Chapter 3 A deal for Vengeance

Chapter 0003: A DEAL FOR VENGEANCE

AMARA,

Life had become an endless cycle of pain and disgrace. No matter how hard I fought, nothing seemed to go right. When I exposed Xander's betrayal, I thought justice would prevail. Instead, my private moments had been leaked to the entire pack, spreading like wildfire through the ranks. My dignity had been torn apart, shredded as if by claws, while the elders whispered behind my back, calling me a disgrace. And the worst part? They blamed me, as if I had brought this humiliation upon myself.

My mating ceremony had turned into the worst day of my life.

A year had passed since everything began, but the weight of it all still crushed me. I had once been a warrior, strong, proud, and fearless. Now, I was nothing but a ghost, a shadow of the she-wolf I used to be. I had been cast out, stripped of my status, my rank, my future.

But things were about to get worse.

My mother, my last anchor, had borne the burden of my shame alongside me. The stress of it all had worn her down, and one fateful morning, she collapsed. The healers said it was her heart. I rushed to the pack hospital, praying to the Moon Goddess that it wasn't as bad as they claimed. But when I arrived, the pack doctor confirmed my worst fear-her condition was critical, and there was little they could do.

I felt my world shatter. My mother was all I had left, and now I was losing her too. My savings had nearly vanished, and without my warrior status, I had no source of income. Art had always been my solace, my escape, but I hadn't touched a brush in months. My grief had drained all inspiration, leaving me hollow. But now, with my mother's life hanging in the balance, I had no choice.

I packed my portfolio and went to the Midnight Fang Gallery, one of the few places that still tolerated my presence. The owner, Leonard, had always been a hard critic, but perhaps he could help me reclaim the one thing I had left-my art.

When I arrived, the gallery was just as cold and impersonal as I remembered. Leonard barely glanced up when I entered, his piercing gaze scanning my work with something that looked dangerously close to boredom.

"This isn't good enough, Amara," he said, his tone void of sympathy. "You've lost your touch."

His words cut deep, but I had faced worse. I forced myself to hold my ground, to keep my voice steady.

"Please, Leonard," I pleaded. "I need this. My mother's in the hospital. I need to sell some pieces to cover her treatment. Just one shot-"

For a long moment, he just stared at me. Then, with a sigh, he leaned back in his chair.

"I can't help you, Amara. Your work isn't what it used to be."

Defeated, I left the gallery, my mind spinning. I had no options left. The pack had already turned its back on me, and now this? My mother was getting worse, and I had no way to help her.

As I walked through the dimly lit streets, my phone buzzed.

"You need to get here now. It's urgent."

The message was from the pack hospital.

A cold dread settled in my gut. I didn't hesitate. I ran.

I was so lost in my panic that I didn't see the car until it was too late.

The vehicle came out of nowhere, swerving wildly as it sped down the road. The driver, a reckless rogue-his scent thick with alcohol-didn't even try to stop. The impact sent me sprawling, my body hitting the pavement with a sickening thud.

Laughter echoed in the night as the rogues stumbled out of the car, their sneering faces twisted in drunken amusement.

"Watch where you're going, mutt," one of them jeered.

"Or better yet, stay in the gutter where you belong," another added, chuckling.

My hands clenched into fists, but I knew better than to fight. Not now. Not when my mother needed me.

I forced myself up, ignoring the pain, and ran to the hospital.

When I arrived, my chest ached-not just from the collision but from the fear clawing at my insides. I could hear the rhythmic beeping of machines as I stepped into her room.

There she lay-pale, fragile, hooked up to tubes and monitors. She had always been my protector, my source of strength. Now, she was barely holding on.

The pack doctor approached me, his face grim.

"I'm afraid your mother's condition has worsened," he murmured. "We're doing everything we can, but... it's not looking good."

I felt the world tilt beneath me. I had never felt so powerless.

Hours later, I stumbled out of the hospital, exhaustion pressing down on me like a heavy weight. I needed to find a way to pay for her treatment, but my options were dwindling.

As I walked toward my apartment, my phone buzzed again. I almost didn't check, but something told me to look.

A message.

An invitation.

A chance.

My hands trembled as I read the words.

"We need a fighter. If you're interested, meet us at midnight. Payment is guaranteed."

A fight.

Hope flickered inside me, fragile yet persistent. Could this be the chance I needed?

I wasn't sure. I had sworn never to step into that world again. But now... I had no choice.

For my mother. For my survival.

And I was sure about one thing-I couldn't afford to let it slip away.

I took a deep breath and made my decision. At midnight, I would fight, and I would win.

Midnight

The underground fighting ring was exactly how I remembered it-dark, ruthless, and reeking of sweat and blood. It wasn't the kind of place a former pack warrior like me should be, but desperation left me no choice.

I used the last of my money to buy a spot in the fight. It was a gamble, but I had no other options.

The moment I stepped into the cage, my wolf stirred, her instincts sharpening. My opponent was a brute of a man, taller, stronger. But I had something he didn't-nothing to lose.

The fight was brutal, but in the end, I stood victorious, panting as my opponent lay unconscious at my feet. Blood dripped from my knuckles, my body ached, but none of it mattered. I had won.

I was just about to leave for home to tend to my wounds when he appeared.

Xander.

My ex-mate's brother.

I wiped the blood from my lip and glared at him as he stepped closer.

"What do you want?" I asked irritably. Since the rejection, I wanted nothing to do with their family. They had caused me a great deal of pain that I wondered if I would ever recover from.

He smirked. His composure irritated me, but I waited, wanting to hear what he had to say. He stared for a while and then broke the silence.

"I have a proposition for you."

I scoffed, wondering why he would think I wanted anything to do with him or his brother after everything that had happened.

"I don't want anything from you," I said, walking away. My body ached, and I needed some rest.

"Be my mate."

The words shocked me to my bones, and I turned to him, my breath catching. "Why the hell would I do that?"

His gaze darkened. "Because I can give you whatever you want and protect you from anyone."

I laughed again. "You can't be serious. I cannot be your mate."

"You can, and you will. Think about what the offer provides you. Everything, Amara. Everything."

As he spoke the words, it occurred to me that he was right. This was an opportunity to get what I had always wanted.

Revenge for all the pain his family caused me.

And a chance to save my mother.

I wasn't sure what his reasons for this proposition were, but it was a win for me, and I didn't mind.

"I will be your mate," I said. "But first, I have some conditions."

He smirked. "Whatever it is, consider it done."

And just like that, my fate was sealed.