Chapter 3

Silvia The city was still ghostly when I stepped out of the hospital. Cold dawn seeped beneath my skin. I pulled my black coat tighter, trying to guard the fragile composure I had left. Every step toward the Nightfang Pack's world was a step away from everything that had once been simple and safe. Finding Carter Enterprises wasn't hard. Everyone in Blackwood Pack and beyond knew those blue-glass towers marked Sherman Carter's domain—a monument to an Alpha's arrogance and power. Still, as I passed through the shimmering glass doors in my wrinkled dress and rain-specked shoes, a part of me quaked. What was I really about to do? At the marble reception desk, a sharply dressed woman immediately rose. She gave me a look somewhere between surprise and recognition. "Miss Brown?" she asked, almost too polite. "Alpha Sherman Carter asked to be notified should you arrive. He's waiting for you on the 27th floor." I stared, numb, as she handed me a glossy keycard. Had he expected me? Or—worse—had he always been watching? With no choice, I took the silent elevator up.Every new floor seemed to heighten my tension, my pulse roaring in my ears. The doors glided open onto the 27th floor—quiet, understated luxury in soft grey and blue, smelling faintly of rum. At floor twenty-seven, the doors whisked open to reveal a spacious foyer, where Alpha Sherman's Beta, Felix, smiled coolly and ushered me into the Alpha's lair. Alpha Sherman Carter was right behind his desk—flawless in his tailored shirt, golden hair tousled just enough to look artfully effortless His eyes pinned me instantly, glacial blue and midnight. It was as if he'd been waiting specifically for me all night. "Silvia." My name rolled off his tongue smooth as whiskey. He gestured to a leather chair across from him. "Please. Sit." For just a second, I hovered, drawn between the urge to bolt and the impossible need for his help. Finally, I slid into the chair. Alpha Sherman pushed a delicate cup across the table to me—sweet tea, just the way I liked it—and set a thin slice of Victoria sponge cake before me, light as spun sugar. Vivaldi's Spring played quietly from invisible speakers, so peaceful it almost made me suspicious. I blinked, thrown off by the details. "Did Zack tell you that?" A twist of a smile—almost cruel—tugged at his mouth. "He talks more than he should, about things he ought to protect better." There was a loaded silence. For a heartbeat, I almost asked him what exactly he knew—about Zack, about everything. But I forced myself back to reality. "You know why I'm here, don't you?" His eyes flickered to mine, sharp and unreadable. "I guessed." His voice was even. "You need something. Money for the surgery. You think I'll give it to you, because you have nothing left to lose and I hate Zack even more than you do." "Did you know he was cheating on me?" My words came out colder than I intended. "Did you laugh?" He didn't look away. "I warned you, Silvia. My brother is a spoiled fool. ." I straightened in my seat, pulse hammering. My wolf, Keal, was wary—restless. We could both sense that only ruthless honesty would cut through this. "Let's not pretend, then," I said quietly, breath barely steady. "I can't pay for Noah's surgery. I will do whatever it takes to save my family. I know your dilemma, we can make a deal."" His lips twitched, but his eyes never left mine. "A deal? What exactly do you have in mind, little wolf?" My heart was pounding so loud I could barely hear anything else. All I could see was my brother Noah, hooked up to those machines, so pale. I had to do this. For him. I took a shaky breath, trying to sound way calmer than I felt. "As an Alpha, you don't have long to go on your bachelor vacation." I spoke, my gaze looking straight into those bottomless blue eyes, not daring to divulge a hint of cowardice, "The new rules of the Council of Elders ...... I can help you. Marry you, play your Luna, help you stabilize the situation. And you, just need to give me a sum of money to save my brother." For a second, Alpha Sherman just stared. Then this cold, mocking smile spread across his face. He stood up, and damn, he was tall. "You?" he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What makes you think you're the one? I could have any she-wolf I want. They'd be falling over themselves to be with me." My stomach dropped, but I pushed back. I forced a shrug, like it was no big deal. "Yeah, maybe. But here's the thing: I won't fall in love with you. When this is over, I'm gone. Plus, let's be real—it would really piss your brother Zack off. Isn't that what you really want? " Something flashed in his eyes—anger, maybe, or just surprise. He didn't say anything. Crap. Was that not enough? I was running out of options. I turned like I was about to leave and dropped my last card, the risky one. "You know what? Forget it. I'm sure someone else will help me. Maybe your father—I hear he likes helping young women." That got him. "Don't you dare." His hand shot out and grabbed my wrist—hard. He pulled me close, so suddenly I almost lost my balance. His face was right in mine, his blue eyes blazing. "Alright, Silvia Brown," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "You got what you wanted." His thumb rubbed rough circles on my wrist, sending a weird shiver through me even though his grip was tight. "But just remember," he said, locking eyes with me. "From now on, I make the rules." And just like that, I knew—I'd made a deal with the devil to save my brother.