LILA'S POV
Fucking why? Why does my fate have to end up this way? Why does the Moon Goddess have to make me face this cruel destiny?
The truth Is simple, yet it's unbearable. I can't just walk up to Alpha Rafael and tell him the real reason I ran away-that I left because I was pregnant. That I have his child. That our son is lying in a hospital bed right now, in desperate need of surgery.
I laugh bitterly at the thought. It's beyond ridiculous. He would kill him, he would crush him with his bare hand.
Out of all the people in the world, the father of my child turns out to be my new CEO. The same man who has been haunting me, sending me texts and flowers.
Alpha fucking Rafael.
At this point, what can't Rafael do? Ruthless doesn't even begin to describe him. But none of that matters right now. The only thing I care about is Derrick. My son.
I force myself to my desk, trying to focus on my usual morning tasks, but my mind is scattered. I know Rafael won't just let me off the hook. I ran. I fled from him. There are consequences for disobedience.
And the fact that he doesn't have me collared get made me wondered what was going on in his head.
The thought sends a shudder down my spine. What exactly is he planning?
The sharp beeping of my phone yanks me from my spiraling thoughts. I rush over to my desk and snatch the device, my heart skipping a beat when I see the caller ID.
Ava.
A lump forms in my throat. Please, Moon Goddess, don't let this be bad news.
My hands are sweaty as I press the answer button.
"Lila," Ava's voice is frantic. "We need to do something-now! The doctor said Derrick's condition is getting worse. If they don't perform the surgery today… something bad might happen. It'll take a miracle for him to survive."
My breath catches. My heart is pounding heavily like it's being hammered by a dagger.
No. No, no, no.
Derrick has Alpha blood, but he hasn't developed his full abilities yet. He's still just a child.
"Did you submit the request yet?" Ava's voice is high-pitched with panic.
My heart sinks.
Fuck.
"Ava, give me a minute," I say quickly before hanging up.
I don't think. I don't hesitate.
I just move.
With my pulse hammering in my ears, I hurry out of my office, my heels echoing against the sleek floors as I make my way to the CEO's office.
To him.
I stop in front of the grand double doors, my chest heaving as I try to gather my thoughts. I don't even bother knocking, I push the doors open, stepping inside.
Rafael sits behind his massive desk, looking just as infuriatingly composed as ever. His dark brown eyes lift to meet mine, and my breath hitches.
I hate how effortlessly he affects me.
I hate him.
But right now, I need him.
"What do you want, Lila?" His voice is smooth, controlled- filled with amusement, like he already knows why I'm here.
LILA? He had been calling me by my name and not some, Hornert. And other funny names he calls me.
I clench my fists at my sides. "I need a loan. Immediately." I really don't know how the word came out. But for sure that wasn't a nice was of asking for something.
His lips twitch, like he's barely holding back a smirk. "Oh?"
I grit my teeth. "Yes."
Don't blame me. I'm fucking nervous.
He leans back in his chair, fingers tapping against the armrest. "And why should I give it to you?"
I swallow hard, forcing my voice to stay steady. "Because I need it for something important."
His eyes darken. "Be specific."
I hesitate.
Does he know? Did he already dig into my personal life, the way he always does?
I square my shoulders. "It's for a hospital bill. A surgery."
Silence.
Rafael studies me, his expression unreadable. Then, finally, he exhales. "Fine."
I blink, barely believing my ears. "Fine?"
A slow, dangerous smile spreads across his lips. "On one condition."
I stiffen. "What condition?"
He opens a drawer and pulls out a crisp contract, sliding it across the desk toward me.
"Sign this," he says smoothly, "and the money is yours."
A contract? This is a trap. A trap Lila. Lola warned.
I hesitate before reaching for it, my fingers shaking slightly as I pick up the document. My eyes skim over the words, and my stomach drops.
This isn't a simple loan agreement. This is different from the company loan agreement. And I could only wonder how fast, how soon did he gets this.
He must have known that like a pig, I would come back to him. I would roll back to the gutter.
It's a contract of submission.
It hurt me, that I fucking had no option. Derrick. Derrick needs to survive..
I look up at him in shock. "You can't be serious." I really don't know where the courage was coming from, back at the pack, we barely spoke a word. But right here. This is the human world and not his pack.
His smirk deepens. "Oh, but I am, Lila."
My pulse races. "You want me to be your-"
"My pet," he finishes for me, his voice dark and possessive. "Officially. No more running, no more hiding. You belong to me. Completely."
My breath catches.
This is it.
This is what he's been waiting for.
And the worst part?
He knows I don't have a choice.
"Your pet? You're a demon. A-"
I don't get to finish.
Rafael's eyes snap.
Red. Fiery.
One moment, he's lounging on the couch like the arrogant bastard he is. The next, his hand is wrapped around my throat, pinning me against the cold wall. My breath catches as I choke, nails digging into his wrist, but his grip is unyielding.
"Fucking disrespect me one more time, and-" His voice is a low growl, but then, suddenly… he stops.
Just like that.
His fingers loosen, and he releases me.
I gasp for air, my hand flying to my throat as I stare at him in shock. Why did he stop?
His jaw clenches, his eyes still burning with fury. "You have two options." His voice is sharp, controlled-deadly. "Sign the contract. Or leave."
He gnashes his teeth, his entire body coiled like a predator ready to strike.
Run. My instincts scream at me. Don't wait. Run.
But then I think of Derrick.
Of my son, lying helpless in that hospital bed.
My fingers tremble as I grab the pen, my heart pounding so hard it's painful. With a deep breath, I press the tip to the paper and scrawl my name.
Done.
I lift my gaze to his. "Now send me the money."