Chapter 2 The Price

• Jordan seemed to be amused by my words and looked at his friends behind him.
• "I thought that day had left a better impression on you." He crossed his arms and the others walked away, leaving us alone.
• "A lot happened after that day," I said, standing up to not seem so fragile around him.
• "Humans have the terrible habit of wanting to justify everything." He seemed bored with my words, so I grabbed his arm, drawing his attention to me.
• Somehow he realized that I was not the same. My hair was not as long and my expression was not as confident.
• "Say what you want and go," he said dryly, losing patience with me.
• "Let's go somewhere else, please," I begged, trying to make him understand the urgency I felt.
• "Greyson?" He looked at the waiter behind us, who handed him a silver key.
• "This way." We walked to the back of the bar where a small door was hidden. He opened it and let me in. Upon entering the room, I realized it was a small office. With a narrow desk and a large armchair. In the corner, a brown leather sofa completed the decor.
• "Don't tell me you just came to chat." Jordan was pressed against my back with his nose in my hair. His right hand was on my stomach, pressing my body against his.
• I moved away, trying to maintain the huge attraction I still felt for him.
• "I can't," I said, turning to him and seeing his face darken.
• "Then tell me what you want and leave." His response infuriated me, but I tried to contain the words forming in my throat.
• "I need your help," I said immediately. I analyzed his face and was even more annoyed by his libertine expression.
• "I thought you had money." He walked past me and got up from the armchair, looking at me.
• "Money can't buy what I need," I said, biting my lip to keep from crying in front of him. "If it could, I would never have come looking for you," I said angrily.
• "I don't know how I can help you." He crossed his hands on the table, staring at me intently.
• I took out my phone from my pocket and opened a photo. It showed Benjamin and me on his birthday. I left the phone on the table and pushed it towards him.
• "He needs your help." Jordan looked at the photo without understanding anything and then looked at me, as if the pieces were starting to fit together.
• "You mean he's my ‘pup’?" My blood boiled at hearing him call my son a pup. What was he thinking referring to Ben like that?
• "Watch your tongue, idiot. Don't call my son that." I slammed my hand on the table and a cruel smile appeared on his lips.
• "I don't think he's mine," he added, returning the phone to me and leaning back in the chair.
• "It's not necessary, I'm sure and that's enough for me." He stood up, placing his hands on the table and coming face to face with me.
• "If you don't need money, what do you want?" I stepped back, picking up my phone again and swiping to another photo, one of Benjamin in the hospital with tubes in his nose and probes in his body. I pushed the phone back towards him.
• "My blood is not compatible." He took the phone in his hands and studied the photo more carefully than before. "He has a rare form of leukemia, the doctors don't know what it is." His eyes turned to me. "My son is dying and you are the only one who can save him."
• Jordan placed the phone on the table and walked away, pondering over my last words.
• "If you want to negotiate or make a deal, I'm willing. I'll do whatever you want, just save my son." He turned back to the phone, still thinking.
• "How can you be sure he's mine?" Those words irritated me, but I needed him to understand.
• "I haven't been with any man since that night." I turned fully towards him. "As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I did everything for him. I haven't had any interest in anything else since Ben got sick."
• "And only now you thought to tell me about this child? It seems a bit illogical. I'll think about it," he shrugged and headed towards the door.
• "Think about it?" I said surprised.
• "Do you really think I'm going to believe your words, human? I'll do my own investigation, and if he really is my son, I'll help you." He opened the door, but I stood in front of him and closed it.
• "Don't you believe my words?" I said, astonished, leaning against the door to prevent him from leaving.
• "No," he said, bringing his face close to mine. "I don't believe in humans," he sniffed me and something piqued his interest. "Your scent has changed too." He clenched his jaw. "I hadn't noticed." He seemed to have become more irritated.
• "Jordan, please." I knelt in front of him. "Please, I don't know what else to do." I lifted my face to look at him and an air of superiority settled in the room. "I'll do whatever you want," I said, with a broken voice.
• "Get up, weak human." He took a step back, letting me fall forward with force. "I said I will evaluate the situation on my own. Send me the boy's tests and I'll take them to a trusted doctor, understand? If that child is mine, I'll do whatever it takes." I stood up, trying to hold back the tears.
• "But it will undoubtedly come at a price." My eyes met his.
• "What price?" I said, knowing I wouldn't like his answer.
• "If this child is mine, he will be raised by me." My jaw dropped instantly. "You are too weak to train him," his words surprised me.
• "He's not a dog to be trained," I hissed angrily, stepping towards him.
• "But he is the son of an Alpha and should be trained as such."