Chapter 2 Don't let me hear that again.

Zoey's POV

Hearing Manson's roar, my breath halted.

The room was left with only the echo of the bellowing; everyone was too scared to speak.

I cautiously turned my head to look at Tristan not far away.

The words he would say next would decide my fate and whether I had won my gamble or not.

Nearly half a minute passed without him speaking or looking at any of us, as if none of this had ever happened.

What does this mean?

No! I can't just wait for his verdict. I must fight for myself! This is my only chance!

"Why not? The only requirement on the announcement was having a normal uterus. Unfortunately, I happen to have one. Not only that, but I'm a virgin. So? Do you need a checkup?" I ask Mason using the same tone he used to address me.

No woman wants to equate her value to that of her womb, but I have to.

As I expected, Mason's expression darkening, and he moving in my direction with the intention to slap me.

However, to my surprise, Tristan grabs his arm before he can reach me again.

"That's enough, Mason. Calm down, or you just get out. Am I clear?" He commands his beta with an alpha tone.

For the second time, this is the second time he's helped me today.

Does this mean I've won my gamble?

I was almost ready to wake Tilly to celebrate my success.

But in the next moment, he turns around, looks at me, and says, "He is right. Why are you here? I believe I told you I don't want to see you again. Do I need to punish you so you'll respect my command?"

The words were like a bucket of ice water thrown down over my head.

This FUCKIING jerk!

Does he really think I want to see his stupid face after all the awful things he's done?!

I really want to curse and insult him just like I do with that jerk, Manson!

But I can't, not now. I can't give up on that half a million.

So, calming my spirit, I look directly into his eyes and say, "I haven't forgotten. I'm not here because I want you. I just need your money!"

The moment those words leave my mouth, I see a glint in his eyes, as if his wolf is trying to take control.

I took a deep breath to overcome my fear and looked at him directly, saying, "I thought you would follow your father's fair rules, and in this pack, even the poorest member has the right to speak at least."

Quickly, I brought out my trump card, "Moreover, you know, I am the most suitable candidate for you."

I saw Mason and Nicholas both show confused expressions, but given Tristan's earlier words, they dared not ask any further questions.

Indeed, even those closest to him don't know about this; he really considers me a disgrace.

I'm truly a cheap girl, presenting myself to him.

But it doesn't matter, I console myself, as long as I am useful.

(Flashback)

One year ago, on my birthday I came face to face with Tristan Mayer while I was cleaning the packhouse.

He is five years older than me and until then he never met his fated mate.

People said that he is cursed for always being cruel and with a bad temper, but that day I found out why he was without a mate until then.

I was his fated mate.

I remember it as if it was yesterday.  It was another shitty rainy day.

I was born on March 3, and on every single birthday it rained. That was not an exception.

He looked at me and for a second his eyes glittered, making me believe that he would accept me.

He said nothing but motioned to me to follow him in his office.

"Close the door" he commanded me in a rough voice that made my heart stop.

He was going to reject me. I was so sure of that.

But you know what the jerk of the century?

He looked into my eyes and with the most horrible disgust that someone ever looked at me he said.

"You will never be my Luna. You are just a pathetic stupid bitch that causes trouble and sufferance around you."

I felt my heart breaking in pieces.

I was waiting for the rejection, thinking that it would hurt for a few minutes, hours, days and then I would be fine , but he looked into my eyes and said.

"I am not going to reject you. This would be too easy for you. "

He was damned serious.

"You will not tell anyone about this, or you will pay dearly for doing it."

"Just reject me" I remember whispering but Tristen laughed in my face.

"You have no word for this Zoey Carter. You didn't pay enough for what you did, but now I know you will. Starting today, stay away from me! I don't want to catch even a whiff of your disgusting scent anywhere! Understand?!" he growled at me as he opened the windows to let the fresh air come in.

I am making him disgusted! That's what he said.

"Please, reject me!" I begged him again. "I need to work. I will starve without my job!" and I was thinking about my poor Nana who needed treatment.

"Then starve!" he laughed. "Who am I to stop you from doing it?"

And seeing that I am not moving he grabbed me and pushed me out of his office.

(End of flashback)

Since that day, no matter how much I tried, he refused to let me off the hook, outright rejecting me.

But fortunately, it's like this; today I have an extra bargaining chip!

That's why I dared to try today; after all, conceiving offspring with one's destined mate seems like the best choice!

But as Tristan stared at me, letting out a cold snort from his nose, his expression colder than before, we both knew this was a prelude to his anger.

Clearly, this wasn't the reaction I was hoping for.

He approached me with a mocking look, each step feeling like it was stomping on my heart.

I couldn't help trembling, instinctively wanting to back away, but my legs felt as if they were frozen by the chill he emanated, unable to move.

Yet I couldn't show any fear, my eyes still fixed on him until he was right in front of me.

He scanned me from head to toe, and perhaps noticing my stiffness, gently caressed my face with his hand.

In that moment, I quietly exhaled, unable to deny that his scent brought me comfort, something I hadn't felt in a long time.

But in the next second, he tilted his head, smiling as he said, "So, does the status of 'Alpha's mate' make you think you're worth $500,000?"

"Of course..." I stiffened my neck, about to reply.

But in the next moment, a sharp pain shot through my jaw, and I felt myself lifted again, but before I could struggle...

Bang!

This time, I was thrown against the door, my jaw stinging so much I couldn't close it.

Barely opening my eyes, I saw Tristan's feet approaching me, the floor echoing ominously with his steps.

Soon, he stopped right in front of my head.

He looked down at me coldly and said, "Don't let me hear you say that again."

With that he stepped over me opened the door and left.

I'm sorry, Nana, it looks like I've failed...

He hates me more than I imagined...