219 The Deal Olivia’s POV

“Alpha Damien!” I blurted out, completely shocked to see him standing there.

His familiar smirk slowly stretched wider across his face, full of mischief and confidence.

“Did you miss me?” he asked, his voice laced with teasing amusement.

My eyes widened, but I forced myself off the floor and moved closer to him. Confusion swirled in my mind. What was he doing in my cell? How did he even get in here? I glanced toward the cell gate and realized it was wide open. My heart skipped a beat.

Turning quickly back to Alpha Damien, who was still casually leaning against the wall, I furrowed my brow as a hundred questions flooded my head.

“How did you get in here?” I asked, baffled.

He scoffed, shaking his head. “Is that really what matters right now?” he countered smoothly.

I swallowed hard. He was right. Escaping this place should have been the only thing on my mind. Before I could open my mouth to speak again, Alpha Damien cut me off.

“I will get straight to the point,” he said, sounding serious like a man about to strike an important deal.

I nodded slowly. He sighed, pushing himself off the wall and stepping closer so I could see his face more clearly. For a moment, an awkward silence hung heavy in the cell before he finally broke it.

“I have a deal for you, Olivia. If you agree to it, you’ll leave this place with me… alive.” He paused, letting his words sink in.

I swallowed, wondering what kind of deal could possibly be worse than death. But hell, this was Alpha Damien. I hadn’t forgotten what he’d done… but did I really have a choice here?

I looked him straight in the eye, refusing to show my fear or worry. “And what is this deal?”

Alpha Damien stepped closer until our faces were just inches apart.

“I’ve already made a deal with Gabriel,” he said calmly, like he was talking about the weather. “He agreed to let you go.”

My eyes widened. “What?”

He nodded slowly. “You heard me. Gabriel has agreed to let you live. But now… it’s in your hands. You’ll only walk out of here alive if you agree to my request.”

I stepped back a little, unsure what to expect. “Go on.”

His smirk faded. His eyes turned serious.

“From this moment on,” he said, “Olivia Parker is dead.”

I blinked. “What?”

“We’re going to fake your death. No one must know you’re alive–not your friends, your parents and definitely not my nephews, the triplets.”

I stared at him, my heart pounding. “Fake my death? But why-?”

“I’ll take you to my pack,” he continued. “But not just that. I’ll take you to a witch–one who will change your face. Don’t panic–it’s not permanent. Just for one year. Just long enough for everyone to believe you’re truly gone.”

My eyes widened as my hands instinctively reached for my face. What was he planning?

“And after that?” I asked, eager to know more.

“After that,” he said, “you will have a new identity because for the next one year, you’ll live in my pack… as my wife.”

I felt like the ground shifted under me. “Wife?” I repeated, my voice shaking a little. He nodded again. “Don’t worry, we won’t be legally married. I’ll simply tell my people that we had a small, private ceremony,” he added smoothly.

I shook my head and took a step away from him… what is he asking me to do? Change my face… get a new identity and be his wife for a year? How can I do that?!

As if seeing the hesitation and panic in me, Alpha Damien continued. “Relax. You won’t have to perform any wifely duties in the bedroom. My people have been pressuring me to marry and produce an heir, which I can’t…” His voice turned bitter and my eyes widened.

He nodded grimly. “Yes, I can’t father a child…” He paused, letting the weight of his words hang in the air. My heart raced and my head spun.

But he wasn’t finished.

“That’s why you’re the perfect candidate. I don’t want to marry some woman I’ll disappoint when I can’t give her a child. And even if I tried to make this arrangement with someone else, I wouldn’t trust her to keep it secret. But you… I know you will.”

I struggled to breathe. Everything he was saying… it was too much.

Change my face?

Pretend to be dead?

Be his wife?

I pressed my back against the wall, trying to steady myself.

Then I asked the only question that came to my mind.

“My wolf… will she be released?”

Alpha Damien shook his head slowly. “No. Not yet.”

My heart sank.

“If your wolf is released, the triplets will sense you immediately. They’ll come looking for you. And this entire plan will fall apart.”

He took a step closer, lowering his voice.

“But I’ll take off that cursed choker,” he said, his gaze fixed firmly on me. “Instead, my witch will create something new–a bracelet. It’ll serve the same purpose as the choker, masking your scent and suppressing your wolf, but without the appearance of captivity. No more heavy chains around your neck… no more looking like a prisoner. You’ll be able to move freely, blending in with my people without raising suspicion. No one will even think to question you.”

He paused, watching me closely. His expression softened just a little.

“So… what do you choose, Olivia?” he asked quietly. “You accept my deal–let the world think you’re dead, change your face for just one year, live in my pack as my wife and Luna in name only… and after one year, you’re free to go.”

He took another step toward me.

“Or… you refuse. And by sunrise tomorrow, Gabriel will take your head.”

Silence fell between us.

The air felt too still. Too tight.

I stared at him, my lips parting… but no words came out yet.

Creator’s Thoughts

220 The Decision