Chapter 106
Chapter 106:
“This isn’t about buying her love,” I stated, the sheer, unyielding weight of my Lycan aura flooding the room. “It’s about arming my Luna. Let her believe the lie a little longer if it makes her feel safe enough to accept the weapon p>
Fletcher stood, tucking the dossier under his arm with a crisp nod. “Consider it done p>
“And Fletcher,” I added, my voice dropping to a lethal, vibrating growl as my fangs grazed my lower lip and my beast surged to the surface — “do not flirt with her p>
Adelina POV
𝗕𝖾 pа𝗿t 𝘰𝗳 𝘰𝘂𝗿 со𝘮𝗺𝗎𝗇𝘪𝘁𝘆 𝗼n.сo𝘮
The faint, pure scent of winter snow and pine that lingered in my father’s old office usually grounded me, but this afternoon my nerves were entirely frayed. Tomorrow morning I would face the Wolfe Hotel Group’s board of directors. I knew Vincent Parrish was rallying the old guard, preparing to use the recent two-million-dollar cancellation to strip me of my proxy power. I was walking into a slaughterhouse, and I desperately needed a miracle.
A sharp knock on the heavy mahogany door pulled me from my racing thoughts.
“Come in,” I called out, straightening my blazer.
The door swung open and Fletcher Banks strolled in, wearing a tailored, flamboyant plum-colored suit that hugged his broad shoulders perfectly. His scent — a crisp, refreshing wave of citrus undercut with a note of fierce loyalty — filled the room. Looking at his impeccable, stylish appearance, my heart gave a painful, hollow thud. He fit the image of the Lycan King’s secret lover perfectly.
“Luna,” Fletcher greeted, taking a seat in the leather chair opposite my desk. Despite the respectful title, his eyes danced with a knowing, almost theatrical amusement.
I forced my spine to remain rigid, playing the part of the understanding, unbothered contract wife. “Fletcher. To what do I owe the pleasure p>
He crossed his legs, resting his hands on his knee. “I came to apologize on behalf of Kain and myself. That photo on The Howl gossip blog — it was careless of us. We didn’t mean to put you in an uncomfortable position with your Pack p>
My chest tightened so violently I could barely draw a breath. Hearing him openly acknowledge their carelessness was a brutal confirmation of everything I had feared.
“You don’t need to apologize, Fletcher,” I said, keeping my voice glacial and smooth. “I told Kain from the beginning that I respect his private life. I am just the contract Luna. Your arrangement with him is completely safe with me. You don’t need to worry about me interfering p>
Fletcher coughed suddenly, raising a hand to his mouth to mask what looked suspiciously like a smirk. “Right. Well, Kain appreciates your profound understanding.” He reached inside his blazer and produced a thick leather-bound dossier embossed with the gold Blackstone Empire crest, sliding it across the polished mahogany desk.
I opened it, my eyes scanning the crisp legal document. The air vanished from my lungs. “The Global Alpha Leadership Summit? Exclusive hosting rights for five years — fifty million dollars p>
“Paid upfront,” Fletcher confirmed smoothly. “Consider it an apology. And a weapon for your board meeting tomorrow p>