Fiona
Alexander wrote a check with a long string of zeros, which made Seth’s and my family’s jaws drop.
The wolf police uncuffed Father, and he took the check out of Alexander’s hand. Alexander grabbed my father by the throat and lifted him off his feet. Father thrashed around.
Alexander took the check from his sticky fingers and then released him. He fell to the ground in a lump. My mother hurried to his side, helping him sit up. Father rubbed his throat, gasping for air.
“I said this was for Fiona’s company.” He handed me the check. His eyes remained locked on Father. Hate blazed brightly in their depths. “I told you. I would not help you in any way. And I meant it. This is for my future wife, not you.”
I took the check, and relief washed through me hearing Alexander say that. I would be able to keep the pack safe from Father.
“This is an initial investment. Use it as you wish.”
“The money will be used wisely,” I said, looking at Father. “I will not let you down, Alpha Alexander.”
I turned to Seth, who looked a little green after seeing Alexander’s treatment of a man he didn’t like. Alexander stepped up behind me and placed a hand on my shoulder. The heat of his power danced in my veins, giving me more strength than I had in days. My body relaxed.
“You said we had two days. This is the second day. I will have the money wired to your account by the end of it.”
Seth nodded, bowed to Alexander, and took off in his car. The werewolf police apologized and left as well.
With the debt crisis resolved, the nobles returned to their homes to leave only us in the driveway. Father fawned over me disgracefully in front of Alexander.
I recoiled in disgust when he tried to take me in his arms. He used his alpha power against me only a few weeks ago.
To force a wedding that should have never been because of money. Money he had taken from my pack.
I had the distinct feeling my mother and brother knew about the money the entire time but said nothing. Happy to have their luxury cars and shopping sprees with no limits.
All I had ever done was think of my grandfather and how he worked to build a stronger pack. My family didn’t care about them, only themselves. I could not ignore this. It was not who I was or anything I wanted to become.
“It is time to come to the palace. I will not leave you here any longer.” Alexander stepped back. The silky heat of his power left my body, and again fatigue set in. But not as bad as before. I was a little stronger.
His words were slow to sink in. He was taking me with him. I didn’t have to stay here any longer. I didn’t know what to say, so I nodded.
A storm of emotion was unleashed and tore at my chest. I hurried into the house with my head down, not looking back at my family.Once inside, I ran up the stairs and into my room. To gather what I needed for the palace. Yet as I stood in the doorway, I peered around. I was twenty-three and lived in this home the entire time, I had many things, and they meant nothing. I wanted to start new.
In the corner of the room sat a ragged cloth doll with brown yarn hair. It had holes and was missing an eye. Grandfather gave it to me when I was a child. I picked it up, thinking about him, and hugged it close to my heart. He was safe from my father, and I wondered if Alexander would let him come and stay at the palace. Then I could spend more time with him. It was something to ask after we were married.
I walked out of the room with the doll and snagged a jacket. I didn’t look back, and I knew I never would. Whatever my future, whatever trouble was to come. I would never come back here.
Alexander waited by the car for me. When I walked out with nothing but the doll, he frowned. When the car pulled away from the curb, I texted Nina, letting her know I was leaving for the palace and hoped to see her again soon. Tears blurred my sight but never fell. I would miss Nina like an injured bird who missed the sky. I could always count on her. Going somewhere where I would know no one was intimidating.
When the car reached the gates of Red Moon pack, I saw a gray wolf with red-tipped fur chasing the car through the rearview mirror. It was Nina.
“Please stop. Please,” I asked, ripping off my seat belt and opening the door before the car stopped.
Alexander threw out a hand to grab me. I was out before he could stop me. Alexander glanced at the wolf behind them and instructed the driver to stop the car.
As Nina and I ran into each other’s arms, Nina shifted, and we fell to the ground. “You can’t leave with only a text saying goodbye. I’m your best friend.” Nina was crying, and I wiped her tears and she wiped mine. I didn’t know I was crying. We hugged each other tight. I didn’t want to let her go, not knowing when I would see her again.
“Are you really going to marry him? You don’t even know each other.” We stood up, walking closer to the car. I didn’t know how much time I had. Unsure if Alexander was displeased with me jumping out of the car without his permission. My fiancé seemed difficult at times.
To comfort Nina’s worry, I told her. “I have spent some time with Alpha Alexander since the wedding disaster, and he is not as harsh as the rumors about him.”
Nina narrowed her gaze at the car.
“Nina, he is the father of my baby. I have to get to know him.” I pushed a strand of hair from my face. “I think I could love him if I had a chance. I can’t deny his right to the child. He is in the royal family. It is a bloodline marked with great power.” Seeing Nina’s skeptical expression, I lied my ass off.
“I have secretly been saving myself for Alexander for a long time.”
Nina rolled her eyes, knowing it was a lie but let it go.
“Well, he is good-looking. It could be worse. You could be married to Baron.”
We both laughed, and Nina hugged me again.
“You’re sure you’re going to be, okay?”
I nodded. “He is kind-hearted and will be a wise King in the future.”
Nina finally let go of her worries.
“I will send for you as soon as I can to see the palace.”
“You better. All those sexy soldiers walking around. Maybe I will marry one.”
We laughed, then I got back into the car.
Before I had jumped out of the car, Alexander seemed bored and ignored me. However, he peered at me with interest.
With raised eyebrows, he said, “I didn’t know the daughter of the Red Moon pack was secretly savingherself for me.” My cheeks heated.
