Chapter 4

Judy’s POV

“Mr. Landry,” the receptionist quickly stood up when he walked in. She looked flustered, and I had to hold back a smirk of satisfaction.

“I asked you a question, Laura,” he said, glaring at her. “What gives you the right to send guests away? You know the protocol. You’re supposed to call my office, and I decide if I want to see them or not. Not you.”

She swallowed hard and looked down, as if just facing him was painful.

“Come with me,” he said.

It took me a moment to realize he was talking to me. Seeing the receptionist’s angry glare and Gavin walking away pushed me to hurry after him. We walked through a fancy waiting room until we reached a glass elevator.

The elevator was very modern, with a touch screen. He typed in a code before selecting a floor.

He stood so close that the space felt cramped, even though it was wide. I could smell his fresh minty scent mixed with his aftershave, and my heart raced.

He didn’t look at me, and I started to doubt whether this plan would really work. Maybe he didn’t like me as much as I thought. I felt awkward knowing that under my coat, all I had on was lingerie.

The elevator stopped, and the doors opened to a huge room with marble floors and granite walls.

“Where exactly—”

“Is this your office?” I asked, looking around the beautiful space.

He glanced at me, his face neutral.

“Yes, this is my office.”

My eyes widened at his response. He walked around the corner, and there was his desk right in front of large windows that looked out over the city. It was stunning, and I felt a twist of nerves in my stomach.

Instead of sitting down, he leaned against his desk with his arms crossed. I swallowed hard as I took him in. He wore a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing his strong arms, and his dark pants fit him perfectly.

My wolf purred with satisfaction, and I realized I was staring at him longer than I meant to.

He cleared his throat, making me jump. I looked up to find him smirking, as if he had caught me in the act.

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I felt embarrassed.

“So, what did you come here for?” he asked, breaking the awkward silence.

Right. I remembered why I was there.

“I have a problem, and I need your help,” I said quickly.

He raised an eyebrow.

“What kind of problem?”

I took a deep breath and continued.

“My father was arrested the other night. His business went bankrupt, and he owes a lot of money—about 5 million dollars.”

He listened in silence, staring at me. I realized he wanted me to explain how he could help.

“I was hoping you could help him by paying off his debt.”

“Are you saying you can help my father get out of prison?” I asked, nervously biting my lip.

He paused for a moment, clearly thinking over my request. Then he rubbed his face with his hands.

“And what would I get in return for helping your family?” he asked.

I swallowed hard, feeling a lump in my throat.

I needed to feel confident.

I lifted my head and looked him directly in the eyes. It was risky to challenge an Alpha this way, especially a Lycan like him. But instead of anger, I saw curiosity in his gaze.

“Well,” I started, lowering my voice as I stepped closer. “At the party the other day, we had a clear connection…” My cheeks flushed as I spoke. “And I thought maybe…”

I took a deep breath and unbuttoned my coat, revealing a little of my lingerie, but not all of it just yet. His eyes darkened as they roamed over my body, and I felt myself melting under his gaze.

Suddenly, I felt a rush of confidence and reached out to touch his arm.

“I thought maybe I could do some favors for you in return,” I said in a soft, enticing voice. “I’m a college student and very responsible. I haven’t had sex before, but I’m on birth control, so there’s no need for worries.”

His breathing became heavier as he stood up straighter, closing the gap between us. His closeness was intoxicating, and my heart raced. His scent surrounded me, and I struggled to remember the last time I felt this way.

felt dizzy from the moment.

He reached up and brushed his fingers down my cheek, sending a warm wave through me. We were so close that I thought I might faint from the heat between us.

His eyes were deep and dark, like the night in the VIP suite.

I watched him swallow hard, his Adam’s apple moving slightly. I closed my eyes, ready for him to kiss me. I could feel his breath on my lips, and just as I leaned in, expecting his embrace, it didn’t happen.

Instead, he adjusted my coat, wrapping it around me.

I opened my eyes and saw his serious expression.

“Do you really think I need to pay a woman for s*x?” he asked, breaking the silence. “You said I have many options.”

My cheeks turned red with embarrassment.

“I just thought—”

“You thought you could use your body to pay for my help,” he interrupted. “You’re still young, Miss Montague. You’ll regret taking shortcuts like that in the future.”

How did he know my name? I hadn’t told him. Had he looked me up? My heart raced at the thought, but his words felt heavy and painful.

He didn’t want me.

I lowered my gaze, feeling my face grow hotter. I knew he could see how embarrassed I was.

Then, he softened his voice and spoke gently.

“Look, I have a daughter,” he said. “I would never teach her to use her body as a transaction. I want better for her and her future.”

He reached out and lightly caressed the back of my neck with his fingertips. My breath caught as I looked into his eyes.

“I…”

“I expected better from you,” Gavin said, and my heart sank. I felt a wave of disappointment wash over me.

He was right. I knew I could do better.

I nodded, ready to respond, but then I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see a couple of security guards nearby and quickly looked back at Gavin, my eyes wide with shock.

“I’m afraid my time is up, and my patience has run out,” Gavin said, glancing at the guards. “Please escort Miss Montague out of the building.”

“Yes, sir,” they both replied.

They positioned themselves on either side of me, and I gazed at Gavin in disbelief. I didn’t resist as the guards guided me away.

“Thank you for your time,” I managed to say before leaving the office. I wanted to cry from the shame, but I knew I had to find a new job.

…

“I’m so excited we get to work together!” Nan exclaimed, beaming at me. “And you look great in that uniform.”

I looked down at my outfit, feeling ridiculous. The short skirt and crop top showed too much skin, making me feel like I was on display.

Especially at night when the place turned into a club. The wealthy customers would tip well, and I couldn’t pass up the chance to earn some money during tough times.

“That’s what friends are for,” Nan said, playfully nudging my arm.

She glanced behind me and sighed. “Looks like we have a group of guys coming in. Good luck!”

I sighed and turned to greet the customers, but I froze when I saw who was among them.

Ethan.

Once upon a time, there was a small village surrounded by beautiful hills. In this village lived a kind girl named Lily. She loved exploring the meadows and playing with her friends.

One sunny day, while wandering in the flowers, Lily found a tiny, sparkling stone. Curious, she picked it up and felt a warm glow in her hands. Excited, she ran home to show her family.

“Lily, that stone looks magical!” her mother exclaimed. “You should take it to the wise old man in the village. He knows many secrets.”

So, the next day, Lily went to see the wise man. He had a long white beard and eyes that twinkled like stars. When she showed him the stone, he smiled knowingly.

“This is a special stone,” he said. “It has the power to grant one wish. But remember, use it wisely.”

Lily thought hard about her wish. She wanted to help her village. Finally, she decided. “I wish for our crops to grow strong and healthy so that everyone has enough food.”

The wise man nodded and waved his hand over the stone. A bright light surrounded Lily, and she felt a rush of warmth.

The next morning, the villagers woke up to find their fields full of ripe, golden crops. Everyone cheered and thanked Lily for her selfless wish.

From that day on, the village flourished, and Lily learned that true happiness comes from helping others. And so, she continued to explore, play, and share her kindness with everyone around her.