Page 8 of Luna Trials

“It seems you started the application process for dual citizenship without telling me you wanted to leave the pack. You know you need your Alpha’s approval, right?”

I licked my dry lips.

Technically, I didn’t need his approval. Article 544702 stated that in special circumstances we could route it around pack leadership. I’d found the loophole and checked the box. That didn’t explain why the application was sitting here now.

“I wasn’t aware.”

“Yes you were.”Damn shifters and their ability to smell lies.“And it might have gone where you needed it to if you didn’t include a certain provision.”

I hated him more than I’d ever hated anyone.

My wolf growled and I coughed to cover the sound. “My papa is nearing ninety. That’s retirement age for shifters. He’s allowed to come with me. More so now that he needs medical care.”

“Not while he is a necessary employee in this pack.” Derek tilted the glass to his mouth.

My shoulders slumped. I was going to lose, just like the time when I’d crawled out of his office as a preteen girl. He’d won. I’d bent the neck. I wasn’t proud of it, but here I was all over again. “What do you want me to do?”

“I know we’ve had our differences.” Derek leaned against the bar, enjoying his win. “But I’ve been watching you throughout the years. You’re smart. After we had our little chat, you learned your place and stopped challenging your elders, but you’ve thrown your fair share of punches since then, so I know you’re not some weak battered wolf.”

Way to gloss over my trauma that you caused, asshole.

But he wasn’t done yet. “I’d like to take all the credit for the woman you turned out to be, but your biological father had a little Alpha blood in him too despite his loss in the challenge. Which means you’ve got the genetic spark to rise higher in the ranks. And you’re a hard worker. Two years at the prison with no complaints. The inmates love you, but that doesn’t earn you any gold stars in my book. You want to know what I think?”

No, but you’re going to tell us anyway.

“I think you’ll do your pack proud and put on a good show, perform your very best forMating Season. Pass the Luna Trials and then help Trenton through the Alpha Games so he can find a suitable mate.”

“Why can’t Stefanie…”

Derek arched an eyebrow, waiting for me to come to my own conclusion on that one. Maybe he knew more than I thought he did about the whole Trenton situation.

“Okay.” I straightened my shoulders. “Is this the part where I ask what’s in it for me?”

“You may.” Derek grinned. “Here’s what will happen, you do your job and then I’ll do mine by signing the application to release you and your grandfather from the pack once you make it to mating season.”

“But I don’t have to complete mating season in the traditional sense, right? You just need me to help Trenton get there.” I wanted all the terms laid out to make sure he didn’t screw me over. He may have been my Alpha, but I didn’t trust him.

“I don’t care what you do during mating season.” Derek sighed. “Use whatever stunt you pull here to keep yourself unmated.”

It’s called saying no.My wolf rolled her eyes.

“And you can even keep the money they pay you,” he said.

Hang on.“How much?”

“Enough to move your grandfather with you and get you two on your feet.” Derek chuckled, refilling his glass. “That’s actually kind of funny. Feet. Get it? Because he doesn’t have two.”

It might have been funny if me or my papa said it, but I chose to ignore Derek’s attempt athumor. “So I help Trenton find a mate and then I get to leave.”

“First you have to pass the Luna Trials, but yes. And if you find yourself an Alpha match, you can thank me later.” Derek burped, loudly.

I pretended to think on it a second, but really it was a no brainer. Play their stupid game and earn my freedom while risking my wolf falling for some dominating Alpha who demanded submission.

Funny.My wolf huffed.

One month, three days, and two hours.

I held out my hand, ready to shake with the devil. It wasn’t like I had much else of a choice anyway. But sometimes the illusion of freedom was all we got. “Deal.”

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