Chapter 3

An outrageous business proposal

Delphine's brain was working overtime, trying to process all the information she had received in one day, but it was too much for one mind to handle.

As if sensing her confusion, Achlys went on. "I understand how confusing this may sound, but believe me when I say that I am serious." 

Delphine said nothing, giving him the chance to explain himself

"As I said, I never expected you, of all people, to be in a place like this. I also don't believe you committed the crime they said you did, so I am here to help.

Though she gave him the chance to explain himself, Delphine still could not understand what Achlys was saying. Rather, she didn't know why he was saying it.

"You're here to help me?" she finally spoke

"Yes"

"Because, unlike everyone else, you don't think I'm guilty"

"Exactly"

Delphine narrowed her eyes at Achlys. There was more to what he was saying; she knew it because she knew him.

"You expect me to believe that you came all the way here to offer your help simply because you don't think I'm guilty?"

"I thought you'd be happy to hear that at least one person in the world doesn't believe you killed your father"

Achlys' words left a bitter taste in Delphine's mouth.

"If that truly were the case, why did you wait 8 years to help me? If your intentions were sincere, you would have helped me the moment I was incarcerated.

It was Delphine's turn to lean forward and close the distance between them.

"Don't take me for a fool, Achlys. We both know you aren't a philanthropist. Tell me what you really want"

The air between the two was heating up, and both reacted differently to it. Delphine clearly showed agitation, while Achlys was amused. His amber eyes became a shade lighter.

"Alright, you've caught me, but you can't blame me for trying," he admitted

"Trying to do what? Trick me?"

"I thought those 8 years would have made you desperate enough to believe me. I'm actually impressed"

Delphine scowled. "You're a horrible man"

"True, but I could also be your saviour"

"Cut to the chase. Why do you really want to 'help' me?"

"To help myself"

Achlys removed a box of cigarettes from his trench coat pocket. Delphine watched as he lazily pulled one out with his teeth and lit it. The smoke blew directly into her nostrils. It was as if he intended for it to.

"You said it perfectly; I am not a philanthropist. Assisting you will ultimately benefit me as well. I believe we can create a beautiful arrangement.

"What sort of 'arrangement' is that?"

Achlys pulled in another mouthful of smoke and let it out.

"You and I become one"

Delphine raised an eyebrow. "One?"

"Mates, to be more precise."

Delphine was rendered speechless. Delphine's eyes widened as she looked at Achlys; she didn't expect that to be his response.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Is it really that absurd?" He asked calmly. Achlys' demeanor only added to Delphine's confusion. She couldn't understand how he could propose something of that nature so casually.

"You want us to become... mates?" she repeated for confirmation

"Yes"

"Why?"

"Because it will be easier to help each other that way"

"I still don't follow"

Achlys took another pull of his cigarette.

"I'd hate to say it, but right now, you have no one."

"So?"

"So, wouldn't it be in your best interest to take advantage of my offer?"

"Just because I have no one doesn't mean I'm going to run into the arms of just any man"

"But I'm not just any man, and you know that very well"

Achlys' response took Delphine aback. He was as straightforward as ever.

"I think you're misunderstanding my intentions. That's probably the reason you think my proposal is outrageous. Given our past, it's easy to think that way, but I have business in mind. After all, regardless of what happened, you are still the heiress of the Menes pack.

"Was..." Delphine corrected. "Was the heiress. My family disowned me. I don't have a single cent or property to my name anymore; therefore, I am of no use to you"

Saying it out loud made Delphine feel pathetic, but regardless of how she felt, it was still true. The heiress of the Menes pack ceased to exist the moment she set foot in jail. Who she was now was a miserable shadow of the woman she used to be.

Delphine was lost in thought until Achlys snapped her out of it. With his now medium-sized cigarette in hand, he placed it in front of her face, offering it to her.

It was unclear whether he was sincerely offering it or just teasing her, since the last time they were together, she hadn't smoked.

Delphine took the cigarette and inhaled the smoke once before tossing it on the ground and putting it out with her shoe. Achlys was genuinely surprised. 

"This place has really changed you," he commented

"More or less"

"I need to get you out of here before you become completely unrecognizable"

Delphine scoffed.

"I already told you I am of no use to you. If you want something from my pack, just go and do business with my stepmother."

"If that's what I wanted, don't you think I would have done that in the first place? I told you; I have business in mind, and it's not only in my best interest, but it's also in yours."

"Is it?"

"Of course. You aren't receiving this proposal from some random person; you're receiving it from someone you know, from me. And if there's one thing you can honestly say you know about me, it's that I always kept my promises"

Delphine stared at Achlys in silence because she could not deny his claim. It was true that he always kept his promises, no matter how small or outrageous, but as good as his track record was, she still felt unsure.

"This is... a lot to take in, and I'm not in the best mood to think about anything right now." 

"I understand." Achlys got to his feet; his tall frame towered over Delphine. "I'll be back in 3 days; you can tell me your answer then"

"What happens if I say no?"

Achlys reached out and gently tucked Delphine's stray hair behind her ear. The tip of his finger was surprisingly soft.

"It would be unfortunate, but I'd move on to the next business opportunity"

There wasn't a single shred of emotion present in his words. That itself should have been warning enough to Delphine, but just like last time, she couldn't help but entertain her curiosity about Achlys Dreya.