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1065 Words
For a heartbeat, Melena's mind went completely blank. Then rage exploded through her chest.
She sat in silence long after the basement door slammed shut. Delilah's final words kept replaying in her mind.
“I'm not even pregnant.”
Her stomach twisted. The tears, the trembling voice, the way Delilah had constantly rested a hand on her stomach while begging Mark to think about their baby…it had all been an act.
"That manipulative witch." A bitter laugh escaped her. She had actually felt sorry for Delilah. Her pheromones flared with anger before she forced herself to take a slow breath.
Getting angry could wait. She was still tied to a pillar.
Melena looked at the sandy-haired Alpha. "So, the show's over. You can untie me now."
He met her eyes but didn't move.
An uneasy feeling settled in her chest.
"What?"
The Alpha sighed. "I'm sorry."
Something in his voice made her blood run cold. "Sorry for what?"
"Letting you go wasn't part of the deal."
Melena frowned. "What do you mean?"
He held her gaze without hesitation. "Delilah's actual instructions were to kill you. She said her happiness only lasts if you disappear for good. No loose ends. No first love coming back. No competition."
The words hit like a punch to the chest.
"No..." A nervous laugh slipped out as she shook her head. "You're joking."
No one laughed.
No one even looked at her.
The truth settled over her mercilessly.
This wasn't a fake kidnapping anymore.
She was really going to die.
Panic crashed into her as she struggled against the ropes. "No... please."
Her wolf whimpered inside her. She wasn't ready to die. Especially not because of this.
The sandy-haired Alpha looked away briefly. "I'm sorry. I don't want to do this, but I gave my word."
He reached behind his back and slowly drew a hunting knife. The blade caught the dim light as he stepped toward her. "If you've got any last words..."
"Wait!" The word burst from Melena before he could finish.
He stopped.
"I can pay you."
His eyebrow rose. "How much?"
"One million."
Several of the men exchanged amused looks.
The Alpha shrugged. "Make it ten."
Melena's heart sank. "Ten million?"
"If your life's worth saving, it's worth ten million."
She didn't even have one million, let alone ten.
"You don't have it," he said after studying her face.
"No," she admitted, her voice shaking. "But I'll find it."
"How?"
She opened her mouth, but no answer came.
The Alpha let out a slow breath. "You get one phone call."
He nodded to one of the men, who untied one of her hands and placed her phone in it.
"Make it count."
Melena stared at the screen.
Hazel couldn't raise that kind of money.
Mark was out of the question.
That left only one person.
Her father.
Her thumb hovered over his number before she finally pressed call.
Please... just this once.
After a few rings, he answered. "Well, if it isn't the daughter who killed her own mother."
Melena closed her eyes. The accusation still hurt every time she heard it.
"Dad... I've been kidnapped. They want ransom."
Silence.
"Please. I don't want to die."
A cold laugh came through the speaker. "Then die. Maybe the world's finally getting rid of the curse that ruined my life."
The call disconnected.
Melena slowly lowered the phone. She didn't cry. She'd already spent years crying over that man. Somewhere along the way, she'd simply run out of tears.
The basement remained silent until the sandy-haired Alpha spoke again. "There's another option."
Melena looked up.
"Sleep with me. Become my exclusive Omega."
She stared at him in disbelief. "What?"
"Stay with me. I'll protect you. Everyone will know you're under my claim. No one touches what's mine."
The implication made her stomach turn. "You expect me to sleep with you to save my life?"
"If that's what it takes."
Melena laughed in disbelief. "I've met some unbelievable people today."
Then she looked him straight in the eye. "Go to hell."
The corner of his mouth twitched. "I figured you'd say that."
Before anyone could stop her, Melena dialed Hazel.
The call connected almost immediately.
"Hey, babe…"
"Hazel."
The fear in Melena's voice silenced her instantly.
"I've been kidnapped."
A stunned silence followed.
"What?"
"They want ransom or they'll kill me."
Hazel's breathing became uneven. "Mel... stop joking."
"I'm not."
"Oh my Goddess."
Melena heard a chair scrape across the floor and something crash in the background. "Are you hurt?"
"I'm....okay."
"Where are you?"
"I don't...know."
"Who's with you?"
"Some men…I don't know them."
Hazel drew a shaky breath before her voice turned firm.
"Listen to me. You are not dying. I don't care how much money they want. I'll beg, borrow, or rob a bank if I have to, but I'm getting you out of there."
Melena's throat tightened.
Someone actually wanted to save her.
"Let me…talk…with them.” Hazel stuttered.
….
Across town, Hazel stood frozen in the conference room with her phone still pressed to her ear long after the call had ended. The color drained from her face as panic took over. "No..."
Nick Johnson was beside her almost immediately. "Ms. Waters, what happened?"
Hazel looked up at him with teary eyes. "My best friend, Dr. Melena Roland, has been kidnapped. They want ten million dollars, or they're going to kill her."
The room fell silent.
At the head of the conference table, Zane Rider finally looked up from the documents he had been reviewing. His emerald eyes settled on Hazel with quiet interest. "Is that so?"
Hazel turned to him, tears spilling down her cheeks."Please, Mr. Rider. You're the only one who can help her."
Zane leaned back in his chair. A slow, sardonic smile curved his lips as he studied her.
"Help her?" he repeated with a quiet chuckle. "That's interesting."
Hazel swallowed hard but didn't look away."Please sir."
"The same woman who told me to mind my own damn business this morning?" he asked.
Hazel lowered her head. "Yes."
"And now you want me to make her my business."
The silence that followed was heavy. Nick shifted uneasily but remained silent, knowing better than to interrupt.
Zane's smile never reached his eyes. "Tell me, Ms. Waters. Why should I lift a finger to save an enemy instead of letting her die?”
- Writer
