Chapter 4: A Double Deal

Killian’s POV

I got out of the car. My men did the same as our cars packed before the Moonstone Howl pack. Taking off my sunshades, I took in the view of the large house, pleased with the architectural design.

The smell of smoke and marijuana hit my nose as my men and I walked into the entrance hall. The men stood at once as if they sensed a threat. They moved back and dropped their smoke until an escort came. He was dressed just like my men, in a black suit and tie. 

“Welcome, Alpha Killian,” he greeted. “Alpha Kaidën is waiting for you. Please follow me.”

I followed with my men, letting him lead the way. The other men continued smoking their cigars. 

The hallway was filled with the movement of our shoes, leading to a larger hallway. 

Two bodyguards dressed like The escort stiffened as they watched us get closer. 

“Alpha Kaidën’s guests,” the escort spoke and they took one more look at me. 

I watched the escort go closer and whisper into their eyes and they froze. 

“A…alpha Killian,” the bodyguards on the left stammered. 

“Welcome, sir,” the second answered, and they opened the large door. 

I nodded calmly and walked in, adjusting the button on my suit jacket. I walked into the room filled with men all dressed in suits. 

I spotted Kaidën at the head table, watching us. His hair slicked back neatly and his eyes never moved from me for a second. 

“Welcome, Killian. We've been expecting you,” he greeted with a grin. 

“Please, have a seat,” he gestured.

I took the seat while my men stood, keeping watch. 

“Let's begin. You said this was important,” I said.

“Yes, it is,” Kaidën began.

“Like every pack, we want protection,” Kaidën started. “And more supplies, of course, a thriving economy.”

“And for that, you need my help,” I completed.

“Yes,” he answered. “I have calculated the profits. They would be beneficial to us.”

I nodded, watching him. 

“So, you want my money?” I asked, calmly pouting the whiskey into the cup. “And my backing for the guns. What do I get?”

“Twenty percent,” Kaidën answered.

“Seems poor for making me lend my hand in almost everything,” I answered, drowning the whiskey. 

“Twenty-five, then,” Kaidën bargained. 

“Forty,” I replied. 

Kaidën stared at me like I was a ghost. “That's a lot,” he complained. 

“Not a lot to help you get into the business and help you deliver the goods safely,” I answered. 

“It's just for the meantime,” he answered, cheering his throat as he noticed my cold smile. “We do need your guidance since you know the routes.”

“And there's the cops. We also have a deal with the humans,” I responded, reminding him of the peace treaty. 

“Right,” Kaidën replied, folding his fingers.

“Thirty percent,” Kaidën called. 

I poured myself another cup of whiskey and sipped. 

“Forty,” I said. 

“That's outrageous,” Kaidën complained. 

“That's my last offer,” I said, drowning the wine. 

He looked around nervously and then at me. “Fine, but we also get the antidotes. Lately, the mercenaries have been getting their hands on wolfsbane.”

I didn't respond immediately, enjoying the silence. 

I could tell he was nervous and desperate. “Okay,” I finally said, dropping the glass and preparing to leave. 

He smiled, offering his hand. “It's nice doing business with you.”

“The pleasure’s all mine,” I responded. 

I stood and then my ears caught the soft footsteps coming from the hallway. My wolf seemed interested, but her powerful scent drowned me. 

She walked in, and my wolf woke. 

“Mate,” my wolf murmured. 

My heartbeat rose as she came closer. I studied her. My eyes trailed her soft, pale skin as she walked. She held the tray of snacks and kept her head low. 

Her dark auburn hair made it hard to look away. When she raised her head, my wolf quivered at her grey eyes. How could someone look so ethereal? 

She bowed to Kaidën, her faded dress doing little to hide her beauty. 

My blood boiled as I noticed Kaidën's eyes trail her. She placed the tray on the table and bowed to me, smiling softly and my heart raced. 

What’s happening to me?

“Mate,” My wolf stirred. I wanted to claim her. She belonged somewhere better. 

My gaze lowered and I noticed her hands were bruised and wrinkly. She must have finished a huge pile of laundry. 

She poured the wine and I sat, finding a new reason to stay longer. The men smirked, watching her like some entertainment.

My eyes followed her and I felt a different emotion as she neared Kaidën. 

Is she a wolf? Can't she feel the mate bond? I got no sense of her wolf. 

She poured his drink, placing the bottle of wine on the table. Kaidën rejected the snacks, and she stopped and turned to the door. 

And then one of Kaidën’s men stuck out his foot. She tripped, crashing with the tray and making a mess on the floor. 

She gasped, and the broken pieces of her glass cup cut her arm. She bled and one of his men walked forward, looking at her with hatred. 

“You useless girl!” The man yelled. 

I clenched my fists under the table as she flinched, moving away from him. 

“Clean it up!” he barked. “Now!”

Kaidën kept quiet, watching the scene infuriating me more. 

“I'm sorry,” she whispered, bending down and reaching for the broken glass. 

A hand grabbed her roughly, pulling her off the floor. “Maybe you need a lesson,” the man said, raising his hand, and I moved before I could think. 

I grabbed his wrist, squeezing hard until his wrist snapped. 

He yelled, crying, and released her. She fell to the floor and my anger rose. How dare he maltreat her?

Standing up from his chair, Kaidën looked at me speechless.

“Touch her again,” I said, breathing venom. “And you'll have to deal with me.”

“Killian,” Kaidën called. “Please, let him go.”

I glanced at her on the floor. Her eyes showed she was scared. That wasn't what I wanted her to see. 

I released the man. He ran back to his previous position between the other guards. 

I turned my gaze to Kaidën, who had barely reacted to the scene in front of him. My jaw tightened.

“Is this how you treat your servants?” I asked, my voice cold.

Kaidën hesitated. I could see the calculations behind his sharp gaze and the careful way he considered his words.

“She’s just a servant,” he finally said, shrugging as if that justified the treatment.

He dared to treat my mate as a servant!

I straightened my suit jacket and pushed my chair back slowly. “Then I see no reason to continue our business,” I announced.

The room became silent.

Kaidën tensed, realizing I wasn’t bluffing. “Wait, Killian,” he said, stepping forward. “Let’s not be hasty…”

I turned toward the exit, signaling my men to leave.

Panic flared in Kaidën’s eyes. “You,” he snapped at the man who had tried to strike her. The guard flinched. “You dare humiliate me in front of Alpha Killian?”

Kaidën struck him hard across the face, sending him crashing to the floor. “You’re lucky to still be breathing,” Kaidën hissed. “Get out of my sight before I kill you myself.”

The man scrambled away, holding his face.

I let out a slow, unimpressed sigh. “Punishing him means nothing,” I said. “What I want is far more valuable.”

Kaidën frowned. “What do you mean?”

I took a step forward, my voice unwavering. “The business deal remains. On one condition.” I glanced at the girl still kneeling on the floor. “She comes with me.”

Kaidën’s eyes widened slightly, but he quickly masked his surprise. “You want her?”

“Yes.” I met his gaze, daring him to challenge me. “And once she leaves with me, you and your men will never ask for her again.”

Kaidën’s lips pressed into a thin line. He didn’t want to let her go. I could tell. But he also knew he had no choice.

“That’s a steep price, Killian,” he stated carefully.

I grabbed up my glass of whiskey and swirled it around. “So was forty percent,” I reminded him.

His fingers twitched. His pride was bruised. But he knew better than to refuse me.

After a long pause, Kaidën exhaled through his nose. “Fine.”

I smirked. “One more thing,” I added.

Kaidën’s patience was already fraying, but I wasn’t done humiliating him.

“You and your men will apologize to her,” I said, my tone sharp. “With a proper bow.”

Kaidën stiffened. “You’re joking.”

I didn’t move. “Do I look like I’m joking?”

His men shifted uncomfortably, exchanging glances. Kaidën clenched his jaw, but, in the end, he gave in.

With a slow, reluctant motion, he turned toward her. “Apologies,” he said stiffly.

I didn’t move.

Kaidën exhaled sharply and, with visible frustration, lowered his head in a slight bow. His men followed each offering a forced apology.

She looked stunned. She wasn’t used to being respected. 

I held out my hand. “Come.”

She hesitated only for a second before slipping her bruised fingers into mine.

Without another word, I led her out of the room. Kaidën’s men could only watch as I took what was now mine.