Chapter 5

RICO

I wiped the sweat from my brow as I headed back toward my office. My body was aching, but my mind was preoccupied.

Where was Melissa?*l

It was days since I had heard from her last.

I needed to tell her about the notion that had been nagging him—a possible treaty with Alpha Troy. Melissa was always good at these types of things, better than I was sometimes. She was quick-witted, intelligent, and could perceive things I couldn't.

I smiled half-heartedly. She would give me her honest opinion, let me know if it was a good or bad idea.

But where had she been recently?

My feet slowed. Had I seen her today?

I frowned.

Why did it seem like I hadn't seen her in—

His hand was on the door handle, and suddenly all thoughts of Melissa disappeared.

He went inside, and there was Lorinda.

And just like that, everything else went away.

It felt as if something heavy draped over my mind, snuffing out any stray thoughts.

There was only her.

Lorinda’s eyes lit up as she saw me. “You’re finally here.”

She didn't wait for me to come over, she approached me, leaning against me, her perfume making me dizzy. I barely had time to sit down when she mounted my lap, cooing softly, kissing me, hands tracing over my chest.

I kissed her back, my body reacting automatically.

When they finally parted, she sighed, tilting her head. "How was your day, my Alpha?"

I leaned back, raking a hand through my hair. "Gods, Melissa, I had to—"

Lorinda halted.

Her fingernails scraped into my shoulder. "What did you just say?"

I blinked. "What?"

Her grip on me tightened. "What name did you just call?"

My brows furrowed. "Lorinda?"

There was a pause. An odd, uneasy silence.

Then—

Melissa.

The name struck me like lightning.

I sat up with a start. "Where's Melissa? I need to speak to her about—"

Lorinda's hand cupped my face suddenly, her voice turning syrupy sweet. "You don't need Melissa for anything. You just need me."

Something sharp pricked my neck.

I shrank back, fingers pressed into my skin. My eyes narrowed and blurred for an instant of a fraction, but when I looked at Lorinda's hand, it was empty, except for the ring on her finger.

A ring that seemed familiar.

My mind swirled, confusion overwhelming.

This ring… did it seem like something familiar?

Before I was able to think on it, Lorinda's fingers tightened under my chin, pulling my face back up to her.

And so, the fog descended again.

Thoughts of whoever were forgotten, as if carried away on the breeze.

There was just Lorinda.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Alpha," said a guard, entering. "Alpha Troy is here."

I barely glanced up. "Send him in."

Lorinda planted a kiss on my cheek and murmured, "I'll leave you to your business, my love." She brushed by Troy as he came in, moving her hips a little before she vanished into the doorway.

Troy sank into the chair opposite me, his brilliant blue eyes dark and piercing. He reclined, one arm draped over the back of the chair. "Very warm welcome," he drawled, tipping his head toward the door Lorinda had just exited.

I raised an eyebrow. "Something on your mind?"

Troy scoffed. "I was just wondering, why is your mate washing windows outside while some other female is kissing you in your office?"

My body stiffened to a rigid posture.

"My mate?" I repeated, tilting my head.

Troy shot up a brow, grinning. "Aye. The white-haired beauty."

A name came close to surfacing in my mind, just on the edge of my consciousness.

But before it could form, it disappeared.

I shrugged, not bothered. "That's not my mate."

Troy's expression flashed, but he let it go.

Business came first.

We two Alphas negotiated at the treaty for the next two hours, discussing borders, trade agreements, and conditions of peace. Finally, after a lot of arguing, we came to an agreement on the terms.

We stood, hands joined.

As we turned to descend downstairs, Troy surprised me once more.

"One final request."

I looked over at him. "What?"

Troy's lips curled.

"I want the white-haired beauty."

I scowled. "Who?"

We entered the main hall, where the pack members were lounging about, snacking, conversing.

Troy nonchalantly raised a hand and indicated. "Her."

I looked over in the direction he was pointing.

And froze.

She was on her knees, scrubbing the tiles. Her white hair was lackluster, her skin whiter than he remembered. She was gaunt, wearing rags—

But yet, she was beautiful.

I felt… something. Something off.

But then I felt Lorinda's hand on his shoulder from behind, her fingernails scratching lightly over my skin.

And like a curtain falling, the strange feeling disappeared.

My face grew hard.

"She's worthless," I stated.

Troy laughed. "Worthless, is it? Then she won't be expensive."

I nodded my head. "Fifty thousand shekels."

Troy made a scornful noise. "Thirty."

I clenched my jaw. "Fifty thousand or nothing."

We stared each other down.

Then, without warning, Troy tossed back his head and laughed.

"I always thought you were so morally oriented," he said. "Guess I was wrong."

Troy stepped forward before I could respond, and stopped in front of the woman. He reached down and scooped her up, lifting her to her feet.

She gasped, stumbling. Her eyes widened as they met Troy's.

Then he said at a volume where everyone could hear.

“You have been sold to me. We’re leaving.”

A hush fell over the hall.

Her body stiffened.

“What?” she breathed.

She tried to wrench herself free, her wild, disbelieving eyes turning to me.

But I just stood there.

Cold.

Unmoved.

Her breath caught.

A numbness spread over her eyes.

She stopped struggling.

Troy, content, guided her towards the door.

As they were about to exit, I overheard Lorinda snicker next to me.

"Bye, bitch."

And then she turned to me, purring softly, "Let's go upstairs, shall we?"

I didn’t hesitate.

I allowed Lorinda to guide me away.

And just like that, the woman was gone.