The Deal

Bethany's POV

I found myself fighting for oxygen when he broke the kiss. His lips had been so firm, demanding complete surrender.

I had to admit, Gerald kissed like a pro which was so surprising judging by the fact that he was always so uninterested in women I once thought he was gay.

I shouldn't have enjoyed the kiss. I was only trying to get back at Trevor for cheating on me. But I'd be damned if I said I didn't enjoy it.

"You slut!" Trevor's voice broke into my head.

But before I could speak, Gerald was standing in front of me, shielding me from Trevor. He was taller than Trevor which gave him an advantage.

"Address my woman like that, one more time and it would be your head flying to that corner!"

There was something about the way he said it that sent an unholy shiver down my spine. Did he just call me his woman? And why did that make me feel so hot?

I furrowed my brows as I assessed him again. Sure, he was best friend of five years but why did he feel so different? More powerful, as though he meant every word he said.

He slid his arm around my waist again. "Let's leave this place, honey!"

With that, he led me out of the office, with Trevor and Claudia staring at our backs in horror. Once at the parking lot, I could finally breathe again.

"Thank you so much," I told him.

He nodded and smiled. "You don't have your car keys with you, I guess. So, I'll just drive you to the Royal Villa."

We hit the road and he must have driven at a crazily high speed because we soon arrived at the pack's Royal villa.

I climbed out of the car, hastily making my way inside as Gerald followed closely behind me. I went straight for Dad's chambers, pushing the front door open as soon as I reached.

There he was seated on the sofa with his 'oh so lovely' wife, having a bottle of champagne to celebrate their great achievements.

"You mannerless brat! How could you barge intk the Alpha's chambers without knocking?" Hazel yelled.

I slanted her a deadpan glare. "Perhaps I should have sent the door crashing down before barging in! How dare you sit in peace after stealing my position from me?"

Dad grunted angrily. "Don't yell at your mom. Have your seat and let's talk about this?"

I snorted an incredulous laughter. "She's not my mom and she'll never be! You want me to discuss about this after the cheap stunt you pulled? Really, father?"

Dad's gaze went hard. "Beth, If you continue to act irrationally, I'll have to send you out! You don't seriously think the board of directors would approve of an omega becoming the CEO?"

His words sent a pang of pain to my heart. I hated being reminded that I was an omega. But was it really a crime to be an omega? It's not like I asked to be born this way!

But I wasn't about to back down. "Dad, the least you could have done was tell me that earlier. The most painful part is the fact that you used me to bring in investors!"

"Beth, how could you be so selfish?" Hazel flared up. "Don't you know that the company's stock would go down if an omega like you is made a CEO? Get your facts straight, girl!"

"So it's my fault for being an omega?" My voice rose multiple octaves. "If you knew you weren't going to take responsibility, why did you birth an omega like me in the first place!"

Dad couldn't control his anger now. He stood to smack me hard across the face and I squeezed my eyes shut waiting for the blow.

But it never came and I peeled my eyes open to see Gerald holding Dad's hand tightly, a dangerous glow flickering in his eyes.

"Good day, Alpha Logan." He greeted him with a smile, although his words had a sharp edge to it.

Dad looked suitably affronted before he slanted me a disdainful glance. "I see you even brought your Janitor of a friend here to insult me. What insolence!"

Gerald merely flinched. I didn't understand why he didn't seem insulted at all. He had stood for me and protected me. So, it was only right I reciprocated.

"Dad, why are you so concerned about status? Omega? Janitor? Are they any different from normal werewolves!?" I retorted.

"Yes! You are not the same as normal werewolves!" Dad snapped.

"You are only a reminder of the terrible choices I made in the past. You are my worst mistake and you shouldn't have been born at all!"

If I thought Trevor's betrayal broke my heart, then what Dad just said shattered my already broken heart into tiny shards. He was crushing my soul with every ounce of strength he had.

Unshed tears threatened to pull me apart as I clutched my chest. Since he was not going to be remorseful for what he did, then I would return the favor.

"I understand that I'm your worst mistake," my voice trembled. "I think mistakes shouldn't be given the chance to get married too. I'm calling off my engagement with Trevor!"

A look of horror registered on his face and Hazel's. A muscle twitched in his forehead as he clenched his jaw.

He suddenly burst into hysterical laughter. "You still think you have a choice here?"

"Yes, I do!" I shot back. "I'm done letting you use me for your own gain!"

"There's no negotiation here, Beth. I'm your Alpha and you're my daughter. Have you no sense of responsibility at all? You have to get married for the well-being of the pack and I won't repeat it!"

"Since you want so much for me to get married to handle the company's finances, then I will. I will marry Gerald here, and find a way to sort out the finances!"

I soon regretted my words as soon as they rolled off my tongue. The silence in the room was almost deafening.

I glanced over my shoulder at Gerald just in time to catch the shocked look on his face and I quickly gave him an apologetic smile.

Dad's face went livid with shock. "You're going to marry Gerald? You're choosing some low-budget janitor over the future Alpha of the wealthiest pack?"

Well, why back down now that I have released a bombshell? "Yes, I'm going to marry Gerald and just so you know, I don't need your permission!"

"Do you realize the gravity of what you're saying? You'll get funding to bring the company back on its feet?"

"Yes, we will." Gerald shot in, pulling me into his arms.

Dad and Hazel burst into derisive laughter. "You think a janitor like you can raise the kind of funds we need? " Dad asked.

"That's impossible! Just like saying you would get the Lycan king to invest too!" Hazel remarked sarcastically.

"I could do that too if you want." Gerald smiled. "I work at the Lycan king's company and I could beg him to invest in your company."

I nudged him slightly. "Well, he was only joking, but I still won't do what you want!"

Gerald's face grew serious all of a sudden. "I will do anything to protect Beth even if it means getting the Lycan king to invest in the company!"

The certainty that laced his words was heard to kiss. It made me think long and hard if he was really my best friend or another person.

This was the fucking masked Lycan king we were talking about here!

From the rumors, no one had ever seen his face, not even the staff at his company. Also, anyone who tries to find out who he was always ended up dead.

I clutched Gerald's hands, wondering if he was drunk or something. "I will---"

Dad cut me off. "You must be out of your mind because I've tried without success to get the Lycan king to invest in the company for two years,"

"You must think it's really easy. Okay, if you can really succeed in doing that, then I would give Beth the position of the president of the company!"

He let out a jeering laughter again and Hazel joined in. I cast a confused look at Gerald, wondering why he was talking about something so impossible.

A sinister smile suddenly crawled up his face. "Alpha Logan, if you actually are a responsible Alpha like you claim to be, you shouldn't go back on your words now."

Dad frowned but said nothing.

"You insolent filth!" Hazel chided. "Do you think you can make that happen when so many influential Alphas have failed at it? Aren't you too pompous for an ordinary janitor?"

Dad cautioned her with a wave of his hand. "No, it's okay. If you get the Lycan king to invest in Oscar company, then I'll give up my President position at the company to Bethany."

"Great news then! I recorded everything!" Gerald bowed curtly before he took my hand and led me towards the door.

Halfway out the door, Dad's next words made me freeze on a spot.

"You have just two weeks to do that and till then, Beth can't step a foot in this villa! If you fail, Beth will have no choice but to marry Trevor and I'll have you killed for insulting me!"

Gerald pivoted to face Dad. "Why not make it two days, then? Just remember, it's not just the position you're giving her, but every other thing that comes along with it!"

He turned to me now. "Let's go, wife!" He said in a low voice that sent nerves dancing in my stomach.