Page 8 of Plus-Size Sold Mate
“What’s her value to you?”
They pause again, more like they don’t even know. That’s interesting.
“She’s under our Alpha’s protection.”
“Your Alpha isn’t here. But you are,” I tell them, allowing the implication to hang in the air between us. “How much?”
They all blink at me as if I’ve just lost my mind.
“What?”
I square my shoulders and stand a bit straighter, forcing myself to ignore the twist in my stomach at the thought of what I’m proposing. “You said she belongs to Wraith Peak, and since you’re here on your Alpha’s behalf, name your price.”
The leader nearly gapes at me.
“We’re not...” He trails off before forcing out a breath. “She’s not for sale.”
“When an Alpha’s authority is unstable, everything’s for sale, as long as you’re smart enough to accept it.”
At that, his jaw tightens, well aware that I’m right. I can only assume they’ve all considered their options after Dawson lost to Caleb.
“This will go one of two ways. One, you go back to Dawson empty-handed and tell him I personally interfered once you crossed into Coldreach, and that you did what you had to do to keep your life. If he wants to contest it, then he can do so publicly,” I begin, watching for every small tell that crosses theirexpressions. “Alternatively, you can accept my exchange. I’ll give you more than enough money to decide where you’ll go next, be it back to your pack or somewhere to start over. Even better, I’ll grant you safe passage across Willow and hunting privileges in the northern stretch here.”
He cocks a brow at me, looking almost surprised. Though the flicker of excitement in his eyes gives away just how appealing that thought is.
Money obviously matters to them, but bragging rights matter more if they’re stupid enough to return to Wraith Peak after this.
Whether they do or don’t, it doesn’t matter to me. Either way, I want her, and I want them gone.
“You’d give that for her?”
Risking a brief glance in her direction, I find her watching me now, with both confusion and wariness slipping into her features.
I hold that eye contact long enough to know I’m treading a potentially ugly line.
My answer comes to me without further consideration. “Stick around, and you’ll have your money before sunrise.”
The clearing is silent for a long beat, almost making me forget that I’m negotiating terms with a few rogue wolves from Wraith Peak, all for a woman I don’t know.
I can’t explain what it is or what it means, but there’s something about her I’m not willing to let pass through my fingers. I’m sure as hell not going to let them take her back and do whatever they’re planning with her.
Beneath the exhaustion and rumpled appearance, she still looks beautiful, but I know that’s not it. Just looking at her pulls at something inside me.
The lead wolf studies me carefully, like he’s anticipating a rug-pull. Then he releases a breath. “Give us the money upfront before we leave…and a written acknowledgment of hunting rights.”
“Then it’s yours.”
And she’s mine.
The three shifters glance between each other, surely communicating across a mental link I can’t access, then the oldest one nods. “Done.”
An odd, immediate rush of relief hits me, but I school it and take a step forward, prompting them to move away from her. Good.
The woman flinches, but doesn’t manage to move more than that. I can’t bring myself to look her in the eyes yet, even as I stand over her.
“This isn’t over,” the wolf mutters, slowly backing away with the others. “But we’ll be here.”
I nod once, face stern despite the deal we just made. Then, they disappear into the trees, prepared to wait it out until I bring them their payment.
