BETRAYED BY HOCKEY STAR: LOVED BY ALPHA KING

Chapter 4: Work for hire.

DRAVEN'S pov

She still refused me.

Even after I laid out every reason, every advantage, every opportunity that came with aligning herself with me—Elara Moon still refused.

“I don’t know you,” she’d said, clutching her bag tighter as if I might steal something from her. “And I don’t trust men who show up out of nowhere with offers that sound too good to be true.”

She wasn’t wrong. But it still annoyed me.

I had slipped my card into her hand before she could protest again, the gold edges catching the sunlight.

“Keep it,” I said, forcing it into her grip. “In case you change your mind.”

Then I turned and walked away.

……………

The f**k am I leaving for.

I was in my car, engine humming quietly, watching her from a distance. My wolf growled restlessly in my head, pacing like a caged animal. It was suffocating how strong the pull was.

Every time she moved, my wolf stirred. Every time she sighed, he clawed at the surface of my control. I’d never felt anything like it. Thirty-five years of existing with nothing but vengeance driving me and now, suddenly, this human girl had my entire being on edge.

All I wanted to do was at least smell her to calm my wolf

I tried to reason with myself. She wasn’t my concern. She was a means to an end.

But the truth? I couldn’t leave her alone.

So I followed, I followed her like a lost puppy.

She walked for nearly half an hour before reaching a small, worn-down apartment complex on the city’s edge. The paint was chipped, the gate rusted, and the entire street reeked of despair. I stayed in the car, watching her climb the narrow steps.

Then I heard the shouting.

A woman older, harsh-voiced, with the unmistakable tone of someone who’s had enough—stood in the doorway, waving her hands angrily.

“You think because your face is trending on the internet, you can skip rent?” she snapped. “You bring shame to my house, Elara! First, you embarrass yourself online, and now this? Pay what you owe or leave!”

Elara stood frozen, her shoulders trembling. I could barely hear her voice when she replied.

“I told you I’ll pay this week—”

“You’ve been saying that for months!”

The woman slammed the door in her face.

Elara just stood there for a moment, head bowed, before sinking down on the steps, her bag still clutched to her chest.

Something inside me twisted. My wolf went still,but I could feel his focus sharpening. Like even he knew this wasn’t just pity.

I got out of the car before I could talk myself out of it.

When she finally noticed me, her eyes widened, anger flickering across her face. “Were you following me?”

“Yes.”

No point lying.

Her mouth opened in disbelief. “You can’t just—”

“Relax,” I cut in, my voice even. “I’m not here to hurt you.”

She crossed her arms, defiant even through the exhaustion. Cleaning her teas she responded “Then what do you want? Another chance to talk me into your ridiculous plan?”

I took a slow step closer. “You’re in trouble, Elara. Financially. Socially. Emotionally. And don’t bother denying it, I heard what your landlord said.”

Her expression hardened. “That’s none of your business.”

“Maybe not.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out another card black this time, with my initials engraved in silver. “But it could be your solution.”

Her eyes darted from the card to me, suspicious. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Work for me,” I said simply. “You don’t have to decide about the fake relationship yet. But if you need a job, I’ll give you one. At my estate. You’ll be compensated fairly, housed comfortably, and protected.”

She scoffed. “You expect me to believe that? You some rich stranger want to hire me just like that? You must think I’m stupid.”

I tilted my head, studying her. “No. I think you’re desperate, even if your pride won’t let you admit it.”

The silence that followed was sharp. She looked away, jaw tightening as her fingers fidgeted with the strap of her bag. Pride warred with reality in her eyes and reality was winning.

“Why me?” she asked finally, her voice quieter. “You could have anyone.”

I hesitated, forcing my wolf back before he could answer for me.

“Because I see potential,” I lied smoothly. “And because I believe you deserve better than begging people who clearly don’t care whether you eat or starve.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line. “You sound like you’re buying me.”

“Maybe I am,” I said flatly. “But at least I pay better than the people who’ve been using you.”

That shut her up.

For the first time, she didn’t argue. She didn’t insult me or question my motives. She just stood there, silent, staring at the ground as if trying to find a reason to keep saying no.

I didn’t push her. Not yet.

“Think about it,” I said finally. “But don’t take too long. Offers like mine don’t last forever.”

Then I turned and left for real this time, though my wolf howled in protest.

Every instinct screamed at me to stay to make sure she was safe, to bring her with me but I forced myself back into the car.

As the engine roared to life, I caught one last glimpse of her in the rearview mirror still standing on those steps, clutching my card like it was burning her skin.

She didn’t trust me. Not yet.

But soon enough, she would have no choice.