All Chapters of The Ruthless Werewolf Billionaire's Dare: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

"How romantic," I mutter."This isn't romance. It's a contract." He resumes pacing. "Rule two: You don't leave the Eyrie without my permission or an escort. Tiara and her friends will be looking for any opportunity to humiliate you or worse. The city isn't safe for you anymore.""So I'm a prisoner.""You're protected." His jaw tightens. "There's a difference.""Doesn't feel different."He ignores that. "Rule three: You learn Pack protocol. How to stand, how to address Elders, how to project dominance despite being Omega. I won't have you embarrassing me at Council functions."The word "embarrassing" stings more than it should."Rule four: Bella is off-limits to your manipulation. She's sick, she's fragile, and if you use her to get to me, I will make you regret it."That one actually makes me angry. I stand up, fists clenched at my sides. "I would never use a sick kid as leverage. What kind of monster do you think I am?""I don't know what kind of person you are," Tyler says coldly. "

I spend the rest of the morning exploring my beautiful prison.The Eyrie is massive—far larger than it appeared from the outside. Three main floors, not counting the basement levels I'm explicitly told I'm not allowed to access. "Security and pack business," one of the silent guards informed me when I tried the locked door.There's a gym that looks like it belongs in a professional training facility—state-of-the-art equipment, a boxing ring, weights that probably cost more than a car. I spot what looks like claw marks gouged into one of the punching bags. Evidence of Tyler's wolf needing an outlet.A library makes me pause. Floor-to-ceiling shelves line every wall, packed with leather-bound books. There's a rolling ladder for the high shelves and a reading nook with a window seat that overlooks the ocean. For a brief moment, I imagine curling up there with a book, forgetting where I am.Then I remember. This is a cage. Pretty books don't change that.The media room has theater seating

"Aunt Marie?" I whisper, approaching the bed on shaking legs.Her eyes flutter open. It takes her a moment to focus, pupils dilating and contracting as she tries to make sense of where she is. When her gaze finally lands on me, tears spill down her cheeks."April," she rasps. Her voice is rough, damaged. They must have intubated her during surgery. "Oh, baby girl. What... where..."I grab her hand—so fragile, bones like bird wings—and press it to my face. Her skin is cool, dry. "I'm here. I'm here. You're okay. You're going to be okay.""What happened?" Confusion clouds her eyes. "I remember... headache. Worst headache of my life. Then nothing. Just... nothing.""You had an aneurysm. A cerebral aneurysm. It ruptured." My voice breaks. I force myself to continue. "They did emergency surgery. You're at St. Francis. You've been unconscious for almost twenty-four hours.""Surgery?" Her free hand moves slowly toward her head, touching the bandages. "They... opened my skull?""You're alive,

"What about Elders?" I ask."Elders are tricky," Liam says. "They outrank everyone except a reigning Alpha. You bow your head slightly—respect, not submission. You address them as 'Elder' followed by their surname. Never use first names unless they give permission."Tyler crosses his arms. "Run through the Council roster."Liam pulls out his phone and shows me photos."Elder Raymond Castellano. Italian-American, old school, Council head. He values tradition but he's fair. If you show respect and strength, he'll respect you back."The photo shows a man in his sixties with silver hair and sharp eyes."Elder Patricia Monroe. Only female Council member. She's going to be your biggest obstacle." Liam swipes to the next photo—a severe-looking woman with steel-grey hair. "She doesn't think Omegas should hold positions of power. You'll need to prove her wrong.""Great," I mutter."Elder Bernard Wu. Oldest member, Chinese-American, very traditional. He values stability above all else. Don't gi

The meal continues with agonizing slowness. Course after course of food I barely taste. Each dish is a work of art—microgreens arranged just so, sauces drizzled in precise patterns, garnishes that look too beautiful to eat.Tyler keeps up a steady stream of low conversation—instructions disguised as small talk, coaching disguised as romance."The Hartleys are approaching in thirty seconds," he says, voice barely above a whisper. "Smile. Be warm but not eager."I paste on my smile just as an older couple appears at our table."Alpha Raven," the man says, his voice cultured. He's in his seventies, silver-haired, expensive suit. "Forgive the intrusion.""Mr. Hartley, Mrs. Hartley." Tyler stands, shaking the man's hand. "Not an intrusion at all. May I introduce my fiancée, April West."I stand smoothly, remembering Liam's training. I extend my hand."How lovely to meet you," I say, smile in place.Mrs. Hartley takes my hand, her grip cool and assessing. She's dripping in diamonds, her fac