Chapter 2

Silence on the line. Then, a cold, oppressive Alpha scoff.

"Did you mishear me? I said name your price. Anything."

"I said no." I stood my ground.

"Is it not enough? The Council's highest honor. Twenty million in cash, wired to you instantly."

No hesitation in his voice. Like he was talking about pocket change.

"Half upfront. Save her, and the other half drops immediately."

I didn't speak.

He thought I was wavering. He doubled down. Annoyance crept into his tone.

"You want into the Elite Science Division? Fine. I'll make you the Chief Toxicology Advisor."

Still so damn arrogant. Just like always.

I couldn't help but cut him off.

"Alpha Hector. When I say no, I'm not bargaining."

His breathing grew heavy.

I could feel his furious aura burning through the phone line.

"Then tell me. Why?"

I gripped the phone tighter. "It's my right to refuse."

"Your right?" His voice rose. "Do you know what's happening? The toxin has destroyed her wolf's healing abilities. It's attacking her heart! She's dying!"

Dying? My nose stung suddenly.

Such familiar words. I begged him exactly like this back then.

I told him our pup was dying.

But he always thought I was just trying to steal the healing serum from Chloe's kid.

"I know," I said, voice strained.

"You know?" He spoke faster now. Pure rage. "You are the only one who can save her! You refused without a second thought. You are leaving her to die! This is treason against the pack!"

My knuckles turned white around the receiver.

"Treason against the pack."

I repeated it slowly. "Alpha Hector. That accusation is quite funny coming from you."

He paused. "What does that mean?"

"Nothing." I kept my voice flat. "Point is, I can't take this job. Go find someone else."

"There is no one else!" He was practically roaring. "I checked! You're the only one in the North! If you refuse, give me a damn reason!"

"Then you're out of luck." My wolf settled down. I spoke lightly. "You'd better hurry and find another way. Any later, and you won't just fail to save your precious daughter. Her bones might turn to ash from the silver-laced wolfsbane."

Before hanging up, I dropped one last line. "Good luck."

Marcus poked his head in. He looked at me, hesitating.

"Valerie, did he pull his Alpha rank on you?"

I slammed the receiver down. I went back to organizing my wolfsbane vials like nothing happened.

"He can't threaten me."

"But he said..." Marcus paused. "He said he'd have the Council shut down your lab."

I stopped for a second. "Let them. I don't owe him a damn thing."

Marcus didn't push it. But I saw the worry on his face as he turned away.

"Valerie, what's your history with him?"

I screwed the cap tight on the last vial and stood up.

"He owes me a life."

...

2:00 AM. My dorm door burst open.

"Valerie! Something happened!"

I sat up on my cot. Marcus was pale as a ghost. Shaking uncontrollably. His eyes were wide with pure terror.

"My daughter! My Maya!"

"The Council just issued a transfer! They exiled her from the Central Pack supply depot. They sent her to the border watchtower in the Northern Wastes!"

My heart sank. "When did this happen?"

"Just now! She sent me a final text. Said she reached the tower. Now I can't reach her!"

Tears welled up in his eyes. His voice broke with despair.

"She's just a girl! She can't even hold her wolf form steady! The Northern Wastes is abandoned by the Council! No safe houses for a hundred miles! The Redwood territory is crawling with feral rogues and blood-crazed vampires! Last year, an exiled guard was ripped apart there. Not even bones left!"

I took his phone. A blurry photo was on the screen.

A rundown watchtower gate. Endless, pitch-black snowy mountains in the distance.

The last text: "Dad, I'm here. So scared. Smells like fresh blood outside. But I'm so tired... Talk tomorrow. Goodnight."

"Valerie!"

Marcus suddenly dropped to his knees. A loud thud against the floor.

"I know Hector did this! He's forcing your hand!"

"Don't panic yet." My hands shook as I tried to pull him up.

"How can I not panic?!" He clawed at his hair.

"People get torn to shreds in the Wastes every year! How is she supposed to survive?! Please, Valerie! I know you have bad blood with Hector! But my Maya is innocent!"

He sobbed uncontrollably. His shoulders shook violently.

"Curse me, hit me, I don't care! Just save my daughter!"

My eyes burned. I crouched down and lifted him up.

I couldn't watch another parent lose a daughter. Let alone my own partner.

"Marcus, get up. I promise you, your daughter will be fine."

He froze. Tear-filled eyes stared back at me.

"Does that mean... you'll save Hector's daughter?"

"I have another way." I patted his shoulder. "I'll guarantee your daughter's safety. But I'm still not taking that job."