Moon's Betrayal

Chapter 4

Adrian's POV

Watching Elena sign that contract was like watching a lamb walk into a lion's den.

She had no idea what she was getting into. No idea that I was a werewolf, that she smelled like home and salvation and everything I'd never known I wanted. No idea that her voice didn't just sound beautiful – it called to something primal in my Alpha blood that made my wolf pace and growl with possession.

"Sarah will take you to your apartment," I said, sliding the signed contract into my desk drawer. "Tomorrow we start your transformation."

Elena looked up from the empty plate in front of her. Color had returned to her cheeks, and I realized she was even more beautiful when she wasn't half-dead from starvation.

"Transformation?"

"Image consultant, personal shopper, vocal coach, dance instructor, media training. You have raw talent, but talent isn't enough in this industry. You need to become someone people can't ignore."

"You want to change me."

"I want to perfect you."

The words hung in the air between us, loaded with meaning I couldn't let her see. Yet.

Sarah appeared at the door right on cue. "Miss Rivera? Your car is waiting."

Elena stood, still clutching the pen she'd used to sign her life over to me. "Thank you, Mr. Knight. For this opportunity."

"Call me Adrian. And Elena?" I waited until she met my eyes. "Don't thank me yet. You haven't earned this. That starts tomorrow."

After she left, I poured myself three fingers of bourbon and called Marcus.

"Cousin," his voice was smooth as always. "How did the daddy issue songbird meeting go?"

"She signed."

"Of course she did. Homeless girls don't usually turn down lottery tickets." Marcus paused. "You sure about this one, Adrian? She seems... fragile."

"Fragile can be shaped. Molded." I took a sip of bourbon, savoring the burn. "Besides, you heard her voice in that alley. Tell me that wouldn't sell millions."

"I heard her voice," Marcus agreed. "Interesting choice for your fake girlfriend project."

I'd told Marcus that Elena was part of my plan to convince my parents I didn't need the Morrison arrangement. A beautiful, talented girlfriend would show them I could handle my own romantic life.

I hadn't told him she was my mate.

"Speaking of the Morrisons," Marcus continued, "Kelly's been asking about you. She heard you signed someone new."

"Kelly can go f**k herself. And her new Alpha boyfriend."

"Testy. Maybe she misses you."

"She made her choice." I finished the bourbon in one gulp. "Now I'm making mine."

The next morning, I arrived at Elena's new apartment to find her standing in the middle of the living room looking lost.

"Problem?" I asked.

"This place is bigger than the entire coffee shop," she said, gesturing around the space. Floor-to-ceiling windows showed off a view of the Hollywood Hills, and the furniture cost more than most people made in a year.

"You'll get used to it. Ready for day one?"

What followed was eight hours of intensive makeover. Hair stylist, makeup artist, personal shopper, image consultant. I watched Elena get transformed from a beautiful girl into something that could stop traffic.

"Too much," she said, staring at herself in the mirror. The stylist had given her loose waves and smoky eyes that made her look like a young Sophia Loren.

"Not enough," I corrected. "You need to command your attention. Own every room you walk into."

"This isn't me."

"This is who you need to be."

By the end of the day, her closet was full of designer clothes and her bathroom counter looked like Sephora had exploded. Elena sat on her new couch looking overwhelmed.

"I don't know how to be this person," she said quietly.

I sat beside her, close enough to catch her scent. My wolf stirred, wanting to comfort her, claim her, make her understand that she belonged to me now.

"You'll learn," I said instead. "I'll teach you."

"Why does this matter so much to you? The award, I mean."

I considered lying. It would be easier. But something in her eyes made me tell the truth.

"Because if I don't win, my parents will force me into an arranged mating with someone I despise. My entire future depends on proving I can succeed on my own terms."

"Arranged mating?" She looked confused. "Like marriage?"

Shit. I'd said too much.

"Something like that. Old family traditions." I stood before I could make things worse. "Get some rest. Tomorrow we start vocal training."

"Adrian?" Her voice stopped me at the door.

"Yeah?"

"I won't let you down. I promise."

The sincerity in her voice hit me like a punch to the chest. She had no idea she was already changing everything, just by existing in my world.

"I know you won't," I said.

As I drove home, I called my parents to report in.

"The Rivera girl is settling in well," I told my mother. "She'll be ready for public appearances within the month."

"And Kelly?"

"Won't be a problem. I don't need her family's connections."

"See that you're right," my father's voice was ice cold. "Because if you fail to win that award, the Morrison marriage contract becomes non-negotiable. Kelly's already planning the ceremony."

"It won't fail."

After I hung up, I realized I was gripping the steering wheel hard enough to c***k it.

Elena Rivera was supposed to be a tool. A means to an end.

So why did the thought of anyone hurting her make my wolf snarl with murderous rage?