Blood Debt: The Alpha's Captive Mate

Chapter 2

The dress appeared in my closet while I was in the shower, like some kind of twisted fairy tale.

Blood red silk that probably cost more than my entire previous wardrobe, with a neckline that was somehow both elegant and dangerous. It fit perfectly, which meant Brian had either an exceptional eye for women's sizes or he'd had someone research everything about me.

Given what I'd learned about him in the last few hours, probably both.

"We look hot," Luna commented as I stared at my reflection.

"We look like we're playing his game," I corrected, but still smoothed down the silk. The bruises from earlier had already started healing thanks to my wolf metabolism finally fighting off the wolfsbane.

A knock at my door made me jump. "Come in," I called, expecting Dmitri.

Instead, a woman entered. Tall, blonde, and gorgeous in that intimidating way that made you immediately conscious of all your flaws. Her white pantsuit looked like it came straight from a runway, and her smile was sharp enough to cut glass.

"You must be the new pet," she said, her tone making it clear exactly what she thought of me.

"And you are?"

"Veronica Steele. Brian's business partner." She circled me slowly, like a predator sizing up prey. "And occasional... entertainment."

The implication hit like a slap. Of course he had women. Men like Brian Abbot didn't do celibacy.

"Congratulations," I said flatly. "Want a medal?"

Her laugh was cold. "Oh, you have spirit. That'll last about a week. Brian breaks all his toys eventually."

"I'm not a toy."

"No?" She stepped closer, and I caught her scent—wolf, but also something else. Something chemical. "You're a debt payment. A pretty little bird in a pretty little cage. And when Brian gets bored, which he will, you'll be just another forgotten asset in his portfolio."

"Speaking from experience?"

Her eyes flashed gold. "Careful, little girl. You're new here, so I'll give you one free warning. Brian might find your defiance amusing now, but the rest of us don't. This pack has a hierarchy, and you? You're at the bottom."

She turned to leave, then paused at the door. "Oh, and Aggie? That dress makes you look like you're trying too hard. But then again, desperate times and all that."

The door clicked shut behind her, leaving me with clenched fists and Luna snarling in my head.

"I want to rip her throat out," my wolf growled.

"Get in line," I muttered, then checked the time. 7:55. Five minutes to find the dining room in this maze.

I stepped into the hallway, trying to remember the route Dmitri had taken. Left, right, another left—or was it right? Everything looked the same. Expensive. Cold. Intimidating.

"Lost?"

I spun around to find a man leaning against the wall, watching me with amused green eyes. Younger than Brian, maybe mid-twenties, with dark hair and a crooked smile that probably got him into trouble.

"The dining room," I admitted reluctantly.

"Follow me." He pushed off the wall, moving with the easy grace all werewolves possessed. "I'm Marcus, by the way. Brian's brother."

Brother. I studied him as we walked, noting the similarities. Same strong jaw, same powerful build, though Marcus had a lighter energy. Less predator, more playboy.

"You're the accountant's daughter," he continued. "The one who has Brian all twisted up."

"Twisted up?"

Marcus grinned. "He made us hold three emergency meetings about you today. Changed the security protocols twice. Threatened to dismember anyone who looked at you wrong." He glanced at me sideways. "That's not normal, even for him."

"He owns me. He's protecting his investment."

"Right." Marcus's tone suggested he didn't believe that any more than I did. "Word of advice? Whatever game you think you're playing with my brother, be careful. Brian doesn't do things halfway. When he wants something, he takes it. And from the way he looks at you..."

We reached a set of double doors before he could finish. Marcus pushed them open, revealing a dining room that belonged in a palace. A long table dominated the space, already set with china and crystal that sparkled under the chandelier.

Brian sat at the head, of course. His eyes found mine immediately, tracking over the red dress with an expression that made heat crawl up my neck.

"You're thirty seconds late," he said.

"Your house is a maze."

"Our house," he corrected. "Sit."

The only empty chair was to his right. Of course. I sat, hyperaware of how close he was. He'd changed from his suit into dark jeans and a black henley that did criminal things to his chest.

"Stop staring," Luna teased.

"Shut up," I shot back.

The table filled quickly. Marcus took the seat across from me, winking. Dmitri appeared along with several other men I didn't recognize, all carrying themselves with the kind of confidence that came from being apex predators. Veronica slithered in last, taking a seat farther down the table but making sure I saw her possessive look at Brian.

"Before we eat," Brian stood, his voice commanding instant attention. "An introduction. Aggie Wiggs will be joining our organization in an administrative capacity. She's under my personal protection. Any issues with her go through me. Understood?"

A chorus of "Yes, Alpha" filled the room. All except Veronica, who simply smiled that sharp smile.

Dinner was served by staff who moved like ghosts—silent, efficient, invisible. The food was incredible, some kind of steak that melted on my tongue, but I barely tasted it. Every nerve was focused on the man beside me, the occasional brush of his arm against mine, the way he kept refilling my wine glass without asking.

"Tell us about yourself, Aggie," Veronica's voice cut through the dinner conversation. "What makes you worth three million dollars?"

The table went quiet.

"Veronica," Brian's tone held a warning.

"It's a fair question," she continued, ignoring him. "We're all curious how a bookstore clerk is supposed to pay off that kind of debt. Unless there are other... arrangements?"

"Enough," Brian snarled, and the temperature in the room dropped.

But I was already standing, my own temper finally snapping. "You want to know what makes me worth three million dollars?" I looked directly at Veronica. "Nothing. I'm worth nothing. I'm here because my father is a coward who used me as a human shield. But at least I know what I am. Can you say the same? Or are you still pretending that warming his bed occasionally makes you matter?"

Dead silence.

Then Marcus laughed, loud and delighted. "Oh, I like her."

"Leave us," Brian commanded, and the room emptied in seconds. Even Veronica fled, though not before shooting me a look that promised retribution.

When we were alone, Brian turned to me, his expression unreadable. "That was unwise."

"She started it."

"She's been with this pack for five years. She's earned her place."

"In your bed?"

His eyes flashed. "Jealous, little wolf?"

"Of her? Please." I started to stand, but his hand caught my wrist, pulling me back down—not into my chair, but onto his lap.

"What are you—"

"You want to know about Veronica?" His arm wrapped around my waist, holding me in place. "Yes, we've slept together. No, it meant nothing. It was a business transaction, just like everything else in my life. Until you."

"I'm a business transaction too," I reminded him, though my traitorous body was already melting into his warmth.

"No." His other hand came up to cup my face. "You're something else entirely. Do you know what happened when I walked into that warehouse and saw you?"

I shook my head, not trusting my voice.

"My wolf went insane. Four hundred years of control, gone in an instant." His thumb traced my bottom lip. "Mine, he said. And he's never said that before. Not once."

"Four hundred—how old are you?"

"Old enough to know better." His hand slid from my face to my throat, not squeezing, just resting there. "Young enough not to care."

"This is insane," I whispered.

"Yes," he agreed, then pulled me closer until our faces were inches apart. "Tell me to stop."

I should have. Every logical part of my brain screamed to get up, to run, to fight. But Luna was purring, and his scent was everywhere, and his hand on my throat felt like a claim I wanted to accept.

"Aggie," he breathed my name like a prayer. "Tell me to stop."

"No," I whispered.

His control snapped. His mouth crashed into mine, and it was nothing like any kiss I'd experienced before. This was possession, domination, a claiming of everything I was. His tongue swept into my mouth and I moaned, my hands fisting in his shirt.

He growled—actually growled—and stood, lifting me onto the table. Plates crashed to the floor but neither of us cared. His hands were everywhere, burning through the silk of the dress, and I was drowning in sensation.

"Mine," he snarled against my throat, and I felt his fangs extend, brushing against my pulse point.

The sharp edge of fear mixed with desire cleared my head enough to push at his chest. "Wait. Stop."

He froze immediately, though his hands remained on my waist. His eyes were pure gold now, his wolf in full control.

"I can't," I gasped, trying to catch my breath. "This is too fast. I don't even know you."

For a moment, I thought his wolf might not let me go. Then he stepped back, his chest heaving. The gold slowly faded from his eyes, replaced by that arctic blue.

"You're right," he said, his voice rough. "Forgive me. That was... inappropriate."

Inappropriate. That was one word for it.

I slid off the table on shaky legs, very aware that my lips were swollen and my hair was probably a mess. "I should go."

"Aggie." His voice stopped me at the door. "This isn't over."

"I know," I admitted, then fled before I could do something stupid like run back into his arms.

I made it halfway to my room before running into Marcus again. He took one look at my face and whistled low.

"So that's how it is."

"Shut up."

He grinned. "Need an escort back to your room? These hallways can be tricky."

"I can manage."

"Sure you can." But he fell into step beside me anyway. "You know, no one's ever affected him like this. In four centuries, I've never seen my brother lose control. Until tonight."

"Four centuries. You're both that old?"

"Turned during the Renaissance. Long story." We reached my door. "Aggie? Be careful with him. Brian doesn't know how to do anything halfway. If you let him in, he'll consume you."

"And if I don't?"

Marcus's smile was sad. "Then he'll destroy himself trying to win you anyway."

He left me with that cheerful thought. I entered my room to find the broken plates from dinner had been replaced with a new meal, still warm. A note sat beside it in masculine handwriting:

"Eat. You barely touched your food. - B

P.S. - You look beautiful in red, but you'd look better in nothing at all."

"Arrogant ass," I muttered, but ate anyway. I was starving, and the food was too good to waste on principle.

My phone—my actual phone, which had somehow appeared on my nightstand—buzzed with a text from an unknown number.

"I know where your father is. Meet me in the garage at 3 AM if you want answers. Come alone. Tell no one, especially not Abbot."

I stared at the message, my heart racing. This was obviously a trap. Or a test. Or both.

But if there was even a chance of finding out why my father had abandoned me...

I deleted the message and set my alarm for 2:45 AM.

This was probably the stupidest thing I'd ever done. But then again, I'd already signed my soul over to a werewolf mafia boss who kissed like sin and looked at me like I was his salvation.

How much worse could it get?