1. Prologue. A Tempting Offer

Prologue

Swallowing hard, I stare into those burning depths that seem to pierce right through me—down to the bones, into the furthest corners of my soul.

Damn... he's actually really handsome. In that masculine, dangerous kind of way. Jet-black hair in a stylish cut, a neat, well-groomed beard, strong eyebrows, a straight nose, and thin lips now pressed into a furious, tight line.

I wonder what color his eyes are when the beast inside him isn't in control?

Hello?! Alina! You're about to be fined for every last penny you’ve got—if you’re lucky—and you’re wondering about his eye color?!

Angry. That’s what color they are. Furious and pissed off—that’s what they are!

Lying won’t help. Neither will making excuses or trying to talk my way out of this. I messed up. Big time. On my very first day!

And let’s be honest—this is probably not just my first day, but my last… and hopefully just my last work day, not my last day ever.

He’s an Alpha, after all. A figure of power and law. He’s not actually going to kill me... right?

But the way he’s looking at me, I’m starting to think otherwise. I can’t forget he’s a beast. One of the most dangerous of his kind. You never know what to expect from them—and they never face the consequences.

He could tear me apart, bury the pieces in his massive territory, and good luck to anyone trying to find me.

Even Lakisha said he doesn’t tolerate mistakes and punishes harshly.

I try to shift, just to get into a more comfortable position to receive whatever verbal, moral, or most likely financial punishment is coming… but the second I move under him, I hear a low, guttural growl and see a flash of sharp teeth.

Oh God. He’s pinning me down even harder now.

My heart’s about to explode from fear—and, let’s be honest, the compromising position I’m in.

That’s it! I’m dead. He’s going to kill me, right here, right now.

I wonder if I’ll get a grave?

Wow, what a thought…

I squeeze my eyes shut and sigh heavily. Bad idea.

My lungs fill with a scent—his scent—that sends chills all over my body.

He smells just like his bed... only stronger, deeper, intoxicatingly better.

I inhale once.

Twice.

And my eyes fly open in shock as I feel him leaning down, nuzzling my neck, breathing heavily, his nose tracing over my skin with a low rumble in his chest.

Welp. That’s it. He’s going for the neck. Just like every predator documentary ever.

This is where my life ends. Fitting that the bedsheets are black—easier to hide the blood...

******

A Tempting Offer

"Alina, you know Maxim got a decent position working with the ruling pack, right?"

Jasmina started gently, after our short chat. "He’s part of the Alpha’s personal guard now, and he’s got connections—human and wolf.

Anyway, there’s a housekeeping job opening. Temporary. I don’t know all the details, but I’ve got a number you can call. I really think you should try. Why not? The pack pays really well, and you could really use the money."

Yeah… money. I could always use more of that lately.

Right after I graduated university, my parents died. Maybe the wiring in the house was old, maybe my father fell asleep smoking again. But the house caught fire while they were sleeping—and they never woke up.

They were found in bed, burned beyond recognition.

Our village was deep in the middle of nowhere. So deep that not even a single fire truck made it out there. The nearest station is two hours away. By then, there was nothing left to save.

The neighbors didn’t even bother trying. They just watched it burn.

My little sister saw it all. Tanya. She was only twelve at the time.

I don’t know which angel was watching over her, but that night was the first time in her life she’d ever stayed over at a friend’s house.

Otherwise… there would have been three coffins.

All we had left were a few gold pieces found in the ashes, and Dad’s old Opel. We sold the land—dirt cheap. Who wants to live in a place like that?

I was trying to settle in the city where I went to university. Now I work myself to the bone to give my sister a better life—and make sure we never go back to that forgotten corner of the world.

She’s in tenth grade now, and I’m already saving for her college. I want her to have nice clothes, to fit in, not be mocked like I was.

I still remember the way my classmates used to call me “Alina the farm girl” just because of how I dressed and where I came from.

I won’t let that happen to Tanya.

“That might actually help,” I sigh, exhausted, my eyes already trying to close. “Send me the number. I’ll call them.”

“I’ll tell Maxim you’re interested, so he can put in a word. You know how fast jobs like this get taken,” Jasmina replies.

“Thanks,” I say genuinely, ending the call.

It’s Saturday. I was supposed to be off from my second job—the one where I clean offices from 9 PM to midnight.

But yesterday was the company’s New Year’s party, and it went on forever.

So this morning, the supervisor called and told me to clean up before the workday starts.

So much for sleeping in.