-Ember-
The door swings open, and I step into what can only be described as luxury personified. The suite is massive—plush carpet under my feet, a sprawling living area with sleek modern furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking nighttime view of the city, and what appears to be multiple rooms branching off from the main space.
Holy shit, Ivy whispers in my mind. This isn't a hotel room, it's a damn penthouse.
I know, I respond internally. I feel like I should take my shoes off before I contaminate the place.
Rich people really do live differently, Ivy says, her mental voice filled with awe.
"I think this is beyond our budget," I say with a nervous chuckle, running my fingers along the back of a leather sofa that probably costs more than my car.
Stella's voice drips with mischief when she replies, "We aren't paying for it."
My heart skips a beat. I drop my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Then who the fuck is?"
"Mr. Mystery man," Stella practically sings, her eyes gleaming with barely contained excitement.
"And who is that?" I ask, my suspicion growing by the second.
Ainslee tsks with a sly smile. "Now, darling, it wouldn't be a mystery if we told you, would it?"
"Once again I am totally confused," I mutter, looking around the suite.
Something's definitely up, Ivy says. They're practically vibrating with excitement.
I know. I don't like it.
Oaklynn walks around the suite, running her hand over the marble countertops. "I don't care who... This place is bigger than my entire apartment!"
"Why are we here?" I ask pointedly, trying to get a straight answer.
Stella leads us to a bar tucked into the corner of the suite, fully stocked with top-shelf liquor and—oddly enough—our drinks from downstairs already prepared and waiting.
Oaklynn stares at the drinks, her expression shifting from admiration to wariness. "OK... this is a little creepy... these are the exact same drinks we had downstairs."
"Sit," Ainslee commands, gesturing to the plush couches. "We'll explain everything."
This is getting weirder by the second, Ivy comments as we all take seats.
Stella holds out her drink to make a toast, her face alight with anticipation. "To fulfilling your wildest fantasy!"
"And to finally removing that chastity belt!" Ainslee adds with a wicked grin, raising her glass high.
Butterflies erupt in my stomach, and not the good kind. "What are you talking about? I'm starting to feel like a broken record."
"Toast first," Stella insists, thrusting her glass closer to mine.
"Enough!" Oaklynn slams her hand on the coffee table. "What the hell is happening here? No more games!"
Ainslee takes a deliberate sip of her vodka tonic before answering. "Stella and I went to the bathroom and ran into a man in the hallway."
"Not just any man," Stella gushes, fanning herself dramatically. "He is all ALPHA and all MALE. My goddess, the way he fills out a suit should be illegal."
"Yep," Ainslee adds with a smirk. "No settling for a mediocre human lay tonight. This is premium grade wolf."
My pulse increases as the pieces start to click together. "So let me get this straight..." I pause, my voice rising with each word. "You brought us into his suite... a complete stranger?" The words tumble out in a panicked rush. "TO FUCK??"
Oh shit, Ivy says. They've actually gone and done it.
"Oh, calm your tits," Ainslee says with a dismissive wave. "Do you know why we did this?"
"Please, for the love of the goddess, fill us in before I lose my mind," Oaklynn says, clearly at the end of her patience.
Stella's words come out in an excited rush. "He's drop-dead gorgeous, built like a Greek god, a wolf with an aura so powerful even Tanner would think twice before challenging him..." She looks around the opulent suite and sighs appreciatively. "And judging by this place, he's loaded enough to buy and sell your mate ten times over."
"Jesus, you sound like you're selling a prize stallion," Oaklynn blurts out.
Ainslee playfully smacks Oaklynn's shoulder. "Stop it. But he won't take advantage of Ember. In fact, he's offering exactly what she fantasized about—no strings attached."
My heart is hammering against my ribs now. "Please tell me you didn't prostitute me out for the night. Or hire me a male escort."
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Stella and Ainslee cry out simultaneously, looking genuinely horrified at the suggestion.
Well, what else are we supposed to think? Ivy scoffs. They've basically arranged a hookup without your consent.
"So you want me to sleep with him? A complete stranger?" I clarify, trying to keep my voice steady despite the panic rising in my chest.
"Yes," they answer in unison, not a hint of doubt between them.
I glance behind me and around the room. "OK then... Where is this mystery man hiding?"
"He's not coming in until we leave," Ainslee explains. "And only if you agree to all the rules."
I take a large mouthful of my drink, hoping the alcohol will calm my nerves. "Have you two completely lost your fucking minds!?"
I'm starting to think they have, Ivy agrees. Though I'm curious about this wolf now.
"Not at all," Stella says, stirring her cocktail with deliberate slowness. "We're giving you the perfect opportunity to get exactly what you need... what you've been craving for years."
Oaklynn sets her drink down on the coffee table with a decisive thunk. "And what exactly does she want that you two suddenly became her pimps?"
"Were you not listening at the lobby bar?" Ainslee asks, arching an eyebrow.
"You're going to have to be more specific," Oaklynn says, crossing her arms.
Ainslee's eyes light up as she explains, "Blindfolded by a stranger. No name. No face. No mate issues. No complications. And a wolf powerful enough to give her so many orgasms she'll forget her own name."
Oh fuck, Ivy says. They really were listening to everything.
"REMOVE THY CHASTITY BELT, WOMAN! THE DROUGHT ENDS TONIGHT!" Stella yells dramatically, causing me to flinch and nearly spill my drink.
"You two have absolutely lost your minds," I say, shaking my head in disbelief.
"Yep, I think they need professional help," Oaklynn agrees, though I notice her lips twitching with amusement now.
Stella leans forward, suddenly serious. "Let's look at this logically... you're in the city, hundreds of miles from our pack. There are no strings attached. You've already decided to reject your garbage mate. And if at any time you want the guy to stop... he's promised he will. Immediately."
"So he claims," I point out, my heart racing. "But we don't know this guy. He could be a psychopath... or worse. Oh god, please tell me he's not a rogue!"
A rogue would be suicide, Ivy says. Even I'm not that desperate.
"We've vetted him thoroughly," Ainslee assures me, her tone softening. "He comes from a respected pack. You should trust us, Em. This is the one thing you need right now. You'll never get a more perfect situation. For Tanner to hurt him, he'd have to find him first. Plus, he agreed to every single one of our conditions."
"Oh goddess... you two..." Oaklynn shakes her head, but I can tell she's starting to come around to the idea.
"Don't you want to give Tanner a taste of his own medicine?" Ainslee presses, her eyes intense. "Make him feel the pain for one night when he's been torturing you for three years?"
"This is literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Stella adds, leaning forward. "A no-strings hookup with a wolf who's hot enough to melt steel and who knows exactly what you want."
They have a point, Ivy says, her tone thoughtful. It would serve Tanner right to feel what we've been feeling.
But we don't know this wolf, I argue internally.
True. But your friends seem to trust him. And honestly, how much worse could he be than what we already deal with?
"He could be a psychopath," I say aloud, voicing my concerns. "Or from a rival pack looking to use me to get revenge on Tanner."
"He's not," Ainslee states firmly. "But even if revenge is his motive—which it isn't—then fucking you senseless would certainly accomplish that goal. Win-win, if you ask me."
She's not wrong there, Ivy comments dryly.
"Besides," Stella adds, twirling a strand of hair around her finger, "this guy checks every box on your fantasy wishlist. He agreed to all your conditions without hesitation."
"My conditions?" I echo, confused.
"Yes. Every detail of your fantasy," Ainslee confirms with a knowing smile.
Oaklynn's eyes suddenly widen as realization dawns on her face. "Wait just a goddamn minute... How did you even get to the point of discussing Ember's sex fantasies with a total stranger?"
"He overheard our entire conversation in the lobby bar and approached us in the club," Stella says, as casually as if discussing the weather.
My cheeks burn with mortification. "WHAT?"
Oh sweet goddess, Ivy groans. He heard EVERYTHING. Every. Single. Detail.