CHAPTER 12: HIS TERMS
Elodie's POV
I'd been practicing for an hour. Every version was just as stupid as it gets. I took a deep breath and exhaled.
It was stupid to ask the man he sold me to for money but he was shameless. I should let him disown me but I didn't want to lose everything in that house. The company has been my late mother's.
And her jewelry. I wanted them back. I had to be patient. I cleared my throat and began another round of practice.
"Alpha Ryder, my father needs money."
"Nah, that's too blunt."
"Alpha, I was wondering if I could ask for your help. My dad has threatened to disown me if I don't convince you to give him some money…."
"Ugh!" I groaned. "This is so stupid! I'd rather die than tell him that! I sound like a gold digger and I am not even the one taking it."
I groaned and face-palmed myself. "Why is this so hard?"
That man terrified me. I was always breathless when he looked at me.
"Fine. One more try. The worst thing he could do is kill me."
"No, that's too harsh," Ryder's voice spoke. My heart stopped and I swallowed, frozen to the spot.
My eyes darted to the door and I wanted to disappear. He heard me.
"It's not what you think," I said quickly.
"Hmm," he said, and began walking towards me. "What am I thinking?"
"Uh…I….ehn," the words hung in my throat and I didn't realize he was already close to me until it was too late.
"Learning to beg me for money. Seems my uncle got the wrong one," he said.
My heart bled. How could he think of me like that?
"I am not like that," I defended myself.
His finger picked a strand of my hair, playing with it. "I didn't know the Wynters' way was to sell a daughter for money and keep using her for more money."
"I…" I said, but his thumb pressed on my lip.
"I don't like excuses," he muttered.
My heart raced. I felt his thumb push down, resting on my chin and he lifted my face up so fast I gasped.
"I'll give him the money," he said. My eyes brightened with happiness. Then he smirked. It scared me to my bones.
The wicked glint in his eyes rises. "But I want a trade."
His fingers caressed my cheeks and he bit his lower lip.
I gulped. "What trade?"
His eyes lowered, shifting to my body and I quivered. "You know what I want."
"Ryder, I…"
"I'll give your father money but you give yourself to me."
His hand crept to my neck and he pulled gently, bringing me closer to him.
"No one else but me."
His eyes darkened, and I knew there was no going back. I wasn't letting my father ruin everything my mom had worked to build.
"I'll do it," I said flatly.
His face leaned in, inching toward my neck, and I felt his breath hit the soft spot on my skin. My breath rattled, and I closed my eyes.
He kissed my neck, slow at first, dragging gasps from my lips, and then stronger. I moaned out, my hand gently moving on his chest. "Ryder ."
His tongue crept upward, stopping at my ear and he bit the top. The tingle between my legs is rising.
His hand held my waist, holding me close and then he stopped. He looked down, staring into my eyes and I saw it glow a deep crimson red.
"You're mine. Only mine," he said, a low growl underneath scaring and exciting me.
My legs shook. My wolf howled under, crying to be claimed.
He released his hold on my waist. He turned to leave but I held his arm, stopping him.
I didn't have a damn anymore. I pulled at his clothes, my hand steady, and I raised my legs, giving me an edge, and kissed him.
His hand wrapped me in an instant. My lips were hungry, feasting, wanting more. His kiss felt like honey and melted every wall in me.
My tongue fighting for dominance and he…pulled away. His eyes darkened as he watched me for a second.
I didn't want this to stop. I didn't want it to end. My hand touched his face, my eyes begging.
"What are you doing?" He asked.
"Fuck me," I breathed.
His eyebrow raised, and he released me.
"Do you know what you're saying?" He asked.
"Yes," I blurted.
"Elodie," he called, caressing my face. "You don't mean that."
"I do."
He gazed at me for a second then leaned in. His voice whispered. "You don't."
"I want you, Ryder," I begged.
His voice turned raspy and he lowered his face, his lips brushing mine. "Then, you know once you do this. You can't leave. Because I won't let you."
His eyes turned red, darker. "You still have the chance to change your mind."
My wolf howled, wanting his claim. "I'm not going anywhere."