Stronger

In the event of my exposure, this message will be sent. Grayson’s father, Deacon Adams, is a business tycoon in Seattle. He is under pressure from mafia ties and needs protection and, in turn, may provide financial support. Owned by NôvelDrama.Org.

Aarron Hokk

I walked into the sleek tower of glass; he had the top ten floors to himself. He sounded like an ambitious and controlled man. Every business magazine called him a titan on the rise, the king of the Western finance market. In his life, he’d amassed millions and apparently had spent a good amount of that to hide his wolf past.

To the general public, Deacon Adams was the general silver-haired unattainable genius a modern businessman should be. They didn’t know he had a son or an ex-wife; the human public record doesn’t include wolf marriages.

I chuckled to myself, leaning against the wall as I rode up in the elevator. By all accounts, this man saw one goal in life, and that was power. He was ruthless and cutthroat, having double-crossed several partners; he’d dismantle companies of his shareholders so he could buy them out. I wondered if he’d turn me away when I mentioned I’d grant him protection from his unsavory partners if he’d finance my torture of his son.

The elevators opened, and black office walls greeted me with gold lettering, "The Adams Group." It seemed he’d altered his name ever so slightly to throw off the humans about his ancestry. The proud wolf in me was insulted, but I knew I had a game to play, and he was my trump card.

“I’m here to see Mr. Adams,” I gave the little receptionist a grin most girls in my pack swooned over.

“He has no appointments on his schedule today,” she didn’t even look up from her computer.Text content © NôvelDrama.Org.

“Well, we’re speaking either way. I have something he wants.”

She rolled her eyes and glanced up at me. “You have nothing he wants,” she was indignant and condescending, and if I wouldn’t be thrown in a silver-lined jail cell, I’d have torn her throat out.

I motioned for her to lean forward, and she scoffed but did so. “It’s about his son,” I whispered.

That woman was a wall of defense for the man behind the obsidian tower. I knew she knew; she was wearing designer clothes not fit for a receptionist; she was his personal surveillant.

She went white and stood up instantly, “Come with me, say nothing,” she clenched her fists. Poor thing probably knew if I was lying, she’d be fired or worse. He seemed a good enough ally if he could instill this kind of fear and obedience. I’d have to ask him his tricks.

We walked past offices of men and women in their uniforms of the human world: pantsuits and skirts, heels and leather shoes. They all looked down their noses at me. I wore the same clothes, but I was an outsider; they could sense it, they knew I could kill them with the blink of an eye, their primal senses firing off in their little pea-sized brains.

“Sit.” She ordered over her shoulder as she entered a pair of white marble doors.

“He’s not one for humility,” I muttered to myself. I wasn’t one for humility either; he knew how to live, and all I wanted was the same, but I wasn’t going to stoop to the human world for anything. I meant to take power with my blood and my claws. He seemed to have a disdain for our way of life.

In the end, I wouldn’t mind ripping his throat out, but I should protect him because it’s not right doing that to an ally. At least one with a name on the human census.

I rolled my eyes, and the woman came back out holding the door open. “He’ll see you now,” she said as she held her arm out.

I stood and straightened myself out, buttoning my jacket, grinning at how distressed I was getting an audience with the man. The pitiful human girl had no idea what her boss was made of.

“Deacon Adams, I presume,” I walked into the bright glass office.

A middle-aged man sat behind the desk. Salt and pepper hair but an all-silver fox. His eyes were gray like his son’s. I’m sure his grandson had the same.

I still was frustrated I hadn’t captured both, but it was enough to take down the unleashed Luna. She had gutted my men as if they were bunnies. She was a ravishing beast.

The man sat back in his chair. “You do me a disservice. I know my own name, but I need yours. Or assume you’re impressive with an entrance like it mattered to me what he thought.”

“Marcus Callahan, Alpha of the Bane Crescent pack,” I set my shoulders back, and the old man scoffed.

“And you think that makes you important, don’t you,” he chuckled.

“I know it does and know what power I have from it. A power that got me at odds with a certain alpha Addams,” I folded my arms over my chest and tilted my head to the side.

“I won’t pay off his debts, and the boy has no love for me, so if you think kidnapping me wi-”

“Oh, I have his wife for that,” I waved my hand. “No, no, I need money, and I know you need protection from a few unsavory business partners. Protection will be given; all I ask is you finance my corner of the fight,” I shrugged and walked over, then sat down in one of the chairs in front of his desk.

“He’s got a wife?” He looked over at me; there wasn’t pride or joy, but acknowledgment.

“Hmm, a prize as well. A six-time Luna, she’s stunning,” I thought of her curly brunette locks; it baffled me that the goddess wasted her on Grayson.

“And you’ve kidnapped her?” He appraised me, bringing a hand up to his face.

“He killed my father and uncle,” I explained. That was well enough; I’d have to retaliate and rescue her from that brute.

“He’s not going to take too kindly to that.” He stood up, walked over to his drinks, and poured himself a glass. “I’m no great love to my wife. Neither of them has any affection for me, and you seem to wish to engage in this. I know enough to know what my son has grown into.”

“He’s a fool, believes in honor, and honor left when he killed my family,” I went deadpan. It was the truth; we were a pack that knew hierarchy, and my family was the highest. I couldn’t let it stand the way they died.

“You plan to wed his wife then?” He walked over and placed a glass in front of me.

“She’s of alpha blood.” I stated simply. Was this man a moron as well? I could see it, turning his back on the strength and fire. He almost grinned. He knew of Grayson, but he didn’t know him. If he knew his son, he’d know he was one of the most powerful alphas in the northern hemisphere, especially since he mated.

The man never once spoke of his son with pride or wistfulness; no, he was a cold man. He was the kind of man I admired. I planned on tearing his son apart and burning the pieces.

I knew Annette wouldn’t survive, and in all accounts, the soulmate bond was one of the strongest bonds, a particularly impressive bond. Though I had no good feelings for the woman, I had to admit I needed a new spy. Sadly, Grayson inspired loyalty to his people, but I did have Annette. Sadly, if I wanted her to give me sons, I had to keep her alive. It would pay off, so I was willing to do so. All I had to do was win, and she’d be mine.

“To have my support, you need to get rid of the vultures.” He stared me down.

“I’ll see to it,” I replied, not wanting to waste either of our time. “I’ll have my people reach out to your secretary.”

I could buy what I needed to destroy Grayson. He would die, and Annette would be returned home to me.