Page 27 of Pretty When She Breaks
“I have a proposition for you. May we come in?”
I was sweating now, barely able to keep my hands from trembling as the alpha—Jason—unlocked the door, and my father marched me inside, his bodyguards close behind.
The house stank and was littered with trash. Another alpha stumbled out from the kitchen, scratching his arm, and froze when he saw us.
The walls seemed to press in on me, and I was fighting not to throw up.
“This is my daughter,” Father said. “As you may havegathered, she is your scent match. I’m willing to give you $500,000 if you offer her a princess bond.”
He waved a hand at one of his guards, who opened a briefcase on the table, showing stacks of cash. Jason’s eyes widened, and the other alpha’s mouth dropped open.
“She won’t, of course, accept it. She’ll walk away a duchess. You’ll walk away richer.”
If my father hadn’t been holding me so tightly, I might have sunk to the floor in relief.
He wasn’t making me bond with these strangers; he just wanted me to become a duchess.
A princess bond was something only my scent matches could give me. If I rejected them, my scent would change to become more alluring. I’d claim the title of duchess, the most sought-after unbonded omegas in the city.
“That’s all?” asked Jason.
“That’s all,” my father replied.
Jason scratched the back of his head, glancing at his packmate.
“Shit, dude, that’ll cover Lois’s treatment and then some,” his packmate hissed, shoving him forward. “What are you waiting for?”
Jason swallowed and looked up from the briefcase. “Uh, right now?” he said, looking down at me.
I let out a whimper that made him flinch.
“Preferably.” My father sneered, pushing me forward. I stumbled, catching myself on this strange alpha’s arm. He helped me upright with a surprisingly tender touch.
“With a bite on the neck. Where everyone can see,” my father said, tugging my head to the side and moving my hair out of the way.
I was struggling not to cry.
“You all right?” Jason asked me.
My father clicked his tongue. “Perhaps I should make myself more clear. You will offer her a princess bond, now, or I will have you shot in the head.”
Jason swallowed again and leaned forward. I could feel his hand trembling against my skin. “Thanks, sweetheart,” he whispered as his mouth came closer to my neck. He squeezed my arm, and I jolted as I realized that gesture could be comforting. “Our sister’s really sick. Win-win, right? Be over in a sec, okay?”
I nodded, meeting his eyes briefly. I understood.
I’d do anything for Jule.
I’d do anything to have him back.
My breathing was coming in short pants as I felt his lips brush my neck. I squeezed my eyes shut as his teeth broke my skin, stiffening. It was a light blooming in my soul, an invitation. It was reverence and joy, reaching toward me.
I pushed it away as soon as it came, shoving it back toward him. He lifted his head, and I stumbled back next to my father.
“Excellent,” my father said, turning me around and facing his guards, giving a hand signal I hadn’t seen him use before.
The guards both pulled out their guns.
“No!” I screamed, trying to twist around and reach Jason—the strange alpha who’d been so gentle with me. My father snarled and started to drag me away. Jason’s eyes were wide, and I saw him step back, arms raised. He started to say something as I was shoved out the door, his frantic eyes meeting mine.
