YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS

CHAPTER 6: YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS 

CATHERINE

I tried as much as I could to stay invisible during the ball, and not ruin my life any further.

I pushed through the crowd, holding a box of empty champagne glasses, heading to the usher section. My feet were killing me, my dress felt tighter than usual, and my mind was still trapped replaying this morning's betrayal. I just wanted to drop the glasses off and breathe for a second.

But of course… life had other plans.

I stepped out of the VIP’s section into the hallway, took one step forward, and collided with a wall.

For a second, I thought it was a wall.

But then the wall moved.

And a deep voice cut through the music. “Watch where you’re going, Miss.”

My heart jumped straight into my throat. I lifted my head slowly and the moment my eyes landed on him, I froze.

Alpha Jordan.

The much talked about Alpha Jordan was standing in front of me, with a frown on his face.

His eyes were the first things I noticed. They were icy gray with this sharp, piercing look that made me forget how to blink. Those eyes looked alive, like storm clouds ready to break. His jawline was so sharp and his hair dark and thick, falling slightly over his forehead in that careless-but-perfect way rich guys always nailed without trying.

And he was tall—good lord, the man was huge. I had to tilt my head way back just to see his face properly. Broad shoulders stretched the fabric of his perfectly tailored black suit. His chest was solid, his arms looked like they could snap a tree in half, and he had this calm but dangerous aura that told you he wasn’t someone you messed with.

Basically, he looked like he walked straight out of a billionaire-werewolf–dark-romance book cover, and the universe decided to smack me right into him.

Oh. And there was red champagne all over his left lapel. I don't even know how that happened.

My stomach dropped. “I…I’m so sorry,” I said immediately, my voice shaking. “I didn’t see you coming, Alpha. I swear I didn’t mean to..”

He stared down at his suit, then at me, and the frown on his face deepened. “You spilled some drink on me, Miss.”

“It was a mistake,” I whispered, mortified. “I really didn't mean to.”

“You ruined my suit.” His eyes lifted back to mine. “And this suit is not cheap.”

Oh, God. Oh, God. Oh, God.

I nodded like a scared bobblehead. “I’m really sorry, Alpha. I’ll clean it…or I’ll pay for the dry cleaning, or…”

I tried to step back, but he blocked my path with his arm. His movement was slow, smooth, and deliberate. Not touching me, just… trapping me.

“Your name,” he said.

My breath caught. “Catherine.”

He repeated it slowly, like he was learning how to pronounce my name. “Catherine.”

A chill ran through me for a reason I couldn't explain.

Then he leaned in slightly, but I felt his breath on my face. He was standing too close, too intimidating, making me shiver down my spine. “You’re going to pay for this.”

My heart stopped.

What? Pay? For his suit? My entire yearly salary wouldn’t cover the sleeve.

Before I could form actual words, he stepped aside and walked away, leaving me frozen. I held on tightly to the box of glasses, looking like the world’s biggest idiot.

I didn’t even realize I was shaking until someone touched my shoulder. I gasped and spun around, almost dropping the box.

But then the smell hit me—vanilla, orchids, and coconut lotion.

Zoe.

“Girl,” she said, her eyes wide with excitement. “I told you you’d attract one of the Alphas today but damn, Catherine—you didn’t just attract any Alpha. You attracted the hottest and the richest one in the whole region!”

I blinked at her. “Zoe, no. No, no, no. That’s not what happened.”

She grinned like she didn’t even hear me. “Catherine, be serious. Alpha Jordan never talks to anyone outside the VIPs. And he talked to you. He even blocked your way. Girl, you’re lucky.”

“I am the opposite of lucky,” I said, my voice cracking. “I bumped into him. And spilled champagne on him. And now he said I’m going to pay for ruining his suit.”

Zoe burst out laughing.

I stared at her, wondering what was funny.

“Zoe,” I said, forcing her to look at me, “I’m dead serious. He wants me to pay. Do you know how much that suit costs? Probably more than my salary for a whole year. My whole life is already falling apart and now—now this?”

She smiled but softer this time. “Cat, listen… Alpha Jordan isn’t going to make you pay for a suit. He’s just messing with you.”

“No, he’s not,” I argued. “Alphas are mean. All of them. My grandfather was an Alpha and he literally disowned his own son because he didn’t follow some stupid mate bond rule. Denzel was an Alpha and I don't need to remind you what he did to me.”

Zoe tilted her head. “I know, Cat. But you can’t compare every Alpha to…”

“Yes, I can,” I cut in. “I haven't met an Alpha who didn't act like his rules are holy scriptures. You think Alpha Jordan is different?”

Zoe paused, her smile fading. “I don't know Cat. You haven't even met many Alphas. But I think you should give Alpha Jordan a chance.”

“Zoe, it's not like Aloha Jordan is asking me out. He wants me to pay for his designer suit and I can't afford it.”

She didn’t have an answer, and we both knew it.

Before she could say anything else, the manager’s sharp voice tore through the hall.

“Ladies! Enough chatting!” he barked from the far end of the room. “Get back to work already!”

Zoe rolled her eyes and whispered, “He needs to relax. The ball is almost over.”

I didn't wait to continue any more conversation with Zoe. I dropped the box of glass at the ushers section and stepped outside the hall to take a breath. And that was when I heard someone call my name.