All Chapters of Ten Dollars, Two Lives: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

Everyone in the Blood Moon pack is whispering that Alpha Cassian Ward only allows his pack to spend ten dollars a day.Yes, ten dollars.It's not a pack tradition, nor a decree from the elders. The rule comes from his new financial planner, Mira Langford.Even as Luna, the moment they discover I've spent a single dollar more—on medicine, no less—they drag me out and whip me 20 times in public.By the second lash, my back splits open, blood soaking through my skirt. My personal maid, Elsie Quinn, throws herself forward, sobbing. "Stop, please stop! Luna Sutton is fragile! She won't survive this!"But Mira only lashes harder. "Alpha Cassian said 20 lashes for every extra dollar. Who dares defy him?"I clutch my belly and manage a whisper. "Bring Alpha Cassian here..."A while later, Cassian arrives with his entourage. When he sees the blood streaking down my back, a flicker of pity crosses his eyes. "Mira, that's enough."Tears brim in Mira's eyes. "You said everyone would answer to me

Christopher arrived fast. He took one look at me and knew my condition was dire."Lay her flat! Hurry!" he ordered.Elsie, shaking so hard she could barely think, obeyed without question. Together, they eased me onto the cleanest patch of floor they could find.Christopher snapped open his kit, but then he went pale. The supplies he carried for routine house calls were nowhere near enough for a hemorrhage this severe."I'm short on the right meds," he said, his voice tight with alarm. "We need a coagulant from the central infirmary immediately. But they won't release it without 100 dollars upfront."Elsie emptied her pockets. The crumpled bills didn't even add up to five dollars. "Please," she begged, tears catching her words. "Can't you put it on account? Alpha Cassian will approve it when he gets here!"Christopher hesitated. The infirmary never ran tabs. It was always cash and carry. But he looked at the blood spreading under me and the way my eyes kept drifting shut, and his

The door eased open, and my father stepped in with a cup of bitter herbal tea. He took one look at me curled on my side, and the raw pity in his eyes almost undid me."Sutton, sit up and drink this," he said, setting the cup on the nightstand. He sat on the edge of the bed and smoothed a hand over my hair. "I know you're shattered, but your body comes first."I lifted my head. My eyes were red and swollen. "Dad, the pup is gone. I'm useless. I couldn't protect him."My father pulled me into his arms. His voice trembled with sorrow, but his resolve was firm. "It wasn't your fault. This is on Cassian! He killed my grandson! I'll see the Blood Moon pack pay for it!"His promise and the warmth of his embrace were the only things holding me together. I buried my face in his shoulder and cried until the worst of it ebbed away.Three years ago, in this same room, I had defied my father for the first time."Dad, I love him. I'll give up everything for him!" I had said."Foolish! If you

My words landed like a blade, straight through Cassian's paper-thin pride.Color flooded his face. Whatever control he had left snapped."Sutton, you liar!" he roared. "You're out of your mind! You're coming home with me, where you can get your head on straight!"He hauled me over his shoulder and turned for the door."Stand down!""Put Sutton down!"Gamma sentries and elders surged at once, a wall of muscle and teeth closing around Cassian.He only sneered, his eyes burning with possessive heat. "Move! She's my mate! I'm taking her home! No one gets in my way!""You really are hopeless," I said, calm even with the world upside down on his shoulder. "Open your eyes! This is the Dark Moon pack, not Blood Moon. My father is the Alpha here. Try laying a finger on me again and see what happens!""Your father is the Alpha of the Dark Moon pack?" Cassian actually laughed, the sound harsh and disbelieving. "Please! You're a Rogue with no family! Stop spinning tales! It's disgusting!"