Chapter Two - The Bargain

Rose’s POV

To say I was shocked to see the woman reclining on a couch was an understatement. She sat up on seeing me and patted her updo as if drawing attention to it.

I lowered my gaze. For all I knew this was his Luna. There was no mate bond between us, as I already knew.

“It’s about time,” she said.

But she wasn’t talking to me.

“What’s your name, girl?” the Alpha asked.

“Rosalie Harper,” I told him.

It was the name on my birth certificate.

“Ripe for the plucking, I’d say.”

Though her words were hurtful, making me blush, I received no sense they were said with malice. This was what I had been expecting – and dreading – from the outset.

Wasn’t she jealous? Maybe she was going to watch?

“Don’t tease her, Simone,” he said.

By now I was more confused than ever and vexed at my own thoughts.

“I’ll leave you to it, Lew. Shopping awaits.” That was when I saw the designer handbag which she soon snatched up from the carpet and placed over her arm. “Just thought you’d want to hear it from me first.”

She pecked him on the cheek before turning to give a little wave.

“I’m grateful, sis,” he said.

That explained a lot, though I was still struggling to make sense of it all.

Once the door snicked shut behind her the atmosphere in the room changed. He snapped his fingers and pointed to the floor. Obediently, I sank to my knees.

“Why am I here, Alpha? Did you want something specific?”

“Don’t tempt me,” he growled. He began to pace up and down. Then, “Can I trust you, Rosie?”

“I hope so,” I said.

It was obviously the wrong answer.

He raised my chin, roughly, as befitted an alpha male, and I stared into those amber eyes once more.

“We’ll see.”

Releasing me, he made a gesture for me to rise and turn around. I felt like a chattel to be examined before purchase. Yet hadn’t he already bought me unseen?

I swallowed. “Have I done something wrong?”

I don’t know why I said that other than to fill the suddenly unbearable silence.

“Speaking out of turn, Omega. Shall I make an example of you?”

“Please, Alpha Lewis, don’t kill me,” I begged, kneeling again without being asked.

“Give me one good reason why not – and fast!” he barked.

 “I’m a good worker and my little sister needs me.”

“Is she here, too?” I nodded, biting my lip. Should I disclose this next bit or not? I heard him suck in his breath. “Don’t do that,” he ordered.

I knew what he meant. Dean had reacted similarly whenever we had been alone, which wasn’t often. It was obvious the rogue wanted Willow and I was the way in, or so he thought. I didn’t want to be an appetiser. Not for him, or any man.

“She’s bound to get into trouble,” I blurted. Unbelievably, Alpha Lewis began to laugh. “It’s not funny,” I added, forgetting myself.

“Careful, Rosie. You aren’t too old for a spanking.”

His last sentence did something unexpected to my core and I pressed my thighs together. It didn’t go unnoticed.

The Alpha came very close to me so that I saw the dark stubble on his jaw in minute detail.

“Interesting,” he said. “And you’re not even scared.” I was, but this wasn’t the time to admit it. “Why is that?”

I gulped. “You have me all wrong, Alpha. About Lolo … ”

“Is that your sister?”

I nodded. “She’s become – wayward – ever since she turned eighteen.”

His hand was stroking the nape of my neck now in a way which gave me bliss.

“Have you ever had a boyfriend?” he asked.

I knew what he meant. “No,” I whispered.

“Good.” The fingers stilled and soon left me entirely. “I need you to do me a huge favour, Rosie.” I was close to tears, thinking of the shame I would feel afterwards. And everyone would know. But Alpha Lewis had something different in mind as I was soon to discover. “That’s why I asked for one of the newbies.”

“I – I don’t understand.”

As he outlined details of what he wanted from me, my hazel eyes widened. This was truly a very different world.

“And Lolo?”

“I’ll ask Joan to keep her busy.”

I had to be honest with him. “That’s not what I’m worried about,” I said. He waited. In the end I had to spell it out. “She’s incredibly forward and totally naïve.”

“Don’t worry, sweet thing, I’ll come up with something.”

My mouth gaped.

“Alpha … ”

“Seen another side of me, girl? You’re privileged. If this gets out, I’ll know who to blame. Simone knows, but she doesn’t live here any more. Her mate’s pack is in the next county.”

“It will be nice to see her again,” I lied.

“We’re not going there, Rosie. She came to disclose a rumour and it needs to be checked out. Now, today. That’s where you come in – as bait.”

There was no time for goodbyes. I packed my meagre belongings into a small sack wondering why Willow was nowhere to be seen. Expecting to be led to yet another all terrain vehicle, I was astonished to find a luxury car awaiting me when I left the mansion after a quick wash.

Glancing up I saw my sister peering out the window, the cloth she had been using suspended. I didn’t even get chance to wave before the Alpha personally hustled me inside.

I told myself it was only temporary. Little did I know then what lay in store.

The driver was none other than Connor. I supposed that was something, even though I didn’t know him well.

My dress was white, probably satin. I had never owned anything other than cotton.

I looked at my hairbrush and thought of Mom, the styles she had taught me, including the single plait I had fashioned only that morning. Alpha Lewis had instructed me not to change it for some reason.

I wondered if father was lonely or if that she-wolf would get her claws into him at last. At least he wouldn’t starve with two less mouths to feed. And the territory would always need a woodcutter.

“Nervous?”

I glanced at the Alpha who was scrolling on his phone.

“Should I be?”

“Aren’t you forgetting something, Rosie?”

I wanted to yell at him that wasn’t my name. What was the matter with me?

“Sorry, Alpha Lewis. It won’t happen again.” I swallowed. “Tell me more about Lycan Adam.”

“Reports say he’s cruel. But that’s my reputation, also, isn’t it Reed?”

Connor grunted his assent in the process of executing a left turn and I began to wonder, not for the first time, if I was cut out for this.