Interrogation tactic 101—let the enemy talk, and he’ll give himself away.
“We were desperate at the time of the attack,” Jackson says earnestly. “It’s the only reason we resorted to such tactics. Talon was a good man.”
“And you served him well?” I ask.
“Faithfully, good sir,” Jackson says with heavy sincerity. “But I must admit, I have no stomach for the role of command. I was relieved when Alpha Rex told us he was taking control and appointing an alpha from his own alliance.”
I bet you were.
“Good to hear,” I answer. “Every alpha needs a good beta, and you seem experienced for the role.”
“I am,” he says, smiling. “Let me be your right hand. I can get you anything you need!”
“Excellent—”
“Even your bride.”
“Excuse me?”
Jackson keeps smiling like he didn’t just drop a bomb on me. Without any greeting party or ceremony, I’d assumed the wedding was on hold for now, and I definitely wasn’t expecting Jackson to bring it up immediately.
“I said, we have your bride.”
“Respectfully,” I say, “we’d like to rest, and then see if the pack has any ideas—”
“No, no,” Jackson replies, waving his hands a little. “There’s no need for any of that. We have chosen, and she’s right here. This is the most suitable female we have.”
Before I can even think of a response, Jackson reaches behind him and grabs one of the women. He yanks on her arm and thrusts her forward into the light.
The eerie silence around us takes on an even greater hush. It’s as if the world itself drew a breath and is now holding it. All I can see is wild tresses of unbelievably bright, golden hair, and a curved, plump figure wrapped in a loose, faded gown.
Slowly, she raises her head, and the light falls across her face. I can barely hold in my low gasp of shock when I see how beautiful she is.
The entire world around me is forgotten as I take in her high cheekbones, flushed with pink, her glowing, porcelain complexion, and incredibly lush, red lips. Her eyes appear dark, but when she tilts her head and the light catches in the iris, they glint with depths of topaz and garnet.
Silence stretches out between us, and I see her face harden a little, and I can’t look away from the sweet pout her mouth makes. I raise my hand, almost stepping forward to trace her lip with my finger.
“I’m sorry,” Jackson’s voice blasts through my trance. “I truly am, but she’s the best we have. I can see you don’t like her—”
“I didn’t—”
“I know, you didn’t expect us to have such a poor selection,” Jackson gushes, pushing the girl back behind him.“But this really is the best we have. I understand this will be a burden to you, so please, allow me to pay you.”
“What?” I blurt.
“Here!” Jackson pulls a stack of cash out of his pocket and thrusts it towards me. “Not much of a dowry for my daughter, I know, but I’m sure I can find some more gifts to compensate you as well—”
“Your daughter?” I echo.
“Yes!” Jackson answers. “I know, I’m probably biased, I admit it. But even my associates agree, she’s the best choice for luna—”
“Yes!” one of his cronies speaks up, and suddenly all of them, as well as a skinny, shrill woman, are supporting Jackson’s choice with almost sickening platitudes.
Through the haze of noise and awkwardness, my eyes find hers again. She looks tired, maybe even defeated. The smears of dirt on her hands and cheek and her threadbare gown only seem to enhance her beauty. She shines like a princess who’s been dragged through the dirt and retained her regal bearing.
“Please!” Jackson says, grabbing my hands and forcing the money between my fingers. “Please take this money and accept my poor offering to be your bride. I know, she’s a disappointment. I’m sure you were hoping for someone far more beautiful. But she can work like a horse, and she is very obedient…useful around the house, cooks, and cleans. She will also satisfy any desire you have, and I do mean anything!”
The girl’s eyes widen a little, and I see fear in the amber light of her gaze.
