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Maria sat in the booth for a long time, staring at the empty space where the man had been. The entire place had a powerful smell, the kind that belonged to an Alpha who didn't need to roar to get what he wanted.
The change in her life had happened so fast. One moment she was the golden girl of her family, and the next, she was a stray. She felt like she was dreaming, or maybe the red wine had finally gone to her head.
Daisy came over and tapped her on the shoulder. She looked at Maria with a sad, soft smile. "Hey, don't be too hard on yourself, Ria. It’s not easy to catch a man like that. He’s wealthy, he’s powerful, and he’s probably the most handsome wolf on this side. Maybe we should just go home and—"
"He told me to meet him," Maria interrupted. Her voice was a daze, her eyes fixed on the door. "At the entrance of the marriage registry office. Tomorrow morning. Eleven o'clock."
The pub seemed to go silent. Daisy's mouth fell open. She didn't move for ten seconds. Then, she let out a loud, wild laugh that made people at the next table look over.
"Oh my god! You did it!" Daisy cheered, grabbing Maria’s hands. "Congratulations, Ria! You’re actually going to become Brandon’s aunt! Can you imagine the look on his face when he has to call you 'Auntie' and bow to you at the next pack meeting?"
Maria didn't laugh. She felt a knot in her stomach. "You actually believe him? He looked like he wanted to throw me out a window five minutes before he said that."
Daisy reached out and pinched Maria’s cheek hard. "Why wouldn't I believe him? Look at you! You have that natural, pure beauty that makes every wolf want to start wars. If I were a man, I’d fall in love with you in a heartbeat. Now, let’s have one more drink to celebrate your new life as the most powerful woman in the Owen family!”
Maria sighed. She wondered if Daisy was even more drunk than she was. Her head was starting to throb. The heavy feeling of a hangover was already setting in, making her eyes feel like lead.
Outside the pub, a sleek, black Maserati pulled up to the curb. The valet rushed forward, his hands shaking slightly as he opened the door.
Jack stepped into the backseat. He leaned against the leather chair and undid the top two buttons of his shirt. He looked tired, but his eyes were still sharp.
"I thought I told you to keep things low-key while I'm in the city," Jack said, his voice cold.
His assistant looked at him through the rearview mirror. "Sir, I promise you, this is the cheapest car in your garage. Anything else would have drawn a crowd."
Jack frowned. He hated the noise of the city. He preferred the quiet of the northern territories where he grew his businesses. "Who else knows I’m back?"
"No one, sir. Only your grandmother. She is the only one who knew you were coming to this specific area tonight."
Jack's expression softened just a little. If his grandmother didn't tell anyone, then the girl in the bar—the one with the green eyes must have been a coincidence. She didn't look like a spy. She looked like a woman who had been pushed to her limit.
"Find out who she is," Jack commanded. "I want her name, her family history, and everything she’s done for the last five years. I want it on my desk before the sun comes up."
"Yes, sir," Paul replied.
Jack closed his eyes. He could still feel the touch of her fingers on his shoulder. Most people were too afraid to even look him in the eye. But she had walked right up to him and asked him to marry her. She was either the bravest woman he had ever met, or the craziest.
Either way, he was interested.
The next morning, the sun was far too bright. It poked through the curtains like tiny needles, hitting Maria right in the eyes.
She groaned and tried to roll over, but a loud crashing sound outside her door made her sit up fast. Her head felt like it was being squeezed. Her hair was a mess, and her eyes were red from crying and drinking.
The door flew open.
Brandon strode into the room. He looked angry, his face flushed. Behind him, Daisy was shouting, "This is my house, Brandon! You can't just break in here! This is trespassing!"
"I knew you'd be here," Brandon said, ignoring Daisy. He stood at the foot of the bed, staring at Maria.
Maria went cold. The sight of him—the man who had watched her get slapped and said nothing made her blood boil. She sat up straight, pulling the blanket around her.
"Daisy," Maria said. "It's okay. Let him stay. I want to hear what lies he has for me today."
Daisy looked worried, but she nodded and backed out of the room, closing the door behind her.
The room was quiet. Brandon looked at Maria, his eyes softening for a moment. He reached out his hand to touch her hair, but she snapped her head back, avoiding him.
"Don't touch me," she spat. "Does your new mate, Alice, know you're here? Or are you already cheating on her too?"
Brandon flinched. He clenched his fists at his sides. "Ria, listen to me. You don't understand what's happening. My father and your parents... they had a meeting last night. They’ve decided to give Alice ninety percent of the Anderson Corporation shares."
Maria felt the air leave her lungs. Her skin turned pale. "That’s... that’s impossible. I’ve worked for that company since I was sixteen. Alice doesn't even know how to shift properly, let alone run a business!"
"It’s true," Brandon said, stepping closer. "Your father said she needs the security because she was lost for so long. They are giving her everything, Ria."
Maria laughed, but there were tears in her eyes. "And that’s why you chose her, isn't it? You didn't choose her because you love her. You chose her because she has the money and the power now. You’re trading me for a pile of gold."
Brandon grabbed her hands. He held them tight, even though she tried to pull away. "It’s only temporary! I had to get engaged to her. My father has an illegitimate son who is trying to take my spot as Alpha. If I don't have the Anderson family's wealth behind me, I’ll lose everything. I’m doing this for us, Ria. I want to give you a good life."
"Bullsh*t!" Ria screamed. She ripped her hands away and stood up on the bed so she could look down at him. "You’re twenty-three years old, Brandon! You’re supposed to be a leader. If you wanted a life with me, you’d build it yourself! You wouldn't hide behind my sister’s skirts like a coward!"
"You're being naive," Brandon said, his voice turning cold again. He stood up straight, hiding his guilt. "In our world, we don't get to choose who we love anymore. We choose what makes the pack strong."
Maria felt a wave of disgust. She realized she didn't even know this man. The boy she grew up with was gone. "Get out," she said quietly. "Get out before I shift and tear your throat out."
Brandon sighed. He looked at her one last time, his expression full of fake pity. "Just wait for me, Ria. Give me three years. Once I am officially the Alpha and the company is stable, I’ll come back for you. You’re young. You can afford to wait."
Maria felt like she was going to explode. He wanted her to sit on a shelf and wait while he slept with her sister? Did he really think she was that stupid?
"I’ll never wait for you," she whispered. "Now get out of my sight.”
Brandon shook his head and walked out. He didn't look back.
The moment the front door slammed shut, Maria jumped off the bed. She ignored the pain in her head. She grabbed a clean shirt and her ID.
"Where are you going?" Daisy asked, catching her in the hallway. "He's gone, Ria. Don't go after him!"
Maria stopped and looked at Daisy. Her jaw was set. "I'm not going after Brandon. I'm going to the registry office. I have a wedding to attend."
Daisy blinked. "Wait... you actually believe that guy? The one from the bar?"
"You're the one who told me to believe him last night!" Maria shouted as she pulled on her shoes.
"I was drunk!" Daisy yelled back. "Ria, that guy is dangerous! He probably said that just to get rid of you!"
"And what if he didn't?" Maria asked, her hand on the doorknob. "What if he's actually there? If I stay here, I'm just the girl Brandon dumped. But if I go there... I might become the woman who destroys him."
Before Ria could say another word, Maria ran out the door. She had fifteen minutes to get across town, and she wasn't going to be late for her own revenge.
- Writer
