Ehlian glared at him. “I’ll choose no pack but mine.”
“You don’t have a pack,” the alpha pointed out, as if stating the obvious.
Ehlian’s lips curled into a defiant sneer. “No one can force me to be their plaything.”
“Hayce is right.” The alpha regarded Ehlian like he was some rare and baffling artefact. “You’re stupider than you look.”
Ehlian scoffed. “Did he send you?”
“I came voluntarily.”
“Well, tell him voluntarily that he’s a bigger dick than he looks.”
“Alright.” The alpha extended a hand casually. “I’m Aric, by the way.”
Ehlian ignored the hand. “Ehlian.”
Aric didn’t seem bothered by the brush-off. He gestured to the small table Ehlian was sitting at. “Listen, Ehlian. Once your three days are up, say goodbye to your safe little corner.”
“What’s that supposed to be? Some kind of transition period?”
“You can call it that.” Aric shrugged, leaning back lazily. “First week, they give you a choice—pick your pack, and no one bats an eye. Second week?” He leaned forward, dropping his voice. “They take what they want.”
Ehlian’s throat tightened. “I won’t be Hayce’s plaything. Or anyone else’s.”
Aric studied him for a moment, his expression almost pitying. Then his eyes flicked briefly to Grasson, who was still watching Ehlian like a predator about to lunge. “Look, pretty boy. If you don’t let Hayce stake his claim…” His voice lowered further. “Someone else will.”
The weight of Grasson’s intense stare hit Ehlian like a physical force. Even from across the room, the alpha’s sheer presence felt oppressive.
“Don’t be stupid, Ehlian,” Aric pressed. “You need him.”
And by him, Aric clearly meant Hayce.
“You sound like an annoying salesman.”
Aric smiled faintly. “Only when I know the… package I’m selling is worth the price.”
Package. Ehlian didn’t want to think about Hayce’s package. “And what price do I have to pay?”
“That’s up to you. Hayce won’t take more than you’re willing to give.”
It sounded almost too reasonable, which was precisely why Ehlian didn’t believe it. Nothing worked like that here, not in a fucked-up place like this. Hayce wasn’t any different from Grasson. He just hid it better. He had composure, control, enough to mask his real intentions. His greed. His hunger.
A man willing to kill his father for power wouldn’t suddenly grow a conscience in prison.
“You all really think I’m that stupid,” Ehlian muttered.
Aric stood. “Let’s see what we think of you in three days.”
Ehlian watched as Aric walked across the room, stopping at Hayce’s table. Without hesitation, Aric leaned in close, whispering something in his ear. Hayce didn’t respond overtly. His lips curled faintly into a small, infuriating smile, but his eyes never drifted to Ehlian.
That smile burned in Ehlian’s mind. Smug, assured, as though Hayce knew he already had the upper hand.
Ehlian wasn’t about to be part of his game.
Chapter 3
The open shower was the worst.
