Sinclair glared down at the tiny human before him. Ella seemed more beautiful each time he saw her, especially since learning she carried his pup. She had been an enchanting distraction before; now, she was almost irresistible. With fair skin, rose-gold hair, and amber eyes that seemed almost metallic, he found it hard to believe she wasn't a wolf herself. However, delectable as her scent was, she was clearly not one.

"Why did you leave?" Sinclair demanded, his sharp eyes scanning her body for injuries. His gaze lingered on her flat stomach, where his pup safely rested. He could still smell it, hear its tiny heartbeat, and feel an inexplicable connection to the minuscule bundle of cells.

"Because I'm not a dog. I don't sit and stay just because you tell me to," Ella announced, crossing her arms.

"I didn't order you to do anything," Sinclair argued, baffled by his wolf's purr in response to her sass.

"And yet you seem displeased that I didn't sit obediently and wait for you to come home and dictate more decisions about my future," Ella quipped, leaning against the doorframe.

"I didn't dictate anything," Sinclair argued. "We negotiated fairly."

"If that's what you call fair, it's no wonder you earned your ruthless reputation," Ella remarked slyly. "I wasn't in any state to have such an important conversation, let alone make such a momentous decision."

Sinclair ignored her, slipping past her into the apartment. "Is this where you live?"

"Obviously," Ella rolled her eyes.

He shook his head. "This won't do."

"Excuse me?" Ella gaped. "You've got some nerve—"

"I won't have the mother of my pup living in such poor conditions," Sinclair declared. "You'll move into my estate as soon as possible."

Ella clenched her fists. "I make my own decisions."

"Not since you agreed to our deal," Sinclair countered. "The moment you said yes, you handed over authority to me."

"I didn't sign anything!" Ella reminded him.

"A verbal agreement is enough in werewolf law—the contract was for you," Sinclair announced, smirking.

"Then why did your note say we needed to finish our conversation? What was there to finish if not signing the deal?" Ella demanded heatedly.

"Everything, including you moving in with me, your prenatal regimen, birth plan, and financial arrangements," Sinclair explained, striding into Ella's bedroom and opening the closet doors. By the time Ella reached him, he was already pulling a suitcase from the top shelf.

"Stop that!" Ella insisted, trying to wrest the suitcase from his hand. She tugged so forcefully she almost lost her balance. If Sinclair had released his grip, she would have fallen. "I never agreed to move in with you!"

Sinclair's hand circled her nape, applying enough pressure to freeze her, but not to hurt. "Listen closely, little human," he rumbled authoritatively. "I appreciate your spirit, but as long as you're carrying my pup, you will be careful. Wrestling with wolves twice your size over heavy luggage is not allowed."

Ella narrowed her eyes at the attractive Alpha. Her instincts were haywire. She felt weak and her heart rebelled. No one had cared enough to set rules for her as a child, so she'd run wild. She didn't take kindly to being told what to do. With a fiery flash in her amber eyes, she stomped her foot onto his, causing her own pain but not phasing him.

Ella whimpered, "What are you made of, steel?"

"That's what tussling with a wolf gets you," he responded unsympathetically, releasing her and stalking to the bed, where he neatly unfolded the suitcase. "Now be a good girl, and pack your bags."

"I would sooner set everything I own on fire," Ella replied coolly, resisting the urge to rub her aching foot.

"That might not be the worst idea," Sinclair muttered, glancing at her wardrobe. "If you're going to live with me, you might as well look the part too. Should I fetch a lighter?"

"No!" Ella yelped, protecting her things. "They might not be up to your standards, but I like my things, and I like my apartment." This apartment reminded Ella too much of Mike; the furniture and appliances were all hand-me-downs. Still, she didn't appreciate Sinclair ordering her around. There might be an exchange of money or services, but she wasn't his servant, and it was important to establish that if her plan was to work.

Sinclair cocked his head, eyeing her curiously. "And how are you going to pay rent on this place?"

Ella's mouth opened and closed helplessly. "That's not the point."

Sinclair wasn't sure what to make of her. The more time he spent with her, the more his wolf paid attention. His wolf had always shown interest in Ella, but he'd never explored those feelings because she was human. Now, however…now he had every excuse to figure out the puzzle that was Ella. "It's part of the arrangement," he stated firmly. "You'll be back on your feet faster if you don't have to worry about living expenses, and I want you close—this baby is too important to me."

It was true; he didn't want her out of his sight, but he'd also dreamed of fatherhood for years. He didn't want to miss a moment of Ella's pregnancy. She was squirming under his gaze, working through the problem. She had to realize it made more sense for her to stay with him. She might be feisty, but she wasn't stupid.

"Fine," Ella conceded, shooting Sinclair a sulky pout. "But I want to talk to you about a few things first."

"Are you going to keep glaring at me that way?" Sinclair asked, his mischievous wolf egging him on. He wasn't sure what it was about seeing Ella riled up, but he couldn't stop pushing her buttons.

"Ye—" Ella bit back her response. She needed to convince him, not alienate him. "No," she amended, taking a deep breath. "I want to talk about our arrangement. What's going to happen to the baby in the early years? Who's going to care for it?"

"I'll pay someone," Sinclair responded simply. "A nursemaid."

"Why would you pay someone when the baby's mother is here and dying to do all the things a servant would? It will need milk, lullabies, and love; I can provide that better than anyone. Forgive me, but I know you aren't married, and a child needs a mother," Ella said, hoping to appeal to his emotions. "It's healthier for the baby to have me around, especially given how busy you are. You can't exactly take a newborn to the office every day."

Sinclair hesitated. He knew she was right, but Ella didn't belong in his world. She was human and untrustworthy—this was probably another scheme. She'd already proven herself a good actress at the sperm bank. He wouldn't let another conniving woman ruin his life. He'd learned his lesson with his ex-wife, Lydia.

Ella watched him closely, searching for another argument. Her eyes lit up. "It would help you politically as well. I've been doing some research"