Chapter 2 TERM AND CONDITION

Odessa

"Why did you dance with him, Odessa? I saw the way you were looking at him."

"Joshua, stop it," Dad said. And from the expression on Josh's face, I knew he had so much to say.

And I kept wondering how exactly this was my fault. My mother sighed, running her hands through her face. "They are going to be here in an hour," she said. "We all need to get our shit in check. We can't let them come here and see a house divided."

Joshua leaned forward, both hands resting on the table separating the both of us. "Why? Odessa, why?" The way he called my name broke my heart. My brother might be annoying, but he was literally my best friend. And I knew all this rage wasn't targeted at me; it was all for Evan.

He walked up to me. I said defensively, "I was on my own."

"Why didn't you push him away? Yell? Or do something? You just allowed everyone to see the both of you like that. Do you know how humiliating that is to me? The same person who stole the woman I was in love with." His voice cracked. "She was supposed to be my mate. And now everyone saw the both of you dancing. It is all over social media. Odessa, that is fucking messed up."

"I didn't mean to hurt you. Last night just happened."

"So what are we going to do now?" My mother cut in.

Everyone turned to look at my father, who was completely quiet. But we didn't need to ask him what he was thinking, because his face already told us everything we needed to know. It was pure disappointment.

"Dad?" I said softly.

He sighed. "Yesterday wasn't just humiliating for your brother. It was also humiliating for me and my household. Grayson was my best friend, and after all we have been through, he decides to offer me my past position in front of everybody."

I could hear the pain in my father's voice, and I watched as Joshua clenched his fist so tightly, his knuckles turning white.

My father ran both hands over his face.

"The partnership with Grayson's company. Don't worry, I'm going to shut it down before it even starts," I said, interrupting him.

My dad shook his head. "Unfortunately, sweetheart, we need that partnership."

"What?" Me, my mom, and Joshua said all at the same time.

"Kade Groups is really suffering right now, and I didn't have any intention of saying anything." My father looked away for a while. "I thought I could handle it, but.... We need this help. The financial..."

A knock landed on the door, cutting him off.

"They are here," Mom said as she slowly got up to go get the door. I followed behind her.

My mother, who wasn't smiling a couple of seconds ago, the moment she opened the door, a big smile appeared on her lips. Where the hell did that come from? My mother was really a good actress, I whispered under my breath. Thankfully, none of them heard what I said.

"Alpha Grayson." He gave her a smile before they embraced slightly.

"Good to see you again, Mrs. Kade," Evan said after his father, but he hugged my mom tightly like our families weren't at war, and I couldn't help but wonder what game the Sorrels were playing.

He smiled at me, then handed me a box before going to sit beside his father. What the heck? I wanted to ask what it was, but that wasn't important now.

My dad refused to make eye contact with Alpha Grayson, and Josh looked like he could rip off Evan's head right this moment. I sat nervously, my palms sweating, and my mother and I stared at one another. Three minutes passed, and no one said anything, making things even more awkward.

"Are we just going to stay here staring at each other, or are we finally going to have the long-overdue conversation?" Joshua smiled.

"Which conversation exactly are you talking about? The one where you stole the woman who I am supposed to be married to? Or the one where your father decides to rid my dad of his position? Or the one where your family decides to invite us for your father's birthday party and humiliate us, not just, not just in front of the Bloodfang Pack, but in front of many other packs?"

I could hear the disdain in Josh's voice, and it made me even more nervous.

Alpha Grayson finally spoke. "That's why we are here today. We want to make things right. Our families have been friends for so long, and what happened six years ago was a mistake we let get out of hand."

Alpha Grayson spoke with authority and concern all at the same time. I didn't know how he did it, but I guess that's why he is the Alpha, because the way he carried himself, it was admirable.

"I know Kade Groups is suffering, and I know my old friend isn't going to ask for help because he is just that stubborn. But I am here to do whatever it takes to save that company, because, believe it or not, we are family."

Okay, now he was starting to annoy me, because what the fuck was up with this speech? Were they just trying to sweep every single thing that happened under the rug? What the heck?

"Our offer is simple. All the huge amounts of loans drowning your company, consider it paid, Mr. Kade," Evan said. "And the amount of money you would need to smoothly pilot your company shouldn't be a problem. Your position as the Alpha right hand is also fully restored, that is, if you wanted."

Evan spoke like he was negotiating a business arrangement, and I couldn't even recognize him. Everything was happening way too fast, and it was just overwhelming. I had no idea my father's company was drowning, and I didn't even know we needed this much help. Why wouldn't he say something?

My father leaned forward, and he just laughed, but there was no trace of humor. Instead, he shook his head. "You are not doing this out of the goodness of your heart, so what is in it for you? What do you want in return?"

Evan looked at him, and the both of them didn't say anything.

"Let's hear it," Dad said, and I was surprised because after so many years of being friends, helping us shouldn't be a big deal.

Evan was about speaking when his father stopped him.

"We want Odessa to marry into the Sorrel family."

"WHAT?”