Consequences

“I’m not coming to your office,” I said.

Marcus’s laugh was sharp. “You think you have a choice?”

“Yes.”

“Interesting. And here I thought you were smart.”

My hand tightened on the phone. Around me, the coffee shop continued its morning rush—steam hissing. Cups clinking. Normal sounds for a morning that felt anything but normal.

“I made my decision,” I said. “There’s nothing left to discuss.”

“You made the wrong decision. I’m giving you a chance to fix it.”

“I don’t want to fix it.”

“Then you’re a fool.” His voice dropped lower. Dangerous. “Do you have any idea what you’ve just done?”

“I chose not to be bribed.”

“You chose to make an enemy. Me. And Madison. And everyone else who understands how things work in this world.”

“I’ll take my chances.”

“Will you? Because I’ve already made three phone calls this morning. Your library position? Gone by the end of the week. Your housing? There’s suddenly a waiting list for dorm rooms. Very inconvenient timing.”

Ice flooded my veins. “You can’t do that.”

“I just did. And that’s only the beginning.” Papers rustled on his end. “Let’s see. Your aunt’s insurance. How unfortunate that they’re suddenly reviewing her coverage. Something about pre-existing conditions. Could take months to resolve.”

“You bastard.”

“Careful. I’m being nice right now. Cross me further and I’ll show you what it really looks like.”

My breath came fast. Shallow. He was actually doing this and actually going after everything I had.

“What do you want?”

“I already told you. Stay away from Lycian Valor.”

“And if I do? You’ll undo all of this?”

“Maybe. If you’re convincing enough.”

“How do I know you’ll keep your word?”

“You don’t. But you know I’ll keep my threats.”

I closed my eyes. Pressed my free hand against my forehead. This was exactly what I’d been afraid of. This was why taking his deal had seemed like the only option.

But I’d chosen differently. And now I had to live with it.

“No,” I said.

“Excuse me?”

“I said no. Do whatever you want. I’m not playing your game.”

“You stupid girl…”

I hung up.

My hands shook so bad I almost dropped the phone. But I’d done it. I’d actually hung up on Marcus Blackthorn.

The phone immediately started ringing again. Blocked number.

I declined the call.

It rang again.

Declined.

Again.

I turned off my phone and shoved it in my backpack.

My coffee is ice cold now. I dumped it in the trash and left the student center. Outside, the morning air was crisp. Clean. My breath came out in white puffs.

I had class in twenty minutes. Biology. But the thought of sitting through a lecture about cellular respiration while my life fell apart seemed impossible.

Instead, I walked to the library.

My library. The place I’d worked for two years. The place that, according to Marcus, I wouldn’t have by the end of the week.

Inside, it smelled like old books and wood polish. Mrs. Keating was at the front desk. She looked up when I walked in.

“Elowen. You’re early.”

“Can we talk?”

Her smile faded. “Of course. Come to my office.”

I followed her past the circulation desk. Down a narrow hallway to a tiny office crammed with papers and books.

She closed the door. “What’s wrong?”

“Have you gotten any calls about me?”

Her face told me everything. “How did you know?”

My stomach sank. “What did they say?”

“That there were concerns about your performance. That they were reviewing your position.” She sat down heavily in her chair. “Elowen, what’s going on?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Try me.”

So I told her. Not everything. But enough. The gala. The champagne. The Blackthorns. The threats.

Mrs. Keating listened without interrupting. When I finished, she was quiet for a long moment.

“I’ve worked at this university for thirty years,” she said finally. “I’ve seen the wolf families play their games. Watched them destroy people who got in their way.” She looked at me. “But I’ve never seen them go after someone this viciously over something so small.”

“It’s not small to them. It’s about power.”

“It always is.” She pulled off her glasses. Rubbed her eyes. “I can’t stop them from terminating your position. I’m sorry. I don’t have that kind of authority.”

“I know.”

“But I can make sure it’s documented properly. Make sure you have references. Make sure your personnel file shows you were an excellent employee.”

It wasn’t much. But it was something. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” She put her glasses back on. “Be careful, Elowen. The Blackthorns don’t give up easily.”

I left her office feeling hollow. One down. How many more things would Marcus take before he was satisfied?

My phone was still off. I kept it that way as I walked to class.

Biology was in the science building. Third floor. I slid into my usual seat in the back row just as Professor Lin started the lecture.

Tried to focus. Tried to take notes.

But all I could think about was Marcus’s threat about Aunt Clara’s insurance. That one scared me more than losing my job. More than losing my housing. She needed that insurance. Needed her treatment.

What have I done?

Class ended at eleven. I packed up my stuff and headed for the door.

Madison Blackthorn was waiting in the hallway.

She wasn’t alone. Three of her friends flanked her. All of them were watching me with cold eyes.

“Well, well,” Madison said. “If it isn’t the scholarship girl.”

I tried to walk past. She stepped in front of me.

“We need to talk.”

“I don’t think so.”

“I wasn’t asking.” She crossed her arms. “You turned down my father’s very generous offer.”

“That’s between him.”

“Wrong. This involves me too.” She stepped closer. Close enough that I could smell her perfume. Expensive and sharp. “Stay away from Lycian.”

“Why don’t you tell him that?”

“Because he’s not thinking clearly right now. You’ve done something to him.”

“I haven’t done anything.”

“Liar.” Her eyes flashed gold for just a second. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but it ends now.”

“It’s not a game.”

“Then what is it?”

“None of your business.”

Her hand shot out. Grabbed my wrist. Hard enough to hurt.

That spark happened again. But different this time. Not pleasant. More like a shock. A rejection.

She jerked her hand back. Stared at her palm as it had burned her.

“What was that?” she hissed.

“I don’t know.”

“You’re not even a wolf. How did you…”

“I didn’t do anything.”

One of her friends stepped forward. “Maybe we should teach her a lesson.”

“Back off,” a voice said behind me.

I turned.

Cade. And three other wolves I recognized from the gym. All of them were looking at Madison and her friends with hard expressions.

“This doesn’t concern you,” Madison said.

“Lycian’s mate concerns me.” Cade moved to stand next to me. “And you’re threatening her.”

“She’s not his mate. She’s not even a wolf.”

“Tell that to the bond.”

Madison’s face went red. “There is no bond. There can’t be.”

“And yet here we are.” Cade gestured to me. “Come on. I’ll walk you to your next class.”

I didn’t argue. Just let him guide me away from Madison and her friends.

We made it halfway down the hall before Madison called after us.

“This isn’t over.”

Cade didn’t even turn around. “Yeah, it is. You just don’t know it yet.”

Once we were outside, I finally breathed. “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. Lycian asked me to keep an eye on you.”

“I don’t need a bodyguard.”

“You kind of do. The Blackthorns are circling. Madison’s just the beginning.”

“Great.”

“Hey.” He stopped walking. “You made the right choice this morning.”

“Did I? Because it sure doesn’t feel like it right now.”

“Give it time.”

“I might not have time. Marcus is already going after my job. My housing. My aunt’s insurance.”

Cade’s expression darkened. “He moved fast.”

“He’s motivated.”

“So is Lycian. Trust me. He’s not going to let you go down alone.”

“He shouldn’t have to fight his own battles.”

“You’re not his battle. You’re his mate. There’s a difference.”

I didn’t know what to say to that.

My phone buzzed in my backpack. Even turned off, I could feel it. Like it knew people were trying to reach me.

“You should probably turn that back on,” Cade said.

“I don’t want to.”

“Lycian’s probably trying to call you.”

I pulled out my phone. Turned it on.

Thirty-seven missed calls.

Fifty-two text messages.

And one voicemail from a number I recognized.

Aunt Clara’s doctor.

My heart stopped.

I played the voicemail with shaking hands.

“Ms. Hale, this is Dr. Martinez. I need you to call me immediately regarding your aunt’s treatment schedule. There’s been a complication with her insurance approval. Please call as soon as possible.”

The phone slipped from my fingers.

Cade caught it. “What’s wrong?”

“He did it.” My voice came out hollow. “Marcus actually did it. He went after her insurance.”