“Firstly, I would like to know the full sum of the debt,” he said.
Cole raised a mock eyebrow in Ashford’s direction.
“You don’t know how much you owe?” she asked him.
Ashford shuffled in his chair and went to speak, but Alpha Julian held up his hand, silencing him.
Cole turned her attention back to him with a predatory smile.
“Current outstanding balance is $2.5 million,” she answered.
Alpha Julian nodded.
“And the cost to clear today?” he asked.
“Closer to $3 million,” she answered.
“Could the balance be amortised over a fixed period?” he asked.
Cole chuckled softly.
“Is Pack Blizzard cash-strapped?” she asked.
Alpha Julian frowned.
“I’m sure you know that we have recently won the tender for the construction of the new cancer wing of City General Hospital,” he answered.
“I am aware. Pack Blizzard has been growing steadily,” Cole said. “Sandstorm is not in the business of providing unsecured loans.”
“You purchased the debt,” Alpha Julian challenged.
Cole hummed as if she were uninterested.
“I know what I did,” she answered.
“You know we do not have the cash or equity easily available,” he said frustratedly.
“The offer I brought to you last year would have avoided this situation,” Cole replied. “At the time, you were uninterested in doing business with Pack Sandstorm. Is that still the case?” she asked.
Alpha Julian’s face grew red.
“Is this what this is about?” he asked, his voice rising.
“Here I thought you were a discerning man,” she said with an air of utter boredom. Cole pushed her chair back. “I don’t intend to waste more of my time. Pay the outstanding balance, or every curious whisper regarding why I have the omega that the heir of Blizzard has flaunted so publicly for so long will be met, not only with the answer of the reason for your son’s humiliation, but the knowledge of what led to such a humiliation and the precarious financial situation in which Pack Blizzard stands,” she said and stood.
“Wait!” Alpha Julian growled.
Cole turned to him.
“The terms you previously offered—are they still available?” he asked slowly, like each word pulled a tooth.
“More or less,” she answered. “Some renegotiation will be necessary, but the good faith in which Sandstorm approached Pack Blizzard is not lost.”
Alpha Julian nodded.
“What aboutmyomega?” Ashford snapped.
I looked up from the table to him.
