Chapter 7: Paternal Rights

LORA

I made it exactly three blocks before the panic attack hit.

One minute I was storming down Fifth Avenue like some badass who'd just told off a billionaire werewolf, which technically I had, and the next minute I couldn't breathe. 

My hands were shaking so bad I dropped my phone twice trying to call Maya,, and my chest felt like someone was sitting on it with a truck.

The irony wasn't lost on me that I was having a breakdown right outside Tiffany's. Because nothing says "my life is falling apart" like hyperventilating next to overpriced diamond rings.

Some guy in a blue cap asked if I was okay, and I just... lost it. Started crying right there on the sidewalk like a complete mess. Super attractive Lora, really winning at life here.

By the time Maya answered her phone in Seattle, thank god she actually picked up. I was sitting on the curb, looking like I'd been hit by a bus.

"Jesus Christ, Lora, what happened?" Her voice was groggy through the speaker. “You sound like you've seen a ghost."

"Worse," I managed between hiccups. "I've seen Alex's father."

"WHAT?" Her voice went shrill through the phone. "Are you serious right now? The mystery daddy finally shows up?"

"It's worse than that, Maya." I couldn't stop shaking. "It's so much worse than that."

I could hear her moving around, probably getting out of bed or doing something else. "Okay, breathe. In through your nose, out through your mouth like we practiced. Tell me everything."

So I did. All of it. The dinner, the photographs, the casual way he'd talked about custody like Alex was some business acquisition. 

The terrifying moment when power had rolled off him like heat waves, and I'd realized exactly what kind of predator I'd been dealing with.

Maya was quiet for a long time after I finished. Like scary quiet. Maya is never quiet.

"Lora," she said finally, and her voice was different. Careful. "What did you say his last name was?"

"Marrock. Erin Marrock. Why?"

I could hear her typing on her laptop, the familiar clicking sounds. "Oh shit. Oh shit oh shit oh shit"

"What? Maya, you're scaring me."

"I'm sending you a link right now. Check your phone."

I pulled my phone away from my ear, and there he was. Erin in a perfectly tailored suit standing next to some guy in a crown—an actual freaking crown—at what looked like some fancy political event.

Headline says: “Lord Erin Marrock attends supernatural summit with brother King Lucian…”

The words blurred together. King. Brother. Lord.

"No no no no no" I was shaking my head like that would make it not true. "That's not... he can't be..."

"Lora, listen to me." Maya's voice was urgent on the phone. Erin Marrock is werewolf royalty. Like actual honest to god royalty. His brother is the King of all North American werewolf packs."

"That's impossible."

"And according to this article from Forbes—because apparently supernatural politics make regular news now—he's worth about twelve billion dollars. With a B, Lora"

I stared at the phone screen. There were more articles. Pictures of Erin at charity galas, corporate events, and political meetings. Always in the background, always watching. Always dangerous.

"Look at this one." Maya's voice was getting more panicked. "The Executioner's Business Empire: How Lord Erin Marrock Built His Fortune"

"The Executioner?" My voice came out as a squeak.

"That's what they call him in business circles. Because apparently he destroys companies for fun," I could hear Maya typing frantically. "Oh god Lora there's more."

A photo of Erin with a blonde woman who looked like she'd stepped off a magazine cover. The caption read: "Lord Erin Marrock and international supermodel Vivienne Cross at the Met Gala."

"He has a girlfriend," I said stupidly.

"Maybe, but this article is from six months ago." Maya was still researching. "But Lora, that's not the worst part."

"How could there be a worst part?"

"According to this legal blog, werewolf custody law is... complicated. Especially when it involves royal bloodlines." Her voice was getting smaller. "If Alex really is his son..."

"He is." The words felt like glass in my throat. "Those eyes, the shifting, everything matches up."

"Then you're not just fighting a rich guy for custody. You're fighting werewolf royalty for their heir."

I leaned back against the headrest and closed my eyes. This couldn't be happening. Three years ago, I'd had a one-night stand with some mysterious stranger and now...

"Maya, what am I gonna do?"

"I don't know, babe." Her voice was gentle through the speaker. "But we'll figure it out, okay? We always do"

My phone buzzed. Text message from an unknown number, but I knew who it was before I even looked.

Dr Gray will be at your apartment in Portland tomorrow at 9 am for the paternity test. I've already arranged flights. Don't make this harder than it needs to be. - E

"How the hell does he have my number?" I read Maya the text.

"Billionaire werewolf prince, remember? He probably has your Social Security number by now."

Another text came through.

Also, your new employment contract has been finalized. Start Monday. My assistant will send details.

"Employment contract?" Maya sounded confused on the phone. "What employment contract?"

That's when it hit me. The Marrock Industries job. The corporate rebranding project he'd offered over dinner. Before everything went to hell.

"He offered me a job," I said slowly. "Six months, full relocation to New York"

"And you said yes?"

"No, I said hell no because I have a three-year-old to think about." I stared at the phone. "But now..."

"Now what?"

"Now, if he's really going to fight me for custody, I need to be here. In New York. Close to Alex if..." I couldn't finish the sentence.

"If he wins," Maya said quietly.

"He won't win." But even as I said it, I could hear the doubt in my voice. How do you fight a werewolf prince with unlimited resources and legal systems I didn't even understand?

"Lora," Maya's voice was gentle. "Maybe you should take the job."

"Are you insane?"

"Hear me out. If you're working for his company, you'll be in the same city. You can keep an eye on things, figure out what he's really planning. Plus, you'll have access to lawyers, resources, maybe even dirt you can use against him"

"Or he'll destroy me from the inside."

"When has Lora Blake ever backed down from a fight?"

She had a point. Running back to Portland wasn't going to solve anything. If Erin Marrock wanted a war, maybe it was time to bring the battle to his home turf.

"Besides," Maya continued, "you're amazing at what you do. Corporate rebranding? You could do that in your sleep. And if he tries anything sketchy, you'll be right there to catch him."

My phone buzzed again. This time, it was an email from someone named Patricia Hoffman, Executive Assistant to Lord Erin Marrock.

Ms Blake,

Attached please find your employment contract with Marrock Industrie,s effective Monday, October 15th. Salary $300,000 annually plus relocation expenses, health benefits, and housing allowance. Please review and return signed documents by Friday.

Your temporary corporate housing has been arranged at 432 Park Avenue, Apartment 47 B. Keys will be available at the concierge.

Lord Marrock looks forward to working with you.

Best regards, Patricia Hoffman

"Three hundred thousand dollars?" Maya's voice was strangled through the speaker. "Lora, that's like six times what you made last year."

"It's guilt money," But I was staring at that number. With that kind of salary, I could afford the best lawyers, the best everything for Alex. I could fight him on equal ground.

"Or it's bait," Maya said. "Either way, you'd be crazy not to take it."

She was right. I hated that she was right, but she was right.

"I can't believe I'm about to do this."

"Do what?"

I started typing my response to Patricia Hoffman.

Ms Hoffman,

I accept the position. See you Monday.

Lora Blake

"There," I hit send before I could change my mind. "I just sold my soul to the devil."

"Nah," Maya's grin was audible even through the phone. "You just declared war on the devil. There's a difference."

My phone rang. Unknown number, but I knew who it was.

"Hello, Erin."

"Smart choice," his voice was warm honey and terrifyingly sweet. "I thought you might see reason."

"Don't mistake strategy for surrender."

"Wouldn't dream of it. Patricia will have all the details sorted by tomorrow. Welcome to Marrock Industries, Ms Blake."

"This doesn't change anything between us."

"Doesn't it?" There was something in his voice that made my skin prickle. "I think you'll find working together quite... educational."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning I always get what I want, Ms Blake. Starting now."

The line went dead.

I stared at my phone, that chill running down my spine again.

Maya was still on the line, her voice worried. "What did he say?"

"He said he always gets what he wants."

"And what does he want?"

I looked out at the city lights, thinking about golden eyes and a little boy who'd asked about his daddy for the first time today. Thinking about custody battles and werewolf law, and a man who could destroy me with a phone call.

"Everything," I whispered.

Because deep down, I was starting to suspect that Erin Marrock didn't just want custody of Alex.

He wanted me too.

And that scared me more than anithing else.