Bound by fate and fury

Swallowing pride

Emery

The drive to Lachlan’s pack felt like an eternity, the silence in the car stretching thick and heavy around me. Every instinct in me rebelled against what I was about to do, but I kept pushing forward, refusing to let my doubts get the best of me. This was the only way. For my family, for my mother, I would do what I had to—even if it meant begging Lachlan Draven to save us.

As I pulled up to the pack’s main grounds, eyes were on me instantly. A group of wolves nearby fell silent, their gazes sharp, assessing, and filled with something close to disdain. My wolf bristled, sensing the hostility, but I kept my head high, trying not to let it shake me.

Before I could decide on my next step, a tall figure approached. His expression was hard, his jaw set with a wariness that made his feelings clear: I wasn’t welcome here.

“Emery Thorne.” The man’s tone was clipped, and I recognized him as Jaxon, Lachlan’s Beta. “You have a lot of nerve showing up here.”

I met his gaze, refusing to flinch. “I’m here to see Lachlan.”

His eyes narrowed, his arms crossing over his chest as he looked me up and down. “You think you can just walk into our territory after everything your family’s done? You’re lucky I haven’t thrown you out already.”

I swallowed, forcing myself to stay calm. “I’m not here to cause trouble. This is between me and Lachlan.”

Jaxon let out a humorless laugh. “Trouble follows the Thorne family, Emery. Whatever your reasons, don’t expect a warm welcome here.”

I bit back a retort, knowing it would get me nowhere. “Can you take me to him, or do I need to find my own way?”

He sighed, a flicker of reluctance passing over his face. “Fine. But don’t think for a second that I trust you—or that anyone here does.” He turned sharply, motioning for me to follow. “This way.”

The silence as we walked was heavy, the tension thick enough to taste. Wolves passed us in the halls, some with curious looks, others with open disdain. It was clear that my family name still carried a bitter weight here. A part of me wanted to turn and run, to save what little pride I had left. But I forced myself to keep walking, my steps steady as I followed Jaxon deeper into the heart of their territory.

Finally, we reached a set of tall, imposing doors, and Jaxon knocked once before pushing them open. “Lachlan, you have a visitor,” he announced flatly, barely glancing at me.

But before I could step inside, a figure appeared in the doorway—a woman, tall and strikingly beautiful, with dark hair tumbling over her shoulders. She looked at me with a smirk, her lips painted in a shade of crimson that matched the venom in her eyes.

Victoria Gray. Lachlan’s former lover.

Her hair was slightly disheveled, her blouse rumpled just enough to suggest something… intimate. She leaned against the doorframe, a smirk playing on her lips as her eyes raked over me with disdain.

“Well, well,” she drawled, crossing her arms. “If it isn’t the infamous Emery Thorne. Come to cause more trouble?”

Ignoring the flash of heat in my cheeks, I met her gaze evenly. “I’m here to see Lachlan.”

She laughed, the sound rich and mocking. “Oh, I’m sure you are. But let me give you a little advice, Thorne: you’re out of your league here. Lachlan’s not interested in whatever sad little offer you’ve come to make. He has better… options.” Her eyes glinted with satisfaction as she looked back toward his office, the implication clear.

Before I could respond, Jaxon cleared his throat. “Victoria, that’s enough.”

She shot him an annoyed glance before stepping aside, her gaze lingering on me one last time before she sauntered off, leaving a trail of expensive perfume in her wake.

“Nice to see some things never change,” I muttered under my breath, trying to shake off the sting of her words.

Jaxon cast me a warning look. “Don’t waste his time, Emery.”

I took a steadying breath and stepped into the office, my heart hammering as the door closed behind me. Lachlan stood by the window, his back to me, gazing out at the vast forest that stretched beyond the pack’s territory. His silhouette was imposing, every inch of him radiating power and control.

Without turning, he spoke, his voice calm, controlled. “Emery Thorne, back so soon. I didn’t expect you to come running.”

I clenched my hands, fighting to keep my tone steady. “I’m not running. I came to discuss your… offer.”

He turned slowly, his eyes meeting mine with a faint, mocking smile. “My offer?” He took a step closer, his gaze never leaving mine. “You mean my terms.”

“Fine,” I said, swallowing my pride. “Your terms. But I want some conditions.”

His brow arched, and a dark chuckle escaped his lips. “Conditions? You’re in no position to negotiate, Emery.”

“I’m willing to agree to the arrangement,” I said, forcing myself to hold his gaze, “but there are limits. I won’t be a pawn in whatever revenge you have planned. If we’re doing this, there have to be boundaries.”

He laughed, a cold, dismissive sound that made my skin prickle. “Boundaries? Do you think you’re in a position to set boundaries with me?”

I took a shaky breath, summoning every ounce of defiance I had. “Yes. If you want me to agree, there need to be lines you won’t cross.”

Lachlan’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he took another step toward me, closing the space between us until I could feel the heat radiating from him. “You’re not in a position to make demands, Emery. If you want my help, you’ll do exactly as I say. No conditions. No boundaries.”

My heart pounded, my throat tight as I realized just how much power he held over me in this moment. But I couldn’t back down now. “Lachlan, please. Just… hear me out.”

A flicker of satisfaction crossed his face as he tilted his head, regarding me with a cold amusement. “You want my help so badly?” He took another step, his voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. “Then prove it. Beg me.”

The words sent a wave of anger and humiliation crashing through me, but I forced myself to stay calm. “I’m asking you to be reasonable. I’m not—”

“Beg, Emery.” His tone was cold, unyielding. “Or there’s nothing more to discuss.”

The silence stretched between us, thick with tension. I stared at him, every instinct in me screaming to turn and walk out, to preserve what little pride I had left. But I knew what was at stake. My mother, my family’s legacy… everything I cared about.

Taking a shaky breath, I let my shoulders drop, the last of my resistance slipping away. “Please, Lachlan.”

His gaze didn’t soften, if anything, his satisfaction only deepened. “On your knees.”

The words hit me like a punch, my body going rigid as I stared at him in disbelief. “You can’t be serious.”

“Oh, I’m very serious.” His voice was a low murmur, his eyes gleaming with a dark intensity. “Get on your knees, Emery, and beg.”

To be continued….