Chapter 15: The Worst Plan Ever

###Sincerely

Sleep refused to come.

I lay awake for hours beneath the impossibly soft blankets, staring at the ornate carved ceiling while the rest of the mansion slumbered peacefully around me.

Tomorrow.

By this time tomorrow, I would be gone.

Back to Mooncrest.

Back to Miranda’s cruelty.

Back to Father’s indifference.

Back to Bianca’s poisoned smiles.

Back to stale bread, the storage closet, and the constant reminder that I was nothing more than an embarrassment.

My chest tightened until breathing hurt.

“There has to be another way,” I whispered into the suffocating darkness.

Silence answered.

After a long moment, my wolf stirred weakly inside me.

There has to be.

Hope flickered, fragile and desperate. “You know what it is?”

She was quiet for so long that the spark began to die.

…No.

A small, broken laugh escaped me. “Thanks.”

She whimpered softly. I’m trying.

“I know.” I closed my eyes, voice cracking. “I just… I can’t go back there.”

The silence between us grew heavier.

Then, like poison slowly rising, old memories surfaced.

Miranda’s cruel laugh: “A clever woman doesn’t beg. She makes him want to keep her.”

Bianca twirling in front of the mirror: “Men are so easy.”

I frowned. …Are they?

My wolf immediately became alert. I don’t like where this is going.

“Neither do I.”

I sat up slowly, pulling my knees to my chest.

“But I’ve already begged. I offered to work. I accidentally proposed marriage.” My face burned at the memory. “Let’s never speak of that again.”

My wolf made a sound that was almost amused. Agreed.

I sighed. “What else is left?”

Another cruel echo from Miranda: “A woman’s body is the only thing men truly value.”

My stomach twisted violently.

“No…” I shook my head hard. “No.”

My wolf’s voice grew firm. Don’t.

“I won’t.” But the promise felt hollow.

Because if I didn’t do something… I would be sent back.

I climbed out of bed on shaky legs.

The wardrobe stood like a temptation against the far wall.

I opened it slowly. Rows of beautiful nightgowns and dresses hung inside—silk, soft cotton, fabrics that felt too luxurious to touch. My fingers trembled as I reached for one.

Too bold.

Too revealing.

Too desperate.

I finally chose the simplest nude-colored one with long sleeves. Elegant but modest. Still… the prettiest thing I’d ever worn.

I changed quickly before I could lose my nerve.

When I faced the mirror, I barely recognized the woman staring back. The gown skimmed over my full curves instead of fighting them. My curls had dried into soft waves. I looked… different. Not beautiful. Just… less invisible.

My wolf sighed. You’re hoping he’ll see you differently.

I stared at my reflection. “…Maybe.”

And if he doesn’t?

I looked away. “I don’t know.”

•••

The hallway felt endless and far too quiet. Every step echoed like a warning. My palms were slick with sweat. This was a terrible idea. The worst I’d ever had.

I should turn around. Go back to bed. Pretend this moment of madness never happened.

Instead, I kept walking.

The guards at the end of the corridor bowed politely. One stepped forward. “Miss? Can I help you?”

“I… couldn’t sleep,” I managed. “The Alpha… is he still awake?”

The guard nodded. “His study is the last door on the right.”

I stared at the heavy wooden door like it might devour me.

This is it.

My heart thundered in my ears as I raised a trembling hand.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

For a terrible moment, nothing happened.

Then footsteps approached. The handle turned.

Alpha Ryker stood in the doorway.

He wasn’t wearing a suit this time around, just a pair of low-slung black joggers and an open black robe that did nothing to hide the sculpted perfection beneath. Hard, defined abs flexed with each breath, and a faint, almost invisible tattoo traced along his left hip, disappearing teasingly beneath the waistband. The mark looked like moonlight on water, delicate, ancient, and sinfully sexy.

My wolf surged forward with a hungry growl inside my chest, clawing at me with raw, desperate desire.

He's hot.

I had to swallow twice before I could speak.

Ryker’s gaze dragged slowly down my body, taking in the thin nightdress, the way my nipples had already hardened against the silk, then back up to my flushed face. His expression darkened with something hot and dangerous.

One dark eyebrow slowly lifted.

The silence stretched, thick and electric.

Finally, he spoke, voice low and calm. “Is the mansion on fire?”

“N-No.”

“Are you injured?”

I shook my head.

“Did someone upset you?”

“No.”

His brow furrowed slightly. “Then why are you standing outside my study at midnight?”

All my practiced words dissolved.

“I… I came because…” My fingers twisted together painfully.

Oh you dumbass, my wolf snarled. You’re going to ruin this with your stuttering.

Before I could spiral further, a sudden surge of energy and boldness flooded my veins. My wolf pushed forward, taking the reins.

“I couldn’t sleep,” I said, voice steadier than I felt.

“Couldn’t sleep?” His voice was rough, low, like gravel and velvet. He leaned one powerful forearm against the doorframe, the robe slipping open further and revealing even more of that mouthwatering torso. “And you thought coming to me was the solution?”

Heat flooded my cheeks, but I didn’t back down. I’d come here with a purpose.

I stepped closer, letting the scent of my arousal curl between us. “Yes.”

His eyes flashed bright gold for a second. The air between us crackled.

I tilted my head, letting my hair fall over one shoulder as I looked up at him through my lashes. My voice dropped to a whisper, laced with every ounce of bravery and want I possessed.

“I’m tired of pretending I don’t want you, Alpha.” I reached out, letting my fingertips brush lightly over the hard ridges of his abs. His muscles jumped under my touch. “And I think… you want me too.”

Ryker’s hand shot out, catching my wrist in a firm, scorching grip. For a heartbeat, I thought he might push me away.

Instead, he spun me around with dizzying speed.

My breath hitched as he pinned me against the wall, my back to his chest. He captured both my wrists in one large hand and raised them high above my head, pressing them to the cool wood. His powerful body caged me in, hard and unyielding. The heat of his bare chest burned through the thin silk of my nightdress. I could feel every inch of him, especially the unmistakable press of his growing arousal against my ass.

“Careful, little wolf,” he growled low in my ear, lips brushing the sensitive skin of my neck. His free hand slid down my side, gripping my hip possessively and pulling me back harder against him. “You come to my door smelling like sin and say those words… you’d better be ready for what happens next.”

I arched into him, a soft, needy sound escaping my throat despite myself. My wolf was practically purring.

“I am,” I breathed, voice laced with challenge and desire. “So do something about it, Alpha.”