Chapter 5

Silvia I followed Alpha Sherman out of his office, my mind racing with everything that had just happened. Was I really ready to be his wife, his lover? The weight of my decision pressed down on me like a physical force. As we stepped into the elevator, I found my voice. "You don't need to come to the hospital with me," I said quietly. "Someone of your... position would draw too much attention." Alpha Sherman pressed the lobby button and leaned against the elevator wall, studying me. "Family comes first, Silvia. That's something my mother always insisted upon." The mention of his mother caught me off guard. Everyone in the werewolf community knew about the Carter family scandal—how Alpha Rooney Carter had flaunted multiple affairs while his devoted Luna wasted away from illness. "Your mother sounds like she was a remarkable woman," I offered cautiously. His blue eyes flickered with something unreadable. "She was. And I've always tried to honor her teachings—even with a pretend wife." The elevator doors opened, and we stepped into the marble lobby of the Carter Industries building. Wolves from every department paused to watch us pass, their curious gazes making my skin prickle. "Though I should warn you," Alpha Sherman added with unexpected self-deprecation, "I'm not exactly what most would consider good husband material." Despite everything, I found myself smiling. "No one would ever picture you as a good husband. Getting rid of traitors who betrayed the wolf pack in the dungeon better fits our image of you." "Do you think I'm a brutal, bloodthirsty bastard?" He raised his eyebrows, guiding me toward the parking garage with a light touch at my lower back. "Maybe we should pick a nice omega to sleep with after the fight ends." I dodged his touch and turned to meet his gaze. "Your reputation in the entertainment sector isn't better than your brother's, Alpha." "I hope those she-wolves' comments satisfy you." He leaned down toward my face, his low voice brushing past my ear, sending a tingling sensation through my spine. Oh my God, what a shameless demon. "Well, our relationship is just a contract. So it doesn't really matter to me," I reminded him, trying to ignore his actions. "And it's only for a year." Alpha Sherman's gaze lingered on me for a moment too long, something calculating in his expression. "Right," he finally murmured. "Only a year." ... At the hospital, Alpha Sherman's influence transformed everything. The moment we arrived, a team of medical professionals descended, whisking Noah away for immediate pre-op preparation. The astronomical medical bills that had been haunting me disappeared with a single swipe of Alpha Sherman's black credit card. "The surgeon will be arriving within the hour," a wolf in medical scrubs informed me, his respect for Alpha Sherman evident in his deferential posture. "We'll do everything possible for your brother, Miss Brown." Relief washed through me, so powerful I had to grip the edge of the reception desk to keep from swaying. Noah would get the care he needed. He wouldn't die because I couldn't afford to save him. But as quickly as relief came, grief followed. The antiseptic smell of the hospital, the beeping monitors, the hushed voices—it all brought back memories of days ago, when I'd stood in a similar hospital, watching as the doctors failed to save my adoptive parents after the car crash. I sank into a waiting room chair, suddenly overwhelmed. I'd been an orphan twice now—first as a baby, then when the Browns died. If Noah didn't make it through surgery, I would truly be alone in the world. "He's going to be fine," Alpha Sherman's deep voice came from beside me as he took the seat next to mine. I hadn't even noticed him approach. "The surgeon I've called in has performed this procedure hundreds of times." I nodded, fighting back tears. "I should sign that papers tonight," I whispered. "We can do the actual ceremony later, but I want to make sure everything's official before..." I couldn't finish the thought. "That's fine," Alpha Sherman agreed, his tone softer than I'd heard it before. "My lawyer can bring the contracts to you here." I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. "You should go. I could to handle things by myself ." I paused. "I don't want to seem ungrateful, but I still have other debts that need taking care of." Alpha Sherman frowned. "Once we're married, your debts become mine." I shook my head. "Some things aren't that simple." I was thinking of the high-interest loan that had led my parents to take that late-night drive in the first place—a desperate attempt to secure emergency funds that had cost them their lives. It wasn't just money; it was guilt I carried. "I'll send a car for you at seven," Alpha Sherman said after a moment, rising to his feet. "We'll finalize everything tonight." Before he left, his hand suddenly closed around my wrist, turning my palm upward. My breath caught as his fingers found the promise ring Zack had given me months ago. With deliberate slowness, Alpha Sherman slid it off my finger. "You won't be needing this anymore," he said, a mocking edge to his voice. In one swift, dominating move, he pinned my hand against the wall, fingers locking tight between his. My back hit the cold surface hard, and his body pressed flush against mine—all heat, muscle, and intent. Keal let out a shaky, confused whine. Fucking traitor. Alpha Sherman didn't hesitate. He dropped his head to my neck, breath scorching my skin right where my pulse hammered like I was already his. Then his tongue—rough, wet—dragged slowly over the spot where my shoulder meets my neck. I gasped. Couldn't help it. My body arched into his like some cheap fucking offering, my pussy already throbbing, begging for contact. He didn't stop there. His mouth moved up, crashing against mine. I His tongue shoved past my lips, deep and possessive, tasting me like I was his to claim. And fuck, I melted. My knees went weak. When he finally pulled back, his eyes were pitch-fucking-black with hunger. He leaned in, mouth brushing my ear, voice nothing but a gravelly growl that went straight to my core. "See you tonight, Silvia." Then he was gone. Just like that. Left me standing there, dizzy, confused, my lips swollen and tingling. The echo of his words hung in the air, a promise and a threat woven together.