HECTOR
It's seven AM and I'm already seated in my office. Despite the fact that I barely got up to an hour's worth of sleep last night, my brain is sharp and ready to take on the new day.
I kept replaying Athena's words about whoring herself out to get the money. She wouldn't go that far. Would she?
"Sir, you called me." Says Davina.
I keep my eyes fixed on the screen of my MacBook, assessing the performance of the day's stock market.
"I need a comprehensive report on Athena Montgomery. I want to know everything. Where she lives, her office address, her entire schedule, where she eats and where she goes every second of the day."
I snap the laptop closed and give her a serious look.
"I want to know every single thing that's going on in her life. She shouldn't even breathe without me getting a notification. That is how serious this situation is."
Davina nods, dutifully taking down notes on her handy notepad.
"That would be all. Please leave."
She takes a step towards the door, then stops and turns to me.
"Sir?"
I look up once again.
"Problem?"
"Not at all. I just want to know… what's with your strange fixation with this woman? You've been stalking her for over a year."
I lean back in my seat, unsure of how much to tell her. Davina was the first human I hired when I decided to open a branch of my company in New York.
She's almost as smart as a fucking computer, if not smarter, and also a raging feminist. She's my most trusted employee.
I don't know how much to tell her yet, so I opt for the easy way out.
"I guess I'm obsessed."
Her eyes narrow.
"Vowing to destroy a person's life if they do not succumb to your wishes just because you're upset is quite impractical, sir."
That's just Davina. Always looking out for the wellness of women.
I lean forward in my seat,
"This should be none of your business, but I'd have you know that Athena is my entire world. I would never, ever hurt her." More than what she can bear, I silently add.
Davina doesn't look like she believes me, but she nods and steps back.
"Okay then. You'll get your comprehensive report within the hour."
Long after she's gone, I stand at the floor-to-ceiling windows of my office and stare blankly at my exclusive view of Central Park.
My wolf is on the verge of tearing through my flesh and there's only one reason for that — Athena Montgomery.
My craving for her has grown fiercely since she disappeared from my life three years ago.
Those years when I hopelessly searched for her were the darkest and gloomiest of my entire life.
Now that I have her, I will never, ever let her slip from my fingers again.
Until I'm sure she's ready to know the reasons for my actions three years ago, I will keep haunting her till she gives in to me.
I don't care how many people I have to kill, if required, to make that happen.
***
ATHENA
"Mommy, mommy!!!"
My three year old son's voice wakes me up from my slumber. I shoot off the bed, my heart already racing wildly with the thought that he's hurt.
"Mommyyyyy!!!!"
"Adras! Where are you?" I stumble out of the room blindly and nearly crash into someone.
"Jeez, bestie, calm down, will ya?"
My head snaps upwards to see Jasmine standing at my doorway and holding a smiling Adras on her hip.
"Mommyyy!! Mommyyy!!"
Relief shoots through my system like a geyser.
"Oh, my baby." I coo softly.
I give Jasmine an apologetic glance and take him from her. "Hi. How are you, my big boy?"
Adras wraps his little arms around my neck and holds on tight.
"I missed you, mommy. I didn't see you yesterday."
A sliver of guilt lies heavily in my guts. Damn Hector Kensington.
No. It's too early to think about him.
"I'm sorry, honey. Mommy came home late. Where's your sister?"
"Aunty Jas, up! Up!" I look down to find my daughter, Adara, waving her little fingers at Jasmine.
"And what's the magic word, princess?" Jasmine asks.
She breaks into a wide smile that does magical things to my insides.
"Pleassseeee."
"That's my good girl." Jasmine smiles, gladly picking her up.
"I want to kiss mommy." She demands.
"You do, don't you?" Jasmine teases, bringing her closer so she can smack a kiss on my cheek.
"Hi, mommy." She greets. "Where were you last night?"
Adara is the oldest between my children and her motherly behaviour is expected from time-to-time.
"I…uh…"
"Your mummy had to attend to an urgent matter at work. That's why she was late." Jasmine quickly explains.
I give her another grateful smile and she responds with a knowing nod.
Looking at my daughter, I'm struck by just how much she resembles her father. Same thick dark hair and intelligent grey eyes. She's his spitting image.
I love my little family so much and I will never, ever let my dead relationship with Hector jeopardize our happiness.
I know what I gave to do. I thought about it throughout the night. It's a tough decision, but for the ones I love, I have no choice but to sacrifice.
***
I walk into Diablo fashion house with Jasmine's angry words still ringing in my ear.
"…but this is wrong, Athena! How long will you continue to sacrifice yourself like this? Nicola Diablo is a greedy bastard. That man could hurt you!"
Yes, I know all of this, but I'm afraid I have no choice.
Nicola Diablo is New York City's fashion king and CEO of Diablo Fashion House. Two years ago, he approached me with a very unrealistic proposal. He demanded that I sell my company to him for twenty million dollars.
Apparently, he saw that my company had potential and he didn't need any new competition to distract his clients.
I refused him, of course. Soon enough, his business proposals became sexual advances. He kept demanding that I sleep with him until I got fed up and threatened to expose him to the media.
That was a year ago and I've not heard from him ever since.
Today, because of Hector Kensington, I have to tuck my tail between my legs and approach a man who makes me uncomfortable.
The moment I step my foot into Diablo fashion house, I immediately understand why that pervy bastard was named King Of Fashion.
Gleaming white and gold marble stretches as far as the eyes can see. The MacBooks and Egyptian chairs at the reception alone screams luxury. Diablo is insanely wealthy. Everyone knows that.
"Hello, I'm here to see the boss."
The receptionist, a beautiful African-American woman, smiles at me;
"Sure. Do you have an appointment?"
"Yes, I do."
"Okay then. Please hold on."
Three minutes later, I'm ushered into a conference room. I almost run out of the building ten times, but after giving it much thought, it dawns on me that this is the only solution to my problem.
Where else will I get ten million dollars?
Ten minutes later, just when I'm starting to become impatient, the door opens and Diablo himself walks in.
I can sense the bad energy that follows him as he eyes me like a predator savouring his prey.
He's a werewolf but not a member of the NightHunters Pack.
"Athena Montgomery. To what do I owe this pleasant visit?"
I swallow the bile in my throat and force myself to shake his hand without cringing away.
"Hello, Nicola. It's nice to see you again." Lies.
I try to retract my hand but he holds on tight, giving me a very disgusting once over.
Finally, when he releases me, we settle into our seats.
"Don't tell me you're here because you've finally come to your senses and decided to accept my proposal."
"No, I do not accept your proposal. I will not sell my company to you. But I have a proposal for you."
His blue eyes twinkle greedily.
"Really?"
I nod. Okay. Here goes;
"Yes. Instead of buying my entire company, are you interested in becoming a silent partner? If yes, I'll sell fifty percent of my company's shares to you. How do you see it?"
I hold my breath, impatiently waiting for his response.
To my absolute horror, Diablo gets to his feet and circles the big ass table until he's standing directly behind me.
I stiffen when I feel his hot breath against my ear. He places a hand on my shoulder and strokes the cord of my neck… and I have to endure it all.
"Your proposal is quite interesting, but I'm afraid I'm no longer interested in just becoming a silent partner."
I look up sharply and my lips nearly brush against his. I visibly cringe.
"Diablo…"
"Shhhh." He places a finger against his lips. "You have to pay for everything you did to me, Athena. You threatened me and even made a report to the police, just because I wanted you. Do you realise that you nearly destroyed my reputation?"
I take a deep breath and utter another lie.
"I'm sorry…"
"Please, enough with the lies." He cuts me off. "And enough with the talking. The only apology I will accept is my dick buried deep inside you. But for starters, I need you to do something for me."
My skin is crawling and my breath is already coming out in angry puffs as Diablo walks back to seat and sinks into it.
"Get up." He orders.
I blink at him. " What?"
"If you want me to accept your proposal, get to your feet."
Not knowing what else to do, I slowly get to my feet.
A corner of his lips lift in a smug smirk.
"Now, take off everything you have on up there. Your shirt, bra… everything."
For a moment, I remain completely still, not sure I've heard right.
"Wh-what?"
"I'm a very busy man and I'm not in the habit of repeating myself, so do as I say or leave." He leans forward.
"I want to see those breasts, Athena. I've been dreaming of seeing them for months.
And yes, if you do this, I might actually accept your proposal without asking anything else from you."
My heartbeat quickens dangerously.
"I won't have to sleep with you?"
"Absolutely not. Just show me your boobs. That's all."
In a split second, I think of all the other avenues I could possibly get ten million dollars to pay off my debts to Hector and none flashes in my mind. This is honestly my best bet.
I'm boiling at the utter unfairness of my situation, Jasmine would kill me if she found out, but I honestly have no other option. I have to do this.
I take a deep breath and pull my shirt over my head before I can change my mind, leaving me in my black, lace bra.
My throat burns with pain and shame as Diablo licks his lips.
"That's a good girl. Now, take the rest off."
I've already unclipped my bra with trembling fingers and I'm about to pull it off when the conference door bursts open and two people walk in.
"Sir, Mr. Hector Kensington is here to see you."
At the mention of that name, my insides go cold with horror.
Without thinking, I turn around and come face-to- face with Hector….