“Come on, Emily. Keep pleasing me...” Jason's hand trailed down my back, his touch burning into my skin like a brand. His lips hovered close to mine now, thick with a hunger just shy of devouring.

When Alpha Jason decided to unleash his desires, submission was often the wisest choice.

But this time, I turned my face away.

His breathing grew heavier as his eyes darkened with a perilous glint. I couldn't deny there was something oppressive about him, something magnetic—he was like a sovereign emerging from shadow, every detail exuded an undeniable presence. He loomed over me, the muted brown of his irises flickering gold at their depths, as if he could set the very air around us alight.

I met his piercing gaze, my voice steady, resolute. “It’s morning, sir.”

“Morning?” A faint, mocking chuckle slipped from his lips. “When I have you beneath me, I don’t give a damn whether it’s day or night.”

His hand found my wrist, his fingers curling around it with such force it felt as though he could snap my bones if he merely willed it.

But I was no fragile human girl to be cowed by the predatory air he exuded. I wasn’t prey—I was a wolf, like him.

I twisted free from his grip and reached for my clothes. “That means our agreement is over. Today is the final day.”

Three years—that was the duration of the contract I had sold myself into.

Once, my mother and I had belonged to the Howling Moon pack. I was the Alpha’s daughter.

Then everything fell apart.

The night my father was slaughtered, my mother and I barely escaped with our lives. We fled with our tails between our legs to this border town, blending in among the humans.

But my mother’s wounds never fully healed. With medical bills mounting higher by the day, I saw no other choice but to throw myself at the mercy of another Alpha—Jason, of the Shadow pack.

The most powerful Alpha on the entire North American continent, and equally as ruthless. And yet, when he drafted the contract, he had shown an unexpected streak of generosity.

But now, the three years were up. My mother was stable. The debts had been paid.

“Stay with me, Emily,” he said, his hand shifting to brush over the bruises he had left on my thigh less than an hour before. “Renew the contract.”

For one foolish, reckless moment, I almost yielded, almost let him push me back onto the bed, to disappear into him one more time.

But I clenched my fists instead. Damn it. Why did my heart still ache for him?

Moon Goddess, wasn’t this supposed to be a relief, breaking free from this man? Why was I some pitiful fool, in love with someone who could never love her back?

I stepped out of his reach, saying nothing, refusing to dignify his offer with a response. I had a job now. My mother no longer needed costly treatments. I didn’t have to sell myself for survival any longer.

“Emily.”

I glanced back. For the briefest moment, I thought I caught something in his expression—something strange, almost like reluctance.

But no. That was just my pathetic imagination.

Sure enough, Jason’s voice swung back to its glacial edge: “Take your time to think it over. Not every body can keep up with what I do to you in bed, but you’ve held your own. Sometimes I wonder—are you truly a human girl?”

His hand shot out, grasping my chin and tilting it up, forcing my throat to bare before him. He plunged his face into the crook of my neck, inhaling deeply.

I didn’t flinch. Let him sniff all he wanted. I had been meticulous—daily sprays to mask my scent, a careful suppression of my wolf. There wasn’t a trace of my rogue origins for him to find.

At last, he let me go. “I’ll look forward to our next meeting.”

I left without looking back.

Outside, the brisk wind nipped at my face, and only then did I let the tears fall.

"No. I never want to see you again, Jason."

---

The next morning, I concealed the dark circles under my eyes and the marks on my neck with careful strokes of makeup, then made my way to Miller Fashions.

Thankfully, I’d landed this job a week before the contract ended. It was grueling, monotonous work—sewing worker—hardly glamorous, but it was mine.

Most importantly, my supervisor was Matthew. I’d seen his name on the list of hiring managers when I applied.

Matthew and I shared a history, one rooted in a simpler time. As pups from different packs, we’d chased fireflies in the woods together, ignorant of the dark currents beneath the surface of our world.

Perhaps he had pulled some strings to ensure I got the job. Regardless, I owed him my gratitude.

When I walked into his office, I caught the flicker of emotion in his eyes—an entire storm compressed into a fleeting moment.

Most of all, guilt.

“It’s been a long time, Emily,” he said at last. “I noticed your résumé listed you as human. Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me. About what happened that year…”

I couldn’t bear the memories.

“Don’t.” My voice emerged sharper than I’d intended. “It’s in the past.”

The silence in the room grew oppressive.

Finally, Matthew cleared his throat, forcing brightness into his tone. “I have some good news. Tonight, there’s someone—you need to meet him. A friend of mine. He could... help resolve some things. Just give him a chance. It couldn’t hurt."

I nodded wordlessly. I didn’t know who Matthew’s mysterious friend was or what strings he could pull. But I would show up. Any ladder offered to me, I would climb.

For my mother. For myself. For my... father.

After work, I climbed into Matthew’s car. He drove us to Blue Bay Bistro, the most upscale restaurant in the city. He had reserved a private room, adorned with soft leather and shadowy, intimate lighting.

I sat quietly, waiting. Matthew assured me, "He’ll help you."

The door opened.

I looked up—and froze.

Jason.