Judy's POV
My heart dropped into my stomach. "What?!" I gasped.
We lived in a decent-sized house; my adoptive father was a successful businessman and a Delta of the Redmoon Pack, so we had plenty of money.
"He was arrested," she explained. "He made a bad investment for the company and ended up losing everything. He went completely bankrupt, and now he owes the pack a fortune. Until he pays it back, they've put him in jail."
"They can't just come and take him away like this," I said, rising to my feet, barely containing my emotions. "Without any warning? That's not fair!"
"They can do whatever they want. The Beta falls under the jurisdiction of the Lycans, and it was their decision. Loan sharks are ruthless, and nobody wants to deal with them. It's easier to just get rid of the problem, and right now... your father is the problem."
Before I could say anything more, my phone started to ring. I reached into my bag and pulled it out, frowning when I saw the name flash across the screen.
"I heard about your father." Ethan's voice was soft, and my traitorous heart skipped a beat. I hated how my body still responded to him; it was because of this stupid mate bond. Even though he had rejected me, and I had accepted it, that didn't sever our bond. It wouldn't be severed until he marked someone else. "I might have a suggestion, though. But I'd like to tell you in person. Come outside."
I quickly left the kitchen and walked out of the house. Ethan was leaning against his car, his arms folded across his chest.
Goddess, I hated how good he looked.
I had been in love with him for over two years. He was my friend, my confidant, my fated mate. When he rejected me, it destroyed everything I had dreamed of.
I wrapped my arms around my body, desperately trying to hold myself together.
"Why are you here?" I asked after a long, awkward silence.
"I wanted to talk to you," he replied.
"Why?"
The corner of his lips tipped upward as he stared at me. I nearly melted under his scrutiny and had to shift my gaze to the ground.
"Because I can help you," he answered. "Your father's funding has collapsed, and he now owes a lot of money. I know for a fact that he doesn't have that kind of cash, especially now that his business has gone under. But I do." I lifted my gaze to meet his; he was serious.
"Are you saying you'd pay my father's debt?" I asked.
He nodded.
"Yes," he answered.
"And what would we have to do in return?" I asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.
He smirked, sending an uneasy feeling through the pit of my stomach.
"There is a condition," he confessed. I waited silently for him to continue, my eyes never leaving his. "After I get married, I want you to drop out of school and become my mistress."
I couldn't have heard him correctly. I stared at him, my jaw practically on the ground.
"Excuse me?" I managed to sputter. "You want me to what?"
"Drop out of school and become my mistress. I already have a luxurious home for you to live in. You would never have to want for anything. I'll pay off your father's debt and give you more money than you could dream of."
"How... how could you ask me to do such a thing?" I asked in a choked whisper. Tears threatened to spill from my eyes, but I held them back, not wanting him to see me break.
He stepped closer, and I felt rooted to the ground, unable to move away. My wolf was whimpering at his request; she couldn't believe our mate could ask such a thing of us. She was gutted, and I hated that she was put in this position.
"Because we've always been so good together, Judy," he said, reaching out to touch my arm gently. "We will always have this strong connection, even if I mark someone else. You and your family would be set for life... all you have to do is say yes..."
He rubbed his fingers up and down my arm, and I felt sick to my stomach. I finally found the strength to step away from him, my body trembling.
"No," I said, meeting his eyes. "I would never become your mistress."
His eyes darkened.
"I'm about to become the Alpha, Judy. You need to get with the times. Becoming my mistress would only benefit you. Plus, don't you want your father out of jail?"
"I will find another way," I said through gritted teeth. "If that's all you came here to say, then I've heard enough. You can leave."
He raised his brows as he stared at me. He studied me for a moment longer, like he expected me to change my mind at any moment.
"You'll change your mind," he told me as he stepped away from me and toward his car. "And when you do, I'll be here. But until then, your father will remain in prison."
"I'll figure it out," I said to his retreating figure. "We don't need you, Ethan!"
He chuckled as he opened his car door, then turned back to gaze into my eyes.
"In order to get him out of prison, you'll need at least five million dollars. When you realize there's no other option, you'll come to your senses. I'm sure of it."
Without another word, he got into his car. I watched as he drove away, disappearing into the night.
It was only when he was gone that I allowed myself to fall to the ground. Tears streamed down my cheeks before I could stop them.
Five million dollars?
How was I going to come up with that kind of money?
I had two classes that morning and one later in the afternoon. My first class was warrior training, and my second was shifting, both of which I excelled at. I was in college for Gamma training so that once I graduated, I could prove myself to the Gamma Force and become a warrior. Then I would easily be able to pay off my father's debt and save my family.
"You look like hell," my best friend, Nan, pointed out as I sat beside her against the large oak tree; the very tree we always met at.
"It was a rough night," I admitted as I took out my textbook to study.
"Where did you go last night? When I returned, you were gone. Did you leave early because of the engagement party?"
I bit my lower lip as I thought about what to say. If I lied, she'd be able to see right through me. I was a terrible liar initially, but Nan could read me like a book.
"I ripped my shirt, and someone brought me into his room to change," I said, feeling my cheeks grow warm at the memory.
She raised her brows, and I could barely look at her.
"You went to someone's room?" she asked. "Whose?"
I was quiet for a moment, and she grabbed my arm, getting my attention.
"Judy, who did you leave with?" she asked, her voice now filled with alarm.
I knew there was no getting out of this conversation. I bit my lip and peeked up at her through my lashes.
"Gavin Landry," I squeaked.