Alpha Two steps in so close I can feel his breath on my cheek. “And if ‘whatever it takes’,” he murmurs, “is your life?”
Behind me, Jason snarls, a wild, primal sound that makes the ground tremble.
I don’t flinch.
“I didn’t come here to die,” I say softly. “I came here to negotiate.”
“Then negotiate,” Alpha One says.
“What is his debt?” I ask. Yeah, I told them I knew, but I hope they don’t notice.
The pacing starts.
“Very well,” Alpha Two says. “Jason owes us two hundred thousand. Considering the damage he’s caused, the daughters Buff seduced, the insult of running, and your bold little challenge…” His voice drops low, dangerous, smug. “We won’t accept anything less than five hundred thousand dollars.”
Jackpot!I resist the urge to fist bump.
“Would you like cash or a check?”
A full-body stillness sweeps the clearing, like a movie paused mid-explosion.
Then wolves absolutely lose their shit. Howls of laughter. Barking, snorting, cackling.
I hear a thump and a yelp, like someone laughed too hard and fell over.
Even Alpha Two’s laugh goes breathless.
“You’re serious,” Alpha One says, incredulous and gleeful.
I lift my chin. “Absolutely.”
“Five hundred thousand dollars?” Alpha Two repeats. “Human, you don’t even smell like someone who has a hundred.”
Jason makes a devastated choking noise behind me. “Violet?—”
As much as it kills me, I ignore him and stand my ground. “I said what I said.”
More howling laughter. Someone wheezes. Someone else mutters, “Oh, this is gonna be good.”
One of the Alpha’s steps closer. I know this because the stench of motor oil assaults my nose. “And how,” he asks softly, “will you pay it?”
I ignore his question. “Do we have a deal?”
“Yes.” Two voices hit me at once.
“Like I said, I can do cash or check. Cash is… complicated. Banks don’t just hand that out. But if you want a check—” I shrug. “I’m ready.”
“I don’t care if you’re bluffing. A human bold enough to try bluffing us has earned at least one night of revelry. Join us for a meal.”
The whole energy shifts. I nearly pass out from relief. “Sure.”
Alpha One steps closer. “By the way, do you need a pen?”
I blush deeply. “The check part was for dramatic effect,” I confess. “Can I do a mobile transfer? I’m blind, remember.”
The wolves howl again. Howling with actual joy now. Some slap their thighs. Someone says, “I like her.” Someone else says, “She has bigger balls than half this pack.”
The alphas start to guide me toward their camp, talking over each other.
