The Alpha's Proposition

"Will...you kill me, sir?" 

Stuttering that statement was the best thing I could come up with at the moment.

Given what I had heard about the Alpha of Shadow Walker pack, forgiveness wasn't one of his qualities.

Untamed handsome features, intense gaze which threatened to knock me off the seat... Those were only parts of his many qualities. 

A devious smirk glinted in his eyes, and he leaned into the seat, making himself comfortable as though he weren't bothered by the situation. 

I had listened in on a conspiracy to murder the Alpha King, now he was going to kill me.

"That depends on how this discussion goes. Answer my question. Why do you understand a confidential language? Who are you?" 

A former member of the Silver Moon pack who had been training to be Luna since I turned eighteen.

The daughter of an ex-beta...

Everything I had been before was over.

I was...no one.

"I'm Aria Smith, sir. I...work here."

At the moment, I realised it was the only identity I had; my name, and the occupation of wiping tables and serving drinks. 

Those hazel eyes locked on me, full sensual lips parting to reveal sharp canines and beautiful dentition.

He had the beauty of a tiger and the potent aura of a powerful wolf. A born predator.

Those lips parted again, and my heart skipped. "You are not an Omega, why do you work here?" 

For an entirely different reason, my heartbeat increased, pounding so loudly he could hear it.

I knew he felt it; his eyes narrowed and halted on my chest.

I felt uncomfortable and sweaty and confused. 

"I...I was exiled from my pack." It was shameful to admit it. I felt small and lowered my head.

Long beautiful fingers drummed against the couch, and dread filled my chest as I waited for him to speak. 

"I see." 

I looked up immediately. It wasn't what I had expected. Like many other people, he was supposed to be curious and ask uncomfortable questions like what I had done wrong. 

For a second I wondered what kind of person this man was, till he whipped out his phone minutes later and spoke again, his words chilling my nerves.

"Your family left you behind because of what you claimed to see? Interesting. Are you aware that they've joined the Red Crescent pack?" 

Pain hit me hard, again, my heart twisting with so much ache I clenched my jaw. 

Why was he bringing this up? How had he got the information so fast? 

"Look, Aria, I could easily get rid of you tonight because of what you heard, and no one would bother about you. As I just learnt, your mate is already preparing for a mating ceremony to Ella Seth and your family has been accepted into another pack. No one will declare you missing."

My fingers balled into a fist as I listened to those vicious words, tears gathering in my eyes.

I knew they had all moved on, but a tiny bit of hope had lingered in my mind that everything would return to the way it was.

Nathan was going to mark Ella and I would be left in pain to mourn the loss of a mate for years to come. 

I swallowed hard, keeping in the howl that wanted to tear from my throat.

I wanted to hold onto something so I wouldn't fall.

My heart was broken.

"You heard what you shouldn't have tonight, and it would do us both good to end your life, wouldn't it?" 

I shook my head, my chest filled with so much emotions I could barely speak. 

Alpha Cole corked his arrogant head to the side, his hands relaxed into the seat. "If you want to live, then I'll be giving you that option. How many other languages do you speak?"

I listed them in a whisper, and something close to impression crossed his eyes before they returned to being expressionless. 

"Adequate. You work for me as a translator; I take you to  gatherings and you get information for me. In exchange, I'll let you into my pack, and give you an official position in my company headquarters. What do you say?"

What do I say? 

It was the biggest decision I would have to make in my life. My head was spinning with all the information I had got within seconds and I didn't know what to do.

A minute ago I had thought I would be killed and now...

"Make a decision, Ms. Smith. I have a business meeting to get to this night." 

I swallowed hard, his eyes following my shaky fingers which I linked together, my heartbeat pounding so hard against my ears. 

"I...You mean I would be your...spy?" I managed to say, unable to process all the information he had thrown my way tonight. 

His response was to lean forward, a mischievous glint in his hazel eyes. "Your smartness will be an added advantage to working for me."

That wasn't a direct answer. I bit into my cheeks. "What happens if I...don't want to work for you?"

He lifted a perfectly arched brow, "you know the saying, Ms. Smith. Keep your enemies closer. I'm afraid if you don't agree with me, then I will be disposing of you, tonight."

Shit, what had I got myself into? 

This Alpha meant business; I could see it in his eyes. His Wolf's aura was potent and I couldn't do anything if he decided to kill me. 

A wave of fear passed through my body, and I took a deep breath, willing my heart to stop beating so fast. 

"When...when do I join your pack, sir?" 

A triumphant smirk graced his tempting lips. "Is that a yes, Ms. Smith?" 

I nodded; as if I had another option if I wanted to live past today. 

Somehow the knowledge that everyone had moved on without me strengethed my resolve to live, although I no longer had a purpose. 

Alpha Cole stood, his strong cologne and height towering over me.

"Adequate. Someone will be at your house tonight to have you sign a document, then they will bring you to the pack house." 

Everything was moving so fast. "You mean I will join this night?" I wouldn't even have the time to pack my properties and...

"Yes, Ms. Smith. Is that going to be a problem?" 

I swallowed hard, linking my fingers more tightly. "No sir."