Aria

My mother's sobs echoed through the kitchen as I sat across from her at the dining table. The house we lived in suddenly felt smaller, colder, like the walls were closing in on us.

"Tell me what happened," I said gently, reaching across the table to hold her hand.

She took a shaky breath and explained everything. My father had made a bad investment for his company. He lost everything. Millions of dollars were gone, and now he owed the pack a substantial debt. The Lycans had made the decision to arrest him until he could repay what he owed. There was no mercy in the werewolf world when it came to money.

"How much does he owe?" I asked, afraid of the answer.

"Three million dollars," she whispered.

My stomach dropped. Three million dollars was an impossible amount. We did not have savings like that. My father's business was gone, and we had no way to recover.

"They cannot just take him like this," I said, standing up from my chair. "Without warning or trial. That is not fair."

"They can do whatever they want," my mother said quietly. "The Lycans are above our laws. They answer to no one."

Before I could respond, my phone rang. I pulled it out and saw Marcus's name flashing across the screen. My heart skipped a beat, and I hated myself for it.

"I heard about your father," his voice was soft, and I could hear genuine concern. But I knew better now. I knew that concern was fake. "I might have a suggestion though. I would like to tell you in person. Come outside."

I wanted to refuse. I wanted to throw my phone across the room. But my mother needed help, and if Marcus could provide it, I had to at least listen.

I left the house and found Marcus leaning against his car with his arms folded. He looked handsome in the moonlight, just like he always did. My wolf whimpered at his presence, and I hated her for it.

"Why are you here?" I asked after a long silence.

"I wanted to talk to you," he replied. "I can help you, Aria. Your father's funding chain is broken. He owes a lot of money now, and I know for a fact that he does not have it. But I do."

My heart jumped with hope. "You would pay my father's debt?"

"Yes," he answered.

Relief flooded through me, but then I remembered the engagement party. I remembered Isabella. "And what would we have to do in return?" I asked, almost afraid to ask.

He smirked, and that smile made my stomach turn.

"After I get married, I want you to drop out of school and become my mistress."

The words hit me like a physical blow. I stared at him, unable to comprehend what he had just said.

"Excuse me?" I managed to sputter. "You want me to what?"

"Drop out of school and become my mistress," he repeated. "I already have a luxurious home for you to live in. You would never want for anything. I will pay off your father's debt and give you more money than you could dream of."

"How could you ask me to do such a thing?" I asked in a choked whisper. Tears threatened to spill from my eyes, but I forced them back.

He stepped closer to me, and I felt rooted to the ground. My wolf was whimpering about his request. She could not believe our mate could ask such a thing from us.

"Because we have always been so good together, Aria," he said, reaching out and touching my arm gently. "We will always have this strong connection, even if I mark someone else. You and your family would be set for life. All you have to do is say yes."

He was rubbing his fingers up and down my arms, and I felt sick to my stomach. I finally found the strength to step away from him, my body trembling.

"No," I said, meeting his eyes. "I would never become your mistress."

His eyes darkened.

"I am about to become the Alpha, Aria. You must get with the times. Becoming my mistress would only benefit you. Plus, do you not want your father out of jail?"

"I will find another way," I said through my teeth. "If that is all you came here to say, then I have heard enough. You can leave."

He raised his brows and studied me for a moment longer, as if he expected me to change my mind.

"You will change your mind," he told me as he stepped toward his car. "And when you do, I will be here. But until then, your father will remain in prison."

"I will figure it out," I said to his retreating back. "We do not need you, Marcus!"

He chuckled as he opened his car door.

"In order to get him out of prison, you will need at least three million dollars. When you realize that there is no other option, you will come to your senses. I am sure of it."

Without another word, he got into his car and drove away into the night.

I stood alone in the darkness, tears finally spilling down my cheeks. Three million dollars. How was I going to come up with that kind of money?

---

The next morning, I attended my warrior training class. My body moved through the drills automatically, but my mind was elsewhere. I was thinking about my father, about Marcus, about the impossible situation we were in.

After class, I sat beneath the large oak tree that my best friend Nova and I always met at. She appeared moments later, looking concerned.

"You look like hell," she pointed out as she sat beside me.

"It was a rough night," I admitted.

"Where did you go last night? When I returned to the party, you were gone. Did you leave early because of the engagement party?"

I bit my lower lip as I thought about what to say. Nova could always see through my lies.

"I ripped my shirt, and someone brought me into his room to change," I said, feeling my cheeks growing warm at the memory.

She raised her brows. "You went to someone's room? Whose?"

I was quiet for a moment, and she grabbed my arm, getting my attention.

"Aria, who did you leave with?" She asked, now her voice was filled with alarm.

I knew there was no getting out of this conversation. I bit my lip and peeked up at her through my lashes.

"Leo Ashford," I squeaked.

---