Chapter 13: Borrowed Time

###Sincerely

By the time lunch was served, my nerves were twisted into painful knots.

I perched on the edge of a plush sofa in the living room, hands clenched in my lap, waiting for the axe to fall.

The grandfather clock chimed noon.

Almost immediately, heavy footsteps sounded from upstairs.

I looked up.

Alpha Ryker descended the staircase like a storm rolling in, expression colder than ice, dressed for war instead of lunch. Two Betas flanked him, faces grim.

A phone was pressed to his ear.

“Seal every northern route,” he ordered, voice sharp as a blade. “No one enters. No one leaves.”

He didn’t slow down.

“Checkpoints at every exit before the hour is over.”

He ended the call and pocketed the phone without breaking stride.

The entire room seemed to hold its breath. Everyone instinctively cleared his path.

For one brief second, his gaze flicked to mine.

My heart stopped.

Would he remember? Would he order someone to drag me to that shelter before he left?

His expression gave nothing away.

He looked away first.

“Move.”

The Betas followed him out. The massive front doors swung open, and within seconds the convoy of black SUVs roared to life and disappeared in a cloud of dust.

I blinked at the empty driveway.

“…Huh?”

That was… unexpected.

Curiosity pulled me to the window. The maid arranging flowers nearby glanced up with a gentle smile.

“There’s been an emergency. The Alpha had to leave immediately.”

“Oh.” I pressed my forehead against the cool glass. “So… what about me?”

The maid’s smile softened. “You’re to remain here for now.”

Relief flooded me so fast my knees nearly buckled.

Not yet.

I wasn’t being sent away yet.

My wolf stirred, quiet but insistent.

Use it.

“Use what?” I whispered.

Time.

I straightened slowly, a fragile plan forming.

If Ryker returned and nothing had changed, he’d still ship me off to that shelter. Unless I gave him a reason to keep me.

Threaten him? No—suicide.

Lie? I’d crumble in five seconds.

Run? I’d get lost before reaching the front gate.

I began pacing, mind racing.

What did a man like Ryker actually need?

Money? Power? He already had both in terrifying abundance and I lacked it.

Information? I knew nothing useful.

I stopped in my tracks.

Work.

The years of scrubbing floors, cooking meals I wasn’t allowed to eat, washing clothes that weren’t mine… maybe they weren’t completely worthless.

I couldn’t win him with words.

But maybe I could prove I wasn’t a burden.

If I could make myself useful…

If I could become someone worth keeping around…

Then maybe he wouldn’t throw me away.

I clasped my trembling hands together and looked up at the ceiling.

“Please,” I whispered. “Moon Goddess… just let this work.”

•••

The rest of the afternoon dragged like torture.

I wore a path into the expensive carpet, pacing, muttering, and spiraling.

“If I were a terrifying, ridiculously handsome Alpha… what would convince me to keep a random, plus-sized disaster around?”

Money? No.

Connections? I had none.

Strength? I snorted. I could barely open the heavy windows in this mansion.

I flopped onto the bed with a dramatic groan.

“What do I even have?”

My stomach growled loudly.

“Not helping.”

I sat bolt upright, eyes wide.

“…Marriage?”

Silence.

I slapped both cheeks. “What is wrong with you, Sincerely?!”

I jumped up and resumed pacing.

“No, no, no. Absolutely not. I don’t even know him. He’s terrifying. He rips out hearts. He’s stupidly rich. And stupidly handsome—”

I groaned into my hands. “Focus!”

Powerful people loved deals, right?

Yes.

“I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.”

My confidence lasted exactly three seconds before reality laughed in my face.

“…I have no idea what I’m offering.”

The Moon Goddess was definitely laughing at me.

•••

Hurried footsteps and deep voices suddenly echoed from downstairs.

He was back.

My heart shot into my throat.

“This is it.”

I squared my shoulders, took two deep breaths, then immediately lost my nerve.

“…Too late.”

I marched out anyway. If I was going to humiliate myself, I might as well do it with courage.

The hallway felt endless. Voices drifted up from the entrance hall.

“…double the patrols.”

“…search every warehouse.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

I peeked over the railing.

Ryker stood near the doors, black coat draped over one arm, looking every inch the dangerous Alpha even after a long day. Betas flanked him, reporting in low, urgent tones.

He signed a document and handed it back without a second glance. “Handle it.”

The Betas scattered.

Now or never.

“Alpha?”

My voice came out pathetically small.

He looked up. Those sharp gray eyes locked on me instantly.

“What is it?”

No warmth. No irritation. Just calm, terrifying expectation.

I descended the stairs on shaky legs, my carefully rehearsed speech evaporating like mist.

“I… I’ve been thinking...”

“Okay...”

“I wanted to ask if… maybe… you could reconsider sending me away.”

His expression didn’t change.

“I’ve made my decision.”

“I know, but—” I twisted my fingers together. “I thought maybe we could make a deal.”

One dark eyebrow rose. “A deal?”

“I stay here. And in return…”

My mind went completely blank.

Oh no.

He waited.

I opened my mouth. Nothing intelligent came out.

My brain betrayed me spectacularly.

“…I’ll marry you.”

Dead. Silence.

My eyes widened in horror.

What have I done?

“No!” I waved my hands frantically. “I didn’t mean— I mean, I did mean— No! I didn’t mean marriage!”

I buried my burning face in both hands. “Oh Goddess… I practiced this. It sounded so much better in my head.”

Another long, excruciating silence.

When I finally peeked through my fingers, Ryker was still staring at me, expression unreadable.

Finally, he spoke.

“Your concussion.”

I blinked. “…My what?”

“The physician mentioned delayed symptoms. I clearly underestimated how severe they were.”

My jaw dropped. “You think I’m brain damaged?!”

“It’s the only logical explanation for what just came out of your mouth.”