Chapter 41 A Sister’s Bargain


    <b>Aubrey’s </b><b>POV </b>


    It felt like my bones were being torn apart by a pack of wolves. The pain brought me <b>gasping </b><b>back </b>to consciousness. I curled up on instinct.


    Last night’s negotiation with Alpha Henry had pushed me beyond exhaustion. And then<b>, </b>I’d gone <b>and </b>burned through every drop of energy I had using that advanced needle technique. No wonder I cked <b>out</b><b>. </b>


    I sat up, taking in my surroundings–elegant, somber decor. Definitely Henry’s style.


    So I really stayed here overnight….


    I nced toward the curtains. Gray. Not as nice as the forest green ones I once dreamed <i>of</i>. Wait–what was I even thinking? Now wasn’t the time to care about interior design. That was the kind of thing <b>a </b><b>future </b>Luna might worry about.


    I shook the thought away and began doing the special training Grandpa had taught me.


    After a full cycle, I felt much better–though E still hadn’t returned.


    Maybe I should take the antidote regrly, like food?


    No. That was dangerous. Medicine always has side effects, I needed to keep training and flush the residual toxins out of my system the right way. Once I did, my wolf would stop flickering in and out like this.


    Still, I was surprised Henry actually agreed to the deal. That needle was powerful, sure, but anyone unfamiliar with its true value wouldn’t have understood what I did for him.


    But now… now I had a solid fallback before my wolf fully stabilized. I could finally face my enemies without trembling.


    After a shower, I changed into the clean clothes the Miguel family had prepared for me and went downstairs.


    To my surprise, Alpha Henry was already there. When he saw me, his deep eyes flickered faintly.


    I tucked my hair behind my ear and took my seat at the breakfast table.


    While eating, I got straight to the point. “Alpha Henry, you remember your promise fromst night?”


    He nodded.


    “My terms are simple. I want to be the Miguel family’s adopted daughter. Officially. With full rights. In return, you support me for three years, and I’ll give you a top–tier wolf medic team and a pharmaceutical empire worth billions.”


    Henry took a refined sip of his ck coffee and didn’t answer directly.


    “When’s the recognition ceremony?” I pressed. If I wanted the outside world to take it seriously, the Miguel family had to throw a banquet and make it official across the entire Shadowmoon Pack.


    He narrowed his eyes slightly… and then smiled.


    “One month. You’ll have everything you want in one month.”


    <b>08:38 </b><b>Mon</b><b>, </b>11 <b>Aug </b>


    Chapter 41 A Sister’s Bargain


    <b>That </b>smile could undo just about anyone.


    His features were so perfectly sculpted–arrogant, yes but he had every right to be. The defined bone structure, those deep, alluring eyes tinged faintly with violet, and that single beauty mark <b>at </b>the corner <b>of </b>his left eye… It was the kind of face that could ruin someone.


    it had ruined me once.


    I looked away before I could fall into old habits.


    One month was actually fast. This wasn’t a small decision.


    “Start registering your pharmaceuticalpany,” he said. “If you keep your word, I’ll keep mine.”


    “You seem afraid to look at me,” he suddenly said.


    I immediately lifted my gaze and stared straight at him, cold and unflinching–like I was staring at an object, not a man.


    “You’re very attractive, Alpha. May I look away now?”


    I smiled politely.


    He looked… annoyed.


    He suddenly leaned in close, his entire face filling my view, and his Alpha scent wrapped around me like heat. My heartbeat jumped.


    “Oh my God, he’s too damn hot.” E shrieked in my mind. “Look at those lips! How are you not kissing him right now, Aubrey?!”


    She was back?!


    “You’re back? How are you feeling?” I asked, surprised.


    “Look–his abs are glowing in the sunlight! Touch them! Just one squeeze!” E was practically rolling around in my head.


    I sighed. She always forgot what I told her–what Henry had done to me.


    “E, I’m ending the mate bond. Sooner orter.”


    “Then enjoy it before you throw it away! That scent–ugh, wild and spicy! You’d be <i>insane </i>to let that go to waste!”


    “…Please shut up.”


    I cut off the connection. No way was I dealing with her right now.


    That’s when the doorbell rang. I heard the servant speaking.


    “Mr. Jax? Are you here to pick up Ms. Aubrey?”


    Dad?


    I froze for a second before it clicked–Henry must’ve contacted him. Otherwise, there’s no way my father


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    Chapter 41 A Sister’s Bargain


    would’ve been allowed near this <b>vi </b>


    Fine. I had things to handle anyway.


    I stood and politely excused myself, then followed my father out of thekeside vi.


    Henry’s POV


    The moment Aubrey left, I put down my coffee with a scowl.


    Her condition? She wanted to be my sister?


    “Wow,” my wolf Callen cackled in my head. “She really doesn’t love you anymore.”


    That made me even more annoyed.


    “Are you really going to host a recognition banquet for her?” Callen asked, amused.


    “Of course. Isn’t that what she wants?” I snapped. “It’ll also stop her from chasing after me again.”


    Even as I said it, the bitterness clung to the back of my throat.


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