Chapter Two

Solomon grabbed the reins of his Lycan rampaging inside of him, desperately trying to control the thrashing creature. The fuck! His Lycan wanted the Omega, so badly, which was quite shocking even for him. His kind usually paired up with another Lycan. He never heard of something like this. Sometimes Lycans had sex with other race but just for fun. Their kind tended to get violent that was why they didn’t often mate with other race because they would never be able to handle their temperamental nature.

And Solomon himself preferred short-term connections where it was understood there were no commitments. He’d never been interested in mating. But now suddenly his Lycan was interested in that Omega… and wanted to claim her as his own.

Solomon was stunned. But the hazel-eyed Omega standing outside almost accomplished what rarely happened with their kind. The wolf hadn’t even been trying—and that was the frightening thing.

He jerked his gaze away from the young wolf. The last thing he needed was to betray his sudden interest. Never would he give an opponent that kind of knowledge, even if his Lycan was all but wagging its tail in excitement. With a mental thrust, he tried to settle the vexing creature down. He certainly didn’t need this right now, and especially not here.

“You do not want to piss me off, Alpha.” Solomon pinned him with a look that promised retribution if he didn’t lead the way to his office immediately. He was done playing nice. “Your office, now.”

Alpha Salvatore flashed his fangs, but still complied. “This way.”

Solomon let the display go. If he flashed his fangs, the Alpha werewolf would probably piss himself. As amusing as that could be, he really didn’t have time for such frivolous entertainment. He shifted slightly so his ever-faithful assistant, Renato, could walk in front of him as they followed Alpha Montgomery.

Solomon wasn’t going to allow Renato’s back to be unprotected, especially around this many aggravated werewolves. Of course, “aggravated” and “werewolves” did seem to go hand in hand.

They followed Alpha Salvatore down a secluded hallway and into a well-appointed office. Solomon raised a brow, impressed. It was almost as nice as his. In fact, from the brief look he had of the mansion the Salvatore’s lived in, everything he saw pointed to a wealthy pack.

But Solomon also knew looks could be deceiving.

He was very much afraid Alpha Salvatore had been supporting his lifestyle by deception. The terms of the loan were quite clear. The Alpha had ten years to pay it. It was that simple. There would be no renegotiation, no penalties for a late payment… nothing. Alpha Salvatore would either pay the loan off or Solomon would be taking control of a lot of land and everything on it.

Alpha Salvatore motioned for Solomon and Renato to take a seat. Renato sat and placed his briefcase next to him. Solomon, however, moved to stand by a nearby window, his gaze outside. He was much too restless to sit.

“You had no right coming here and—”

“You’re beginning to tire me with your endless whining.” Solomon refused to give the Alpha the courtesy of looking at him.

"Do you have the money or not?”

“It’s not midnight yet,” the Alpha reiterated.

A couple of hours were not going to save him he must've known that, but the agreement was binding. “Fine. Are you going to have the money by midnight?”

Alpha Salvatore cleared his throat. “You must understand, 10 years ago when the stock market crashed, I suffered. Plus, in the past several years, the real-estate market has bottomed out, as you must know. Many of us are upside down on our mortgages. The economy isn’t what it used to be either. Between the insurance we must supply for our employees and the cost of living… things have been rough.”

Solomon sighed and turned from the window. All he heard was one excuse after another. He's very tired hearing the same thing over and over again. “You don’t have the money, do you?”

“No. But if you give me some time—”

“You’ve had ten years. What makes you think I’m going to give you a minute more? Alpha Salvatore, that should’ve been sufficient time if you’d been controlling your money wisely.” Solomon waved his hand at the wealth surrounding him. “From what I can see, you have continued your lifestyle. I see no restraint in your actions either now or in the more recent past.”

“I can explain.”

“I’m not interested in your explanations. The only thing I’m interested in is my money, which you do not have.”

“You can’t take everything and kick my pack out!”

Solomon snorted. Is he stupid. Is he not aware that I'm a Lycan. “I most certainly can. Alpha, I am a businessman. I loan money to those who need it, with the understanding that the money will be returned to me at the agreed-upon time, plus interest. And the interest is fair too. If a client defaults, I take what they’ve put up as collateral. I am not loaning money out of the goodness of my heart.."

“Please!” Alpha Salvatore flinched. “I’ll do anything. Anything.”

Solomon’s Lycan finally calm down. It took every ounce of control he had not to roll his eyes as it started whispering to him. Aw gods, the damn thing had its heart set on something, and he knew that his beast won't take no for an answer.

“Anything?” Solomon questioned.

“Yes.”

“Fine.” Solomon held up a finger to stop whatever Alpha Salvatore was about to say. “Please excuse my assistant and me. I need to speak with him privately.”

“I—fine.”

When Alpha Salvatore didn’t stand, Solomon shot him an aggravated look. “Alone. I need to speak with him alone.”

Alpha Salvatore tensed. “You’re kicking me out of my office?”

“Be glad you still have an office to call yours. Now, leave!” Solomon snapped.

Alpha Salvatore growled softly, but he stood stood, but the prick still slammed the door behind him when he get out.

Solomon finally gave in to the urge to roll his eyes. He left his spot by the window and sat in the chair next to Renato.

"Werewolves.” So, ideas?

Renato chuckled. “It’s certainly been an interesting meeting.” I always have ideas, but first I need to know what’s going on.

Solomon had shared his blood with him a hundred year ago, allowing them to speak telepathically and extending this human life span. It was a secret of their kind, guarded closely because in battle it could be a deadly weapon. Even so, they were friends, nothing more.

Renato had abilities Solomon knew could be useful to him, plus he generally liked the man. And jn return for extending his life, Rwnato worked for Solomon as his assistant.

“Indeed.” Alpha Salvatore has an Omega pup who became an adult according to their pack laws today, thus the party we interrupted. I saw hwr standing outside when I confronted the Alpha. I want her.

“The Alpha did say he’d do anything. Hard to pass up that kind of open-ended promise.”

“Yes, sir.” Oh my, how I did miss such a reaction as that? “What do you need from me?”

“Do you have the Alpha’s file with you?” I sincerely hope you’re not the only one who missed it. Once the Alpha figures out I want his Omega daughter, he’s going to try to bargain with me.

Are you going to allow him to do so? “Yes, sir.” Renato opened his briefcase and dug through it. “Here you go.”

To a certain point. Solomon pretended to take the file. He didn’t think the office had cameras in it, watching them. As sensitive as his hearing was, he didn’t pick up the telltale buzz of a camera. On the other hand, he was positive the Alpha werewolf was eavesdropping at the door. It was one of the reason he was communicating telepathically with his assistant.

“Thank you.” As quickly as you can, go through the information and pick the three most profitable businesses owned by him and not ones where he is a shareholder. You know what I’m looking for.

Yes, sir. “You’re welcome.” Give me a couple of minutes.

Solomon made a big production out of taking a long breath, as if he was contemplating something. “Amuse yourself while I look through these papers.”

They had to keep up the sham for the werewolf listening outside the door.

Several minutes passed as Renato searched through the information on Alpha Salvatore’s holdings. Solomon tapped a finger against the chair arm as Renato continued to scan the papers. Finally he looked up and nodded.

Excellent. Thank you. “Alpha Salvatore, we’re done. Would you like to join us?”

Solo5 didn’t bother to raise his voice. He wanted Alpha Salvatore to know he was aware the Alpha was eavesdropping.

The door swung open, and Alpha Salvatore stomped inside.

Solomon waited until the Alpha was seated, then steepled his fingers placing it it over his knees. He stared at the Alpha until he squirmed uncomfortably in his chair. “Let’s cut to the chase. By midnight tonight your time is up, and you don’t have the money.”

“No. I don’t.”

Solomon shook his head sadly. “It never ceases to amaze me how someone who obviously has a head for business can allow himself to get in such a predicament. But that’s not my problem. You owe me an enormous sum of money, which you are unable to pay. According to the papers you signed, I would be well within my right to take everything you have and cast your pack out.”

“But—”

“But I’m not going to.”

Alpha Salvatore’s mouth dropped open. “Y-you’re not?”

“No, I’m not.” Solomon did enjoy the look on the Alpha’s face. Surely he didn’t think it was going to be that simple? He smiled, and it certainly wasn’t pleasant. “You offered to do anything, remember?”

“Yes, I did. Whatever you want.” Alpha Salvatore spoke quickly, obviously warming up to the subject. “I, um, I understand you’re not mated. My second daughter isn’t mated either, and—”

“I have no interest in her.”

“Oh.” Alpha Salvatore deflated. “Then I’m not too sure…. What could you possibly want, then?”

“Your youngest, the Omega. Lucia, I believe her name is. You will give her to me, along with—” Solomon glanced at Renato. Renato cleared his throat and rattled off the names of the businesses of Alpha Salvatore’s. “Along with those three.”

“What?” Alpha Salvatore bellowed.

Solomon wasn’t sure which offended the Alpha more—the fact that he wanted his Omega daughter or three of his businesses.

“My daughter is an Omega. Do you have any idea the prestige attached to such a title?” Alpha Salvatore demanded. “And those businesses you mentioned? Those are my most profitable.”

Solomon crossed one leg over the other and settled back into the chair. “Her title means nothing to me. I don't care about that. And as far as those restaurant businesses go, that’s exactly why I want them. Understand, even with those and your daughter, that still doesn’t come close to what you owe me.”

Alpha Salvatore slammed his fist down on his desk. “How can you possibly put a price on what somebody is worth?”

Alpha werewolves and drama seem to go hand in hand. “Interesting you should bring that up. Were you or were you not trying to forge a profitable alliance tonight by inviting several prospective werewolves to meet your daughter?”

Alpha Salvatore paled. “How… how did you know that?”

Honestly, did this werewolf not know anything about his kind? “Doesn’t matter how I know. Tell me, Alpha Salvatore, how much would have an alliance brought you? Did you honestly think it would cover the amount you owe me? Not to mention that you left it to literally the last minute.”

“I… I had hoped his dowry would’ve been enough to show that I was, in good faith, going to pay you.”

“Unbelievable. So you were not only going to sell your daughter, you were going to try to scam me into letting you have more time to pay off the loan even though you knew perfectly well the due date had passed by midnight. Unbelievable....Your gall amazes me.”

“I refuse to give her to you so you can just… just… use her as if he’s nothing more than a—”

“For your sake, I suggest you don’t finish that sentence. I would never dishonor your daughter by reducing her to nothing more than a kept pet. I will join with her, and as my mate, she couldn’t have a higher title than anybody else. I'll treasure her.”

“That’s all you want?”

"That’s it. The honor of mating your daughter and the three businesses I just mentioned. Actually, you’re getting a great deal here.”

“Can I…. Can I be the one to tell her? This needs to come from me. She’s going to be upset enough as it is, and I… I love my daughter. No matter what else you may think of me, believe me when I tell you I do love my children.”

Solomon kept his thoughts to himself. He would have preferred to be the one to tell Lucia, but maybe having it come from her family would be better. Solomon was well aware he wasn’t the easiest man to deal with.

“Fine. I’ll have the papers drawn up and will return tomorrow for you to sign them. If your daughter refuses to go through with the mating, then the deal is off. I’ll take everything you own and evict every last werewolf off this land. Do we have an agreement?”

“We do,” Alpha Salvatore said, a beaten look on his face. “I’ll meet with you at three tomorrow afternoon. Is that acceptable?”

Since he had nothing planned, there was no reason why he couldn’t allow Alpha Salvatore to set the time.

“Yes. I’ll see you then.” Solomon stood and held out his hand. Anger flashed across Alpha Salvatore’s face before he finally shook hands with him.

As they walked among the werewolves, he sensed the unease and hostility directed toward him. Honestly, what did they have to be upset about? At least they wouldn’t find themselves kicked out of their homes in a week’s time. He scanned the many bodies around him but couldn’t find Lucia.

But it didn’t matter. Tomorrow he’d have the one he wanted. Nothing else matters other than that..

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