Chapter Two

WARWICK grabbed the reins on the runaway dragon inside of him, desperately trying to control the thrashing creature. Ye gods! His dragon wanted the Omega, badly, which was shocking. His kind usually paired up long enough to procreate, and if the female became pregnant, she went off on her own to have the egg. She raised the offspring, and once the fledgling reached adolescence, they were on their own.

Sometimes dragons had sex with each other for fun, but relationships never lasted long. Their kind tended to get on one another’s nerves, which led to fights. It was why they didn’t often mate with dragons or other paranormals, but there were a few who managed to make it work.

Warwick preferred short-term connections where it was understood there were no commitments. He’d never been interested in mating. But now suddenly his dragon was interested in that Omega… and wanted to claim him as his own.

Warwick was stunned. But the hazel-eyed Omega standing outside almost accomplished what rarely happened with dragons. The wolf hadn’t even been trying—and that was the frightening thing.

He jerked his gaze away from the young wolf. The last thing he needed was to betray his sudden interest. Never would he give an opponent that kind of knowledge, even if his dragon was all but wagging its tail in excitement. With a mental thrust, he tried to settle the vexing creature. He certainly didn’t need this right now, and especially not here.

“You do not want to piss me off, Alpha.” Warwick pinned him with a look that promised retribution if he didn’t lead the way to his office immediately. He was done playing nice. “Your office, now.”

Alpha Montgomery flashed his fangs. “This way.”

Warwick let the display go. If he flashed his fangs, the Alpha werewolf would probably piss himself. As amusing as that could be, he really didn’t have time for such frivolous entertainment. Warwick shifted slightly so his ever-faithful assistant, Clarence, could walk in front of him as they followed Alpha Montgomery.

Warwick wasn’t going to allow Clarence’s back to be unprotected, especially around this many aggravated werewolves. Of course, “aggravated” and “werewolves” did seem to go hand in hand.

They followed Alpha Montgomery down a secluded hallway and into a well-appointed office. Warwick was impressed. It was almost as nice as his. In fact, from the brief look he had of the mansion the Montgomerys lived in, everything he saw pointed to a wealthy pack.

But Warwick also knew looks could be deceiving.

He was very much afraid Alpha Montgomery had been supporting his lifestyle by deception. The terms of the loan were quite clear. The Alpha had a hundred years to pay it. It was that simple. There would be no renegotiation, no penalties for a late payment… nothing. Alpha Montgomery would either pay the loan off or Warwick would be taking control of a lot of land and everything on it.

Alpha Montgomery motioned for Warwick and Clarence to take a seat. Clarence sat and placed his briefcase next to him. Warwick moved to stand by a nearby window, his gaze outside on the night. He was much too restless to sit.

“You had no right coming here and—”

“You’re beginning to tire me with your endless whining.” Warwick refused to give the Alpha the courtesy of looking at him. “Do you have the money or not?”

“It’s not midnight yet,” the Alpha reiterated.

A couple of hours were not going to save Alpha Montgomery, but the agreement was binding. “Fine. Are you going to have the money by midnight?”

Alpha Montgomery cleared his throat. “You must understand, in the ’80s when the stock market crashed, I suffered. Plus, in the past several years, the real-estate market has bottomed out, as you must know. Many of us are upside down on our mortgages. The economy isn’t what it used to be either. Between the insurance we must supply for our employees and the cost of living… things have been rough.”

Warwick sighed and turned from the window. All he heard was one excuse after another. “You don’t have the money, do you?”

“No. But if you give me some time—”

“You’ve had a hundred years. What makes you think I’m going to give you a minute more? My dear Alpha, that should’ve been sufficient time if you’d been controlling your money wisely.” Warwick waved his hand at the wealth surrounding him. “From what I can see, you have continued your lifestyle. I see no restraint in your actions either now or in the more recent past.”

“I can explain.”

“I’m not interested in your explanations. The only thing I’m interested in is my money, which you do not have.”

“You can’t take everything and kick my pack out!”

Warwick snorted. “I most certainly can. Alpha, I am a businessman. I loan money to those who need it, with the understanding that the money will be returned to me at the agreed-upon time, plus interest. And the interest is fair too. If a client defaults, I take what they’ve put up as collateral. I am not loaning money out of the goodness of my heart. My kind is cold-blooded, remember.”

“Please!” Alpha Montgomery flinched. “I’ll do anything. Anything.”

Warwick’s dragon sat up. It took every ounce of control he had not to roll his eyes as his dragon started whispering to him. Aw gods, the damn thing had its heart set on something, and there was nothing more hardheaded than a dragon once an object caught their attention or they got an idea in their heads.

“Anything?” Warwick questioned.

Coming between a dragon and whatever they desired to add to their hoard was dangerous. Deadly, even. If Warwick didn’t fall in line, he wouldn’t get any peace for the next century, at a minimum. As much as he liked money, he had a feeling he was about to lose a shit-ton of it in pursuit of this new treasure. Dammit.

“Yes.”

“Fine.” Warwick held up a finger to stop whatever Alpha Montgomery was about to say. “Please excuse my assistant and me. I need to speak with him privately.”

“I—fine.”

When Alpha Montgomery didn’t stand, Warwick shot him an aggravated look. “Alone. I need to speak with him alone.”

Alpha Montgomery tensed. “You’re kicking me out of my office?”

“Be glad you still have an office to call yours. Now, leave!” Warwick snapped.

Alpha Montgomery growled softly and stood, making a point of slamming the door behind him.

Warwick finally gave in to the urge to roll his eyes. He left his spot by the window and sat in the chair next to Clarence. “Werewolves.” So, ideas?

Clarence chuckled. “It’s certainly been an interesting meeting.” I always have ideas, but first I need to know what’s going on.

Warwick had shared his blood with Clarence over two hundred years ago, allowing them to speak telepathically and extending Clarence’s life span. It was a secret dragonkind guarded closely because in battle it could be a deadly weapon. Even so, they were friends, nothing more. Clarence had abilities Warwick knew could be useful to him, plus he generally liked the man. In return for extending his life, Clarence worked for Warwick with the knowledge that he could leave whenever he wanted.

“Indeed.” Alpha Montgomery has a male Omega pup who became a man according to their pack laws today, thus the party we interrupted. I saw him standing outside when I confronted the Alpha. I want him. “The Alpha did say he’d do anything. Hard to pass up that kind of open-ended promise.”

“Yes, sir.” Oh my, how I did miss such a reaction as that? “What do you need from me?”

“Do you have the Alpha’s file with you?” I sincerely hope you’re not the only one who missed it. Once the Alpha figures out I want his son, he’s going to try to bargain with me.

Are you going to allow him to do so? “Yes, sir.” Clarence opened his briefcase and dug through it. “Here you go.”

To a certain point. Warwick pretended to take the file. He didn’t think the office had cameras in it, watching them. As sensitive as his hearing was, he didn’t pick up the telltale buzz of a camera. On the other hand, he was positive the Alpha werewolf was eavesdropping at the door. It was one of the reason he was communicating telepathically with Clarence.

“Thank you.” As quickly as you can, go through the information and pick the three most profitable businesses owned by him and not ones where he is a shareholder. You know what I’m looking for.

Yes, sir. “You’re welcome.” Give me a couple of minutes.

Warwick made a big production out of taking a long breath, as if he was contemplating something. “Amuse yourself while I look through these papers.” They had to keep up the sham for the werewolf listening outside the door.

Several minutes passed as Clarence searched through the information on Alpha Montgomery’s holdings. Warwick tapped his finger against the chair arm as Clarence continued to scan the papers. Finally Clarence looked up and nodded.

Excellent. Thank you. “Alpha Montgomery, we’re done. Would you like to join us?” Warwick didn’t bother to raise his voice. He wanted Alpha Montgomery to know he was aware the Alpha was eavesdropping.

The door swung open, and Alpha Montgomery stomped inside.

Warwick waited until the Alpha was seated, then steepled his fingers underneath his chin. He stared at the Alpha until he squirmed uncomfortably in his chair. “Let’s cut to the chase. By midnight tonight your time is up, and you don’t have the money.”

“No. I don’t.”

Warwick shook his head sadly. “It never ceases to amaze me how someone who obviously has a head for business can allow himself to get in such a predicament. But that’s not my problem. You owe me an enormous sum of money, which you are unable to pay. According to the papers you signed, I would be well within my right to take everything you have and cast your pack out.”

“But—”

“But I’m not going to.”

Alpha Montgomery’s mouth dropped open. “Y-you’re not?”

“No, I’m not.” Warwick did enjoy the look on the Alpha’s face. Surely he didn’t think it was going to be that simple? He smiled, and it certainly wasn’t pleasant. “You offered to do anything, remember?”

“Yes, I did. Whatever you want.” Alpha Montgomery spoke quickly, obviously warming up to the subject. “I, um, I understand you’re not mated. My youngest daughter isn’t mated either, and—”

“I have no interest in females.”

“Oh.” Alpha Montgomery deflated. “Then I’m not too sure…. What could you possibly want, then?”

“Your son, the Omega. Avery, I believe his name is. You will give him to me, along with—” Warwick glanced at Clarence. Clarence cleared his throat and rattled off the names of the businesses of Alpha Montgomery’s. “Along with those three.”

“What?” Alpha Montgomery bellowed.

Warwick wasn’t sure which offended the Alpha more—the fact that he wanted his son or three of his businesses.

“My son is an Omega. Do you have any idea the prestige attached to such a title?” Alpha Montgomery demanded. “And those businesses you mentioned? Those are my most profitable.”

Warwick crossed one leg over the other and settled back into the chair. “His title means nothing to me, considering I’m a dragon. We don’t have such. As far as those restaurant businesses go, that’s exactly why I want them. Understand, even with those and your son, that still doesn’t come close to what you owe me.”

Alpha Montgomery slammed his fist down on his desk. “How can you possibly put a price on what somebody is worth?”

Alpha werewolves and drama seem to go hand in hand. “Interesting you should bring that up. Were you or were you not trying to forge a profitable alliance tonight by inviting several prospective werewolves to meet your son?”

Alpha Montgomery paled. “How… how did you know that?”

Honestly, did this werewolf not know anything about dragons? “Doesn’t matter how I know. Tell me, Alpha Montgomery, how much would have an alliance brought you? Did you honestly think it would cover the amount you owe me? Not to mention that you left it to literally the last minute.”

“I… I had hoped his dowry would’ve been enough to show that I was, in good faith, going to pay you.”

“Unbelievable. So you were not only going to sell your son, you were going to try to scam me into letting you have more time to pay off the loan even though you knew perfectly well the due date had passed by midnight. Your gall amazes me.”

“I refuse to give him to you so you can just… just… use him as if he’s nothing more than a—”

“For your sake, I suggest you don’t finish that sentence. I would never dishonor your son by reducing him to nothing more than a kept man. I will join with him, and as my mate, he couldn’t have a higher title. He’ll be the most important treasure in my hoard.”

“That’s all you want?”

“That’s it. The honor of mating your son and the three businesses named. Really, you’re getting a deal here.”

“Can I…. Can I be the one to tell him? This needs to come from me. He’s going to be upset enough as it is, and I… I love my son. No matter what else you may think of me, believe me when I tell you I do love my son.”

Warwick kept his thoughts to himself. He would have preferred to be the one to tell Avery, but maybe having it come from his family would be better. Warwick was well aware he wasn’t the easiest dragon to deal with.

“Fine. I’ll have the papers drawn up and will return tomorrow for you to sign them. If your son refuses to go through with the mating, then the deal is off. I’ll take everything you own and evict every last werewolf off this land. Do we have an agreement?”

“We do,” Alpha Montgomery said, a beaten look on his face. “I’ll meet with you at three tomorrow afternoon. Is that acceptable?”

Since he had nothing planned, there was no reason why he couldn’t allow Alpha Montgomery to set the time. “Yes. I’ll see you then.” Warwick stood and held out his hand. Anger flashed across Alpha Montgomery’s face before he finally shook hands. Warwick followed Clarence from the office.

As they walked among the werewolves, he sensed the unease and hostility directed toward him. Honestly, what did they have to be upset about? At least they wouldn’t find themselves kicked out of their homes in a week’s time. He scanned the many bodies around him but couldn’t find Avery.

It didn’t matter. Tomorrow he’d have the one he wanted.