Chapter 6 The Blackwood Alphas Want You

Her blood turned to ice.

Garrett watched her reaction with those sharp Alpha eyes that missed nothing. "I can see you understand the significance of that."

She said nothing. Didn't trust her voice.

"Two months ago," Garrett continued, his voice carefully controlled, "we branded your father a traitor. We demoted you and your mother to omega status. We did everything the Blackwoods demanded to prove we weren't defending Victor's actions." He paused. "It wasn't enough."

The room was completely silent.

Elder Thomas shifted in his seat. Beta Carson stared at his hands.

"The Blackwood triplets....Nicholas, Sebastian, and Lucian, have assumed full control of their pack following their father's death," Garrett said. "And they've made it very clear that they hold Shadowmere partially responsible for what happened at that treaty meeting."

"But we weren't..." Lilith started.

"It doesn't matter if we were or weren't," Garrett cut her off sharply. "What matters is perception. And the Blackwoods perceive that Victor, a high-ranking member of this pack, betrayed an alliance and got their Alpha killed. They want restitution."

Restitution.

The word hung in the air like a blade.

"What kind of restitution," she said quietly.

Garrett's jaw tightened. "They've given us two options. Option one: they come to Shadowmere themselves and extract payment in whatever form they see fit. Which likely means the complete destruction of this pack and everyone in it."

Lilith's stomach dropped.

"Option two," he continued, "we send them what they've requested. As payment for Victor's crimes against the Blackwood pack."

She already knew what he was going to say.

She could see it in his eyes. In the way Elder Thomas wouldn't look at her. In the tense set of Beta Carson's shoulders.

"They want you," Garrett said flatly. "The traitor's daughter. They want you delivered to the Blackwood estate to answer for your father's crimes."

The words landed like physical blows.

She sat there, trying to process them, trying to make them make sense even though they already made perfect terrible sense.

"For how long," she heard herself ask.

Garrett looked at her. Something almost like respect flickered across his face at the fact that she'd asked the practical question instead of breaking down.

"One month," he said. "You will go to the Blackwood estate and remain there for thirty days. During that time, you will be...." He paused, choosing his words carefully. ".....at their disposal. To do with as they see fit. Payment for the debt your father's actions created."

At their disposal.

She understood what that meant.

She wasn't stupid.

"And after the month?" Her voice came out steadier than she felt.

"After the month, if you survive it, you'll be released back to Shadowmere." Garrett's voice was flat. Emotionless. "The debt will be considered paid. The Blackwoods will leave this pack alone."

If you survive it.

The words echoed in her head.

"What happens if I refuse," she said.

Elder Thomas made a sound. Sharp and disbelieving.

Garrett's expression didn't change. "If you refuse, the Blackwoods have made it very clear they will consider it an act of war. They will come here. They will destroy this pack from the ground up. Every man, woman, and child. No survivors. No mercy." He leaned forward slightly. "Is that what you want, Lilith? Do you want the complete annihilation of Shadowmere on your conscience?"

She looked at him. At this man who'd been her father's Alpha. Who'd eaten at their table. Who'd held her when she was small.

Who was now asking her to sacrifice herself to save his pack.

"You're giving me a choice that isn't a choice," she said quietly.

"No," Garrett agreed. "I'm not. But I'm giving you the illusion of one, which is more courtesy than the Blackwoods would extend."

Beta Carson finally spoke up, his voice rough. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry. Your father was a good man. He didn't deserve what happened to him. And you don't deserve this."

"But you're sending me anyway," she said.

He looked away. "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one. That's pack law."

"That's convenient pack law," she shot back.

"Lilith." Garrett's voice was sharp now. "I need an answer. The Blackwoods are expecting word today. Will you go willingly, or do I need to have you dragged there in chains?"

She stared at him.

Dragged there in chains.

He'd actually do it. She could see it in his eyes. If she refused, he'd have her bound and delivered like a package. Because saving the pack was more important than her dignity. More important than her choice. More important than anything except survival.

"What about my mother," she said.

Garrett looked at her, expression became carefully blank. "What about her."

"She's in the hospital. Her medical bills...." Lilith's voice was steady. Controlled. "If I do this. If I go to the Blackwood estate and let them....do whatever they're going to do to me for a month. What happens to my mother's care?"

Elder Thomas and Beta Carson exchanged glances.

Garrett leaned back in his chair. "The Blackwoods are aware of your mother's situation."

"How...."

"They requested a full accounting of your family when they made their demand. They know about Cassandra. They know about her medical condition. They know about the debt." He paused. "And they've agreed to cover all of her medical expenses for the duration of your... service."

Service.

What a delicate way to phrase it.

"All of it?" Lilith pressed. "Everything? The hospital bills, the treatment, the care?"

"Everything," Garrett confirmed. "Full coverage. No debt transferred to you. Your mother will receive the best care the pack hospital can provide for as long as she needs it." He looked at her directly. "That's the deal, Lilith. You give them one month. They give you your mother's life."

One month.

Her body in exchange for her mother's survival.

Thirty days of being at the disposal of three Alpha wolves who blamed her father for their own father's death.

She thought about her mother lying in that hospital bed. Thought about the notices she'd been getting about overdue payments. Thought about Dr. Reeves's carefully neutral expression when she talked about transferring her mother to county care.

Thought about her mother dying alone because she couldn't save her.

"When do I leave," she said quietly.

Garrett's shoulders relaxed slightly. Like he'd been bracing for a fight and was relieved he wasn't going to get one.

"Tomorrow morning. Six AM. A car will come for you." He pulled out an official-looking document and slid it across the desk. "This is the agreement. You'll need to sign it."

She picked up the document and scanned it.

Dense legal language. Terms and conditions. Liability waivers. And at the bottom, in clear simple text:

Lilith Thorne agrees to present herself to the Blackwood estate for a period of thirty (30) days, during which time she will be considered property of the Blackwood Alphas to do with as they see fit. In exchange, all medical expenses related to Cassandra Thorne will be covered in full by the Blackwood pack. This agreement is binding and non-negotiable.

Property.

That's what she'd be for a month.

Property.