1: Gold digging

"Typical gold-digger behavior," Kael’s beta growled, his voice dripping with disdain. "We know your type, always looking for attention."

The words hit like a slap, Nia’s fingers circled around her wine glass tighter, her knuckles almost turning white. Did he just call me a gold digger?

"Excuse me?" she snapped, her tone sharp enough to cut through the noise of the bar.

The beta, Adrian didn’t even flinch. His eyes travelled up and down her body as if she were some dirt he wanted to just wipe off his shoe. "Oh, don’t act surprised. First the wine, then the fake apologies, and then you’ll probably ask for his number or—"

"How much is the suit?" she interrupted, standing from her bar stool, her eyes locked on his with unflinching boldness.

Adrian blinked, caught off guard, he was clearly not expecting that.

"I said," she continued, folding her arms and meeting his gaze, "how much is the damn suit? I’ll pay for it. Right here, right now."

Alpha Kael remained silent, his intense gaze fixed on her. Something about her fire, her refusal to back down, stirred a dangerous heat within him. But it wasn’t just her defiance that held him captive—it was her scent.

A heady mix of vanilla and something wild, untamed. It hit him like a bolt of lightning, setting his blood on fire.

Mate.

His wolf, Rode, surged forward, growling with feral need.

She’s ours.

Kael’s fingers twitched at his sides, fighting the carnal urge to grab her, to claim her and declare her as his. His vision blurred at the edges as his wolf tried to take control. The animal wanted her now—wanted to mark her, to make sure no one else ever dared to touch her.

Before he could speak, a server carrying a tray of drinks stumbled toward her, about to push against her. Kael moved on instinct, his hand shooting out to grab her waist and yank her out of the way. She gasped as their skin contacted, her body colliding with his.

"Careful," he growled, his voice rough and possessive as he gazed into her eyes.

Her hands pressed against his chest, her breath hitching at the solid warmth beneath her fingertips.

"Let me go!” she snapped.

Kael’s wolf snarled in response. No. Never. But he released her reluctantly, his hands clenching into fists. Beside him, Adrian cleared his throat.

"That suit," he said smugly, "costs 3,000 dollars. Good luck paying that off."

Nia opened her mouth to retort, but the sound of a mocking laugh stopped her cold. She knew who owned the voice that cut through the air and she froze immediately.

"Nia? Wow, what a surprise.” The voice called out, dripping with disdain and mockery.

Nia’s throat bobbed as she swallowed hard. Turning slowly, she came face-to-face with Jacob, her ex-boyfriend. He stood there with his new girlfriend, her former best friend, clinging to his arm, both of them smirking at her like predators who had just cornered their prey.

"Didn’t expect to see you here," Jacob said, his tone dripping with fake sympathy. "Guess you’ve downgraded, huh? Or are you still pretending you’re too good for everyone?"

“Huh?” Nia gasped, her cheeks burning as her eyes flitted to the people passing. Her fingers tightened on her bag strap, heart thudding like a drum in her chest.

Brianca smirked, her lips curling into a sinister nod as she let out a mocking gasp. "Huh? That’s just sad," she sneered, her eyes narrowing on Nia. "What’s the matter Nia? Cat got your tongue?" Her voice dripped with venom, rising with every word as her fingers curled possessively around Jacob’s arm. "And what are you even doing here? Wait, let me guess—you’re trying to drown your sorrows in those drinks? Looks like the single life isn’t treating you so well after all."

“You should’ve held on to me when you had the chance,” Jacob hummed, smirking in satisfaction as he pulled brianca even closer.

“Alpha,” Adrian whispered closely, “we have a meeting by ten, all our pack members are—

“Hold on,” Kael hushed, “this is getting interesting.” Besides, there was no way in hell he would be leaving his newly found mate in the hands of those vultures.

Nia’s cheeks flamed even more, the humiliation crippling her as her mind raced for a way out. She couldn’t let them see her crumble. Not again. Without thinking, she turned back to Kael, grabbed his tie, and pulled him down to her level.

Then she kissed him.

Kael froze for the briefest moment, taking a sharp intake of breath before his instinct took over. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss. This was what his wolf wanted, if anything, he’d like to have her right there right now.

Mine. His wolf howled in approval, his hands travelled up her back, gently rubbing her bare skin.

His lips were warm, soft, yet commanding, demanding a response from her that she couldn’t resist. A quiet moan escaped her lips as Kael deepened the kiss, his touch possessive and raw. Her body melted into his, her fingers gripping his jacket as heat spread through her.

Kael moved even closer to her, his hands traveling below her waist as he deepened the kiss even more but Nia pulled away. Clearing the lump in her throat, she coughs slightly, trying to steady her voice as her heart raced. "This is my husband," she announced loudly. "We were just celebrating."

Kael smirked, his gaze never leaving her. His wolf purring with satisfaction. Mine! Rode growled.

Jacob’s smirk faltered, and Brianca’s eyes narrowed in disbelief.

Adrian’s eyes gaped wide as he whispered, “husband?!"

“Your husband?” Jacob asked, disbelief knitting his brows together as he and brianca moved close to her.

Kael raised a hand, silencing Adrian. His gaze never leaving Nia’s face. A slow smirk curled his lips as he whispered gently into her ear. "Husband, huh?"

Nia’s cheeks flushed. "Please," she whispered closely. "Just go along with it. I’ll explain later."

Kael tilted his head, his wolf snarling with satisfaction. She was begging him. She needed him. That was good, Rode whispered.

"Fine," Kael replied, his voice smooth and dangerous. "But I have a condition."