Chapter 35 Chapter 35: The Devil’s Price
Chapter 35 Chapter 35: The Devil’s Price
POV: Marcus
I kept my arm locked around Sam’s waist as I answered the call, our bodies still pressed close. The heat between us hadn’t faded. My thumb brushed his hip once before I forced myself to pull away.
“Talk,” I growled into the phone.
I stepped out of the room without looking back, shutting the heavy door behind me with a solid click. My footsteps echoed down the corridor as I headed toward my office, the bond still buzzing hot in my chest from how close we’d come to crossing that final line.
Matteo Chiccone’s voice came through sharp and pissed.
“What the fuck does that mean, Marcus?” he snarled. I replied what is the problem? “Elena just called me. Told me Draven is still alive. Still breathing. Why the hell is that bastard still walking after everything I risked for you?” Why will you risk everything for that boy? You should have eliminated that bastard when you had the chance.
I pushed into my office and slammed the door shut. Rain lashed against the windows as I paced to the desk.
“Don’t bring Sam into this,” I said, voice low and dangerous. “That wasn’t part of the deal.”
Matteo gave a harsh, mocking laugh that grated on my nerves.
“Oh, now we’re being sensitive? My men died in that fucking bunker getting your boy back. Good men. And you couldn’t even finish the job? Why is Draven still alive, Marcus? Give me one good reason I shouldn’t wash my hands of this entire arrangement.”
My grip tightened on the phone until the casing creaked.
“I know what I owe you,” I replied coldly. “And I will pay it. In full. You have my word. Draven won’t be a problem anymore. He won’t be breathing down our necks. I promise you that.”
The line went quiet for a moment. When Matteo spoke again, his tone had turned low and threatening.
“You’d better keep that promise, Valerius. Favors like this one come with teeth. Disappoint me… and I’ll bite back harder than Draven ever could.”
The call ended.
I stood there for a few seconds, staring at the phone in my hand, anger rolling through me like thunder. The bond was still humming, pulling my thoughts back to Sam and how I’d almost kissed him. I shoved the phone into my pocket and stormed out of the office, heading downstairs.
The scent of fresh coffee hit me the second I entered the kitchen. Elena stood at the marble island, perfectly calm, sipping from a black mug like the world wasn’t falling apart around us.
She looked up as I walked in. “What are you planning to do about the situation on the ground?”
I went straight to the counter and poured myself a cup, the hot liquid nearly spilling because of how tightly I gripped the pot.
“Sam is safe,” I said flatly. “He’s under my protection. No harm will come near him again.”
Elena set her mug down with a soft click. “That’s not what I’m talking about, Marcus.”
I turned to face her, leaning back against the counter. “Then say what you mean.”
She crossed her arms, eyes sharp. “You need a proper mate, Marcus. A Luna. Other alphas don’t fully respect you because you’re unstable and alone. You’re too easily agitated. A Luna would bring stability. Respect. Stronger alliances. You need a family.”
I let out a low, bitter laugh. “I already have a family.”
Elena scoffed, the sound sharp in the quiet kitchen. “You know that’s not what I mean. You still need a Luna for the pack’s future. Someone who can stand beside you. Someone who can calm that beast inside you before it gets you killed.”
My jaw tightened. I stared at her over the rim of my coffee cup.
“Are you seeing anyone right now?” I asked, turning the question back on her. “Human or one of us?”
Elena’s expression didn’t change, but her fingers tightened slightly around her mug. “That’s none of your business.”
I took a slow step closer. “But you’re all over my business just now. So, here’s my answer — as long as you keep meddling in my personal life, I’m not looking for any Luna.”
The tension between us crackled. Elena opened her mouth to respond when the kitchen door suddenly burst open.
A young maid stumbled in, tray shaking violently in her hands. Her face was pale, eyes wide with panic. The tray slipped from her fingers and crashed to the floor, sending broken glass and cutlery scattering everywhere.
“Alpha Marcus—” she stammered, voice trembling. “Sam… Master Sam isn’t in his room. He’s not in the library, not in the gardens, not anywhere in the estate. We’ve looked everywhere. He’s gone.”
For a split second, everything went dead silent.
Then the bond in my chest twisted violently. A surge of cold panic shot through me, followed immediately by raw, burning fury. My coffee mug shattered in my grip, hot liquid splashing across the floor. I didn’t even feel the burn.
I moved before I could think, grabbing the edge of the counter so hard the marble cracked under my fingers.
“Find him,” I snarled, my voice no longer human. Golden light flooded my vision as the wolf surged forward. “Now.”