All Chapters of The Ruthless Werewolf Billionaire's Dare: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Celestine's pen stops mid-scratch. She looks at me over her designer glasses. "You don't like Vera Wang? Or Monique Lhuillier? Or Elie Saab?""I don't like looking like a cake topper." I point to a simpler design buried in the pile. "What about something like this?"It's elegant, understated. A-line silhouette, simple lace, no train. Beautiful without being a costume.Celestine's expression could freeze Hell. She picks up the sketch like it's contaminated. "That is a courthouse dress. A dress for a Beta's daughter, perhaps. You are marrying an Alpha. The future Luna of the Raytheon Pack. You will wear something befitting your station.""My station is prisoner with delusions of grandeur."One of the assistants chokes on a laugh, quickly covering it with a cough. Celestine silences her with a withering look."Ms. West." Celestine's voice is ice. "I have dressed five Lunas, three Council members' daughters, and more high-society wolves than I can count. Never, I mean never, have I had a

The dress fitting is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.I'm in the middle of lunch with Bella when Carmen appears in the doorway, her expression troubled."April, there's someone here to see you.""Who?""A young woman. Says her name is Jess Martinez. Says she's an old friend." Carmen's tone suggests she doesn't believe the "friend" part. "Alpha Raven isn't home. Should I send her away?"Jess. The girl who dared me to kiss Tyler. The girl who set this entire nightmare in motion. The girl who disappeared the moment Tyler grabbed me."No," I say, standing. "I'll see her."Bella grabs my wrist. "Are you sure? That's the one who—""I know who she is." I gently pull free. "I need to hear what she has to say."***Jess is waiting in the formal living room, perched on the edge of a sofa like she's ready to bolt. She looks terrible with dark circles under her eyes, her clothes wrinkled, and her usually perfect hair pulled into a messy ponytail.She stands when I enter. "April. Thank god. I did

"To where?""Here, to The Eyrie. We have a medical suite for Bella. Dr. Reeves can oversee her care." He's already pulling out his phone. "Wade, I want a full security detail at St. Francis immediately. No one gets near Marie West without clearance. We will extract her as soon as the doctors clear it.""On it." Wade leaves to make calls.Tyler turns to me. "Mitchell made a mistake. He showed his hand too early.""How is threatening my aunt a mistake?""Because now we know his plan, and we can counter it." He pulls me into his arms. "I won't let him hurt her, April. I promise."I want to believe him. But I've learned that Tyler's promises come with a cost."What do I have to do?" I ask against his chest."What do you mean?""You're protecting my aunt. Bringing her here, providing round-the-clock care. That's not free. What do you want in return?"He pulls back to look at me, a bit of hurt flickering in his eyes. "Nothing.""Liar.""I'm not—" He stops and takes a breath. "Fine. I want y

"Tyler!" I scream. "He's surrendering! Stop!"Tyler's jaws close around Garrett's throat. Not killing. Not yet. But one wrong move, one more squeeze, and Garrett is dead. Blood drips from Tyler's fangs onto Garrett's exposed neck."Tyler, please!"His eyes, glowing amber, find mine. There's no recognition in them. No humanity. Just pure, feral rage. The wolf is fully in control now."It's me," I say, stepping closer even though every instinct screams to run. Glass crunches under my bare feet. I kicked off my heels in the fight. "It's April. You saved me. I'm safe now. You can let him go."A low growl rumbles from Tyler's chest. A warning. Stay back."I know you're angry. I know you want to kill him. But if you do, if you kill a wolf who surrendered, the Council will use it against you." I take another step. My feet are bleeding. I don't care. "Please. For me. Let him go."The struggle is visible. The wolf wants blood. Needs it. The predator demands completion of the kill. But somewher

Back at The Eyrie, Tyler refuses medical attention."I'm fine," he insists, even though blood is still seeping through his shirt."You're not fine. You have claw marks across your ribs." I block his path to the stairs. "Dr. Reeves needs to check for infection.""I heal fast. It'll be gone by morning.""Tyler—""April." His voice is firm. "I don't want Dr. Reeves fussing over scratches when she should be checking on you and Bella. You were the ones attacked. I was just responding.""By nearly dying?""I wasn't nearly dying. I was winning." He tries to move past me. I don't budge. "April, move.""No."We stand in the foyer, locked in a battle of wills. Wade and the other guards have already disappeared, giving us privacy. Bella is upstairs with Aunt Marie, probably rehashing the entire attack with dramatic flair."Why are you being difficult about this?" I ask."Why are you?" he counters."Because you're hurt and you're too stubborn to admit it.""I'm an Alpha. We don't admit weakness."