Page 4 of Alpha-Ex Wedding Ruse
“Confused about what?” she asked, eyebrows lifting.
“The part where this has anything to do with me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Leila, the Alpha’s daughter is getting married. She’s looking for an event planner. And you,” she pointed a finger at me dramatically, “are an event planner.”
“Partially,” I said. “Part-time. Part broke. There’s nuance.”
“Nope,” she said, shaking her head. “You are an event planner. And this is your chance to not only make good money, but also to become a name in this business. We’re talking about planning the most extravagant, over-the-top wedding the Bronx has ever seen. What have you got to lose, besides another unpaid bill?
I chuckled dryly. “So not my niche.”
“Look, I’m just trying to be positive, Leila. Plus, you need to give yourself some credit here. You planned my boss’ niece’s birthday party—”
“A five-year-old child’s party,” I cut in. “Don’t forget that part.”
“And Mrs. Ronson’s daughter’s quinceañera,” she added, ignoring my comment.
“A fifteen-year-old’s party,” I muttered.
“Don’t forget the annual retreat for the school’s staff,” Valerie persisted. “Everyone wouldn’t stop talking about how amazing it was.”
Okay. That one was true. The retreat had been a hit, organized on a shoestring budget, but it had still managed to impress a bunch of overworked teachers. It was probably my only real claim to fame in the event planning world.
I exhaled. “Elena Moreau is never going to hire me. She’s definitely looking for something and someone extravagant. Something that suits her personality and designer heels. I’m not sure I can pull off a wedding of that magnitude.”
Valerie shrugged. “No harm in trying.”
After Valerie left, I spent the rest of the evening helping Ollie with his homework and making dinner. I’d only just tucked him into bed when I heard my phone ringing from the living room. At first, I thought it was Valerie. She’d mentioned she would get back to me on the other details about the excursion trip. Particularly on the possibility of getting a discounted price.
But when I saw the caller ID flashing across the screen, I stopped cold.
Fear shot up my spine so fast it made my breath hitch. Instinctively, my eyes darted around frantically—to the doors, to thewindows, to every opening in the house—to ensure there was no one lurking near them. I wouldn’t put it past him. When I was certain there was no one but Ollie and me in the house, I answered the phone.
“Hello?” I said, my voice barely steady.
For a second, there was silence. Then I heard his breathing. Shallow, uneven. Like someone barely restraining their rage.
“I’m not a very patient man, Leila,” he spoke, his voice low, dripping with a veiled threat. “You’re two days late on your payment. And I’d hate for something to happen to you.” He paused. “Or to that boy of yours.”
My heart plummeted. Ollie. He was threatening Ollie. The fear in my chest twisted into anger. “You stay the hell away from my son.”
He laughed, humorless and sinister. “We’ll see about that. I’ll be expecting that payment soon.”
And with that, the line went dead.
The echo of his threat hammered in my ears like a war drum, settling deep in my bones. He’d act on his word, I knew that. Ten thousand dollars. Five days.
Where in the hell was I supposed to get that kind of money?
Chapter Two
Luca’s POV
When Alpha Sterling Moreaurequested a meeting in the private conference room of his estate, I knew he was trying to intimidate me. It was a tactic influenced by the pack’s centuries of arrogance and old power. But I also knew that our conversation at Manhattan's New Wine Tasting Ceremony two days ago had given him something to think about. He’d never admit it, not in what was left of his lifetime, but I’d impressed him.
And while I had no interest in earning his approval, I couldn’t deny I wanted something that, unfortunately, only he had.
I crossed one leg over the other, my three-piece suit stretching, just like my patience. The meeting was scheduled for ten. It was now thirty minutes past.
