Chapter 4

I did not sleep at all.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the dark storm in Juan ’s eyes at the dinner table. I felt the electric shock of his skin against mine. The bond was wide awake inside me, humming like a live wire, and it made the small room feel like a cage.

When my alarm went off at five in the morning, I dragged myself out of bed. I put on a grey skirt and a plain black sweater. I tied my hair back again. I needed to look invisible.

The pack house was quiet when I walked down to the main office on the first floor. This was where the official pack business happened. Juan ’s personal office was upstairs, but this room was for the assistants and beta members.

I turned on the desk lamp and pulled up the engagement party files on the computer. Edith had sent me a list of demands in the middle of the night.

I scrolled through the email. She wanted white roses imported from a special greenhouse. She wanted a specific band that lived three towns away. She wanted silk table covers. Everything on the list screamed of money and power. It was a clear message to the whole pack about who she was.

"You are here early."

I jumped in my chair. Juan  was standing in the doorway. He wore black running pants and a grey t-shirt. His hair was damp with sweat. He had been out for a morning run.

"I have a lot of work to do, Alpha," I said, keeping my eyes on the computer screen.

He walked into the room. The scent of pine and rain mixed with his sweat, filling the space instantly. It made my pulse race, but I forced my hands to stay still on the keyboard.

"Edith sent me the party list," I told him, scrolling down the screen. "I need your approval on the budget before I call the flower shop."

Juan  walked around the desk and stood behind my chair. He was so close I could feel the heat radiating from his body. He leaned over slightly to look at the screen.

"White roses," Juan  read quietly. "Silk covers. A string quartet."

"Do you approve it?" I asked. My voice sounded a little tight.

"It does not matter what I approve," Juan  said. "The Redwood pack expects a grand event. Give Edith whatever she wants. Just make sure it gets done."

He started to pull away, but then he stopped. He was still standing right behind me. I did not move. I barely breathed.

"About last night," Juan  said. His voice was lower now. Rougher.

My heart hammered against my ribs. "You spilled your wine. It was an accident."

"We both know it was not the wine, Cora."

I closed my eyes for a second. "Then what was it, Alpha?"

"You need to be careful," he said softly. "The bond is fresh. Your wolf is reacting to it. You are projecting your scent too strongly. Every wolf in that dining room could smell your distress."

I spun my chair around to face him. He was standing right there, looking down at me.

"My distress?" I asked, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. "I am perfectly fine. I am just trying to do my job so my brother does not get thrown into the woods to die."

Juan ’s jaw tightened. "Keep your emotions in check. Edith is not blind. She noticed something was wrong."

"Then tell her the truth," I challenged him. I didn't know where the courage came from, but I was so tired of his cold games. "Tell your future wife that your real mate is the diner waitress serving her drinks. Let us see how she feels about your grand pack alliance then."

Juan  grabbed the arms of my chair, leaning down until our faces were inches apart. His grey eyes flashed with a dangerous light.

"Do you think this is a game?" he whispered sharply. "Do you think I want this?"

"I think you want control," I whispered back, refusing to look away. "I think you want to lock me up in this house so no one else can have me, while you marry someone else."

"You belong to me," Juan  growled, the wolf slipping into his voice.

"I belong to a debt," I corrected him. "Nothing else."

We stared at each other. The air between us felt so thick I could hardly breathe. I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted him to push me away. I just wanted the torture to end.

"Cora!"

Edith’s sweet, high voice rang out from the hallway.

Juan  instantly let go of my chair. He stood up straight, his face completely blank by the time Edith walked through the door.

Edith was wearing a silk robe, holding a cup of tea. She stopped when she saw Juan  in the room with me. Her eyes darted between us, searching for something.

"Good morning, Juan ," she said, her smile returning. "I did not know you were down here."

"I was just reviewing the party budget with my assistant," Juan  said calmly.

"Oh, wonderful." Edith walked over and wrapped her free arm around his waist. Juan  let her, but his body was stiff. "Cora, did you see my email?"

"Yes," I said, turning back to the computer. "I will call the vendors as soon as they open."

"Good," Edith said. "Also, I need you to go into town this afternoon. I left one of my bags at the dress shop when I was doing my fittings yesterday. I need you to pick it up for me."

I looked at her. "I have a lot of calls to make for the party."

"The calls can wait," Edith smiled smoothly. "My dress is very important. I want to wear it tonight for our pack meeting. You do not mind, do you, Juan ?"

Juan  looked at me. His eyes were cold again. The moment we shared just seconds ago was completely gone.

"Cora will get your dress," Juan  said. "She is here to help you."

He kissed the top of Edith’s head and walked out of the office.

Edith turned to look at me, her smile dropping completely. "Do not take too long in town, Cora. I want that dress pressed and hanging in my room by three o'clock."

"Yes, Edith," I said quietly.

She turned and left. I sat alone in the office, staring at the empty doorway. Juan  had just shown me his wolf, he had just told me I belonged to him, and then he handed me over to his fiancée like a servant.

The pain in my chest settled into a deep, dull ache.