Aria's pov
“Then walk away.”
The man across from me blinked.
“You heard me,” I continued calmly. “If you’re not willing to meet the terms, walk away.”
A murmur rippled through the room. Deals like this didn’t usually stall. Not at this level. Not with this much money sitting on the table.
But I didn’t move. I didn’t negotiate with desperation.
The Alpha across from me leaned back in his chair, studying me like he was trying to figure out where the weakness was.
He wouldn’t find it.
“You’re asking for control over distribution,” he said slowly. “That’s not a small concession.”
“No,” I agreed. “It isn’t.”
“Then why should I give it to you?”
“Because you need me more than I need you.”
There was a long pause. Then…
He exhaled slowly, fingers tapping once against the table before g
