Chapter 23: His Little Negotiation

The shopping district on The Pit’s upper edge wasn’t high-end, but it was the only place I could find something that didn’t scream “Pureblood Starter Pack.”

Sapphire had changed since the Satin Claw days. She ran her own club now. It was cleaner and had better security, but her sharp tongue hadn’t changed.

Today she wore a leather jacket over a short dress. She looked like she could serve you a drink or break your arm, depending on her mood.

“You’re actually going to Vargnótt?” she asked, holding up a black dress before immediately tossing it back. “With him?”

I pulled a deep emerald gown from the rack. The silk was heavy and cool against my fingers.

The neckline was clean and structured, and the skirt was long enough to look formal without getting in my way if I had to bolt.

The emerald made my red hair look even brighter.

“This one,” I said.

Brie raised an eyebrow. “Green? Bold.”

“It works.”

Sapphire took the dress and checked the price tag. “It also costs more than most people in The Pit make in a month.”

“I’m paying,” I said. “Consider it a thank-you for not asking too many questions yet.”

While I changed, Sapphire leaned against the wall outside. Her voice took on the flat, practical tone she used when warning someone about a dangerous customer..

“Vargnótt isn’t just a party,” she said.

I glanced at her. “I figured that out.”

“No, you didn’t.”

Her voice had lost its teasing edge.

“Once a year, the oldest pureblood packs meet in the ancestral forest. Politics first. Quiet threats. Old grudges.” She paused. “Then the Hunt starts.”

My stomach tightened.

“It’s composed,” she continued. “Mostly. But rogues without a date don’t usually last the night.”

“Mostly?”

Sapphire gave me a flat look. “Some don’t make it past the first hour.”

I stepped out of the fitting room. The green silk hugged me perfectly.

Brie let out a low whistle. “Damn”

“Under the rules, you stay by your date’s side,” Sapphire continued. “You don’t wander, you don’t accept challenges, and you definitely don’t look like easy prey. The Alphas there notice weakness immediately. If Xavier is taking you, he’s either claiming you in public or testing how much you can take. Maybe both.”

Brie smirked. “Or your sugar daddy just wants to punish you for being a pain in the ass.”

Sapphire shot her a look, then looked at me. “Are you sure about this?”

I turned in front of the mirror, watching the way the dress moved. I barely recognized the woman in the mirror. She looked nothing like the girl who used to cry on marble floors.

I caught Sapphire’s eyes in the glass and smirked.

“He ruined my life,” I said. “Now it’s my turn to ruin his.”

Sapphire studied me for a second, then nodded.

“Then buy the dress. And try not to die in it.”

I rolled my eyes, but I bought the dress anyway.

By the time we stepped outside, Xavier was waiting by the curb.

***

Xavier was waiting outside the mall. Dark suit. Open collar. Violet eyes that found me before I even reached the car.

Xavier was waiting outside the mall. Dark suit. Open collar. Violet eyes that found me before I even reached the car..

He opened the back door without saying a word. I slid in, and he followed, shutting the door behind us. The privacy partition was already up.

The car pulled away from the curb.

“You went shopping,” he said.

“I needed a dress.”

“Show me.”

I opened the garment bag just enough for him to see the emerald silk. His gaze lingered on the fabric for a moment before moving back to my face.

“Wear it,” he said. “And no underwear.”

I stared at him. “Excuse me?”

“For the ball. No underwear.” His tone was casual, almost conversational. “I want the option of taking them off you later.”

I felt the heat climb up my neck. “That’s humiliating.”

“That’s a negotiation.” He leaned in, his voice dropping. “You want the resources and the info. I want you marked and fully aware of who you’re standing next to tonight.”

I should have told him to go to hell. Instead, I felt that familiar, unwanted pull low in my stomach.

“You’re enjoying this,” I said.

“Yes.”