Chapter 4

The warehouse swallowed my scream, a gut-wrenching wail that bounced off the walls like a dying echo.

Next thing I knew, I was blinking awake under harsh lights, the sterile stink of the hospital room hitting me like a brick.

My shoulder to my back? One big throbbing mess, every breath a fresh stab.

I hacked a cough—big mistake. Tears flooded out, hot and unstoppable.

But pain could wait. I fished my phone from under the pillow, thumbs flying to dial.

"Hello? Yeah, I need to report enforcers—someone's desecrating a body, big time!"

...

I'd barely clicked off when the door swung wide.

"That banged up, and you're bailing already?" Joseph loomed in the frame, brows furrowed like I was the unreasonable one.

I had zero words for him. Zilch. My whole body quaked with rage, eyes puffy from the flood.

He plunked a takeout box on the side table, then snatched whatever I'd grabbed—my getaway plan, probably—and shoved me back onto the bed like a naughty pup.

"Sit. Eat." He popped the lid, steam rising like a peace offering.

I stared at the spread, numb. Every dish? My old favorites—comfort food from another life.

And every one? Handcrafted by him.

Who'd have guessed the wolf who made Galathia Town quake would hit the kitchens over my tummy troubles? Learned to cook just to keep my belly happy.

Three squares a day, all his doing. Even on pack business trips, he'd race back to whip up a feast.

When I didn't budge, he scooped a spoonful, hovering it like I was a kid. "Look, I get Zoe went overboard this time. But you know how she is—anything touching my world, she goes full guard-dog. Overkill, sure, but it's her way."

I barked a laugh, bitter as wormwood, and swept the whole mess off the table—crash, splat, food flying like confetti from hell.

Teeth grinding so hard I could've cracked walnuts, I wanted to tear into them both, chew 'em up and spit out the bones!

"Joseph! What the hell is this—rubbing it in?! Shawn got pulped because of you! He's six feet under, and you two still won't let him rest! What'd we ever do to you? What debt do we owe that you gotta keep twisting the knife?!" My accusations ricocheted off the walls, shrill and shattered.

Joseph just pinched the bridge of his nose, like I was the headache. "I already shelled out for the ritziest plot in Galathia Town's bone yard. He'll rest easy now."

Like hell he would!

I hadn't avenged him yet—how could he?

He clocked the murder in my stare, and his face went granite-hard. "Gina, Zoe's my line in the sand. Touch who you want—I don't care. But her? Off-limits."

Tears welled in my bloodshot eyes. "You know damn well she's cracked—delusional as a fever dream!"

He knew. God, he knew—I'd spelled it out a dozen times. Zoe's got paranoid delusions, the works.

She's no savior. Just like the old Joseph—another lost soul from my patient files.

He chuckled, low and cold. "So what? I love her. Same as I loved you back when."

Color drained from my face, leaving me chilled to the marrow—like someone dumped a bucket of ice water over my soul.

Before I could croak a reply, knuckles rapped the door.

In strolled an enforcer, all business. "Ma'am? Gina? You the one who called in about corpse-tampering?"

Joseph's glare could curdle milk as he wheeled on me.

I didn't get a word out edgewise.

The enforcer? He filed out with Joseph, like a shadow.

Me? Trapped by guards, pacing my cage.

I trashed the place—pillows flying, lamp shattering—hoping the racket would draw a crowd.

But when the door cracked again? Just Joseph, strolling in cool as you please.

His eyes raked me like I was a sideshow freak. "Gina, how many times? Don't even dream of crossing Zoe. She's everything to me."

All the fight leaked out, leaving me limp as a wet rag.

I blinked through stinging eyes, palms clammy, body quivering like a bowstring.

My path? Sealed shut.

Not even a whisper of justice for my pup...

Joseph ghosted.

In the haze, a spark hit me. I scrolled frantic, landing on that text—the one promising to cut my bonds.

I'd figured it for a scam...

One ring, and it picked up.

My voice cracked, shaky as a leaf. "That offer... to unbound me from Joseph. You serious?"

"Dead serious, Gina. I can make it happen. But I've got a price: you become my she-wolf."

His rumble rolled through the line, smooth as aged whiskey.

My lashes fluttered; heat pricked my eyes as I sagged into the mattress. "Deal. But... you got cash?"