Chapter 4 A Dangerous Proposal

The morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Ravenwood Enterprises, casting long golden beams across Alexander Ravenswood's spacious office. The city of Tenebrous stretched endlessly beyond the glass, a kingdom of steel and glass towers that seemed to bow before the empire he had built.

Yet despite the breathtaking view, Alex's attention remained fixed on the drawing lying on his desk.

The paper had already begun to crease from how often he handled it.

His fingers traced the strange symbol once more.

The Aethon Orb.

For years, the artifact had consumed his thoughts.

It had become the center of every investigation, every expedition, and every sleepless night.

Now the first meaningful clue had appeared in the most unexpected form imaginable.

A struggling human woman with sad eyes and mountains of debt.

His wolf stirred restlessly.

Mine.

Alex clenched his jaw.

The possessive growl had become increasingly frequent since the previous day.

He still could not understand it.

A human could not possibly be his mate.

The laws of nature did not work that way.

Yet every instinct inside him insisted otherwise.

A sharp knock interrupted his thoughts.

The door opened a moment later.

His secretary stepped inside.

"Alpha, Miss Elara Silvermist is here to see you."

Alex's expression immediately darkened.

Elara.

Of all the visitors he wanted to deal with that morning, she ranked near the bottom of the list.

Still, refusing to meet her would create unnecessary political complications.

The Silvermist Pack had been allied with the Nocturne Pack for decades.

Her father commanded significant influence among the territorial Alphas.

For now, diplomacy remained necessary.

"Send her in."

The secretary nodded and quietly left.

Seconds later, the office door swung open again.

Elara Silvermist entered like a queen stepping into her throne room.

Her beauty was impossible to ignore.

Long silver-blonde hair cascaded down her back in elegant waves. Her emerald-green eyes sparkled with confidence, and the fitted crimson dress she wore emphasized every advantage nature had given her.

Many men found her irresistible.

Alex was not one of them.

A bright smile appeared on her lips.

"Alex."

Before he could respond, Elara crossed the room and attempted to throw her arms around him.

Alex immediately stepped forward and caught her shoulders before she could reach him.

The movement appeared polite.

It was anything but.

A clear message lay beneath it.

Do not touch me.

Elara's smile faltered.

A pout appeared on her lips.

"Still keeping your distance?"

Alex released her and returned to his desk.

"I've been busy."

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"You are always busy."

"That tends to happen when someone runs an empire."

Elara laughed softly.

The sound carried a hint of irritation beneath the charm.

She took a seat without invitation.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Alex already knew she had not come merely to exchange pleasantries.

Elara never did anything without purpose.

Finally, she reached into her designer handbag and withdrew a sealed document.

"My father sent this."

Alex accepted the envelope.

Breaking the seal, he scanned the contents.

The proposal was exactly what he expected.

Additional trade agreements.

Expanded territorial rights.

Military support.

Business partnerships.

Everything looked generous.

Until he reached the final condition.

Marriage.

Of course.

Alex looked up slowly.

Elara smiled.

"Father believes this is the perfect time to strengthen the alliance."

Alex placed the document on his desk.

"The perfect time?"

Her smile widened.

"The elders are questioning your future."

The words carried a deliberate sting.

Alex's eyes hardened.

The curse had become increasingly difficult to hide.

Rumors were spreading.

Pack elders were beginning to discuss succession plans.

Elara knew exactly where to strike.

"If we marry," she continued, "our packs become stronger. Our businesses become stronger. Our influence doubles overnight."

She leaned forward slightly.

"Together, we could dominate every territory in this region."

Alex remained silent.

Elara mistook his silence for consideration.

Encouraged, she continued.

"I love you, Alex."

The declaration sounded practiced.

Rehearsed.

Strategic.

Rather than emotional.

Her eyes burned with ambition.

"Together we can become the most powerful Alpha couple in history."

Inside Alex's mind, Leo released a deep growl.

Ours already.

The wolf's irritation rolled through him like thunder.

Mate.

Alex suppressed the reaction.

His patience was already thinning.

Slowly, he folded his hands together.

"Elara."

She smiled expectantly.

"I'm not marrying you."

The smile vanished instantly.

The silence that followed was almost tangible.

For several seconds, Elara simply stared at him.

Then she laughed.

A short, disbelieving sound.

"You must be joking."

"I'm not."

The amusement disappeared from her face.

"What exactly is wrong with me?"

Alex sighed internally.

That question always came.

Every rejection became a personal insult.

"Nothing is wrong with you."

"Then why?"

Because you see me as a crown.

Because you want power more than partnership.

Because my wolf would rather chew through steel than mate with you.

Instead, he simply said, "Because I am not interested."

Her expression hardened.

"You're making a mistake."

Alex leaned back calmly.

"I don't think so."

"You need my pack's support."

Her voice had lost all traces of warmth.

"The elders are already questioning your leadership."

Alex's eyes narrowed.

There it was.

The threat hidden beneath the proposal.

Elara rose from her seat.

"If your condition worsens, they will replace you."

Alex's expression remained unreadable.

"You seem very concerned about my future."

"I am."

The lie came effortlessly.

Elara was concerned about her future.

Not his.

Alex glanced toward the drawing resting beside his laptop.

A thought suddenly formed.

A dangerous thought.

Then another.

The pieces began connecting.

A fake engagement.

A way to neutralize Elara's pressure.

A reason to keep Avery close.

An opportunity to investigate her connection to the Orb.

A slow smile spread across his face.

Elara immediately noticed.

"What?"

Alex met her gaze.

"Actually, there is something you should know."

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"What?"

"I already have a mate."

The silence was immediate.

Then Elara laughed.

Loudly.

Mockingly.

The sound echoed through the office.

"You expect me to believe that?"

Alex smiled.

"You don't have to."

Her laughter faded.

The confidence in his voice unsettled her.

"You're lying."

"I'm not."

The certainty in his tone shook her.

For the first time, doubt appeared in her eyes.

Alex stood.

"Next week, I'll be announcing my engagement."

Elara's face drained of color.

"What?"

"You heard me."

Her hands clenched into fists.

"Who is she?"

Alex's smile widened.

"Come to the engagement party."

The challenge was deliberate.

"You'll find out then."

Rage flashed across Elara's face.

For a brief moment, the mask slipped completely.

The charming Alpha daughter vanished.

In her place stood a proud woman accustomed to getting everything she wanted.

"You'll regret this."

Alex merely shrugged.

"I doubt it."

Without another word, Elara stormed from the office.

The door slammed behind her.

Silence returned.

Alex exhaled slowly.

The game had just become much more complicated.

A knock sounded again.

Simon entered carrying a thick file.

His Beta immediately noticed Alex's expression.

"Should I ask?"

"Probably not."

Simon wisely chose not to.

Instead, he handed over the file.

"I completed the background investigation."

Alex accepted it.

His eyes moved quickly across the pages.

Adopted.

No known relatives.

No criminal record.

Excellent academic performance.

Minimal social activity.

No romantic relationships.

No significant friendships outside Jessica Hale.

The further Alex read, the more intrigued he became.

Avery's life seemed surprisingly ordinary.

Too ordinary.

Especially for someone who had casually drawn a symbol connected to the most sought-after artifact in supernatural history.

Leo purred approvingly.

No mates.

The wolf sounded ridiculously pleased.

Alex ignored him.

Mostly.

"Simon."

"Yes, Alpha?"

"Prepare a contract."

Simon's expression remained neutral.

"What kind of contract?"

Alex closed the file.

"A marriage contract."

For once, Simon completely lost his composure.

"What?"

"A fake engagement."

The Beta blinked repeatedly.

"With Avery Wellesley?"

"Correct."

Simon stared at him.

Several seconds passed.

Then several more.

Finally, he rubbed his forehead.

"I know you're my Alpha, but this might be the worst idea you've ever had."

Alex smiled.

"It solves multiple problems."

"It creates dozens more."

"That's why I keep you around."

Simon groaned.

"Alpha, she's human."

Alex's gaze darkened.

"Draw up the contract."

His tone left no room for argument.

Simon immediately straightened.

"Understood."

Though his expression clearly stated that he understood nothing.

Across town, Avery Wellesley's day was rapidly becoming a disaster.

The office was nearly empty.

Most employees had already gone home.

Only a few desk lamps remained illuminated throughout the large workspace.

Avery rubbed her tired eyes.

The events of the previous evening continued replaying in her mind.

The mysterious phone call.

The unbelievable job offer.

The disconnected number.

The confusion.

The doubt.

Part of her wondered if Jessica had been right.

Perhaps she had made a terrible mistake.

A shadow suddenly fell across her desk.

Every muscle in her body tensed.

She already knew who it was.

Jack.

The unpleasant sensation crawling down her spine confirmed it.

Slowly, she looked up.

Jack stood beside her workstation.

His smile immediately made her uncomfortable.

"You work too hard."

Avery forced a polite expression.

"I was just finishing a report."

His gaze traveled slowly over her.

The look made her skin crawl.

"You deserve better treatment."

Alarm bells began ringing in her head.

She pushed her chair backward slightly.

Creating distance.

Jack stepped closer.

"Maybe we should discuss your future."

Avery rose to her feet.

"I should be leaving."

Jack grabbed her wrist.

The movement happened so quickly that she barely reacted.

Fear surged through her.

His fingers tightened painfully.

"Jack."

His smile vanished.

"You keep rejecting me."

The accusation sent chills through her.

"Let go."

"I could make your life easier."

His grip tightened.

"Or much harder."

Panic exploded inside her chest.

Every instinct screamed danger.

Avery struggled.

Jack refused to release her.

The office suddenly felt enormous and empty.

There was no one nearby.

No witnesses.

No help.

Then memory kicked in.

Self-defense classes.

Training drills.

Muscle memory.

Without hesitation, Avery drove her knee upward.

Hard.

Jack's eyes bulged.

A strangled cry escaped him.

His grip immediately loosened.

Avery jerked free.

Jack doubled over in agony.

"You little—"

His face twisted with rage.

"You are fired!"

The words echoed across the office.

Avery did not wait for more.

She grabbed her handbag and ran.

Her pulse thundered in her ears.

She rushed through the building lobby.

Through the revolving doors.

Into the cool evening air.

Only then did she stop.

Breathing heavily.

Shaking.

Terrified.

Her phone suddenly rang.

The sound made her jump.

Slowly, she looked down.

Her heart skipped.

The same mysterious number flashed across the screen.

The caller from Ravenwood Enterprises.

For several seconds, Avery simply stared.

As though fate itself was holding its breath.

Then, with trembling fingers, she answered.

"Hello?"

And on the other end of the line, Simon Stone smiled.

Because this time, Avery Wellesley had finally picked up.