving father, a future as a Gamma warrior, and a fated mate who I thought adored me. Now I had nothing but debt and a cruel ultimatum.
I don't know how long I sat there, but eventually, the chill seeped into my bones. I wiped my tears and went back inside to my mother.
She looked up hopefully. "Who was that?"
"No one important," I lied, unable to tell her about Julian's disgusting offer. "Mom, we'll figure this out. I promise."
But as I held her while she cried, I had no idea how to keep that promise.
---
"You look like you haven't slept in days," Chloe said, sliding into the seat across from me in the campus café. "Rough night?"
It was the morning after my father's arrest and Julian's proposition. I'd spent the night researching loans, scholarships—anything that might help raise money. Nothing came close to five million dollars.
"You could say that." I sipped my coffee, the caffeine doing little to clear the fog in my brain.
Chloe's eyes narrowed. "Spill. Now."
I considered lying, but Chloe had been my best friend since childhood. If anyone might have ideas, it was her.
"My dad's in jail," I whispered. "Financial trouble. We need five million dollars to get him out."
Her eyes widened. "Holy shit. What are you going to do?"
"I don't know." I rubbed my temples. "Julian offered to pay it all."
"Your ex?" Chloe frowned. "What's his angle?"
I hesitated, embarrassed to repeat his proposal.
"Sera." She touched my arm. "Whatever it is, you can tell me."
"He wants me to be his mistress after he marries Camille," I said in a rush.
Chloe's jaw dropped. "That manipulative bastard! He's using your family's situation to force you back into his life?"
"Basically." I stared into my coffee. "I told him to go to hell."
"Good." She squeezed my hand. "We'll figure something out."
Her eyes suddenly fixed on my shirt—still Adrian's, which I'd tucked into my jeans. In my distress, I'd forgotten to change.
"That's not yours," she said slowly. "Whose shirt is that?"
Heat crept up my neck. "It's, um... I spilled something on mine last night."
"Bullshit." Chloe leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "That's a men's shirt. An expensive one." Her mouth formed a perfect O. "Were you in some guy's room last night? Before all this happened with your dad?"
"It's not what you think," I protested weakly.
"It's exactly what I think!" She grinned for a moment before sobering. "Wait, is this why Julian showed up? Did he find out you were with someone else?"
"No. It's not connected." I sighed, knowing she wouldn't let this go. "Yes, I was in a man's room. It was stupid and reckless and it didn't go anywhere."
"Who was it?" she pressed. "Someone from school?"
The memory of Adrian's kiss sent an unwelcome heat through me. The intensity in his eyes, the feel of his hands on my skin...
"Sera!" Chloe snapped her fingers in front of my face. "Who was it? You're blushing like crazy."
I looked around to make sure no one was listening, then leaned in and whispered, "Adrian Valois."
Chloe's coffee cup clattered onto the table, spilling everywhere. "ADRIAN VALOIS?" she shrieked.
"Shhh!" I frantically motioned for her to lower her voice. "Yes, but nothing really happened. I left when I got Mom's mind-link."
Chloe stared at me, mouth agape. "You almost hooked up with the Lycan Chairman? The father of your ex's fiancée?"
Put that way, it sounded even worse. I buried my face in my hands. "I was drunk and upset about Julian and Camille. He was there and so handsome and—"
"Wait." Chloe's expression shifted from shock to calculation. "This could be perfect."
"What are you talking about?"
"Adrian Valois is loaded. Like, beyond loaded. And he clearly wanted you." She leaned in. "Maybe he's your solution."
I shook my head vehemently. "No. I'm not trading one degrading arrangement for another."
"I'm not saying become his mistress," Chloe argued. "But maybe he could help with a loan? Or hire you for something?"
"Like what? I'm a college student with dyslexia and half a degree in Lycan warfare."
Chloe shrugged. "I don't know, but Adrian Valois wanting to sleep with you is the first good news we've had. Don't dismiss it so quickly."
I was about to argue further when my phone chimed with a notification. It was a message from an unknown number.
"Still wearing my shirt? I'll need it back. My office. 3 PM tomorrow."
My heart stuttered. There was only one person it could be.
"What is it?" Chloe asked, noticing my expression.
I showed her the message, my hand shaking.
"See?" She grinned triumphantly. "The universe is giving you a sign. Go see him tomorrow and ask for help."
As I stared at the message, a mixture of dread and hope settled in my stomach. Could Adrian Valois really be the answer to my problems?
Or would he just create new ones?