Bound to the Alpha Racer

The Bargain

There's no way this guy would go that far just to help me for free. Whatever his goal is, I don't have time to figure it out. He's my only chance to get away from Mr. Sullivan's men, who could show up at any moment.

Though I was hesitant, I climbed onto the back of the bike and awkwardly grabbed the edge of his jacket. Suddenly, the grumpy angel pulled my hands tighter around his waist.

"Hey!" I shouted in protest.

"Once you ride with me, you'll understand my speed."

The engine roared as he started the bike, and within seconds, we were flying down the road. He hit the throttle so hard that I clung to him tightly, afraid of falling off.

The wind whipped past my ears, roaring cold and painful.

"Can you slow down a little? My ears are killing me!" I yelled.

"Got it!"

The speed dropped slightly, and my hair flew behind me as if I were in a music video. Before, it had felt like I was being attacked by a hurricane. I kept watching where he was taking me—past downtown and toward the edge of Balmoral.

Was going with a stranger really the right decision?

The bike turned onto a narrow road that was barely wide enough for one car. We were definitely outside the city limits now. I was overcome with fear—this was precisely the kind of place where thriller characters get hunted.

We pulled up to a tall, black iron gate. Behind it stood a large, spooky, two-story villa. Scratch that—it was definitely a vampire's lair. Was he going to turn me into one of them and curse me with eternal boredom?

The bike came to a stop, and we both got off. He opened the gate.

"You might as well kill me now!" I blurted out, gathering all my courage.

The grumpy angel frowned. "Why would I do that?"

"I don't want to be part of some vampire cult! Or Dracula's wife!"

"What?" He shook his head, ignoring me as he pushed his bike inside. "Close the gate."

Even now, he's still bossing me around.

There was no way I'd make it back to the highway. It was dead quiet, and it was already past midnight. I shut the gate and followed behind him like a scared little puppy.

Okay, I had to admit—the house was fabulous. From the outside, it looked old and worn down, but it had a haunting charm. I didn't know there were antique mansions like this on the outskirts of Balmoral.

He parked the bike and casually walked to the entrance, pushing open the unlocked door. Glancing back, he motioned for me to follow with a tilt of his chin.

Ugh, whatever. I'm already here; I might as well face whatever's inside. Even if it's Medusa or the Hydra.

I stepped into a massive hall lit by a golden chandelier. A wide staircase lined with a red carpet led to the second floor. It looked like we were walking into a theater.

"Feels like a movie theater," I mumbled.

"Want popcorn?" he smirked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

I was about to follow him when footsteps echoed from upstairs. A figure stood at the top of the stairs, staring down at us with sharp eyes.

He hurried down and headed straight toward me and the grumpy angel. As he got closer, I could see him more clearly. He was just as handsome.

His hair was a darker shade of brown and neatly trimmed. His eyes matched the grumpy angel's—sharp and intense. He looked more mature with his unbuttoned black shirt revealing part of his chest.

Oh my God! I felt both embarrassed and terrified.

"Who is she, Alpha Cassiel?" he asked in a cold, cutting voice.

So, the grumpy angel's name is Alpha Cassiel. Weird name. But I wasn't wrong about giving him that nickname. Cassiel is the name of an archangel if I remember correctly.

"I finally found her, Daniel," Cassiel said with a slight smile in my direction.

"Oh, damn it, Alpha."

"Why are you cursing? I'm doing what I was supposed to."

"Get her back where she belongs! Her home, her parents—wherever you found her! You can't just bring a girl here because of an impulsive act!"

Cassiel immediately wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "Never! She's my mate!"

Wait a minute—mate?

"Mate?!" I half-screamed in shock.

What did he mean by "mate"? That means partner! I don't even know him!

"I meant mechanic," Cassiel said with a dry chuckle. "You know, a racer and his mechanic are like soulmates. They have a strong bond and total trust in each other."

I just stared at Cassiel, confused. What the hell was he talking about?

Even Daniel was staring at us in turns with a sharp, cold gaze. Who was he? From the way he was acting, he seemed...jealous? Was he Cassiel's boyfriend?

Then why was Cassiel wrapping his arm around me? Was I about to get attacked by his partner?

"Alpha Cassiel!" Daniel's voice snapped me out of it.

Cassiel gave him a smug look. "Yeah?"

"Do you even realize what you're doing?"

Cassiel nodded. "I do."

"With all due respect, she can't stay here."

"Listen, Daniel. I'm not about to take her back out into the night right now. Let her rest. Besides, there are plenty of empty rooms here!" Cassiel insisted.

Daniel fell silent, only answering Cassiel's glare with one of his own. But his tone softened slightly. "Fine. As you wish, Alpha."

Okay, so maybe Daniel isn't his boyfriend. My bad.

Cassiel tugged me gently by the shoulder, guiding me upstairs. His jaw was clenched, and for some reason, I could sense an uneasiness emanating from him. Or maybe I was just imagining it.

We stopped in front of the room closest to the stairs. Cassiel opened the door for me.

It looked like a queen's bedroom with a giant bed, a sheer canopy, a vintage wardrobe, and an ornately carved vanity. When I looked at the wardrobe, my skin crawled a little. Please, don't let there be some multiverse portal in there.

I looked at Cassiel hesitantly, and he nudged me forward gently.

"We'll talk tomorrow, okay? Get some rest. Bye!" he said, waving as he shut the door.

And just like that, there I was: Trapped in a massive mansion with two guys I didn't know. They're not going to sacrifice me, are they?

I really hoped not.

Still, I wasn't going to sleep, just in case.

I sat on the edge of the bed and started to cry. God, what am I going to do now? What about Dad? While I was stuck here, his life was on the line, and I had no idea what would happen next.

*

The next morning, I was almost asleep on the bed when a knock on the door startled me. I jumped up and carefully opened the door. A woman in a maid's uniform greeted me with a polite smile.

"Good morning. Alpha Cassiel is waiting for you on the back terrace," she said.

I nodded awkwardly. "Good morning."

"Please follow me."

I thought there was no one else here besides Cassiel and Daniel. But the house was clean and well-kept. Someone must be maintaining it.

However, outside, the place looked rundown. Strange.

Whatever. I didn't want to overthink it.

The woman opened the door to the terrace and motioned for me to go out. I saw Cassiel sitting there already, spreading jam on toast. When he noticed me, he turned around.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked as I walked up to the table.

Couldn't he see the dark circles under my eyes? I hadn't slept at all.

Where was Daniel? Shouldn't he be eating with Cassiel? Just thinking about Daniel gave me chills—he was terrifying.

"What's your name again? I forgot to ask," Cassiel said casually.

"Underwood. Lune Underwood."

"Sit down, Lune."

I sat down and looked at the spread of food on the table. It was things I'd never seen at my breakfast table growing up. Mornings back home were just eggs, bacon, or toast—sometimes nothing.

But Dad always tried to make sure I had something to eat.

God!

Suddenly, I thought of Dad again. How much time had I wasted already? His life was in danger.

I stood up abruptly. "I need to go."

"We're not done talking."

"Look, I'm grateful you helped me, but I can't stay here. Okay?"

"Wait! I still don't know why you were in Demoniquid with that older man." They're dangerous. Are you that desperate?"

Why was he interrogating me like this? What gave him the right?

"I needed the money, okay? They were my only shot, and you ruined it!" I snapped.

Cassiel dropped his toast on the plate and stood up. "Ruined it? I saved you!"

"Please take me home. I don't want to argue and waste more time."

"What do you need the money for?"

I pulled a crumpled slip of paper from my pocket and handed it to him.

"It's for my dad. I need it; that's why I went to see Mr. Sullivan. He promised to loan it to me."

Cassiel read the paper, his brow furrowing.

"What was the bail?" he asked, his eyes still locked on the paper.

I exhaled slowly. "My body, I guess."

He handed the paper back to me. "Do you think that kind of money buys you a one-night service? That's too much. Your body wouldn't be enough...unless they dismantled it.”

I froze.

"If they didn't tear you apart for your body parts, they'd probably just keep you. For life. Do you really want to serve men like that?"

"I—I—"

The image of Mr. Sullivan and his friends made me nauseous. I couldn't even imagine spending my life servicing their twisted desires. I can't.

"Could you really do it?" Cassiel asked, his voice a little firmer.

I shook my head, tears spilling down my cheeks. "No one wants to be trapped in a disgusting life like that. But I need the money! If I stay here, my dad is going to die!"

I wiped my tears and looked up at him, my heart full of anger and despair. Of course, he could afford to be calm. He'd never experienced this kind of helplessness.

Just by looking at this mansion, I knew Cassiel didn't come from poverty.

But me? What did I have left? If I lost my dad, there'd be nothing left for me in this world.

"I know I'm asking too much, but please, just take me back downtown. I have to find a way to get that money. Please," I begged, sobbing.

"How about this? What if I give you the money?" Cassiel looked me straight in the eyes. "Would you take it?"

My eyes blinked rapidly. "What's the cost?"

"Your life. You'll be mine."

I tried to back away, but Cassiel grabbed both of my arms tightly and firmly. His piercing gaze made my heart pound with fear.

How was he any different from Mr. Sullivan?

I escaped the hyena's den only to end up in the lion's cage.

"No," I whimpered, shaking my head and crying harder.

"It's better for you to be mine than theirs!"

"But—"

"You need the money, right? This is your best option. If you say no, I'll take you straight to Mr. Sullivan!" His grip tightened. "So, what's it going to be, Lune? Me or them?"