apter 55
O cett
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“I deserve this punishment,” Georgia said, her voice steady and calm. There was no doubt in her tone, no hint of defiance- only quiet acceptance of the fate Simon had described.
Simon’s breath caught. He had known Georgia since childhood. The Dark Spike Pack and Silver Stream Pack bordered each other, both formidable forces. As the Alpha’s daughter, Georgia had once carried herself with fierce pride and brilliance. She had completed her shift at fifteen, her wolf a shimmering silver–white female–strong, confident, alive.
But the woman before him now was a ghost of that vibrant girl. Hollowed out, worn to the bone, her spirit seemingly extinguished. Her voice was slow, lifeless, like an ancient soul trapped in a fragile, broken shell.
Simon had seen her kneel before Preston, but facing this hollowed Georgia chilled him deeper than anything else. Her words dripped with genuine humility.
“Do you really believe you deserve all this, Georgia?” Simon asked gently, unable to hold back.
Her eyes stayed fixed on the floor as she repeated mechanically, “I deserve all this.”
The set emptiness of her face made her seem less alive than the living dead.
Simon’s heart sank. The bright Georgia he knew had vanished forever.
“I’m going to give you a check–up now, okay?” Simon said, slipping back into his professional role. Try not to move–any sudden motions could hurt you. Or should I call Preston in to hold you down?”
At the mention of Preston, Georgia quieted.
Simon’s voice softened. “What happened to you? Did you drag yourself to work with a fever? Don’t you understand your condition? You’re not a normal werewolf, Georgia. You pushed yourself too hard. Are you that tired of living?”
He had grown up alongside this submissive woman and even though she wasn’t the same, she was still Georgia beneath
it all.
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Simon held no special affection for her–only pity, and a lingering bond forged through years of childhood friendship.
Gathering his equipment, he stood and moved toward the door. Without confrontation, he spoke to Preston, “Stop tormenting her. She’s already fragile.”
Simon didn’t know if Preston was aware of Georgia’s true condition, so he left the words vague.
“I’ll send someone with medicine soon. Then, carrying his things, he’slipped away.
Preston glanced toward the bedroom and stepped inside.
“Stay here tonight,” he ordered. There were no hidden intentions in his voice; Georgia had fainted after drowning, and Simon was bringing medicine. Preston simply decided she should remain.
But the w
weight of his words hit Georgia like a hammer. Her face drained of color as she cried out, “No!”
Preston, ever perceptive, caught the fear in her eyes and realized she had misunderstood him completely. She was terrified at the thought of sleeping with him.
He had calmed down, but the old fire flared anew.
It was hardly surprising she’d misread him. Before Simon’s arrival, Preston had coldly offered her four hundred thousand dollars to spend one night with him. The offer had sunk deep into her mind.
“Four hundred thousand dollars, Preston repeated.
“No,” Georgia said firmly.
“Five hundred thousand.”
“No.”
“Eight hundred thousand,” Preston said evenly.
Chapter 55
Georgia faltered for a moment.
His eyes narrowed. “Think carefully before you answer,”
“No.” She lifted her gaze to his and shook her head, resolute.
“You love money, don’t you?” Preston asked, confused.
“Yes. Money means everything to me. I risked my life for four hundred thousand dollars. If you offered me four hundred thousand, I’d jump into the water again without a second thought.”
“Are you trying to show me up?” Preston raised an eyebrow, looking down on her.
Georgia chuckled bitterly, eyes flickering with self–mockery. What pride could she possibly claim?
“Mr. Hill, you’re wrong. I’m just a rogue–a woman who spent years in a werewolf prison. I have no past, no future. No family, no friends. Proud? What’s the point?”
Then stay here tonight,” Preston ordered.
Slowly, Georgia raised her head and met his eyes. “I don’t want to.”
Preston’s hands clenched into fists at his sides, blue veins bulging fiercely.
To him, this was the second time she’d rejected him–because of Mason.
“Georgia, you can’t afford to make me angry,” his voice hardened, warning laced beneath the fury. “I think you’d sleep with any man but me:
She dared to refuse him.
“Mr. Hill, remember–I’m just a call girl. If someone pays me four hundred thousand dollars to spend a night with him, I won’t hesitate. But not you. I’m a professional. It’s taboo to sleep with the boss.”
“What?”
Mustering all her courage, Georgia’s words were sharp as knives. Preston’s temper snapped, and he left the room in a
storm.
The slam of the door released her. Exhausted, strength draining, she slid to the floor, leaning back against the wardrobe. D rawing her knees close, she curled into herself.
Sadness weighed heavily on her chest
She could make love to anyone but Preston. Otherwise, what had the three–brutal years in prison been for?
She thought bitterly, Preston, do you have to humiliate me like this?
Memories of the prison haunted her–the filth, the criminals, the endless torment.
ne believed she’d lost her purity, but a small, tender piece of herself still clung to the memory of Preston–her only shred
of love.
Closing her eyes, she buried the fury and agony deep within.
I can sleep with anyone but you. Because you are my mate,
She whispered the truth into the silent room.
Outside the bedroom, Preston chain–smoked three cigarettes, crushing one with two–thirds left unburned into the ashtray. He grabbed a glass of red wine, lifting it to his lips in a desperate gulp, hoping the alcohol would drown the irritation burning inside.
But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t find a way to conquer the woman lying just beyond the door.
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