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Lucian POV

The first time I saw her, she was yelling at me over a busted car door.

I had finished my race and was driving home when she appeared out of nowhere.

I braked hard, my front tire grazing her bumper.

And then she jumped out with her hair tied in a messy knot and grease stains on her cheek. Her eyes were practically throwing fire balls at me.

Her sweet lemon scent wrapped around me like a silk robe and I felt my Wolf stir insíde me.

Weird. It had been years since my beast reacted to any female.

The big apron she downed made her look like a clown.

Still, it did nothing to hide the curves wrapped inside.

“You fucking lunatic!” she had snapped, marching toward me like she wanted to fight.

I leaned on my bike, helmet still on as I watched her rant.

Most people cowered the moment they sensed my aura.

But she didn't.

“You think the road belongs to you because you’ve got a fancy bike?” she yelled, pointing at me like I was some reckless boy.

“You could’ve killed someone, idiot!”

When I took off my helmet, she froze for half a second, then frowned.

I thought she had recognised me until she scoffed.

“ Trying to silence me with your pretty face?” She sneered.

I had smirked.

“ Is it working?” I asked.

She had rolled her eyes and stomped off.

And yet, that moment stuck with me.

I’d met plenty of women in my life, had my way with many but none like her.

Fiery and fearless.

I spent weeks trying to find her but she was nowhere to be found. That's until my beta informed me she was not from my pack, or city.

When I eventually located her, I found out she was mated.

That stopped me. I might be an asshole but I don’t interfere with bonds.

My beta, Victor, kept an eye on her and reported when her mate rejected her for another woman.

My curiosity and excitement bubbled again.

So when I saw Katy again tonight cornered by that pathetic pair, I knew exactly what to do.

After giving them a taste of their own medicine, I took Katy’s hand, ignoring their stunned faces, and walked her straight to the VIP section.

At the VIP room, Katy sank onto the leather seat, still looking at me like she wasn’t sure what just happened. Her hand trembled slightly in mine, but she didn’t pull away.

“Do you enjoy holding my hand that much?” I teased, looking at our joined hands.

Her eyes widened and she snatched her hand back. “I… I didn’t mean to.”

I chuckled. “Don’t worry, I understand. It happens all the time. I tend to have that effect on women.”

I expected nothing less than the eye roll I received at my words

She was still the same, feisty as hell.

“Thank you for helping me,” she said standing, “but I really should go.”

“Aren’t you curious why I helped you?”

She lifted her face to regard me, her frown deepened. “Do you need a reason to do something decent?”

I leaned forward, elbows on my knees and eyes pinned on hers.

“I don’t do ‘decent.’ I only do calculated.”

Katy folded her arms. “Then you wasted your time. I have nothing to offer you.”She retorted, a hint of annoyance creeping on her face.

“Marry me,” I said simply.

Her jaw dropped. Then she burst out laughing, loud enough to turn heads. “You’re joking, right?” She asked amidst laughter.

“Do I look like I'm joking?” I fired back.

Her laughter faltered and her expressions hardened.

“This is insane,” she whispered. “You don’t even know me.”

“I know enough to ask you to marry me.

You’re exactly what I need.”

Her mouth parted slightly. “You investigated me?”

“A background check, sweetheart.” I corrected her.

“That’s not a crime.”

“You’re unbelievable,” she muttered.

“ Not really. I am just efficient,” I said, clasping my hands on my knees.

“ I am offering you a contract marriage. You’ll be my Luna, in name only. In exchange, I’ll fund your dream garage, fulfill any wish you have and take care of those two motherfuckers for you.” I explained.

“Are you telling me you want me to marry you for money?”

“I offered a lot, that shouldn't be the only thing you heard.

But no, this isn't about money. I think you would marry me for freedom,” I said quietly.

“You have three days to decide.” I added, sliding my business card on the table.

“Three days?” She asked, followed by a scoff.

“After that the offer is gone. Call me when you have an answer for me.”

As I walked away, I couldn’t help but realise she still didn’t remember that night. There was no sign of realisation on her face or words whatsoever.

But I did and I was going to have so much fun when I finally had her in my clutches.

Katy’s POV

That's just insane. Does he expect me to be a stripper and pole dance for him every night?” I grumbled throwing my hands in frustration.

“ Alpha Lucian only mentioned you must entertain him. He didn't specify.” Nova replied from across the room. I could feel she was teasing me.

“Yeah right. He might have as well meant that I should suck his dick before bending over for him to fuck me.” I sneered, rolling my eyes.

“ That's not bad. He is Alpha Lucian, Katy. Not some Tom, Harry or Dick.

Women would die to see him naked let alone pleasure him.” Nova answered

I glared at her.

“ You are not helping shit with your comments. This feels wrong."

“ What's wrong is Jerald dumping you for that bimbo. What's wrong is your parents choosing Celeste over you, not caring about your feelings.

What's wrong with thinking about yourself and putting yourself first? Because trust me, not your cheating ex-mate or parents will do that for you." Nova countered. Leave it yo her to be blatantly true.

“ Doesn't tip you off that he was practically stalking me?”

Nova took a sip of her wine. “He didn’t stalk you. He just... did his research.”

“Research? He literally said he ran a background check on me!” I snapped. “That’s not research, that’s creepy!”

Nova smirked. “Alpha Lucian doesn’t do things halfway. You should be flattered.”

“Flattered?” I turned on her. “He is out of his mind! Who proposes marriage after meeting someone once?”

“Someone who is used to getting what he wants,” Nova replied simply. “And come on, Katy. It’s not like he is asking you to fall in love. It’s a business deal.”

“ A deal that involves me selling myself like a commodity.” I grumbled.

“The difference is that you would be selling yourself to a wealthy and attractive Alpha. Three years of playing house with him and then you walk away with everything you ever wanted.”

She was right. Three years that could change my life forever.

And for the wish he mentioned… I knew exactly what to ask for.

I grabbed my phone, opened the newly saved contact and typed a message.

After moments of hesitation, I eventually hit the sent button.