Chapter 9: The Blackwood Alphas Want You

She looked at him. At this man who’d been her father’s Alpha. Who’d eaten at their table. Who’d held her when she was small.

Who was now asking her to sacrifice herself to save his pack.

"You’re giving me a choice that isn’t a choice," she said quietly.

"No," Garrett agreed. "I’m not. But I’m giving you the illusion of one, which is more courtesy than the Blackwoods would extend."

Beta Carson finally spoke up, his voice rough. "For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. Your father was a good man. He didn’t deserve what happened to him. And you don’t deserve this."

"But you’re sending me anyway," she said.

He looked away. "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one. That’s pack law."

"That’s convenient pack law," she shot back.

"Lilith." Garrett’s voice was sharp now. "I need an answer. The Blackwoods are expecting word today. Will you go willingly, or do I need to have you dragged there in chains?"

She stared at him.

Dragged there in chains.

He’d actually do it. She could see it in his eyes. If she refused, he’d have her bound and delivered like a package. Because saving the pack was more important than her dignity. More important than her choice. More important than anything except survival.

"What about my mother," she said.

Something shifted in the room.

Garrett’s expression became carefully blank. "What about her."

"She’s in the hospital. Her medical bills...." Lilith’s voice was steady. Controlled. "If I do this. If I go to the Blackwood estate and let them....do whatever they’re going to do to me for a month. What happens to my mother’s care?"

Elder Thomas and Beta Carson exchanged glances.

Garrett leaned back in his chair. "The Blackwoods are aware of your mother’s situation."

"How...."

"They requested a full accounting of your family when they made their demand. They know about Cassandra. They know about her medical condition. They know about the debt." He paused. "And they’ve agreed to cover all of her medical expenses for the duration of your... service."

Service.

What a delicate way to phrase it.

"All of it?" Lilith pressed. "Everything? The hospital bills, the treatment, the care?"

"Everything," Garrett confirmed. "Full coverage. No debt transferred to you. Your mother will receive the best care the pack hospital can provide for as long as she needs it." He looked at her directly. "That’s the deal, Lilith. You give them one month. They give you your mother’s life."

One month.

Her body in exchange for her mother’s survival.

Thirty days of being at the disposal of three Alpha wolves who blamed her father for their own father’s death.

She thought about her mother lying in that hospital bed. Thought about the notices she’d been getting about overdue payments. Thought about Dr. Reeves’s carefully neutral expression when she talked about transferring her mother to county care.

Thought about her mother dying alone because she couldn’t save her.

"When do I leave," she said quietly.

Garrett’s shoulders relaxed slightly. Like he’d been bracing for a fight and was relieved he wasn’t going to get one.

"Tomorrow morning. Six AM. A car will come for you." He pulled out an official-looking document and slid it across the desk. "This is the agreement. You’ll need to sign it."

She picked up the document and scanned it.

Dense legal language. Terms and conditions. Liability waivers. And at the bottom, in clear simple text:

Lilith Thorne agrees to present herself to the Blackwood estate for a period of thirty (30) days, during which time she will be considered property of the Blackwood Alphas to do with as they see fit. In exchange, all medical expenses related to Cassandra Thorne will be covered in full by the Blackwood pack. This agreement is binding and non-negotiable.

Property.

That’s what she’d be for a month.

Property.

"There’s a pen," Garrett said, gesturing to the desk.

She picked it up. Looked at the signature line at the bottom of the page.

Her hand was shaking.

She forced it still.

And signed her name.

Lilith Thorne.

Clear and final.

Garrett took the document back and filed it away in his desk. "You’re dismissed. Pack what you need. The car will be at omega housing at six AM sharp. Don’t be late."

She stood up. Turned toward the door.

"Lilith," Garrett said.

She looked back.

For the first time since she’d entered the office, his expression softened. Just slightly. Just enough that she could see the man underneath the Alpha.

"I am sorry," he said quietly. "For what it’s worth. I’m sorry."

She looked at him for a long moment.

Then she left without responding.

The walk back to omega housing took forever.

Or maybe it took no time at all.

She couldn’t tell.

Her mind was spinning, trying to process what had just happened.

Tomorrow morning she would get in a car and be driven to the Blackwood estate.

Where three Alpha wolves....triplet brothers who’d just lost their father and blamed her bloodline for it, would have complete control over her for thirty days.

Property, the agreement had said.

Their property.

To do with as they saw fit.

She knew what that meant. She’d heard the stories about powerful Alphas and what they did to omegas they considered beneath them. She’d heard the whispers about the Blackwood triplets specifically....ruthless, cold, dangerous men who’d built their reputation on fear and absolute control.

And she was being delivered to them like a sacrifice.